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Washington Inn, Cape May, NJ

Washington Inn

4.9 (9163)
$50 and over
American
801 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 56 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Good for special occasions
  • Charming
  • Great for fine wines
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!

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Mediterranean, Seafood
  • Hours of operation
    Bar Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Phone number
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    Miriam Wood
  • Catering
    The Washington Inn provides off-premise catering at whatever location you desire. We are expert at arranging details, creating just the right look, and, of course, offering your guests the highest quality food & attention available. Our catering staff will help you plan an outstanding event, customized to your needs and budget. The Inn caters early- afternoon wedding receptions for up to 125 people on premises. If your guest list is longer, we can help to arrange a reception at the Cape May Beach Club, the Isaac Smith Vineyard, Cape May Winery, your home or wherever you prefer.
  • Neighborhood
    Cape May
  • Cross street
    Jefferson & Washington
  • Parking details
    We offer Complimentary Valet Parking - simply drive up to the front of the restaurant on Washington Street and our valet will happily park your car, free of charge!
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Somm's Table - Studying Syrah

    $75.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jun 15, 2025 only
    3:00 PM
    Join us on Sunday, June 15, at 3 PM in our Wine Cellar for an intimate, 16-seat tasting dedicated to Syrah’s remarkable versatility. From the peppery elegance of Northern Rhône to the bold fruit of Barossa Valley and the refined balance of California, we’ll explore how terroir shapes this dynamic varietal. Guided by our in-house Sommeliers, Tyler and April, and thoughtfully paired with a canapé crafted by Executive Chef Vincent Celeste, this experience will deepen your appreciation for Syrah’s diverse expressions.
    Somm's Table - Studying Syrah Photo
  • Cellar Series Wine Dinner - Tuscany

    $135.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jun 22, 2025 only
    5:00 PM
    Our Cellar Series Wine Dinners have long been a cornerstone of the Washington Inn & Wine Bar wine program. These intimate, seated dinners take place in a private area of our dining room, offering a unique opportunity to explore exceptional wines in an educational and engaging setting. Each evening is thoughtfully curated to highlight distinctive wine selections paired with expertly crafted dishes for a truly memorable experience. Florence, Chianti, Bolgheri... only scratch the surface of what Tuscan wines are about. Join us with nationally-recognized wine educator Theresa Grimes, who will help us explore a collection of classically crafted Italian wines.
    Cellar Series Wine Dinner - Tuscany Photo
  • Somm's Table - Champagne

    $75.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Jul 13, 2025 only
    3:00 PM
    Meet your next favorite Champagne house, Maison Bruno Paillard! These carefully crafted wines are proudly sourced from grapes in Montagne de Reims, Côte des Blancs, and Vallée de la Marne. Come learn about aging, disgorgement, malolactic fermentation, assemblage, dossage, terroir, and blending as hallmarks of the Méthode Champenoise and the history behind this beloved beverage used to celebrate and savor. This experience is guided by our in-house Sommeliers, Tyler and April, and thoughtfully paired with a canapé crafted by Executive Chef Vincent Celeste.
    Somm's Table - Champagne Photo

What 9,163 people are saying

Washington Inn reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.9
4.9 based on recent ratings
  • 4.8Food
  • 4.9Service
  • 4.8Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Cape May

    Best Overall

  • Cape May

    Best Food

  • Cape May

    Best Service

  • Cape May

    Best Ambiance

  • Cape May

    Best Value

  • Cape May

    Healthy

  • Cape May

    Romantic

  • Cape May

    Good for special occasions

  • Cape May

    Lively

  • Cape May

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Washington Inn in Cape May offers a consistently "outstanding" dining experience with "excellent food and service." Known for its "beautiful presentation" and "impeccable" service, this charming restaurant features a "cozy" and "friendly" atmosphere. Highlights include the "fabulous" cioppino and "famous" crab cakes, making it a "must-visit" spot.

9,163 Reviews
  1. OpenTable Diner VIP

    Atlantic City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 1 day ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very good experience , the staff service and food are excellent really enjoy the bartenders very personable 

    Is this helpful?

  2. Suzanne

    Atlantic City26 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This restaurant is a Cape May gem. We went there for our 21st wedding anniversary. We shared the curried cauliflower and wild mushrooms--everything was outrageous. We both ordered the swordfish and it was the best I have ever tasted. Cannot recommend this place enough! The service is incomparable and more than one employee visited our table to be sure we were enjoying and have everything we needed.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Ann

    Cincinnati9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Absolute perfection. Food was amazing. Service was fantastic. Loved every bite.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Chris VIP

    Pittsburgh25 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Our experience at the Washington Inn was outstanding as always, the food was second to non and the service was excellent as well!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Carmela

    New Jersey5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We attended the Washington Inn to celebrate my girlfriends birthday. We had an awesome experience overall from excellent food, top notch service and beautiful ambiance. Thank you for making this a special birthday celebration

    Is this helpful?

  6. Christopher VIP

    Charlotte11 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    "Top notch" dining experience! Excellent food, very attentive service.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Edward VIP

    Philadelphia4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excellent food and service! Rack of lamb was the best!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Frank

    Philadelphia3 reviews

    4.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Bartender was excellent!! I ordered the mushroom soup and it was delicious. My wife ordered the salad and it was just ok. Scallops were a little gritty. Short ribs were excellent. On the website they ask if it’s a special occasion, we were celebrating our 34 anniversary but they did nothing. Why ask if you don’t do anything??? Needless to say a little disappointed!

    Is this helpful?

  9. Lester VIP

    Philadelphia17 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Way overpriced for the drinks/ food and would have been ok if food/ offerings were outstanding… but I’ve had better for a lot less money!!!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Sam

    New York City5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on May 24, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    From top to bottom, we had a 5 star experience at the Washington Inn. Upon arriving, the host was extremely welcoming and the ambience and decor were beautiful and classy. We were seated right away and the flow of the meal was perfect. Our waitress, (Kaitlin), was amazing and very attentive. She was always making sure our needs were met and answered any questions we had! The bread and butter they served was delicious. The passionfruit martini was an amazing drink with balanced flavors, “flirty and fun”, just as described. The hamachi crudo was phenomenal and was extremely fresh and the gem Caesar was great as well as the oysters! The mains were also great, I had the short rib which was tender and flavorful. The mashed potatoes that came with it were perfect. The pistachio crusted lamb, the scallops, and gnocchi were also great! For dessert we had a delicious crème brûlée. Overall, I would definitely come back to Washington Inn and they deserve 5 stars across the board!

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Washington Inn is rated 4.9 stars by 9163 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New Jersey
  4. Cape May
  5. Cape May

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 56 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Washington Inn

801 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Jefferson & Washington
  • Neighborhood
    Cape May
  • Hours of operation
    Bar Tue–Thu, Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Dinner Tue–Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
  • Price
    $50 and over
  • Cuisines
    American, Mediterranean, Seafood
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Parking details
    We offer Complimentary Valet Parking - simply drive up to the front of the restaurant on Washington Street and our valet will happily park your car, free of charge!
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Miriam Wood
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
  • Catering
    The Washington Inn provides off-premise catering at whatever location you desire. We are expert at arranging details, creating just the right look, and, of course, offering your guests the highest quality food & attention available. Our catering staff will help you plan an outstanding event, customized to your needs and budget. The Inn caters early- afternoon wedding receptions for up to 125 people on premises. If your guest list is longer, we can help to arrange a reception at the Cape May Beach Club, the Isaac Smith Vineyard, Cape May Winery, your home or wherever you prefer.
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