High Tide

The CapeMay.com blog

Here are the winners of the 2018 Best of Cape May

Every August, we ask our followers to tell us what they consider to be the best in Cape May, from their favorite place to buy shoes to the one restaurant where they’re happy to splurge. This year, we had a record-breaking number of votes, just under 3,000. It took three days to tally the winners. There are a lot of familiar names on this list, but it was exciting to see some new businesses with a lot of fans. We expect some overthrows next year! And now, with no further delays, here are your winners for the 2018 Best of Cape May.


The Best of Cape May: Shopping

Women’s Clothing: Cotton Company
Runner up: Victorious

Men’s Clothing: Galvanic
Runner up: Cotton Company

Children’s Clothing: Happy Baby
Runner up: Arden’s Kids

T-shirts and Sweatshirts: Flying Fish Studio
Runner up: It’s a Breeze

Footwear: Casales
Runner up: Victorious

Accessories: Whale’s Tale
Runner up: Red Oak Trading

Jewelry: Henry’s
Runner up: Whale’s Tale

Swimwear: Pete Smith’s
Runner up: South End Surf Shoppe

Handbags and Totes: Victorious
Runner up: Red Oak Trading

Candy: Original Fudge Kitchen
Runner up: Fralinger’s

Gifts: Whale’s Tale
Runner up: Sunset Beach Gift Shops

Home Decor: West End Garage
Runner up: Cape May Wicker

Art: Washington Street Gallery
Runner up: SOMA

Antiques: West End Garage
Runner up: Cape May Antique Center

Gourmet / Specialty Food: Cape May Peanut Butter Co.
Runner up: Seaside Cheese

Toy Store: Whale’s Tale
Runner up: Zoo Company

Pet Accessories: Dog Days of Cape May
Runner up: Muddy Paws

Cape May Souvenirs: Sunset Beach Gift Shops
Runner up: Whale’s Tale

Bath and body: Bath Time
Runner up: A Place on Earth

Liquor or wine: Collier’s
Runner up: Sunset Liquors


The Best of Cape May: Dining

Coffee: Coffee Tyme
Runner up: Magic Brain

Cold/Frozen Drinks: Coffee Tyme
Runner up: Out There Coffee

Pancakes: Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
Runner up: Mad Batter

Brunch: Mad Batter
Runner up: Blue Pig

Hot Dogs: Hot Dog Tommy’s
Runner up: Stewart’s

Wings: C-View Tavern
Runner up: Mad Batter

Burger: Ugly Mug
Runner up: Lucky Bones

Fish Tacos: Key West Tacos
Runner up: Fins

Sandwich or Hoagie: Westside Market
Runner up: Wawa

Pizza: Marios
Runner up: Lucky Bones

Seafood: Lobster House
Runner up: Oyster Bay

Scallops: Lobster House
Runner up: Mayer’s Tavern

Crabcakes: Lobster House
Runner up: Freda’s Cafe

Oysters: Lobster House
Runner up: Oyster Bay

Mussels: Lucky Bones
Runner up: Lobster House

Mexican / Tex Mex: La Dona
Runner up: Gecko’s

Italian: Sapore Italiano
Runner up: Panico’s

Steak: Washington Inn
Runner up: Merion Inn

Vegan / Vegetarian: Bella Vida Garden Cafe
Runner up: Good Earth Organic Eatery

Fries: Lucky Bones
Runner up: Rusty Nail

Dessert: Washington Inn
Runner up: Peace Pie

Ice cream / custard / gelato: Kohr Bros
Runner up: Uncle Charley’s

Baked Goods: Chez Michel
Runner up: Madison’s Bakery

Takeout: Lobster House
Runner up: Depot Market

Best options for kids: Rusty Nail
Runner up: Lucky Bones

Best place to eat outside: Lobster House
Runner up: Rusty Nail

Best view from the table: Lobster House
Runner up: Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille

Worth the splurge: Washington Inn
Runner up: Peter Shields Inn

Best place for a cocktail: Brown Room at Congress Hall
Runner up: Mad Batter

Best outdoor bar: Rusty Nail
Runner up: Harry’s

Best place to hear live music: Mad Batter
Runner up: Rusty Nail

Best happy hour: Mad Batter
Runner up: Harry’s Ocean Bar & Grille


The Best of Cape May: Leisure

Spa or massage: Cape May Day Spa
Runner up: Sea Spa at Congress Hall

Golf course: Cape May National
Runner up: Avalon

Winery tour/tasting: Cape May Winery
Runner up: Willow Creek Winery

Brewery or distillery tour: Cape May Brewing Company
Runner up: Nauti Spirits Distillery

Walking or guided tour: Cape May Food Tours
Runner up: Ghost of Cape May Trolley Tour

Cruise or boat ride: Cape May Whale Watcher
Runner up: Cape May-Lewes Ferry

Bicycle or surrey rental: Shields Bicycles
Runner up: Cape Island Bike Rentals

Museum or historic site: Emlen Physick Estate aka Melon
Runner up: Lighthouse

Thrill ride or adrenaline rush: East Coast Watersports
Runner up: Morey’s Piers

(Honorable mention: someone voted “Bread Lady line” for best adrenaline rush.)

Live performing arts: Cape May Stage
Runner up: East Lynne Theater

Best food festival/event: Craft Beer and Crab Fest
Runner up: Lima Bean Festival

Best holiday festival/event: West Cape May Christmas Parade
Runner up: Winter Wonderland at Congress Hall


The Best of Cape May: Accommodations

Bed and Breakfast: The Queen Victoria
Runner up: The Mission Inn

Guest House: Highland House
Runner up: Antoinettes’s

Hotel: Congress Hall
Runner up: Victorian Motel

Campground: Beachcomber Campground
Runner up: Holly Shores

Best place to stay with pets: Highland House
Runner up: Beach Shack

Best place to stay with kids: Victorian Motel
Runner up: Congress Hall


The best month to visit Cape May?

You ovewhelmingly voted September as the best month to visit. The runner-up, with a third the votes, was July. (January and February tied for the months you liked least.)


That’s a wrap for the 2018 Best of Cape May. Didn’t see your favorites on the list? Mark your calendar for next August.