Christmas is a beautiful time of year in Cape May, with the Victorian houses and Washington Street Mall decorated for the holidays. But while it’s easy to find an Instagram-worthy shot (or fifty), finding a place to eat on one of the winter holidays is a little trickier. We’ve rounded up the restaurants who will be open on specific holidays to make your planning a little easier. 

Special Holiday Events

Breakfast with Santa at Aleathea’s Restaurant

Both days this weekend, December 14 and 15, the Inn of Cape May welcomes Santa Claus, who will be having breakfast at Aleatha’s Restaurant at 9:45am sharp — don’t be late or you’ll make the naughty list. 

For reservations, call 609-884-5555. 

The Inn of Cape May | 7 Ocean Street, Cape May

Breakfast with Santa in Congress Hall’s ballroom

Santa will also be visiting Congress Hall this weekend and next (December 14 & 15, and December 21 & 22) for breakfast in the ballroom. The buffet will include favorites like scrambled eggs and french toast. They’ll also have an omelet station and made-to-order pancakes with topping choices. Picture taking with Santa welcome! Adults $28, children (ages 4-12) $16. Children 3 and under are free. 

See the full menu | For tickets, call the concierge at 609-884-6542

Congress Hall | 200 Congress Place, Cape May

Breakfast with Santa at Hemingway’s Restaurant

Santa is really making the rounds while he’s in Cape May. He is also graciously stopping into Hemingway’s Restaurant at the Grand Hotel on December 14 and December 21, from 8am to 11:30am both days. Tickets for adults are $13.95; kids are $8.50. They can even write a letter to Santa while they’re having breakfast and drop it into the Grand Hotel’s special mailbox to the North Pole. 

For more information, call 609-884-5611.

The Grand Hotel | 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May

Beach Plum Farm’s Holiday Dinner Series

Beach Plum Farm is back with their farm-to-table Holiday Dinner Series on December 13, 14, 20, and 21st from 6:30-9:30pm. After a walk along a light-strewn trail, start off the evening with hors d’oeuvres around a fire. Your dinner location is weather-dependent and may be al fresco, under a tent, or in the greenhouse — all of which, we’re sure, will be beautifully decorated in Cape Resorts style. The menu will be designed by Chef Joshua Liwoch and feature fresh items from the farm that week. End the night with some caroling and stop into the Beach Plum Farm Market, which will be open for last-minute shopping. 

This event is BYOB, and Beach Plum invites you to bring your own wine and/or spirits. They’ll offer fresh juice and herbs for mixing your own cocktails. Tickets are $98 per adult, plus tax and gratuity. Guests must be 12 and older.

Please call 833-372-6268 with questions. Book your tickets online

Beach Plum Farm | 140 Stevens Street, West Cape May

Christmas Eve – December 24

Traditional “Seven Fishes” Dinner at Hemingway’s

Hemingway’s at the Grand Hotel is offering a Christmas Eve dinner buffet from 4pm – 8pm on December 24th. The buffet is themed to a traditional “seven fishes” dinner and will include selections such as Sicilian fish stew, mussels fra diavalo, shrimp and scallops, and salmon puttanesca, as well as sides, bread, and assorted desserts. Tickets are $38.95 adults, $18 children. 

For reservations, call 609-884-5611 ext. 550. 

The Grand Hotel | 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May

Christmas Day – December 25

The Ebbitt Room

Once you’ve finished opening gifts, enjoy a fixed-price dinner at the historic Ebbitt Room on Jackson Street, serving from 2pm to 7pm. The three-course menu is specially prepared by Chef Jason and includes maple ham, prime rib, Atlantic halibut, and venison, in addition to appetizer and dessert choices. $75 per person. The Ebbitt Room has a full bar and offers valet parking. 

For reservations, call 609-884-5700. View the full menu

The Ebbitt Room | 25 Jackson Street, Cape May

Hemingway’s

Hemingway’s Restaurant at the Grand Cape May is serving a Christmas Day breakfast and dinner buffet. Prices are $39.95 for adults and $18 for children. 

For reservations, call 609-884-5611 ext. 550. 

The Grand Hotel | 1045 Beach Avenue, Cape May

The Washington Inn’s Christmas Dinner to Go

If you don’t want to cook, but the idea of sitting in a restaurant on Christmas day leaves you cold, the Washington Inn has a solution. Their Christmas Dinner to Go can feed up to twelve people and includes prime rib and crab cakes, as well as au gratin potatoes, brioche rolls, salad, greens, and a cheesecake. $495 plus tax.  View the menu

Please order by December 22nd. Limited reservations available. Call 609-884-5697.

The Washington Inn | 801 Washington Street, Cape May

New Year’s Eve – December 31

Aleathea’s

If what you’re looking for on New Year’s Eve is a regular dinner menu so you can order what you want, Aleathea’s has you covered! They’ll be open on the final day of the year. 

For reservations, call 1-800-582-5933 or 609-884-5555.

The Inn of Cape May | 7 Ocean Street, Cape May

Aloha 2020 at the Beach Shack

The Beach Shack is throwing an indoor beach party to ring in the new year — complete with a beach ball drop at midnight. Flip flops and Hawaiian shirts encouraged. Tickets include appetizers, an open bar, party hats (necessary), and a champagne toast. There will be live music by the Smooth Edge Band. The party kicks off at 9:30pm. You must be 21 or older to attend and have tickets in advance. $65 per person. 

For tickets, call 609-884-5700. 

The Beach Shack | 205 Beach Avenue, Cape May

Congress Hall’s Glitter Ball

Alas, if you were hoping to ring in the new year at Congress Hall, they have sold out for their annual Glitter Ball. (ﾉ◕ヮ◕)ﾉ*:・ﾟ

They may still have tickets through room packages available. Please call 888-944-1816 for more information.

The Ebbitt Room

Bid farewell to 2019 in style with a four-course, farm-fresh meal from Chef Jason Hanin at The Ebbitt Room. This prix-fixe menu has entree choices of venison, tuna, New York strip steak, or a butter poached lobster tail, as well as first and second course selections, and petits fours for dessert. There will be a champagne toast and live piano music. Seatings from 5pm to 10pm. $125 per person. 

For reservations, call 609-884-5700. View the full menu

Note: Please excuse the date listed on The Ebbitt Room’s website. We called to confirm this dinner is being served on December 31st, New Year’s Eve, not in January. 

The Ebbitt Room | 25 Jackson Street, Cape May

The Pier House Restaurant at La Mer

Ring in the new year at the Pier House Restaurant. Enjoy a seven-course, fixed price regional tasting menu. Seatings at 4pm, 6pm, and 8pm. Menu selections include items such as Oyster Rockefeller, a 5 Spoke Creamery “Tumbleweed” Cheddar from New York, Duck Confit Ravioli, Truffle & Wild Mushroom Risotto, and an Apple Tartatine. $85 per person. 

For reservations, call 609-884-9000 ext. 3 or reserve online

La Mer Beachfront Resort | 1317 Beach Avenue, Cape May

Union Park Restaurant

Union Park Restaurant is welcoming the new year with a five-course tasting menu. Menu selections include lobster bisque, foie gras, lamb tenderloin, and lobster tail. From 4pm to 5:45pm, tickets are $105 per person; seatings from 6pm to 10pm are $130 per person. Prices do not include tax or service fees (a 20% charge will be added to all checks). Enjoy complimentary champagne with all reservations. 

For reservations, please call 609-884-8811. 

The Hotel Macomber | 727 Beach Avenue, Cape May

If your Cape May restaurant will be open on any of these dates, or if your restaurant has filled up and you need us to mark you as reserved, please email jessica@capemay.com.