Our party of five had an excellent experience at Primal by Mia. The vibe of the restaurant is calm and inviting, and the decor is beautiful without taking away from the ocean views. Christian, our server, was personable, helpful, and made us feel right at home. Every single bite of food was amazing. It is clear Mia has poured every ounce of her experience, knowledge, and love into her menu and cooking. The sauce alone in the scallop appetizer is amazing, the fresh seafood that accompanied it feels like an added bonus. Four steaks were cooked to perfection with a crispy sear on the outside and perfect temperature on the inside. The truffle mashed potatoes were delicious with small chunks of potato mixed with creamy goodness. The vegetables were fresh, delicious, and seasoned perfectly. The dessert platter was phenomenal. While we didn't have much room left, we all tried a few bites of the creamy, delicious cheesecake, brownies, poundcake, and fresh strawberries with whipped cream. Since we were one of the last tables in the restaurant, we had the great pleasure of meeting Mia on her way out. Chatting with Mia was like talking to a friend you've known forever. Her warmth, sense of humor, and happy disposition envelope you immediately. Mia's parents and sister are definitely smiling down on her while she helps give people amazing memories filled with excellent food, love, and laughter. The entire experience far exceeded our expectations and we will definitely return. read more

Grabbed one of the last reservations available on a Thursday in late April. Arrived early and enjoyed a first glass of our Merlot at their bar. They honored our reservation and seated us five minutes early. They started us off with two pieces of their excellent focaccia. The pesto dip was better than the chili oil. The calamari app was excellent - tender rings, chunks of pork belly, shrimp, and a spicy tomato sauce. The artichoke app comprised two long stem hearts, with stems, and a Parmigiano topping. Good but not at the level of the calamari. Next up a composed mixed green salad with generous shaved Parmigiano. Complimentary! The thick slice of halibut was on point. Moist, perfectly cooked. Not an afterthought by any means. The 20 oz. Cowboy cut rib steak was tender and perfectly seasoned but maybe a degree or two past medium rare. The side of grilled vegetables was splendid. And another freebie -- dessert for two -- butter cakes with cream and chocolate crunch. Sort of like a deconstructed tiramisu. Also delicious. Service managed to be friendly and professional. A great experience and a solid value. The ambiance was modern steakhouse. Would have preferred some jazz on the playlist, but no complaints. I would definitely return. read more

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This was our second visit to Primal, and this time we brought our boys along so they could experience one of our favorite restaurants at the shore. We were fortunate enough to snag a 6:30 p.m. reservation at the last minute. Normally reservations need to be made well in advance, so I'm guessing we benefited from a cancellation. We arrived around 6:00 p.m. and were told we'd be seated in a few minutes. There was a table for four right at the front that we assumed was ours. As it turned out, it was--but they wouldn't seat us until our actual reservation time. It wasn't a huge deal, but it was a little frustrating to see the table sitting empty while we waited another 30 minutes. Once we were seated, everything else reminded us why we enjoy coming here. The food was every bit as good as we remembered. One of the things that makes Primal unique is that the steaks are wood-grilled, giving them a nice char on the outside while staying perfectly cooked inside. My son and I both ordered the 8-ounce filet, my other son went with the impressive 22-ounce ribeye, and my wife chose the surf and turf with a 6-ounce filet and lobster. Every meal was cooked exactly as ordered and absolutely delicious. Another nice touch is that your meal includes complimentary fresh-baked bread, a salad, and dessert. On this visit, dessert was mini donuts filled with salted caramel, and they were outstanding--the perfect sweet ending to the meal. The service wasn't quite as polished as we remembered from our first visit, but it was still friendly and attentive enough that it didn't take away from the overall experience. A couple of tips for first-time visitors: Primal is BYOB, so don't forget to bring your favorite bottle. When making reservations, you can also choose between seating near the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs at work, or the ocean-side dining area, which offers a beautiful view. We always look forward to dining at Primal whenever we're at the shore, and we're so glad we were able to grab a last-minute reservation. We'll definitely be back again. read more

Primal By Mia - complimentary dessert - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

My wife and I were lucky enough to get two seats at the bar, as the restaurant was completely booked for the following week. It has a great atmosphere and a fantastic beachfront location. My wife ordered the surf and turf, which included an 8-ounce filet and a 7-ounce lobster tail, while I went with the 22-ounce ribeye. Both steaks were cooked perfectly to our requested temperatures. Every meal also comes with a fresh salad and a complimentary dessert, which was a nice touch. Overall, everything was excellent. The only downside was the service, which wasn't as attentive as we had hoped. At times, it seemed like the staff was more focused on the soccer game playing on the televisions than on their tables. Despite that, we had a great dining experience and would definitely return. read more

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Food: was okay Service: was off not great Ambience: nice but I would not spend my money there read more

Healthy eater beware!!!!! Food is all premade slop. I asked for my salmon to be simply prepared with only olive oil. It was already premade with butter and some gross salt rub. We got a side of "grilled" vegetables and mushrooms it was vial we didn't eat it. The vegetables were NOT grilled they were cooked in probably canola oil. I felt like I was eating Sysco premade food that you would eat in a cafeteria soaked in oil. Walk down the street and go to a different restaurant. Really not good! To add insult to injury the waitress we had was annoyed and caught off guard I asked for simply prepared **spoiler alert everything is prepared in advance panickkkk mode". Ambiance not there. Overpriced, oil soaked slop - please avoid. read more

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One of our favorite restaurants, period! We come here monthly for dinner, always bring family/friends, and celebrate events/holidays. When I say this is the best steak and lobster I've ever had, that is the honest truth. The lobster is from South Africa which is sweeter, paired with drawn butter. The barrel cut steak has the perfect taste. The salad and dessert Mia decides to make that day is always incredible! The service is attentive and makes you feel like family. The ambiance is excellent as you sit right on the beach and have water views. If you can't get a reservation, they have a first-come seating bar area. Also BYOB! I cannot say enough good things about this place. It's truly special. You will not be disappointed!!! read more

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Had a really nice dinner here last week. Service was attentive and the décor was chick and inviting. Unfortunately we arrived after dark so we couldn't see the much lauded ocean view. Food was excellent. Steak was cooked to perfection over a wood fired grill giving it a perfect sear. The restaurant isn't cheap by any means and the $20 plate sharing for a massive $80 steak that I assume is usually shared by more than one person is annoying. I also took exception that an additional shot glass sized steak sauce was $6. Delicious salad and dessert is included as is service of amazing piping hot bread. When visiting Cape May if you're in the mood for a truly delicious meal, if cost isn't an issue, I highly recommend you give them a spin. You won't be disappointed. read more

Primal By Mia - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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Primal is the premier reservation in Cape May. Service superb, as always. Christian took great care of us. All filets, all cooked perfectly, with a few nice surprises. Another great night! read more

Great steak. Great service! Salad was inedible salty tonite. Side of mixed vegs was mediocre Dessert was very good. read more

Gorgeous Waterfront, Excellent Service. Primal by Mia in Cape May offers stunning waterfront views and takes reservations -- a big plus! Our three appetizers were delicious and beautifully presented, and the complimentary salad was a pleasant surprise. The Chilean seabass was perfectly cooked, and the steaks. The steaks all came out medium well instead of one medium rare. I'd suggest going lighter on the salt, especially in the mashed potatoes & fish. Service was flawless -- our waitress was attentive and friendly, and presentation was 5-star. The cakes for dessert were the perfect sweet ending. Highly recommend for a memorable meal by the water! read more

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Primal by Mia was a great experience. The steaks were absolutely delicious--perfectly cooked and seasoned. The staff was warm and attentive, and the views were wonderful. Every dish we had was excellent. Highly recommend! read more

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Absolutely incredible. Food is wonderful and artfully presented. The salad and dressing were the best. Wood fired filet with truffle mashed potatoes were beyond belief. Dessert was imaginative. The price point was very reasonable considering the inclusions.... homemade bread with two dipping sauces, a large salad and dessert. Service was impeccable. Beautiful surroundings with ocean and beach views. Primal is an absolute must visit! read more

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Barrel cut ribeye was extremely overcooked and nearly inedible. I did ask for MW but this was beyond well done. Another guest asked for MR and it was also overcooked. The salad and dessert were good. Truffle mashed potatoes could have used some seasoning or butter. read more

Came to Primal for dinner during a July weeklong vacation with friends. Happy to report the meal, the location, the ambiance, all lead to a fantastic spot to check out. The entire staff was extremely kind & helpful, food was delicious. read more

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WOW! What an amazing spot. Now I see why a reservation is so tough to get here. If you don't already know, they open reservations 10 days out and they're completely booked within minutes. Totally worth the wait though! The food was absolutely incredible. Every dish felt so fresh and full of flavor. And the special dessert that's included? Truly the perfect finishing touch, unique and delicious. We left already talking about when we can come back. Highly recommend this place if you get the chance to snag a reservation! read more

Primal By Mia - Dinner menu - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Our first visit to Primal was for my wife's birthday. It was so good that we returned last night for our anniversary. Ambience, service and food are all first rate. It's now our favorite restaurant. read more

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We were very excited to try Primal. The couple we were with had been their twice before and said the barrell ribeye (now $61) was outstanding. We all ordered one (three of us medium rare and the other rare plus). All 4 were overcooked one level up but even worse, the meat didn't taste like a ribeye. It was more like a basic top sirloin cut you get at Omaha Steaks or Outback-- some decent flavor but a bit chewy. The couple that had been there before said it was totally different than previous visits. We complained but didn't get anywhere with that-- the server was a bit grumpy. Not a great experience. On the plus side, the complimentary bread, salad, and dessert are all fantastic and the tuna tartare app was also great. So manybe we try something else next time or go for fish. read more

Just another FANTASTIC, insanely great experience at Primal last night. The complimentary salad was extra special, then perfect entrees strip steak and lobster tails for me, and swordfish for my wife. The complimentary dessert was also delicious. All matched with great service and beautiful atmosphere. We're back on Thursday, can't wait! read more

We've been following chef Mia for over 10 years and she does not disappoint. The restaurant feels cozy, rustic, yet elevated. The menu is on the smaller side which is nice. We sat ocean view and started off with their fresh bread and complimentary salad (perfect portion for 3). Skipped apps this time, but ordered the 6 oz filet paired with an Alaskan lobster tail. I'm super picky with lobster in general because i have a weird texture thing. However, this was the consistency of crab which I love! 10/10 would recommend this dish. My mom got the Chilean sea bass and it was also 10/10. My dad got the NY strip(not pictured) but was also raved about it! The mashed potatoes are also a MUST!!!! They are fantastic!!!! Ended the meal with a complimentary dessert (such a nice touch!). Our server was Trey - he was fantastic. Did not try to upsell and offered honest opinions on what he liked/didn't like. Again, Mia does not disappoint. If you are in cape may or near-this is a must go too! read more

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One of the best meals I've had in a very long time. Started with: -6 shrimp FANTASTIC Dinner -Filet w/lobster tail FANTASTIC -salad that came with the meal FANTASTIC Dessert -Blueberry crumb cake FANTASTIC -lavazza coffee FANTASTIC Worth every penny and will return soon. read more

My wife and I so enjoyed everything about this restaurant. Trey was an excellent server and very knowledgeable of the menu items. His suggestions were spot on. His service was above and beyond. He was a big part of our most wonderful experience. The food....MY GOODNESS....prepared perfectly and absolutely delicious. Our compliments to the chef(s). First, the dressing on the salad. Made right there. So tasty. The twin African lobster tails were outstanding (a Trey suggestion). Always had the Maine, not the African Lobster Tail. The meat did have a sweeter taste. Can't wait to have that again sometime. My wife had the Filet Mignon with the garlic peppercorn sauce. She loved it!!! She said the Filet Mignon almost melted in her mouth it was so tender. The vegetable platter we ordered was delicious! Even the bread served before the meal was delicious. The decor is beautiful. It wasn't brightly lit. Perfect for dining. This will be one of our favorite places to fine dine when we visit the Jersey shore. read more

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Another trip back to Cape May and of course a stop at Primal. Always the best meal of the week! Service by Trey was exceptional and the dinner, well let me just say the pork chop never disappoints! Tender and juicy! The mashed potatoes were incredible! If you're looking for that special dinner, this is the place to be in Cape May. read more

Primal By Mia - Primal - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

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What can I say? The food was exceptional! You clearly can tell they know how to cook well. I WILL be back read more

My wife had been wanting to go to this restaurant for years and we were able to finally snatch a reservation a week earlier for our large group. This place had deliciousness all over from beginning to end. We had the tuna app which was delicious. I had the filet which was top notch. I got the sauce mix to try everything. They give complimentary salad and dessert which were fantastic. Definitely one I would go back to. The staff was great and I got to say hello to Mia as well! Thank you!! read more

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Wow. PLEASE EAT HERE!!!! The food is amazing. The dry aged ribeye was downright the best steak everyone at the table has ever had, and we had some serious steak lovers at the table. I could go on and on about how delicious everything was but there's no point, just go and make that reservation. read more

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Shared New York strip with my sister. Perfect with Yukon gold mashed with truffle. Onions and mushrooms also. Staff was super, food excellent atmosphere very comfortable. Best 78th birthday for me and my twin sister, we loved it thanks so much read more

Down in Cape May for a family vacation and researched a good place to celebrate our wedding anniversary dinner. All signs pointed to this place, so I tried my luck and snagged a reservation 10 days prior at 9am ( they were quickly out of slots after that). Our waiter Connor was as attentive and knowledgeable as you could have ever wanted. His recommendations were on point and he guided us perfectly. The food could not have been better. A pickled vegetable salad and a decadent dessert were included with our meal and they did not miss. The hostess stopped by for a great chat and we were even able to catch Mia's ear for a few as well. The place made you feel at home, feel fancy, and surpassed all of our expectations. If you're able to get a reservation, do not hesitate! read more

Primal By Mia - Double bone Pork Chop, Truffle Yukon, Mixed Vegetables, Chilean Sea Bass - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

Loved it! The service and food were top tier. The restaurant was beautiful and right on the beach. I enjoyed the spicy dipping oil for the bread, the burrata appetizer, a perfect New York strip, amazing truffle potatoes, and a butter cake for dessert. I look forward to dining here again! read more

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A wonderful dining experience with wonderful decor, delicious food, great views of the beach and terrific service in the heart of Cape May! A very unique restaurant right along the beach on the boardwalk side in Cape May. Certainly one of the best restaurants in Cape May and a place you should put on your list if you're visiting for a few days for dinner! The complementary bread and dessert were both delicious! You'll still pay a bit here, but really worth it! I have to recommend the Burara appetizer, it blew us away, and was absolutely delicious! For dinner, I had the halibut, I really thought it was great. The filet mignon was tasty, too. Interestingly, for this restaurant, unlike any I've ever ever experience making reservation is a little different. You can only make a reservation a week before showing up. You could begin making the reservation at midnight. Also, you can reserve a table with Oceanview or not. Obviously the ones with the ocean view go first. Pro tip is to make your reservation at midnight, if you wait until the morning during peak season many of the good timed let alone the ocean view tables will be sold out! It's worth staying up for to do. I checked the app one time at seven in the morning and the only availability was either at 5 o'clock or 9:30 PM so unless you're a super early riser, I suggest making your reservation at midnight one week in advance. Highly recommended for a unique and delicious experience while visiting Cape May for dinner! read more

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Excellent food. We had filet mignon and the lobster and got a fantastic complimentary salad ( I could just eat the salad ) it's pricey but at least we ate well. The only thing I didn't like was I wanted two apps totaling $50 something and they said they would add $20 to the bill. . Stupid! Nice ambiance although the booths are very uncomfortable read more

What an excellent meal! We enjoyed every single course that came to the table. Our server was friendly, and we loved the quiet ambiance. Our steaks were cooked perfectly and the lobster was amazing. We will be returning on our next trip to cape may! read more

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Absolutely terrible. I made a reservation on Resy weeks in advance. They did not confirm but refused to honor my reservation. They were incredibly rude and obviously have zero concept of customer service. read more

Highly recommended for great food, romantic and moody ambience, and a pleasant changeup from the customary steakhouse experience. Pluses: salad and dessert are included with the purchase of an entrée. The salad was delicious, as was the dessert - a berry and cream number that was aesthetically beautiful. The tomahawk steak was cooked to perfection with three amazing sauces included. The lobsters were also perfect. Our server Connor was attentive without being intrusive. He receives bonus points for using the term "mashup" (referring to a culinary concept). Primal is BYOB. The savings on beverages, salad, and dessert, made Primal an excellent value. Overall, a great experience, and I look forward to returning during a future visit to Cape May! read more

Primal By Mia - Tomahawk Steak with 2x Lobster Tail Special - Seafood Near Me - Cape May, New Jersey

This place is a hidden gem. Food and service were excellent. Will definitely go back

To think it took nearly a year to finally get our act together and dine here! We shared all 4 appetizers and a few items from the "Second" section. The Burrata was delicious and so unique! The figs and strawberry compote added sweetness to the dense, creamy cheese. The Crab was tender (no fillers!). My halibut was cooked perfectly, and my fellow dining companions enjoyed their T-bone steaks immensely. This was an intimate and warm experience without feeling stuffy. If you spill your drink on the table, no one will gasp in horror. The menu is small, which I prefer. Too many options tend to be fatiguing, and I'd rather dine at a place that does 20 dishes well than 50 dishes half-assed. Our reservation was on the late end (8:45 PM) but the cool part was being able to chat with the staff a bit at the end of the night. This team takes pride in the dishes they serve. We already made another reservation to return! read more

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If you are handicap, the distance to the walking entrance behind the jersey barriers may be difficult to navigate...beware there's no place to drop off at the entrance of the restaurant. We were so disappointed. PLUS plate sharing is $20/plate. read more

We had a wonderful dinner here. The staff is friendly, welcoming and professional. The view of the Atlantic Ocean opposite Congress Hall is stunning. The lighting and overall layout is superb including the multi-colored moss walls. A very intimate setting. All of the guests were convivial. But, of course, most importantly the food is outstanding. We had steak and lobster. Friends had recommended the lobster - so we couldn't resist. They were not wrong. It is expensive but the BYOB policy softens the blow. I brought along Chateaneuf du Pape as the cardinals in Rome were preparing to select a new pope. They do charge a convenience fee for using a credit card, so we skipped that. read more

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Truly an amazing restaurant. From the food to service to the ocean view at sunset. I would recommend the artichokes starter and the filet mignon. I added the lobster tail which melted in my mouth. They gave us homemade bread, a salad course and dessert. It also a BYOB which was a plus. read more

Ambience was intimate yet not pretentious. The wait staff were friendly and knowledgeable. The food was great and our favorite was the dish that had the shrimp, scallop and crab meat. All the dishes were flavorful and fresh. However I thought the bread had a bit too much salt on the top so when I bit into it, it was very very salty for me. I found myself trying to scrape the salt topping off. Other than that it was soft and had a nice crust. We would come back for another date night. Definitely try to book a reservation a week or two before because they seemed to be fully booked the weekend we went, We were just lucky enough that someone cancelled and Mia texted about it. read more

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