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The Magnolia Room

3.1 (61 reviews)
Open • 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM

The Magnolia Room Photos

THE MAGNOLIA ROOM ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Classy
Outdoor seating
Good for groups

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Recommended Reviews - The Magnolia Room

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Scallops
Michael T.

The Magnolia Room at Chalfonte Hotel is a great place to eat when you want something a little more special. The location and the ambiance of the dining room is perfect for a special occasion. But now onto the food. The crab and corn chowder was a very tasty appetizer. It surprisingly had generous lumps of crab meat too! The shrimp and grits was delicious with a sauce that reminded me of gumbo. The fried grits in the middle was interesting, I don't think I ever had grits made that way before. My personal favorite was the duck breast. That dish was made very well. The duck was cooked crispy and tender, the blueberry glaze went perfectly with the duck, and the grits in this dish was cheesy. It was such a great plate of food! All of the food here had very good flavor. They all had sufficient seasoning or sauce to give each dish a unique flavor. Service was very good. Our server Sam was very accommodating and very attentive. She was very knowledgable about the menu, establishment, and the area. Just a note about my pictures, my fellow eaters wanted some of their entree's sides to be placed on separate dishes which aren't included in the photos. The restaurant accommodated them but I just wanted to make sure the record was straight with what comes with the entrees. There are some sides included with each dish. The food arrived very timely and just as we ordered. The only criticism I would have of this place is that the portions are a little smaller. I think increasing the amount of proteins in each entree by 50% would make it the perfect amount to make it commensurate with the prices on the menu (it's not a cheap place to eat). I would recommend checking out this place. We had a good dinner with well seasoned food and a great atmosphere.

The Chalfonte. Delicious!
Lorenzo M.

The food is amazing. The service is on point! I was told by my server Sam that there's a new Chef. The Chef has changed up the menu a little. The staff here runs like a well oiled machine. The charm of the establishment takes you back in time. Live music outside on the porch. The food was fresh and very pleasing to my palate. Keep up the great food and service! If you're ever in the neighborhood. GET SOME!!!!

We had our wedding here two years ago and everything was amazing the owners and staff treated us like family. We came back tonight for our anniversary dinner on the porch and we had the server and bartender both checking in and accommodating us and the food was outstanding. It's always the best feeling visiting the Chalfonte. It's a must visit in Cape May and we can't say enough good things about it!

Crab Cake
Mike G.

Three stars. One because the staff was awesome (TJ) The apps were ok.. we got the Ham Croquettes and Pimento Cheese Puff Pastry. Not the best and passable but you can get way better diverse food elsewhere. The dinner: I got their signature dish (the fried chicken) which was so dry that I had to ask for ketchup. I felt bad because I think KFC could deliver there and produce better chicken... My wife got the crab cake... bland and fried and shaped like an oval egg. The meals came with potatoes (which tasted like it was leftover potatoes from breakfast reheated.) The green beans were the best thing on the plate. Perfectly au dente and not over salted or anything. Will not go back unfortunately. I wouldn't take my family there because when your in Cape May, you need to go to places that make a memory. The vibe was cool, but the drinks were drinks you could get anywhere.

Ocean Quest~~~(Pan Seared Scallops W/ Lemon Quinoa, Caramelized Carrot Purée & Jersey Corn Succotash)
Mercedes C.

I wished I had better phone reception while we were at the beach to dissuade my husband's cousin from dining here. But she mentioned the menu seemed good and made reservations for 7:30. So I'm going to tackle this review for the restaurant (as we didn't stay at the hotel- but managed to peruse the grounds anyway). Place is huge and stretches almost 1/2 a block with Chalfonte Hotel on one side and Magnolia next to it. You can actually enter Magnolia from the hotel side with no problem- just ask front desk and they'll guide you to the dining room. Magnolia is straight up Victorian and it's like you stepped back in time. Charming with dark wood floors and dramatic chandeliers. Host sat all of us at a spacious round table then placed orders for Cocktails immediately. I'll give Magnolia that extra credit for preparing them with full strength! For $39 you get Soup or Salad, (no Appetizer- even when the menu clearly calls for one), Entree and Dessert on their Prix-Fixe menu. Garden Green Salad had a light Balsamic dressing but some of the greens tasted old and left 1/2 behind. My Seared Scallops were cooked medium and ingredients in my dish were all excellent. But at least three of us at the table complained about them being really salty. Hubby enjoyed his steak and Auntie-in-Law partly liked her Fried Chicken Dinner. Desserts were a sad story. Hubby and his cousin both complained about their Peach Cobbler and said it was off. When I tasted it, the crust had this uncooked/raw flour taste and he left a lot behind. My Chocolate Pie was gross and stiff. Service wasn't completely off but when we wanted another round of cocktails- no one came around. I just thought that for this type of restaurant, service would be outstanding but that attention to detail we all love- lacked. Listen...Magnolia's $39 Price Fixe menu isn't all it's cracked up to be. Food here needs a super major overhaul- especially given their 'National Historical Landmark' status. Spending the evening with my husband's family was a treat- but the truth of the matter is, the restaurant needs an upgrade. Seems like the folks at Chalfonte want to hold on to the integrity of the Victorian style- I get it...but it would also be nice to keep up with the current trend.

Cucumber martini

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5 years ago

Unbelievable atmosphere, love the live music and food was perfect. Great for families! Staff was awesome. PS try the scallops

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Ask the Community - The Magnolia Room

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People searched for Diners 2,405 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

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Blue Pig Tavern - Sangria

Blue Pig Tavern

3.5(868 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

As a vacation destination, Cape May has plenty of drinking establishments, from swanky venues and…read morehipster havens to beach bars and local dives. Tucked in one of Cape May's leading landmarks, the renovated 1879 Congress Hall Hotel, we decided on dinner at the Blue Pig Tavern, which derives from a gambling parlor in the mid-1800s. A reservation was easily made via Open Table. Upon arrival as first timers, my partner and I were greeted at the host station and got our cozy table in a large glassed-in patio area. The restaurant was lively and welcoming. It was clearly a family-friendly spot, which showed in the higher noise level and the number of tables filled with multigenerational groups. Their menu is New American, from filet mignon and shrimp cocktail to legendary burgers, including the Beach Plum Farm Burger. They get a lot of its produce from its own nearby farm. As an appetizer, we decided on the Crispy Calamari and Baked Mac and Cheese. Our entree consisted of Rigatoni Bolognese and Chicken Pot Pie. Complimentary warm bread sprinkled with salt and chives accompanied by soft honey butter started our meal. Every dish hit the mark: flavorful, fresh, and well-executed. The portions were generous. Despite being very busy, the service was excellent from start to finish. The staff was attentive, friendly, and especially helpful; our server was Eugene. Overall, this establishment delivered a memorable dining experience.

I have always been a fan of the Blue Pig, but my recent visit was next level!…read more I'm not sure if they got a new chef, but there were updates to the menu. I felt there were much more interesting dishes. It was so hard to pick one! We had reservations and were seated right away. The service was quick and efficient! We started with the ahi tuna, which was incredible. If you like sushi/raw fish, this app is a must! Then I went with the scallops for my main. It was a summer version of the scallops I've had in the past and they were amazing! I loved the potatoes, sweet corn, bacon, all of it! I can't wait to come back here. The shrimp gnocchi is next on my must try list!

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Blue Pig Tavern - 3rd dining room

3rd dining room

Blue Pig Tavern - Bagel

Bagel

Blue Pig Tavern - Indoor patio

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Indoor patio

The YB - Cookies and Cream Waffle!!

The YB

3.9(259 reviews)
0.3 mi
•$$

Service is super friendly. We arrived a bit before opening and chatted with them outside like old…read morefriends :) They are related to the owners of Georges so this is a restaurant family. They were really gracious and service was perfect. The byob element I personally love (bring what you want and pay normal rates for it) but I could see how this could be problematic for vacationers not prepared. The glassware was beautiful - one of my pics shows it. The atmosphere is very pleasant - a little romantic, a little modern but all in all perfect for an anniversary dinner - we had a corner table with bench seating so we could snuggle :) We chose three apps because it was early and we thought we'd hit another place late. These two are the duck wings and the crispy shrimp. Both delicious but the wings VERY good. We also had a swordfish crostini done on a crispy won ton and we both liked that very much. Pricing seemed reasonable. I'd recommend.

I'd give The YB a 3.5 if Yelp allowed it. The location is great. I love that it's a small intimate…read morerestaurant. Our servers were polite an attentive. We had some ordering confusion which impacted my experience a bit. Overall the appetizers far out performed the seafood, which given were at the beach, was a bit sad. The wings were tasty. The stand out was the K&B salad which had great dressing. Loved the hot/cold contrast between the flash fried Brussels and the kale salad. I had the scallops- average and with quite a bit of grit. The carrots it came with seemed boiled and again relatively flavorless. My husband had the sea bass but unless you got some of the very minimal sauce it was plated with, it was fairly bland. I didn't even sense salt and pepper. For the price point, I wouldn't rush back for dinner but might try another meal.

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The YB - Store front

Store front

The YB - Flatbread appetizer

Flatbread appetizer

The YB - Pan seared Salmon

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Pan seared Salmon

Cricket Club - Limoncello ricotta cheesecake. Absolutely superb.

Cricket Club

4.1(97 reviews)
0.2 mi

I have been here several times, and the food has never disappointed. The past three times, my…read morepartner 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!

Cricket has been a popular team sport for centuries. It's essentially a bat-and-ball sport that…read moreoriginated 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.

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Cricket Club - The bar

The bar

Cricket Club
Cricket Club - Outside

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Outside

Rusty Nail Bar & Grill - Mozzarella Bites

Rusty Nail Bar & Grill

3.0(608 reviews)
0.6 mi
•$$

My friend and I stopped in at the Rusty Nail yesterday after having spotted it from the beach. It…read moreis a cute little restaurant that offers indoor seating, outdoor seating on the patio, or outdoor seating in a sandpit. There is a bandstand with live music. All of this added up to very Island vibes, without having to leave New Jersey! For dinner I got the buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. It was delicious! All the flavors and textures mixed well together. My friend got Mac n cheese balls and buffalo chicken dip. They were also great! Our only problem was we had to ask for utensils and napkins, probably a mistake by the waitress, but still strange. Overall, it was a great place!

We really wanted to like the Rusty Nail. The place has a great atmosphere and the kind of setting…read morethat makes you think you're in for a memorable meal, which is exactly why we decided to give it a try. Unfortunately, the food just didn't live up to the potential. We started with the nachos, which were probably the biggest disappointment. They tasted more like something you'd find in a school cafeteria than an appetizer from a restaurant. The wings weren't much better. Instead of being crisp on the outside, they arrived soggy and lacked the texture you want from a good wing. The burgers were the real low point. More than one person in our party described them as a hockey puck placed between two pieces of bread, and honestly, that assessment felt pretty accurate. The patties were dry and lacked the flavor you'd normally expect from a good burger. It's a shame because the Rusty Nail has so much going for it from an atmosphere and setting perspective. Unfortunately, the food left us feeling like the experience didn't match the potential of the place. Maybe we caught it on an off night, but based on our meal, it's not somewhere we would running back to in the future.

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Rusty Nail Bar & Grill - Inside bar.

Inside bar.

Rusty Nail Bar & Grill - Crystal chicken Panini

Crystal chicken Panini

Rusty Nail Bar & Grill - My first stop at the outside bar.

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My first stop at the outside bar.

The Magnolia Room - diners - Updated October 2026

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