• The Bougie Dining Guide

    We are not your regular foodies.

    Yvonne has eaten her way around the world, worked with marketing teams alongside Michelin star chefs, and currently works with restaurants down the Shore*

     

    Nikolas is a pescatarian-vegetarian. He avoids dairy and meat, but enjoys fish and eggs.

     

    He loves sweet, she loves savory. He loves crispy, she loves raw bar. He doesn't drink alcohol or caffeine, she drinks for them both. Few things make us both happier than a reasonably priced meal that oozes creativity and leaves us feeling, well, bougie.

     

    Speaking of bougie, everyone has a different budget, and everyone has a different idea of what's expensive. What's matters to us is getting value for our dollar, whether it's $11 or $85.

     

    We seek out the dining experiences that are true to the Bougie Beach Bums spirit: extraordinary food in non-stuffy settings that feel right for a beach holiday. Bonus points for highlighting the bounty of the Shore. Consistency and great service is a must for us. Nothing fussy, especially if it's fine dining.

     

     

    *This is a strictly independent guide based on our personal recommendations. No-one asked or paid to be featured here.

  • Wildwood

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    Hooked Up

    Location: Wildwood

     

    Go for: tuna, stone crabs, out of this world crab+corn chowder, freshest fish anywhere

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Both

    Vibe: Dockside, very casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Just for seafood lovers

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Late spring through September

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Wildwoods BBQ

    Location: Wildwood

     

    Go for: anything and everything barbequed, cauliflower and mac+cheese are spectacular

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Both

    Vibe: Very casual

    Kids Menu: No

    Special Diet Friendly: Mostly for meat lovers

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Spring through late fall

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Turtle Gut

    Location: Wildwood

     

    Go for: maritozzi, craft coffee, breakfast sandwich, pop-up dinners when they have them

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Breakfast/Lunch

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: No

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair, dairy-heavy

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Spring through fall

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    The Dock

    Location: Wildwood

     

    Go for: daily oysters, assortment of ceviches, scallop tacos

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Summer

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Santorini

    Location: Wildwood

     

    Go for: octopus, scallop risotto, classic Greek dishes, large pasta menu, tiramisu

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: No

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Rooftop

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: Yes

    BYOB: No

  • Cape May

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    Maison Bleue

    Location: Cape May

     

    Go for: modern French bistro menu, beautiful setting, excellent burgers and desserts

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Romantic, elegant

    Kids Menu: No, but the burger is kid-friendly!

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: Yes

    BYOB: Yes

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    Mayer's Tavern

    Location: Cape May

     

    Go for: bar offerings, blue fish spread, scallops, burgers, live music, always get the special

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Tavern, casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Spring through late fall

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: No

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    Washington Inn

    Location: Cape May

     

    Go for: old school classics like shrimp cocktail or crabcakes, happy hour, early bird, wine nights

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Fine dining

    Kids Menu: No

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: No

    Seasonal: Mostly year-round

    Reservations: Yes, recommended

    BYOB: No

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    Magnolia Room at Chalfonte

    Location: Cape May

     

    Go for: the famous fried chicken which is every bit as amazing as they say, Howard Street Ramble

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Breakfast, Dinner

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Mostly year-round

    Reservations: Yes, recommended

    BYOB: No

  • Stone Harbor & Avalon

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    Pure Juice & Kitchen

    Location: Stone Harbor

     

    Go for: blueberry-lemon chia pudding, organic coffee, dairy-free soft serve, house-made mylks

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Breakfast/Lunch

    Vibe: Casual, modern

    Kids Menu: No, but kid-friendly

    Special Diet Friendly: Very

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: you could! It's breakfast/lunch

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    The Black Cactus

    Location: Avalon

     

    Go for: elevated and modern Mexican dishes, craft cocktails, a grown-up casual vibe that's great for chilling with friends

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Lunch/Dinner

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: No

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Yes

    Reservations: Yes

    BYOB: No

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    Diving Horse

    Location: Avalon

     

    Go for: elevated American coastal cuisine, always changing menu, don't miss the Kit Kat dessert

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Romantic, casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Late spring through fall

    Reservations: Essential

    BYOB: Yes

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    Seven Mile Pies

    Location: Stone Harbor

     

    Go for: original pizza combinations (that's my fave, the Jalapeño Popper: mozzarella, cheddar, jalapeños, ricotta)

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Lunch/Dinner

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: No, but kid-friendly

    Special Diet Friendly: gluten-free & vegan options available

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Chanterelle

    Location: Stone Harbor

     

    Go for: modern dishes with old world influence like foie gras, risotto, house-made desserts (choose the sorbets)

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Intimate, casual

    Kids Menu: No, but Chef will accomodate

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: No

    Seasonal: Open through fall

    Reservations: Yes

    BYOB: Yes

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    Quahog's

    Location: Stone Harbor

     

    Go for: $12/12 oysters, whole fried branzino, one of very few bars on seven mile island!

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Dinner

    Vibe: Fun, casual shack

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Very

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Late spring through fall

    Reservations: Yes, recommended

    BYOB: No

  • Cape May Court House

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    MexItalia

    Location: Cape May Court House

    Go for: authentic Mexican dishes with incredible value; there's good Italian food too if that's more your jam

    Lunch/Dinner: Both

    Vibe: Casual and cozy dining room

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Fair

    Patio: No

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Matthews Seafood

    Location: Cape May Court House

     

    Go for: oyster selection, New England clam chowder, crispy calamari, fries, any fish sandwich

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Both

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: For seafood lovers

    Patio: Yes

    Seasonal: Spring through fall

    Reservations: No

    BYOB: Yes

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    Murasaki

    Location: Cape May Court House

     

    Go for: Japanese and Thai cuisine, lunch deals, take-out, known for its hibachi

     

    Lunch/Dinner: Both

    Vibe: Casual

    Kids Menu: Yes

    Special Diet Friendly: Very

    Patio: No

    Seasonal: Year-round

    Reservations: Yes

    BYOB: Yes

  • Special Diet Friendly

    What we mean

    Very

    A menu that can easily accommodate gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian diets, or a chef who is happy to accommodate requests.

    Fair

    A more traditional menu that has a fair distribution of meats and seafood with just one or two vegetable mains. Likely dairy across the menu.

    For seafood/meat lovers

    A menu that's hyper specialized and might be difficult for those who don't love seafood, don't eat meat, or have dietary restrictions, to order from.

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