16 Great Outdoor Dining Destinations
LET'S EAT: OUTDOOR DINING IN CAPE MAY AND LEWES
Under the sun, in the shade or under the stars, the alfresco experience in the Twin Capes region can be relaxing, romantic or playful.
CAPE MAY
On the Rocks
Head to the Cape May-Lewes Ferry’s Cape May terminal and enjoy lunch or dinner bayside at On the Rocks, now operated by Exit Zero Hospitality. The inventive menu includes sweet and spicy Brussels sprouts, mega crab tots, upscale sandwiches like the signature Hot Chick, and tacos made with local fish.
Cost: $9-$14.
Location: 1200 Lincoln Blvd., North Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 770-8479, visitferrypark.com
410 Bank St.
The canopied garden at 410 Bank St. is a beautiful setting for a feast of New Orleans-style offerings like catfish Creole, Cajun shellfish gumbo, and blackened applewood-smoked prime rib.
Cost: $38.95-$95.95.
Location: 410 Bank St., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-2127, 410bankstreet.com
The Blue Pig Tavern
The Blue Pig Tavern at Congress Hall affords a lovely setting for dining outdoors, along with a menu that includes bacon-wrapped meatloaf, fish and chips, and steak with a crab cake.
Cost: $17-$42
Location: Congress Hall, 200 Congress Pl., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-8422, caperesorts.com
Fins Bar & Grille
Catch a cool breeze on the front porch at Fins Bar & Grille. Baked shrimp-and-crab pasta and a pork loin chop with honey-pear glaze are among the specialties.
Location: 142 Decatur St., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-3449, finscapemay.com
Peter Shield's Inn & Restaurant
Watch the waves from the front porch of Peter Shield’s Inn & Restaurant while you sup on such upscale fare as coffee-rubbed Muscovy duck breast, hoisin-glazed Scottish salmon or braised rabbit campanelle.
Cost: $33-$65.
Location: 1301 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-9090, petershieldsinn.com
SeaSalt
With an extensive raw bar and a menu that features seafood bouillabaisse and coffee-rubbed ribeye steak, SeaSalt Restaurant is beachfront dining at its best.
Location: 1035 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-7000, seasaltcapemay.com
Tisha's
The people-watching on the Washington Street Mall is as delicious as the food at Tisha’s, where you’ll find steak au poivre and other elegant selections.
Cost: $25-$36.
Location: 322 Washington St., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-9119, tishasfinedining.com
Union Park Dining Room
The ocean-front patio at Union Park Dining Room is the perfect perch for enjoying a prix fixe meal. Start things off with bay scallops ceviche, then move on to the St. Laurent salmon with tomato-crab salad.
Cost: $60
Location: 727 Beach Ave., Cape May, NJ
Info: (609) 884-8811, unionparkdiningroom.com
LEWES
Grain On the Rocks
Savor crab nachos, a short-rib grilled cheese, the fresh salmon BLT, or a cheeseburger with fig jam at Grain on the Rocks, waterside at the Lewes ferry terminal.
Cost: $12.50-$17.50
Location: 43 Cape Henlopen Drive, Lewes, DE
Info: (302) 291-3900, meetatgrain.com
Crooked Hammock Brewery
It’s all fun and games and good food in the spacious backyard at Crooked Hammock Brewery. Don’t miss the slow-cooked barbecue ribs or the orange-glazed salmon.
Cost: $21.95-$25.95
Location: 36707 Crooked Hammock Way, Lewes, DE
Info: (302) 644-7837, crookedhammockbrewery.com
Big Oyster Brewery
Housed in a red barn, Big Oyster Brewery offers ample (and cozy) outdoor seating, an extensive comfort food menu and 16 beers on tap.
Cost: $8-$28
Location: 1007 Kings Hwy., Lewes, DE
Info: (302) 644-2621, bigoysterbrewery.com
Striper Bites
Grab a seat on the front patio at Striper Bites and try the day’s fresh seafood selection in a sherry butter sauce.
Cost: $16-$29
Location:107 Savannah Road, Lewes, DE
Info: (302) 645-4657, striperbites.com
Fish On
You’d expect a dining spot with the name Fish On to do a mean seafood stew and fish and chips. But you’ll also find delectable non-seafood specialties like short-rib stroganoff and Southern fried chicken. Dive into it all on the outdoor patio.
Cost: $15-$34
Location: 17300 N. Village Main Blvd., Lewes, DE
Info: (302) 645-9790, fishonlewes.com
REHOBOTH BEACH
Bluecoast Rehoboth
With its spacious patio, fire pit and stage for acoustic entertainment, Bluecoast Rehoboth is the perfect setting for enjoying seafood preparations like crab-stuffed jumbo shrimp and blackened tuna.
Cost: $24-$38
Location: 30115 Veterans Way, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Info: (302) 278-7395, bluecoastrehoboth.com
Cooter Brown’s Twisted Southern Kitchen and Bourbon Bar
At Cooter Brown’s Twisted Southern Kitchen and Bourbon Bar, you can watch the bustle on Rehoboth Avenue below from a prime patio perch. The menu is unabashedly Southern, featuring shrimp and grits, sweet-tea-fried chicken, and other classics.
Cost: $16.95-$31.95
Location: 70 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE
Info: (302) 567-2132, cooterbrownsrehoboth.com
Cultured Pearl
You won’t find a more romantic setting than the rooftop gazebo overlooking koi ponds and gardens at Cultured Pearl. Renowned for its extensive sushi bar, the restaurant also offers tempting teriyakis and tempuras, as well as spicy Thai dishes.
Cost: $19-$49
Location: 301 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE
Info: (302) 227-8493
Victoria’s Restaurant
The boardwalk patio at Victoria’s Restaurant is a perfect vantage point for people-watching. Menu highlights include lemon dill salmon, duck a l’orange and grilled sirloin.
Cost: $13-$49
Location: 2 Olive Ave. and the Boardwalk, Rehoboth Beach, DE
Info: (302) 227-7169, boardwalkplaza.com
This listing originally appears in the Summer/Fall 2021 edition of Twin Capes Traveller, a joint travel digest produced by Today Media, Today Media Custom Communications and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. Referenced places, facilities, and opportunities can change year over year, and items noted were available at time of print publication. When on board or at any of our terminals, make sure to pick up the latest edition to see more ideas of places to go and things to do while in the Delaware Bay region.