Washington Inn

4.8

9061 Reviews

$50 and over

American

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Experiences are available.

Good for special occasions
Charming
Great for fine wines

Built in 1840, this Cape May estate is now home to the acclaimed Washington Inn and Wine Bar. The Craig Family has carefully preserved the beauty & essence of this distinctive treasure without undertaking major alterations to its original form. The Inn's welcoming facade overlooks tree-lined Washington Street in the seaside community Historic District. The Washington Inn offers six unique dining areas, from a summer patio to cozy fireside tables. Cocktails are a must in the Wine Bar, where the passing Cape May scene can be best appreciated. Often described as romantic, our easy-going elegance will satisfy anyone's craving for fine dining. Our enticing menu offers the best of American cuisine but with an inventive, upscale edge. Food, Service, and Ambiance, the essential ingredients for dining excellence, are all masterfully blended here at the Washington Inn. Come experience it for yourself!

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American, Mediterranean, Seafood
Hours of operation
Bar Thu–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(609) 884-5697
Website
http://www.washingtoninn.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Smart Casual
Executive chef
Miriam Wood
Catering
The Washington Inn provides off-premise catering at whatever location you desire. We are expert at arranging details, creating just the right look, and, of course, offering your guests the highest quality food & attention available. Our catering staff will help you plan an outstanding event, customized to your needs and budget. The Inn caters early- afternoon wedding receptions for up to 125 people on premises. If your guest list is longer, we can help to arrange a reception at the Cape May Beach Club, the Isaac Smith Vineyard, Cape May Winery, your home or wherever you prefer.

Location
801 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204
Neighborhood
Cape May
Cross street
Jefferson & Washington
Parking details
We offer Complimentary Valet Parking - simply drive up to the front of the restaurant on Washington Street and our valet will happily park your car, free of charge!
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

Experiences

Galentine's Day Pop-Up in the Wine Bar
$20.00 per person
Prepaid
Feb 13, 2025 only
Multiple times
Join us in the Wine Cellar between 4 and 7pm to enjoy a Wine and Chocolate Tasting with Sommelier April. Featuring three luscious wines paired with Pastry Chef Maria's indulgent chocolate treats. Raise a glass to good times, great friends, and ladies celebrating ladies! Find out that you fell in love with one of our wines? Take a bottle home with you at our special retail pricing. Pop into the Wine Bar after for our first-ever Galentine’s Day celebration. Enjoy live music by Hannah Stone, a thoughtfully crafted cocktail menu by Robin, and small bites — perfect for sharing with the gals.
SOLD OUT Somm's Table: Big Red Love
$60.00 per person
Prepaid
Feb 16, 2025 only
3:00 PM
These events, hosted by our in-house wine team, are capped at 16 guests and held in our cozy Wine Cellar. A complimentary cheese and snack plate is provided. The focus is on enjoying a rare, unique wine alongside fellow wine enthusiasts. Featuring four half-glass pours, Somm's Table creates a relaxed, small-group setting to savor and learn about a luxurious aged library wine or a magnum bottle. Enjoy full-bodied red Napa Library wines and magnums from the 1970s and 1980s, such as Chateau Montelena, Pahlmeyer, Niebaum-Coppola, Karl Lawrence, and J. Rochioli.
Somm's Table - Sustainable Winemaking
$75.00 per person
Prepaid
Mar 16, 2025 only
3:00 PM
These events, hosted by our in-house wine team, are capped at 16 guests and held in our cozy Wine Cellar. A complimentary cheese and snack plate is provided. The focus is on enjoying a rare, unique wine alongside fellow wine enthusiasts. Featuring four half-glass pours, Somm's Table creates a relaxed, small-group setting to savor and learn about a luxurious aged library wine or a magnum bottle. This month, we will explore sustainable, organic, biodynamic winemaking pioneers Kistler and Flowers and some of Sonoma’s Chardonnay and Pinot Noir terroir.

Steak Tartare$22.00
perigueux truffle aioli, quail egg, grilled focaccia
Baked Escargot$17.00
pernod, garlic & herb butter, crostini
Heirloom Beets & Shinko Pears$19.00
hibiscus & beet emulsion, feta cheese foam, calamansi
Pastrami Spice Cured King Ora Salmon Crudo$21.00
winter citrus agrumi, fine herbs crème fraîche
Poached Oishi Shrimp$21.00
traditional cocktail sauce, horseradish, lemon
Savage Blonde Oysters$3.75
raspberry mignonette, traditional cocktail sauce, lemon
Seafood Bisque$19.00
shrimp & crab, sherry gastrique crème fraîche
Truffled Emperor's Salad$19.00
sweet gem lettuce, perigueux truffle caesar dressing, fennel panko, parmesan

Chilled Seafood

Italian Osetra Caviar$110.00
traditional accoutrement, whipped ricotta, house potato chips
Washington Inn Seafood Platter$82.00
poached oishi shrimp, east coast oysters, ceviche, smoked trout pâté

Entrée

Cape May Seafood Cioppino$42.00
oishi shrimp, bar harbor mussels, little neck clams, daily catch, white wine & tomato broth, roasted garlic aioli, grilled focaccia
Creekstone Ranch Short Rib$42.00
aged gouda potato purée, haricot verts, young carrots, cipollini in agrodolce, spiced red wine jus
Farmer's Market Vegetable Risotto$36.00
aged acquerello rice, artichoke, fava bean, zucchini, sweet pea, mint, basil, manchego
Filet Rossini, 8 oz.$64.00
haricot verts, crispy potato galette, sauce perigueux, add seared hudson valley foie gras
Lamb & Ricotta Cavatelli$39.00
san marzano tomato braised lamb shoulder, broccoli rabe, manchego
Maine Lobster Tail$75.00
provencal tartine, ginger & rosemary scented lobster emulsion
Mediterranean Seabass$45.00
cherry tomato, caper & taggiasca olive relish, crispy creamer potatoes, salsa verde
Rohan Duckling Breast$49.00
parsnip purée, ginger glazed petite vegetables, doenjang & brown butter sauce, persimmon mostarda

What 9,061 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.9Service
4.8Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

Cape May
Best Overall
Cape May
Best Food
Cape May
Best Ambiance
Cape May
Romantic
Cape May
Good for special occasions
Cape May
Lively
Cape May
American
Cape May
Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Washington Inn in Cape May is celebrated for its "excellent food and service," offering a consistently remarkable dining experience. Guests appreciate the "warm atmosphere" and "professional staff." The menu features standout dishes like short ribs, seafood Cioppino, and delectable desserts. The wine selection is extensive, complemented by a knowledgeable sommelier. Highly recommended!

9,061 Reviews

J
JODY
Atlantic City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always an amazing experience and the food is always on point
Is this helpful?
M
Mark
Greater Boston
4 reviews
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on January 1, 2025
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
One of our favorite restaurants. Food and service were terrific.
Is this helpful?
M
Michelle
Philadelphia
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Stacie added a lot of fun with amazing service. She helped us with wine recommendations that went beautifully with our entrees. The table runners were professional and polite. The food was all cooked to perfection. Wonderful evening all around!
Is this helpful?
K
Kelly
DO NOT USE
10 reviews
5.0
10 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Happy New Year 2025 ! New Year's Eve 2024 Pre-Fix menu was delicious. Quality food and attentive service. Free Valet a big plus for Cape May , where parking can be a challenge.
Is this helpful?
J
Joanne
Philadelphia
2 reviews
4.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great NY eve dinner. Special NY Eve Prix fixe menu with lots of choices. Had a lovely evening. Good wine, great service, delicious food.
Is this helpful?
M
Mairead
VIP
Atlantic City
61 reviews
5.0
61 reviews
Dined on December 31, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
All of the staff are so welcoming and attentive. The food is great. They all deserve a well earned rest in the new year.
Is this helpful?
J
Joseph
VIP
New York City
8 reviews
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Leni our server was great!! Hope to see you again in December Joseph & Dianne Card
Is this helpful?
N
Nancy
New Jersey
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our yearly tradition now to have dinner at The Washington Inn. We were seated immediately for our reservation and the food was delicious.
Is this helpful?
C
Carole
Atlantic City
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on December 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
As always, food was outstanding, as was the service!
Is this helpful?
P
Paulette
New York City
16 reviews
5.0
16 reviews
Dined on December 30, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Excellent ambiance service Food was fresh and very tasty For me the dessert were exquisite
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Washington Inn is rated 4.8 stars by 9061 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Jan 21, 2025

7:00 PM

Booked 19 times today

Experiences are available.

801 Washington Street, Cape May, NJ 08204

Additional information

Cross street
Jefferson & Washington
Neighborhood
Cape May
Hours of operation
Bar Thu–Sun 4:00 pm–9:00 pm Dinner Thu, Sun 4:30 pm–8:30 pm Fri, Sat 4:30 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$50 and over
Cuisines
American, Mediterranean, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Smart Casual
Parking details
We offer Complimentary Valet Parking - simply drive up to the front of the restaurant on Washington Street and our valet will happily park your car, free of charge!
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Miriam Wood
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Gender Neutral Restroom, Gluten-free Options, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
http://www.washingtoninn.com/
Phone number
(609) 884-5697
Catering
The Washington Inn provides off-premise catering at whatever location you desire. We are expert at arranging details, creating just the right look, and, of course, offering your guests the highest quality food & attention available. Our catering staff will help you plan an outstanding event, customized to your needs and budget. The Inn caters early- afternoon wedding receptions for up to 125 people on premises. If your guest list is longer, we can help to arrange a reception at the Cape May Beach Club, the Isaac Smith Vineyard, Cape May Winery, your home or wherever you prefer.

Washington Inn

Make a reservation

Additional information

22 Atlantic City Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

45 Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day

Galentine's Day Pop-Up in the Wine Bar

SOLD OUT Somm's Table: Big Red Love

Somm's Table - Sustainable Winemaking

Appetizers

Steak Tartare$22.00

Baked Escargot$17.00

Heirloom Beets & Shinko Pears$19.00

Pastrami Spice Cured King Ora Salmon Crudo$21.00

Poached Oishi Shrimp$21.00

Savage Blonde Oysters$3.75

Seafood Bisque$19.00

Truffled Emperor's Salad$19.00

Chilled Seafood

Italian Osetra Caviar$110.00

Washington Inn Seafood Platter$82.00

Entrée

Cape May Seafood Cioppino$42.00

Creekstone Ranch Short Rib$42.00

Farmer's Market Vegetable Risotto$36.00

Filet Rossini, 8 oz.$64.00

Lamb & Ricotta Cavatelli$39.00

Maine Lobster Tail$75.00

Mediterranean Seabass$45.00

Rohan Duckling Breast$49.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Washington Inn restaurant rated?

Is Washington Inn currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

22 Atlantic City Restaurants to Connect In For Mother's Day

45 Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore Restaurants to Love This Valentine's Day