Dining at On the Rocks at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal, operated by Exit Zero Hospitality

​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. 

Grain On the Rocks at the Lewes Ferry Terminal

 

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.

On the Rocks restaurant operated by Exit Zero Hospitality at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry terminal in North Cape May, NJ


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. 

Outdoor dining at Fins Cape May


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.

TIsha's Cape May


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.

Lobster roll at Grain On the Rocks 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.

Outdoor dining at Crooked Hammock Brewery


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.

Big Oyster Brewery

Credit: Big Oyster Brewery


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.

Striper Bites in Lewes, DE

Credit: Striper Bites


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.