One of the best things about a vacation is the fact that you do not have to cook, or do dishes, or otherwise clean up the kitchen. You do not even need to shop for ingredients. You do, however, have to choose where to dine out in a new city. This can be especially difficult when so many restaurants require reservations. It can be labor intensive to research places to eat when you have not even left your home yet. What if you have had an invigorating but long day of sightseeing and only want comfort food? What if it is a special occasion but in all your trip planning you forgot to make a reservation? What if it is a gorgeous evening and you want to dine outside? That is where we come in. We can help take the guesswork out of dining while in Cape May. This list has the top seven restaurants in Cape May that do not require a reservation.
Taco Caballito Tequileria – Mexico meets New Jersey. Half-mile from the inn.
- Ocean breezes add to the ambiance of this modern Mexican restaurant directly across the street from the Atlantic Ocean.
- The bar boasts over 70 tequilas many from small, artisan distilleries. Order one in a margarita or straight up.
- Try the Quesabirria Taco with brisket, onions, cilantro, cheddar jack, and comsomé or the Mexican Street Bowl which has non meat options.
- The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner Thursday through Monday during the off season. They are open seven days a week in season. Stop in for live music most Friday and Saturday evenings.
Fins Bar & Grill – The building is blue just like the ocean. Half-mile from the inn.
- Sit inside around the gigantic fish tank or outside on the porch.
- Start off your dinner with one or both of our favorite appetizers. The Tuna Tartar features granny smith apple, capers, lemon oil, and cucumber. The Crispy Calamari is perfectly spicy with a sweet chili sauce. If fish is not your style there are many non-seafood options on the menu.
- The drink menu boasts ten beers on tap (including some local brews) and a full wine list.
- The restaurant is open Thursday through Sunday during the off season; every night of the week starting in April. There is a lunch, dinner, bar, and Sunday brunch menu. Stop in for happy hour prices every afternoon except Saturday.
Lucky Bones Back Water Grill – Everybody likes pizza! Two miles from the inn.
- Lucky Bones mission is to serve food made from scratch in a casual atmosphere.
- Of course we recommend the Naples-style brick oven pizza. The extensive menu has a variety of non pizza options. Our favorite is the Cape May Vineyard Local Clams served with olive oil, garlic herb butter, and white wine tossed over linguini.
- Reservations are accepted but Lucky Bones does allow for walk-ins.
- Feel like eating in tonight? Pizza is always a quick, easy, and tasty option and Lucky Bones offers a convenient online ordering menu. The Wilbraham Mansion does have three dining rooms where guests can bring take out for a quieter dining atmosphere.
- The restaurant is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
Oyster Bay – Special event steak and seafood restaurant. Half-mile from the inn.
- Our favorite items on the Bar Menu are the Ahi Tuna Sandwich or the Black and Bleu Chicken Sandwich. Looking for something a little more fancy? The Dining Room Menu is available at the bar and boasts Center Cut Filet, Miso Glazed Salmon, and Champagne Risotto.
- Do not miss the oyster happy hour specials Wednesday through Friday afternoons and half priced wine on Wednesdays.
- Oyster Bay has been in operation since 1995. The owners seek to purvey local ingredients and provide a fancy neighborhood feel.
- The restaurant portion requires reservations but the bar is first-come first-served seating.
- Oyster Bay is open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday.
Cape May Fish Market – Washington Street Mall raw bar. Half-mile from the inn.
- This restaurant has one of the most extensive menus in town. However, our favorites on the menu are the Colossal Crab Appetizer and the Lobster Roll. You may want to review the online menu before going in to choose from a Stuffed Avocado with Cranberry Chicken Salad, a Summer Fresh Panini, or Surf and Turf.
- Snag a table outside to people watch. The restaurant sits on the pedestrian only outdoor mall so there is always someone walking by.
- In season, the restaurant is open seven days a week from 11am until 10pm. Only open Friday through Sunday during the off season.
Exit Zero Filling Station – A magazine, a restaurant, and a retail store. 900 feet from the inn.
- This is the place to go for Indian and Thai options. Ready for a real challenge? The Kraken is spiced with cayenne, red curry, jalapenos and has a SIX pepper heat index. You will also find lots of burger options.
- When the business moved to a unique old gas station and opened a custom-built restaurant in 2018, it was named one of the 30 best new restaurants in the state by New Jersey Magazine.
- The dining room is first-come first-served. Reservations are accepted for private dining trailers built in classic vehicles.
- Exit Zero is open Thursday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Come in any day of the week for lunch or dinner in season.
The Lobster House – An iconic Cape May Restaurant. 2.5 miles from the inn.
- The Lobster House overlooks Cape May Harbor. Diners can often watch the commercial fishermen work while they eat.
- It goes without saying but you have to try the steamed or broiled lobster. One pound to three pound lobsters are available depending on how hungry you are.
- The restaurant is attached to their own fish market and they are happy to pack your choice on ice for your trip home.
- The indoor portion of the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week. The Raw Bar and Schooner and Bow Bar are open in season.
