I have been here several times, and the food has never disappointed. The past three times, my partner and I have sat at the bar. Bartenders were incredibly gracious and fun and gave great recommendations. My partner and I decided to dine here last Saturday with his parents since we were all in town coincidentally. I bring this up because we made the reservation for 6- I had been raving to them about this restaurant and really wanted to take them. My partner and I were working in Cape May for a wedding florist, and so we gave the best time frame we could based on the time we were able to leave the wedding and head to dinner. As it turned out we had to stay a little bit longer, his parents already arriving at 6 prompt. We did not make it there until 6:25 by the time we were able to park. Now, having worked in the restaurant industry nearly all my life, I understand the frustrations a host faces with the excuses and unawareness customers have. When I arrived, I apologized. I tried to explain the situation as best as I could. When I tell you I have never written a review because of poor service, I mean it. The host turned me off of the restaurant entirely, as delicious as their fried tomatoes are! When I apologized, he was so snarky it was absolutely shocking. He said as I listed what the reservation was under, "well, go find them then." HE DID NOT EVEN TAKE ME TO MY TABLE. I almost laughed at how childish his behavior was, and then it really got to me. After having finished the meal, in a timely manner where there were still empty tables (that had been empty the entire time we were there- yes I know how stacking works), my partner's father politely asked to speak with the host. The host was incredibly rude to him, even though he simply explained how his service was. I am not totally unconvinced the host had some unattended anger issues. Again, I rarely write reviews, but I so hope no one has to experience his unbelievable behavior, especially as they are about to have a lovely meal and delicious cocktails. So, I will end on the note that my 3 stars would easily be 5 based on all of the other experiences at the Cricket Club, but I cannot ignore my most recent experience, and hope it will never happen to anyone else! I myself, will never dine at the Cricket Club again, but I am sure it's just a pride thing. Good luck to those who try- but may I recommend do not be late! read more

Cricket has been a popular team sport for centuries. It's essentially a bat-and-ball sport that originated in England and is now very popular in countries such as India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, the West Indies, and South Africa. Built in 1885 at the former site of the Merion Inn on Decatur Street in Cape May, we decided on dinner at the Cricket Club honoring the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, Pennsylvania, after driving for 3 hours with an appetite. Upon arriving as first-timers without reservation on a busy Friday night, my partner and I were lucky to get a table in one of their dining rooms with those familiar with the stained glass windows in the wall between the bar and the dining room and from repurposed light fixtures sporting new shades with live music added to the vibe. Their menu features contemporary American cuisine with local and international flavors. We decided on the Snapper Tacos and Spicy Chicken Sandwich. Even saved room for dessert and opted for the Tiramisu and Chocolate Torte. We washed them down with Prosecco and Downeast Cider. Great flavor profile in all of the dishes we tried, and the food was cooked to perfection. It was clear the chef knew how to combine the best flavors and textures. Service was on point and professional. Our server was Polina. It's a bit pricey but worth every penny. Thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of our evening. read more

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This is a five-star restaurant and anything less is absurd. The service, the food, and the ambiance is top notch. The sea scallops were perfect and the short rib fries appetizer were delicious. My wife loved the pork chop entree. Can't wait to come back and try everything. read more

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I've been coming to Cape May for many years and the Cricket Club was a restaurant I stumbled upon last year during one of the last days of the trip. Made a mental note to come back the following year and I'm glad I did. The menu has something for pretty much everyone -- To start, we got the ahi tuna and the short rib poutine. While short rib, mixed with french fries, covered with gravy and cheese doesn't neccesarily scream "Summer Beach Town dining", it was amazing and I would absolutely get it again. I got the wagyu ravioli and was really impressed. Not only was it very hearty and delicious, but the servings was great as well. Would also get this again. My girlfriend got the short rib (this was her third time getting short rib this trip) and she said here was the best compared against Blue Pig Tavern and Peter Shields. We wrapped up the night with their special dessert, the sticky toffee pudding and it was perfect. read more

It was a like, not a love. The food and drinks were good but the atmosphere felt kind of crowded and like we were sitting in a dark dive bar. Overall, everyone loved the dirty martini and I liked my scallop entree! Very tasty. read more

Cricket Club - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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An intimate dining experience that is perfect for date night or having dinner with a few friends! The menu items are creative giving you options you probably haven't tried before. I love the wyagu burrata ravioli and apple onion soup. They make great drinks! Service is consistently good. There is parking on site and across the street. read more

Wonderful dinner and delightful server Monika ! Has salmon and short rib. ! Drinks were very good also ! read more

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Had a great first time experience here for an anniversary dinner last weekend. The food was excellent across the board. Soups and starters were amazing, and the filet and porkchop were both top tier entrees. Service was good and attentive. Cocktails were poured well and balanced. Easy to make a reservation through the RESY app. Classy inside but still felt comfy and casual. There are a lot of great places to eat in Cape May and this is absolutely one of them. read more

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Had a great experience this past weekend. Came for my mom's birthday. The ambience is nice. I noticed the other rooms were nicer than where we were seated but maybe next time. Our waitress was really nice. She took some pictures for us. Now for the meal. My mom ordered red wine and I had a margarita. Both were good. None of the speciality menu drinks appealed to me. For dinner I had the short ribs and my mom had the salmon. The short ribs were delicious. The potatoes that came with it were good but the green beans had too much garlic for me. My mom's salmon was great. It came with risotto that was also delicious. We didn't get any appetizers or deserts. It's pricy but I think the meal was worth it. Will definitely return. read more

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Our first time coming this to this place and it was wonderful. We came for the Restaurant Weekend special and we loved everything about the place. First off, it is nice that the restaurant has it's own parking lot in Cape May. Granted, it was off season so it's likely going to be full during the summer months. We made a reservation through the Resy app which was easy and was seated right on time. I had a very difficult time deciding what to order from the prix fixe menu because there were so many interesting choices. Fortunately, our server Mandy was very knowledgeable about the menu and made some good recommendations. We ended up getting: the Apple Onion Soup, Loaded Potato Muffins, Pork Chop, Wagyu and Burrata, Raspberry Sorbet, and Flourless Chocolate Cake. The two appetizers hit it out of the park right away. The Apple Onion soup is very similar to a french onion soup but has a nice sweet and tartness to it. The loaded muffins were stuffed with potato, scallion, cheese, and bacon. It had 3 different flavorings: hot honey butter, tomato jam, and cheese. I loved the honey butter and the tomato jam, they were so unique and went really well with the potato. The entrees didn't disappoint either. The Wagyu and Burrata was made in a bolognese style with the wagyu being the ground beef. The sauce had a strong savory red wine flavor that went really well with the cheese ravioli. The bone-in pork chop was seared and cooked perfectly. It was topped with a bacon jam that went really well with the pork and the demiglace. I was stuffed by the end of the meal so I'm glad I went with the light and refreshing sorbet. It was an amazing meal and every dish exceeded our expectations. I think my favorite part of the meal was the loaded potato muffins out of everything I tasted that night. Cricket Club did everything right. I would highly recommend this establishment if you want to go out to somewhere nice. read more

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The ambiance here is a 10/10. They have jazz music in the bar on the weekends that you can hear from the dining room. We made a reservation for a Friday night so we had no wait but it was crowded even for off-season. Our server was welcoming and attentive. The portions were large and filling. The scallops could have been hotter but overall very good. The price point is a bit higher but for a special occasion we would come back again. read more

Cricket Club - Waygu & Burrata Pasta - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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My partner surprised me with a Valentine's Day weekend in Cape May; a nice Bed and Breakfast, and dinner at the Cricket Club. It was our first visit to the restaurant. We skipped the appetizers and went directly to the entrees - we shared the Cavatelli Pasta and the Braised Short Rib. The pasta was excellent! The minced lamb ragout was rich and flavorful - the pasta cooked perfectly. The portion size was very large, and easy to share. The star of the evening however was the short rib. It was a large filet of beef, that was so tender,it almost melted in your mouth. The savory beef was a great accompaniment to the pasta dish. We finished the meal with the Chocolate Mousse, which was very good, layered with a fresh whipped cream and luscious raspberries! It was a memorable Valentine's Day dinner! read more

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I love dining here! The portions are generous. Great Ambiance. They have live entertainment in the evening in the bar area. There are high tops to eat at or seats at the bar. You can also dine in one of their dining rooms or sit outside! The service is good too! My favorite is their onion soup! The best ever! Many of their apps can be shared. The waiters & waitresses can guide you. They are very on point! One small note its very cool in there! Nice on a hot day! read more

Overrated and a bit pricey for what is provided. Service was slow and not that attentive. Environment was loud and tables close together. Inside dark and not overly appealing. Food was average....assume same as Ugly Mug. Much better places in Cape May at this price point. read more

Amazing food, good service and welcoming atmosphere. Filling in the rest of this because it says I need more words. read more

My family had been going to the Marion Inn (the restaurant in this location pre-Cricket Club) for longer than I have been alive! We were so sad to see it close. but the changes they made really took a classic restaurant and elevated it to a swanky restaurant/bar! Many of the original servers have stayed on. Special shout out to Richard who is Front of House and always takes care of us! Seeing him year after year is such a treat. Our first experience at Cricket Club was just OK. We felt that the menu was a little to out there and adventurous for this area and definitely pricey. We decided to give it another chance and I'm so happy we did! The menu still has some interesting things, but they definitely added some more traditional options. Everyone in our group loved their meal! For apps, we split the short rib fries and loaded potato muffins. Both were insanely delicious and flavor! The short rib fries almost tasted like french onion soup on fries... yum!! For my entree, I had the salmon which came on risotto. I though the salmon was cooked perfectly and all the flavors were fresh, bright, and delicious! Definitely recommend! I look forward to coming back in the Spring and Summer! This is a great spot for a more upscale, special occasion meal in Cape May! Or if you can grab a seat at the bar, cocktails and apps are a must do! read more

Cricket Club - Salmon - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Dinner at the Cricket Club was delicious. Had to try the apple French onion soup. Though I probably prefer it without the apples, it was a delicious soup. Due entres we had the pork chop and scallops with Thai basil fried rice. Both were delicious and I especially loved the rice. Wrapped up with cheesecake, which was delicious. We left stuffed. Ambience was great and they had someone on the guitar, singing. Was hoping for jazz for some reason but it was ok. We will definitely return the next time we're in Cape May. read more

The bar is where you need to sit!! It's dimly lit and a musician is playing in the corner. The porch and side dining rooms are well lit. We visit once a year. Our favorite bartender has a curly mustache and is a great mixologist. I question him about the menu because it's wack. The only item the regular patrons recommend was the loaded potato muffins. (We did not order) We decided to try the fried tuna roll with a side of seaweed salad. The tuna fell out has we tried to dip it in the soy sauce. The flavors did not come together. It was the smallest side of seaweed salad I've ever had topped with a wasabi with no heat. The Fried red tomatoes with blue crabmeat gravy lacked seasoning and was mushy. The crab cake entree was meh. No seasoning on the green beans or fingerling potatoes. read more

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Beautiful bar area with great selection of wine, beer and craft cocktails. Food was fantastic try the shrimp pasta, excellent!! Great atmosphere and great jazz music playing. read more

Love this place! Second year dining here. Cocktails are well made, food is delicious and played elegantly. Lovely bar and dining room, more upscale dining. Dinner was crab cakes- lots of lump crab not much filler Chicken Milanese was so crispy in the outside and juicy inside. The lemon dressing perfectly balanced the dish. But it did come with cheese melted on top. We had to send the dish back, our server handled the request politely. Dessert was on the special menu - upside down apple almond cake with pistachio ice cream. That was good but my least favorite of the meal. The cake was a little dry. Overall another great meal and experience. read more

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Happening spot with delicious food and live music. This place works well for large parties with all its different seating areas and room to move about. The food was fresh, flavorful and came out quickly. The portions are very large, consider splitting. Monika was super attentive, maybe because it was my friend's bday or b/c we kept ordering bottles of wine! Reservations are a must! read more

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This place is a WINNER! We got wonderful service from Ioana. She spaced our meal perfect and was able to give us excellent food suggestions. The AMBIANCE was pretty. We sat in the back room and I was facing towards a beautiful stain glass window. The lighting was perfect as well. Not to dark or light which set the mood for a nice date night experience. We also really enjoyed the food & drinks. The appetizers we chose were lamb chops and the watermelon salad & main courses were short rib and salmon. All extremely delicious. I found myself gnawing on the lamb chop bones as I did not want to waste a morsel of the tender delicious lamb. I also loved the salmon dish that Ioana recommended. Helpings were very generous. My dish was so good, I wanted to lick the plate. They have a great bar area as well to grab a quick meal or drink and if you stay at the Carroll Villa Hotel you get a bonus 15% off. All in all it was a fun upbeat night and we cannot wait to go back! read more

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Tried this place for the first time and was not disappointed. The food was phenomenal and the staff went out of their way to fit us in the schedule. Beautiful bar. The only negative is their limited selection of beers. read more

Liked - warm welcome by hosts Wonderfully decorated Warm interior Food - chicken and waffles off the chain Dislikes - although our waitress was pleasant to speak with we were ignored after the first "how is everything@. Since we didn't order wine or dessert I guess we weren't worth it, read more

Cricket Club - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Amazing food and a lot wasn't fried so you don't feel heavy afterwards. Mussels was something different from your usual garlic and white wine sauce. The shishito peppers and slab bacon really gave it great flavor. Highly recommend the broccolini. That char flavor really made a them delicious. BEST CRAB CAKES EVER. I kid you not, you get 2 huge cakes fulls of lump crab with barely any filler. I couldn't tell if there any binder at all. I would go back for the crab cakes alone. If you have kids get the cheese plate. Plenty of fruit and crackers for the kids to eat. Kids will also like the sorbet. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Close to Washington street to walk around afterwards to digest. read more

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Great experience at The Cricket Club! It was a beautiful Saturday evening post-summer and we were sans reservation. The host sat us at a 4 top in the bar area next to the performers. He smiled and said "It's jazz so it's not loud". He was 100% correct! I have a feeling others passed on that table, believing it would be difficult to hear their fellow diners. We lucked out! We ordered a variety of appetizers and small plates for sharing. The French Onion Soup was the best all of us ever had. Delicious! The Cauliflower Steak was cooked perfectly and a bit spicy to boot. If you don't like heat, then this may not be the best dish for you. The Potato Muffins were unique and tasty. The was an MLB playoff game on that night and we were watching the game (silently) on one of our phones. The host came by with an iPad with the game on and placed it at our table. It was such an thoughtful gesture and it made our night! He was super hospitable and funny, too. So welcoming! This beautiful restaurant was a hit on all fronts. Check it out! read more

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Enjoyed a 3 course selection with my wife for Cape May restaurant week! Very tasty and enjoyable selections, service and atmosphere! Never disappoint at the Cricket Club! read more

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The best atmosphere and the best cocktails, and the best bartenders in Cape May! If you wanna go someplace where the vibe is so positive and energetic this is the place to go. The bartenders are knowledgeable. Their cocktails are actually crazy unique -save your money and skip Nauti distillery and spend your money here! live music. you're welcome lol read more

Everything about this restaurant hits the mark! The food is unique and delicious. The bar area is full of character and the bartender was knowledgeable and so pleasant to be around. When we visit Cape May, we'll definitely be coming back here again! read more

Absolutely must go while in Cape May. Special kudos to the bartenders and their drinks: Dejan, Candace and Matt and the new guy too! (Sorry I can't remember his name, but he's great as well). The best drinks in Cape May. The food is good too! read more

15Mar- As we were big fans of the previous occupant, The Merion Inn, while in town we decided to take a chance and try this new place. Called for an early dinner and greeted by a very friendly and humorous gentleman who set us up with a table just around the corner from the bar w/live music. Opened with wine and of course, a Bloody Mary. Excellent choices and the Bloody was mixed in house (no pre-mix), Big plus. It was a bit light with the add ons but made up for it in flavor. It was extra spicy and delicious. Highly recommended. Our entries included scallops with whipped sweet potatoes and green beans. I had the special, Halibut w/couscous in a cream sauce. We can't say enough about our meals. Both were absolutely outstanding as was the service. Big props to Kelly She helped make our dinner fun and after our long drive, it was a pleasure. We finished with their own cinnamon ice cream over apple cobbler. Again, excellent. A bit pricey but, worth every penny. Remembering you are a stone's throw from Cape Mays pristine beaches. Great service, great meal, great atmosphere. We will absolutely return. 5 Solid Stars Highly recommended read more

Cricket Club - Chardonnay, water and Bloody Mary (excellent) - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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This was our second visit to the Cricket Club. During our first visit, we enjoyed cocktails at the bar late in the afternoon in the summer. This time we visited for dinner on a busy Saturday in December. The restaurant was festively decorated for Christmas and was packed with no space at the bar. We were promptly seated in a quiet corner near windows which was perfect considering how busy it was. To start, the curry cauliflower bisque was creamy and delicious. I also got the spicy tuna roll which was large enough for an entree. We both appreciated how the Cricket Club has an interesting menu that is different from the usual seashore fare. As we enjoyed our dinner, the live music began. We agreed that the light live jazz was a great accompaniment to the meal. read more

Cricket Club - The spicy tuna roll was delicious and big enough for an entree. - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Enjoyed dinner on a Friday night. The music was wonderful. The bar area gets real crowded so reserve a table if you want more space! We enjoyed a special burrata & local tomato app - delish. For dinner, we opted for the short rib sandwich which came with the most tasty fresno sauce. The fries were crispy & very good. The corn salad side was excellent & unique! Service was great & the black manhattan drink was pretty good. Bread for the table is extra. read more

Cricket Club - Outstanding corn salad - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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Went here with my friends and husband to try it out since I haven't been here since it was the Merion Inn. The hostess was very nice and let us sit wherever we wanted, but our waitress was somewhat less attentive. I understand they get busy, but I would have liked another drink and was never asked. The signature cocktails are also extremely small and pricey even for Cape May. I hope you're ready for a 15.00 shot glass for your cocktail. The food was hit or miss. My food was extremely salty. I had the pork chop which was underdone in my opinion and I wasn't asked how I would have liked it cooked. I couldn't have asked to have it cooked longer as we didn't see our waitress until everyone was almost done eating. If you enjoy the taste of vegetables, please order something else. The sweet potatoes and green beans were either covered in butter or so sweet they tasted nothing like they are supposed to. My husband did enjoy the tuna roll and the burger he got but said it was nothing special. Hopefully they were just having an off night, but sometimes a vegetable can have its own flavor. read more

Such a great final dinner in Cape May to end our vacation. Lovely interior, delicious food (short rib is incredible!) and great service. read more

Cricket Club - Short rib - American Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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Waited 5 years to eat here! What an amazing food experience we had! Service very pleasant and friendly. The recommendations given by the waiter were excellent. The food was very very good! The atmosphere was great, little loud but didn't bother us. I absolutely enjoyed it. Can't wait to come back. read more

Let me start off by saying this venue is criminally underrated. We sort of stumbled upon it too, while having an unlucky time finding parking, which is not uncommon in Cape May. Sometimes it's the places you stumble upon that deliver the best experiences. Cricket Club caught our eye because of the decor, both inside and out. The place is impeccably designed from top to bottom. It gives off a very inviting, welcoming vibe. They had live music going inside as well, and the performer was on point. Our food was nothing short of excellent. I had the swordfish and it was cooked to perfection. In fact I'd say it was the best swordfish dish I've had in years. My wife had the grouper special. She didn't speak much the entire meal because she was too busy devouring and enjoying the meal. Lastly, they have a lovely wine selection both by bottle and by the glass. I had a divine red wine. The name eludes me but what drew me to it is that it was described as having "notes of tobacco", which I love in a good cabernet sauvingon. Overall, this venue is amazing. We're actually deliberating going back one more time before we leave Cape May! You cannot go wrong with this spot. read more

This was our first return to this establishment since the Merion Inn closed and became The Cricket Club. We didn't know what to expect, as our experiences at the Merion Inn were delightful. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly met by The Cricket Club staff and were promptly seated. The decor was essentially unchanged from its previous nature and remained striking and sophisticated. Our server was courteous, and although the wait times were a little lengthy between courses, this was almost certainly because the restaurant was full to capacity. There was live music as well, though we sat on the other side of the wall, so it was faint. The food was absolutely wonderful! The Apple Onion Soup was an amazing twist on the French Onion soup classic. The Artisan Cheese Plate appetizer was a treat as well; the cheese selection excellent and the honeycomb was a delightful accent for the cheeses, apple slices, and toasted almonds. My daughter had the Stuffed Pepper, which was deliciously and slightly blackened, and served with simply devine  potatoes. I had the Pan-Seared Salmon, which was perfection itself; seared evenly, tender inside, on a bed of lovely fluffy lemon risotto. I had a cappuccino for dessert. Dinner for two was $145 (tip included); without alcoholic drinks. All things considered, The Cricket Club is an absolute must if you're in Cape May and desire fine dining, a menu with diverse selections, a classic atmosphere, and an efficient and welcoming staff! read more

We had dinner there our second time in three days. While there are many restaurant choice in Cape May, very few successfully combine great food, terrific service and wonderful hospitality and ambiance. The Cricket Club does all that very well and is a fantastic place to eat when in Cape May. Hence why we went twice in 3 days! read more

I was a big fan of the Merion Inn so was sad to learn that it closed but decided to try the Cricket Club with some friends. It did not disappoint. I thought the menu hit the mark with your typical Cape May priced mains but also a number of sandwich options. We shared a wedge salad which truly was enough salad for four people. The scallops, short rib and crab cake were all excellent. My friends took some pictures to document the evening. read more

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