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.
