Breakfast in Cape May

Breakfast in Cape May is a wonderful thing! There’s literally so many options that it can make your head spin. I covered bakeries and coffee shops in two prior posts, so I’ll stick to sit-down breakfast for this one. Where to begin??? I know a lot of people are somewhat passionate about breakfast, as am I. There are some really strong opinions about favorites, and it can be quite a debate. I’ll do my best to cover the breakfast scene (feel free to silently insert the word brunch if that resonated more with you) in Cape May. Warning—this will be a long post. Note each link takes you directly to the breakfast menus.

Cocktails for Breakfast

I wouldn’t go as far as to say that it’s a requirement for me, but I do love a great bloody mary or mimosa (or even a bellini) with my breakfast. Fortunately, there are a few spots where you can get them in Cape May.

The Mad Batter on Jackson Street is basically a cult favorite. This is on the top of many a person’s list of their “go to” breakfast spots. Just look down Jackson Street on any given morning and you will see the lines of folks waiting to get a seat (they do not take reservations). My favorite here is always the almond and orange french toast. My husband is crazy about the corned beef hash. This is one of the places that we always bring friends, and everyone raves. Dining is on the front porch, in the bar or the dining room.

The Blue Pig in Congress Hall off Perry Street is another great place to have a bloody mary with your eggs. We like that we can make reservations at the Pig so no waiting. The fireplace in the main dining room is so very cozy in the winter. We love to eat outside in the garden or on the lawn in the summer too. The menu is not long, but the items are unique, and we have found them all to be so very tasty. My sweet favorite is the stuffed French toast, but when in the move for savory the BPT skillet is solid. I believe I have actually dreamed about the cheddar biscuits. Reservations can be made on their website.

Elaine’s on Lafayette Street is probably better knows for their bar scene. However, they have a super breakfast offering. The create-your-own omelet has 12 options from which you can choose two. From basic to bold they’ve quite the eclectic menu; like the scrambled egg stuffed pepper or the redneck benedict. It is one of the only places I have found that has steak and eggs (my son’s go-to choice). Seating is offered on their lovely patio or inside.

Sea Salt on Beach Avenue in the Ocean Club resort is one of the few beachfront breakfast spots in Cape May. You can dine outside overlooking the ocean or in the adjacent dining room. The menu is somewhat small, but varied so there’s likely something for everyone including a kid’s menu.

Ocean 7 on Ocean Street and Beach Ave in the Inn of Cape May was reinvented in 2022 after the property was purchased. The menu is small, but imaginative with items like pancakes with ricotta, lemon zest, fresh mint and blueberries and crab benedict with poached egg, mini crab cake, hollandaise and cheddar truffle biscuit. The breakfast cocktail menu even includes a Sunrise margarita!

Breakfast without the cocktails

George’s on Beach Ave and also on Ocean Street are part of the Kara Restaurant Group. (Shamone, Vintage and YB are covered below). Our family has enjoyed many a breakfast at both George’s locations. The menu has a decided Greek flair to it, but many of the items like the oh so yummy Tiramisu Waffle are not. We found George’s to be a great place to take the kids for breakfast. Be prepared to take some home as the portions are quite generous. The Ocean Street location has a small outdoor patio for al fresco dining.  Reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Ocean View on Beach Ave is a quintessential diner and as such is a great place for breakfast. It has a special place in our hearts for both breakfast and lunch. It is only two blocks from our house and right next to The Capers where we rented when the kids were littles. The menu is impressive with some of the most interesting omelet combinations I have ever seen. During the summer months as we are walking Lance, it is not unusual to see quite the crowd waiting outside for a table.  The smell of freshly cooked bacon wafts through the air every morning.

McGlade’s on the Pier on the ocean side of beach avenue is easily missed if you didn’t realize it is there. Tucked down a walkway a bit behind the convention center, it overlooks the beach! Yes please! What a great way to start your day right? Their menu is as adorable as it is tasty. Quirky and fun—you are absolutely certain to find something wonderful. It goes without say this is also a super place to take the kiddos.

Mermaids  also on the beach side of Beach Ave also has an awesome view of the ocean with additional indoor seating available. This restaurant spot has changed over the years (remember Henry’s?), but one thing is consistent—it is a beachy place for breakfast. The menu has a lot to offer including both savory and sweet crepe selections. There is also a special kid meal section for smaller appetites.

Uncle Bill’s Pancake House on Perry Street and Beach Ave close to Congress Hall is one of the most popular breakfast spots in all of Cape May. This small local chain boasts an impressive menu that goes far beyond pancakes. They shore (get the pun) like to have fun with their pancakes from shark week pancakes to peep pancakes for Easter. Uncle Bill’s special is NY steak with eggs and of course—pancakes. You can hear names announced all morning from the promenade as they call eagerly awaiting diners to their breakfast table. There is inside dining as well as table surrounding the exterior of the building.

Dock Mike’s Pancake House on Broadway in West Cape May also has a focus on pancakes, but so much more. They have 21 different variations of pancakes like traditional buttermilk, sweet potato, jersey corn, pina-colada pancakes, the list goes on. But oh it doesn’t stop there as there are waffles, French toast, omelets and more! There is a lovely outdoor patio with plants that is doggie friendly, as well as dining inside.

Bella Vida Garden Cafe in West Cape May on Broadway is worth the trip. They have (in my opinion) the most varied menu on my list. There are gluten free and vegan options as well as a whole host of typical fair. They definitely have the healthiest options with items such as acai bowls, chia oat bowls and more. Their coffee selection is one of the most extensive on the list. Bella Vida also has indoor and outdoor patio pup friendly dining.

Brine at the South Jersey Marina (where Salt Water Cafe use to be) is a lovely little spot with an amazing view of the marina. This is a new addition in 2023 from the Kara Restaurant group (aka George’s). The menu is not large, but it hits all the notes. The have fun items like pancake tacos and Ferrero Rocher Pain Perdu, which is an amazing version of french toast. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Just Brunch and BYO

Shamone  on Beach Ave has unlimited brunch (YES unlimited brunch) from Thursday to Sunday. Where was that when my son Ian was in his bottomless pit eating phase? The menu is somewhat small, but the items are unique and not your typical waffles and eggs. For example, PYT Pretty Yummy Tots loaded tater tots with scrambled eggs, bacon, onions, peppers, cheddar & spicy hollandaise. Or how about this one, Black or White Belgian waffle with oreo crumbs & Nutella whipped cream. This is also a BYO as they offer bloody mary mix and orange juice for mimosas by the glass or pitcher. Reservations can be made via OpenTable

Vintage at the Physick Estate on Washington Street is such a lovely venue. The menu is brief, but interesting and half breakfast half lunch. A pancake charcuterie board, BBB Grilled cheese, bacon, blackberry and brie, cheesecake waffle…Yum! They offer indoor and patio pup friendly dining. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.

Grana on Broadway and Perry is one I just had to mention, because it is one of my personal faves. They only offer brunch during the summer season on Sundays, but it is so good. They offer three courses, which means no matter what you pick can you get dessert! I’m all about dessert so this touches my heart. You can make reservations on Resy.

Well, that’s quite the list isn’t it!  Here is a handy map to help you find them all!

Are there any that you didn’t know about? Did I miss anyone? Let me know if I did. So, are you hungry now? I was candidly blown away about how many options there are for breakfast in Cape May. Now, not every restaurant above is open all year and some are not even open every day, so please consult the links I provided to you before you rush on over. Also, please note several of their restaurants are cash only so prepare accordingly.

As always, if you are not already subscribed, do it now so you don’t miss out on future posts. There is so much I want to share about Cape May—please join me!

Don’t miss out! Subscribe now to get the latest Cape May posts!