Diners' Choice: Good for special occasions restaurants in Cape May

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best special occasion restaurants in Cape May? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

A Modo Mio

5.0

5 (1741)

$31 to $50

Italian

Sea Isle City

About the restaurant

FOR RESERVATIONS FOR PARTIES OVER 6 PEOPLE CALL THE RESTAURANT
Italian food lovers rejoice: Antonio “Tony” Gonzalez and Ergys “Eric” Rakaj have joined forces to open their first BYOB restaurant, A Modo Mio Ristorante.

This modern yet charming BYOB restaurant welcomes diners with warm colors, comfortable seating and plenty of natural lighting. Guests can eat in the dining room or on the outdoor patio while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the ocean.

The menu consists of Italian cuisine with refreshing, seasonal influences. Menu items include homemade pastas, braised short ribs, and grilled filet of branzino. Chef Antonio adds a modern twist to his dishes, all while staying true to classic Italian recipes. Be sure to come in for lunch and try an authentic panino!

Top review

MarkVIP

Dined 5 days ago

Our dinners were delicious as usual. Thanks. We'll be back soon.

Washington Inn

4.9

4.9 (9126)

$50 and over

American

Cape May

About the restaurant

Built in 1840, this Cape May estate is now home to the acclaimed Washington Inn and Wine Bar. The Craig Family has carefully preserved the beauty & essence of this distinctive treasure without undertaking major alterations to its original form. The Inn's welcoming facade overlooks tree-lined Washington Street in the seaside community Historic District. The Washington Inn offers six unique dining areas, from a summer patio to cozy fireside tables. Cocktails are a must in the Wine Bar, where the passing Cape May scene can be best appreciated. Often described as romantic, our easy-going elegance will satisfy anyone's craving for fine dining. Our enticing menu offers the best of American cuisine but with an inventive, upscale edge. Food, Service, and Ambiance, the essential ingredients for dining excellence, are all masterfully blended here at the Washington Inn. Come experience it for yourself!

Top review

Kathleen

Dined 4 days ago

As always our dinner was delicious, went with our waiter Sean’s recommendation. Service was wonderful!

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Washington Inn Crabcakes

O'Donnell's Pour House

4.9

4.9 (206)

$31 to $50

Irish

Sea Isle City

About the restaurant

For over 20 years, O'Donnell's Pour House, known for its lively atmosphere, friendly service, and an extensive menu of food and drinks, has been a fixture of the Sea Isle City community. Guests will enjoy traditional Irish fare, as well as the delicious steak and seafood dishes, served in a friendly and inviting tavern by the seaside. Enjoy Chef’s daily specials, Irish classics like Bangers & Mash or Shepherd's Pie with a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, or have one of the Pour House premium steaks, fresh seafood, or house favorites like our own O’Donnell’s Crab Cakes, Chicken Milanese, or Boneless Braised Short Ribs. The bar features a large selection of beers on tap, including local craft beers, and a full bar with a variety of cocktails and spirits available. With lots of seasonal outdoor seating on our Patio dining area or on the livelier Paddy’s Green, which has frequent live entertainment, O’Donnell’s Pour House is a great choice for your dining and entertainment needs!

Top review

Rich

Dined 2 days ago

The service was perfect. Tony was attentive and very pleasant. Great menu to choose from in addition to the daily specials. Shrimp cocktail was delicious. We had the Shepards pie and the braised short ribs. Very tasty and it came with a house salad. We highly recommend.

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Popular dish

Chilean Sea Bass

George's Place Wildwood Crest

4.9

4.9 (410)

$30 and under

Mediterranean

Cape May

About the restaurant

Enjoy all your favorite Greek-inspired favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a view of the bay!

George's Place in Wildwood Crest offers the same menu you know and love from our Cape May and CMCH locations, plus seasonal specials We are family-friendly, and welcome adults to enjoy their go-to BYOB beverages. Our dining room is open Year-round and our outdoor deck offers waterfront seating. Seating preferences are considered but not guaranteed. We are CASH ONLY

Breakfast & Lunch Favorites: Banana French Toast, Tiramisu Waffle, Crab Cake Benedict, Mediterranean Salad, and Gyros

Dinner Specialties: Hummus Sampler, Paxi Tuna, Spanakopita, Greek Lamb Chops, Atlantic Salmon, Whole Branzino and Braised Beef Short Rib

Same-Day Reservation Cancellation before 4pm -$15 per person
Same Day Reservation Cancellation after 4pm or No-Show -$35 per person

Since 1968, Kara Restaurant Group has welcomed visitors and locals to enjoy a variety of dining experiences: KaraRestaurantGroup.com

Top review

JoelleVIP

Dined 3 days ago

Everything about George's is perfection. The food is out of this world, attention to detail second to none and service is outstanding!! We love George's!

Maison Bleue Bistro

4.9

4.9 (357)

$31 to $50

French

Cape May

About the restaurant

The little French bistro you always wished was just around the corner is here. Maison Bleue is the brainchild of Sandy and John Vizzone, owners of The Hugh B&B, along with partner Executive Chef Anthony Depasquale.

Together, they have created a stylish—and delicious—interpretation of a classic French bistro. Like The Hugh, Maison Bleue is a perfect concoction of flair, verve, and intimacy.

We will also be announcing a New Year's Eve Special Menu very soon!

Top review

Barbara

Dined 4 days ago

Our dinner was pure perfection. The rack of lamb was the best I’ve ever had. Our friends loved the Wago burgers. Service, ambience staff all good!

La Fontana Coast

4.8

4.8 (1816)

$30 and under

Italian

Sea Isle City

About the restaurant

La Fontana Coast brings fine dining to the shore. Beautifully located a block from the beach in Sea Isle City, New Jersey, La Fontana Coast brings a wonderfully breathtaking Mediterranean style ambiance to the Jersey shore, complete with an elegantly infectious Southern Italian seaside villa decor with an amazing view of the ocean. La Fontana Coast prepares deliciously authentic and classic Italian cuisine served with charm and smile, where guests can let their hair down, relax and take a vacation from their vacation. Bring your favorite bottle of wine and an appetite for classic fine Italian food and homemade desserts and get swept away al La Fontana Coast.

Top review

Robert

Dined 3 days ago

Food excellent and service outstanding as usual, one of my favorite places

Sapore Italiano

4.8

4.8 (7369)

$31 to $50

Italian

Cape May

About the restaurant

Sapore Italiano is a fine dining restaurant aiming to bring the best to our customers.
We are open for dinner every day from 4pm - 10pm.
Spring hours (February-April) - Thursday - Sunday

Reservation are required.

Own cakes are not allowed except wedding reception.

Every year we are participating in Restaurant Week Event which takes place in June and November. Before making reservation please check menu on https://www.cmrestaurantweek.com/

Top review

anthony

Dined 5 days ago

Excellent food and great service definitely will be back

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4.7

4.7 (550)

$31 to $50

Tapas / Small Plates

Cape May

About the restaurant

♢Please be aware, our music is played very loud and contains explicit lyrics, and the lighting is very low. Because of this we do not accommodate children. We are CASH only and BYOB.♢

Shamone offers a multi-course tasting menu experience for dinner, designed for both those in search of a curated culinary adventure and those who simply don’t know what they’re in the mood to eat.

At our 7PM seating, you’ll enjoy fourteen unique recipes and one dessert in an upbeat, party atmosphere with lights down low and the music turned up!

And in the morning, get ready for your day or recover from last night at Cape May’s first Unlimited Brunch! If you’re looking for something more interesting than eggs and bacon, Shamone Brunch is it.

Please be advised there will be fees charged to your credit card in the event you do not show up for your reservation or cancel within a 24 time period.
Brunch No Show $15p
Brunch Cancel within 24 hours $5p
Dinner No Show $50p
Dinner Cancel within 24 hours $25p

Top review

James

Dined 3 days ago

Fun experience!! Food was delicious and service was excellent!!! Highly recommend the brunch

Venezia

4.7

4.7 (359)

$30 and under

Italian

Wildwood

About the restaurant

Where the food, service and ambiance will make an unforgettable dining experience.

Top review

Andrea

Dined on Apr 20, 2025

A must try. Food is excellent, service is awesome. Will certainly go again. Hidden gem.

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4.6

4.6 (4053)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Cape May

About the restaurant

Across from the ocean, this elegant dining room serves classic American food with a special touch. Union Park Dining Room received New Jersey Monthly Magazine 2005 thru 2018 Critics Choice Award as one of the best restaurants in New Jersey. Working his magic behind the scenes, chef John Schatz has overseen the kitchens of some sophisticated eateries in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, including the former Maureen's in Cape May. The large, spacious dining rooms with their fireplaces, cherry & mahogany furniture & antique fixtures are romance personified. Settle in for a memorable meal. Open Table Diner's Choice Award 2010-2020
Private dining rooms available from 8 to 80 guests.
Banquet Facilities: Located in the historic Hotel Macomber, union park dining room is available for both casual & elegant parties, receptions, special occasion dinners or complete weddings. Our facility can host groups up to 130 people, depending on the type of reception you des

Top review

KenVIP

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

My fillet was exactly prepared to my liking as was my husband’s lamb.our appetizers Beet salad and grilled octopus were outstanding! Shirley, our server was very helpful and delightfull, making our dining experience Memorable! Roselee and KEN

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