There are shore people, and then there are Shore people. The ones who know where to get the best sticky bun before the beach, the happiest happy hour and the ice cream worth standing in line for. This list is for them – and for anyone ready to make a few new summer traditions.

Best Boat-to-Table Seafood

Hooked Up Seafood

Wildwood

Seafood sourced directly from the restaurant’s commercial fishing boats goes from the water to your plate with minimal stops in between, letting the quality of the catch speak for itself.

Best Waterfront Happy Hour

The Reeds

Stone Harbor

Handcrafted cocktails, a bay breeze and front-row seats to the sunset — yeah, you’re not leaving anytime soon. This is the happy hour that turns into a whole evening.

Best Boutique for Coastal Style

Petes Mercantile

Avalon, Ocean City & Wildwood Crest

Find bright colors, breezy clothing and accessories that are actually thoughtfully picked – not just vacation merch. You’ll find pieces you’ll keep wearing long after the trip’s over.

Best Bayside Coffee Break

Turtle Gut

Wildwood Crest

Grab a handcrafted coffee, find a seat overlooking the bay and ease into the day with fresh pastries and breakfast favorites. Honestly one of the best views in Wildwood Crest.

Best Dockside Dinner

The Lobster House

Cape May

Watching the boats come and go while cracking into lobster or digging into a seafood feast has made this waterfront landmark a Shore tradition for generations.

Best Place for Your Next Beach Read

Sandbar Story Shack

Long Beach Island

This bookstore on wheels is rolling through LBI and Ocean County all summer long. Pick out your next beach read, or take a chance with a “blind date with a book.” And the best part? It all comes to you.

Best Way to Explore Down The Shore

Coastal Cruiser

Wildwood to Cape May

Parking the car and hopping into the Coastal Cruiser is one of the easiest ways to explore wineries, breweries and more from Wildwood to Cape May. It turns getting around into part of the fun.

Best BYOB

Mamma Lena’s Trattoria

Ventnor

A great bottle of wine deserves a great meal, and Mamma Lena’s delivers. Bring your favorite vintage, settle in with homemade Italian classics and enjoy.

Best Cure for Cabin Fever

Marjorie & Lewis Katz JCC

Margate

When the weather keeps everyone indoors, we know just where to go – swimming, fitness classes, sports, family programs and activities for all ages. There’s always something going on.

Best Sports Fits Down the Shore

izzi and lu

Sea Isle City, Avalon

Game day down the Shore hits different. izzi & lu stocks the latest sportswear, matching sets and easygoing styles that look just as good strolling the boardwalk as they do at the game.

Best Place to Watch the Ferry Come In

Stowaways

Cape May

There’s something surprisingly relaxing about watching the Cape May–Lewes Ferry come into the harbor. Settle in with a cocktail and enjoy a front-row seat.

Best Made-From-Scratch Donuts

Frog Hollow Bakery

Greenfield

The whole display case is honestly hard to resist, but the donuts are the real stars here. Soft, fresh, baked daily — the kind of treat that turns a quick bakery run into a Shore tradition.

Best Mediterranean Bites

Sofia

Margate

A table at Sofia is meant to be shared. Creamy hummus, whipped feta, grilled octopus, saganaki – it’s basically impossible to stop at just one plate.

Best Brewery with a Side of History

Cold Spring Brewery

Cape May

Tucked inside Historic Cold Spring Village, this place pairs small-batch brews with one of the most unique settings around, so your pint comes with a side of South Jersey history.

Best Place to Turn a Weekend into a Story

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Atlantic City

A concert, a lucky streak, a late-night dinner that somehow turns into sunrise on the Boardwalk – this place just has a way of packing a whole story into one weekend.

Best Post-Beach Comfort Food

Holiday Snack Bar

Long Beach Island

This LBI favorite has been welcoming sandy, sunburned beachgoers for generations. Nothing hits the spot after a day in the sun like a basket of fries, a juicy burger and a slice of their famous chocolate cake.

Best Raw Bar by the Water

Beach Creek Oyster Bar & Grille

Wildwood

Fresh oysters just taste better with a waterfront view. The raw bar is stocked with fresh shellfish while the marina setting and bay breezes create the perfect atmosphere.

Best Boardwalk Snack to Save From The Seagulls

Johnson’s Popcorn

Ocean City

Photo: Philip Gabriel Photography

 

Everyone knows the rules: watch your fries, guard your funnel cake and definitely keep an eye on your Johnson’s Popcorn. It’s so good even the seagulls want a taste.

Best Coastal Tavern

Mayer’s Tavern

Cape May

Whether you’re digging into oysters, scallops or the catch of the day, you’ll feel like an old-school fisherman here. Fresh-off-the-boat seafood and seasonal local ingredients make Mayer’s Tavern a standout.

Best Specialty Sushi Rolls

Megu Sushi

Ventnor

Classic rolls are great, but this is where things get really fun. Signature rolls stacked with fresh seafood, bold flavors and creative combinations make it genuinely hard to order the same thing twice.

Best Beachfront Getaway

The Grand Hotel

Cape May

The best part? The beach is basically right outside your door. Spend the day on the sand, by the pool or exploring Cape May, then come back to ocean views.

Best Window Seat

La Finestra

Sea Isle

The best tables in the house are the ones overlooking the ocean. Floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic views of the beach make the meal just that much better.

Best Speakeasy-Style Escape

Angeloni’s Club Madrid

Atlantic City

It’s one of AC’s best-kept secrets. Dim lighting, expertly crafted cocktails and vintage lounge vibes create the perfect setting to settle in, slow down and savor the night.

Best Rooftop Dinner

Santorini

Wildwood

Here you’ll find fresh Greek and Mediterranean cuisine and a rooftop atmosphere that makes you want to order one more course just to stay a little longer. Especially when the sun starts to go down.

Best Scoop Made from Scratch

The Woohoo

Beach Haven

This place doesn’t rely on pre-made mixes. Every batch of ice cream is made from scratch in-house using fresh dairy, quality ingredients and creative flavor combinations.

Best Beach Day Picnic

Wild Roots Provisions

Cape May

Wild Roots Provisions stocks chef-made sandwiches, fresh salads, snacks and picnic essentials, making it easy to pack a lunch that you’ll have to guard from the seagulls.

Best Place to Find Something You Didn’t Know You Needed

Eastward

Ocean City

You might walk in looking for a gift, but don’t be surprised if you leave with something for yourself, too. Coastal-inspired goods and unique finds make every visit feel like a treasure hunt.

Best BBQ

The Surfing Pig

North Wildwood

Smoked brisket, ribs, pulled pork and house-made sides that hit every single craving – whether you’re coming off the beach or settling in for a proper dinner by the bay.

Best Sticky Buns Worth the Wait

Barry’s Buns

Wildwood Crest

 

The line moves fast, but honestly, even if it didn’t, you’d still wait. Fresh from the oven with a gooey cinnamon filling, these sticky buns earn every minute.

Best Specialty Hot Dog

LouDogs

Sea Isle

Creative specialty dogs piled high with toppings turn this boardwalk favorite into a destination of its own. You could order just the classic… but that’s not as fun.

Best Night Out

Morey’s Piers

Wildwood

Three amusement piers packed with rides, classic boardwalk games and attractions for every age mean there’s a little something for everyone’s perfect night out.

Best Shore Brew

Cape May Brewing Co.

Cape May

Whether you’re sipping a flagship Cape May IPA, sampling a flight of seasonal releases or relaxing in the beer garden, this brewery has become a Shore tradition.

Best Way to End a Boardwalk Night

Sea Shell Ice Cream Parlor

Wildwood

The rides are winding down, there’s an ocean breeze rolling in and there’s only one move left: grab a cone. This spot is the perfect ending to Wildwood boardwalk nights.

Best Sunset Dinner by the Water

Fish House

Cape May

Some tables just come with a view worth sticking around for. Fresh seafood, waterfront seating and a Cape May sunset that steals the show every single time.

Best Handmade Pasta

Spiaggetta

Stone Harbor

Fresh pasta is the whole point here. Every dish features perfectly hand-shaped pasta made the traditional Italian way using simple, high-quality ingredients that let authentic flavors take center stage.

Best Bike Ride Beer Stop

Behr Brewing

Cape May

A ride along the Cape May County Bike Path gets even better with a beer. Park your bike, cool off with a locally brewed pint and relax in the taproom before heading back out on the trail.

Best Wine Bar

Sargasso

Margate

Settle in with a thoughtfully curated list, seasonal small plates and a vibe that works just as well for a quick drink as it does for a long, leisurely night.

Best Distillery

Nauti Spirits Distillery

Cape May

Nauti Spirits grows many of the grains and botanicals used to craft its award-winning spirits. Stop in for a tour, stay for a tasting.

Best Place to Spoil Your Pup

Salty Paws

Stone Harbor

Puppies deserve treats too. Here, dogs get their own lactose-free ice cream, bakery treats and toppings to create the perfect dessert.

Best Crab Cakes

The Crab Trap

Somers Point

 

Sweet lump crabmeat, just enough seasoning and a recipe that’s been keeping seafood lovers coming back to Somers Point for generations. Once you try them, you’ll get it.

August 2026
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