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    Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

    4.4 (486 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 8:00 PM

    Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant Photos

    PETER SHIELDS INN & RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Romantic
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

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    Bread basket
    Miss P.

    Made ahead reservations and were eagerly waiting to try this 'acclaimed' establishment to celebrate our special occasion. But unfortunately our experience was absolutely ruined. All these positive reviews and we were expecting culinary delight that's turned out terrible. Warm Octopus salad was overly salty and we had to send it back to kitchen as it was completely indigestible. 15 later another octopus was totally overcooked. My risotto was a mess. Too creamy looked more like a sloppy Joe, your chef does have a skill s to maintain heat control and timing, pathetic. When desert came no recognition for our special occasion even though it was mentioned in our reservation and acknowledged when we checked in. Another thing, pianist was playing out of tune and hitting the wrong notes, it was painful to listen all evening. Bottom line, Peter Shields charges top dollar for a subpar dished and less than mediocre service and ambiance. Avoid

    Sara B.

    Loved our stay at Peter Shields - an adorable bed and breakfast that's just steps away from the beach. I really liked the location in Cape May. It's easy to get to all the shops and eateries, but you aren't right in the thick of everything, which made for a more calm and relaxing stay. The hotel has complimentary bikes, and we were able to bike to town in just a few minutes. The hotel is small and there are only a few guestrooms. We stayed on the top floor and our window had ocean views which was such a treat. I was worried about the room being hot but the AC was extremely strong. Rooms are a bit dated and the carpet really needs to be replaced. The bed is super comfy and the bathroom is more updated, but new carpet would really make the room - the current carpet is like a funky green. We had to try the restaurant since it gets such great reviews and it definitely lived up to the hype. The lobster fra diavolo was sooo good and came with so much lobster meat. Breakfast is included in the stay and was so delicious. They have a screened in porch that overlooks the ocean and there's really no better way to start off your day. Everyone that works here is friendly and helpful, and there are little cute touches like complimentary drinks and snacks, a wine and cheese hour and beach items like umbrellas and chairs. Overall this is a super cute hotel - it's classy and beautiful and the perfect backdrop for photos, and the oceanfront location is prime.

    Death by Chocolate
    Michael T.

    We came here to try their restaurant week menu. It was easy enough to make a reservation through the Open Table app. Right away, there was kind of a snafu that I made. Somehow I mistakenly made a reservation for 5 even though there were only 2 of us (I reviewed the reservation to confirm I somehow made that mistake). It clearly threw a monkey wrench into some of their planning but they graciously course corrected (I apologize again if you're reading this!) and we continued on. For the restaurant week prix fixe meal, we went with: corn and crab chowder, carpaccio, pan roasted chicken breast, garganelli pasta, cherry bread pudding, and flourless chocolate. Everything we ate was mouthwatering good. That chowder had an insanely savory cut of bacon that just made the whole dish. The garganelli with truffle oil was a satisfying pasta dish for an entree. The chicken breast was cooked to perfection with a very well seasoned skin. My favorite dish had to be the cherry bread pudding. Every bite of that dish just popped with sweet flavor. This is definitely a great place to come for a special occasion. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience from start to finish

    Oysters

    Amazing place! One of the best restaurants I've been to! Nice ambience with the live piano and the newly renovated place is super clean and well done with the aesthetics! Food was great! We had oysters, Mahi Mahi, rib eye, lobster, bolognaise and cocktails! Waiter, Chris, was professional and prompt! Thank you for the great experience!

    Front porch

    Our first time at PSI & it didn't disappoint! The ambiance is perfection-beautifully preserved historic property, piano player in the lobby, candles, flowers-ocean front setting. Very attentive service & delicious food! Friendly atmosphere, perfect for date nite or larger parties-we will definitely be returning.

    Softshell crab pasta
    Kaitlyn F.

    We've been to Peter shields several times and it's one of our favorite special restaurant so we are down in the cape May area. It is difficult to make reservations because the place is often very busy so you need to make them in advance, especially if you want to get a decent time. There is no parking, but we had no trouble finding parking on the street for our 715 reservation. The place is very romantic and fancy and I like that they encourage dressy clothes. Service is always outstanding and the menu rotates, depending on the season with the freshest and best ingredients. Everything that we've ever had, there has been delicious and we cannot rave enough about this special restaurant.

    Grace A.

    Peter Shields is the epitome of fine dining! The elegance is felt as soon as you walk up the outside stairs & continues all the way through as you enter. All the servers & staff were completely accommodating. My friends & I were in Cape May for a week long vacation in July & this had been on our radar since booking the trip. PS exceeded all our expectations, food & presentation were all spot on. TBH we had the most fun with the piano player, you could text him any & all of your requests & we happily waited for our song to come up, he was fantastic.

    Table details
    Paul M.

    Back for our 28th Wedding Anniversary... no longer BYOB but the menu remains amazing, atmosphere perfect, service exemplary, and just perfect for a special occasion. Thanks Dillon for the amazing service and experience!!

    Seasonal cobbler - Apple Cobbler
    Madison G.

    Had a fabulous meal in the restaurant. They definitely offer meals you don't typically find at the shore and their menus do change based on season/holidays. they make great cocktails, and have a wonderful atmosphere. It is more of a fine dining experience. Their appetizers are on the smaller side so you don't fill up with them. I had the steak tartar which was very tasty and unique to others I've had. For my main I had rabbit Ragu with homemade pasta that was perfect and the sauce it was cooked in was so tasty and I greatly enjoyed it. Finished the meal with desert which was apple cobbler. It also was very nice that they had a live piano player that would take song requests.

    We went to Peter Shields Restaurant for the first time tonight for the last night of restaurant week. The food was amazing! Our server Peter was very warm and welcoming. The restaurant is beautiful! We will definitely be returning.

    Sea bass in papillote.
    Deidre W.

    The service is spectacular. The Manger Sean was delightful and very accommodating. The lobster bisque was delicious, the sea bass en papillote was as well. The decor is elegant. This is a very romantic restaurant. Definitely make a reservation.

    Grilled 8 oz. Filet Mignon
    Matt G.

    An absolute gem of a restaurant with some haunting history.. We had a fantastic evening here for dinner. The bread service was unique; offering three different types of warm dinner rolls. The lobster bisque is a must -- this bisque was much lighter than every other bisque I've ever had. It's still cream-based, but it was just delicate without compromising depth of flavor. The deliver eggs were also unique and are arguably the best deviled eggs I've ever had (which surprisingly is a fair amount of deviled eggs). Lastly, the filet: it was prepared well and accompanied by three delicate mushroom ravioli alongside a demi glacé.

    Pork chop
    Alex N.

    While vacationing in Ocean City, NJ, my wife and I nipped out for dinner at Peter Shields. In short: one of the best. We started off sharing a yellowtail crudo, one of my favorite fish from our local sushi haunt; this dish arrived garnished with cucumber and watermelon, a heretofore untasted melange of flavors for this diner. We also split blue point oysters on the half shell, which were plump and briny. I ordered a bone-in pork chop, which our server, Chris, was quick to point out was a pounded and fried dish; this was not necessarily my preference nor the dish I'd imagined in my mind based on the menu, but I readily agreed to this preparation. It was, in turn, excellent. The pork was pounded flat and dredged in breadcrumbs, and pan fried until crispy, with no residual oil on the surface. Topped Milanese style with greens and tomatoes would have been satisfying, but the lily was gilded with some chunks of meat and mozzarella. It was excellent and I'd order it again in a heartbeat. My wife was craving a steak, and she got the filet. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare, as requested, and beautifully served. For dessert, they offered a steamed caramel cake a la mode, which we split and adored. The dessert was swimming in a pool of molten caramel and was delicious and the perfect size to split. It was a whimsical nod to the classic caramel sundae, with the cake dressing the dish up to something elegant. Peter Shields is a BYOB, but you can order bottles from the nearby Cape May Winery, which they should advertise more. Chris, our server, was prompt, attentive, informative, and polite.

    The sea bass after the great reveal

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    1 year ago

    Best lobster we've ever had. Pasta special & short rib were excellent. Server was warm and welcoming. Look forward to coming back.

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    Ask the Community - Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

    What is the minimum acceptable attire? We will be traveling in a Corvette without much luggage space!…

    The dress code at Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant in Cape May, New Jersey, is business casual. Beachwear and athletic wear are strictly prohibited.… 

    I'm wearing a collared shirt and dress shoes for dinner this weekend. Are jeans acceptable?

    Yes. My husband refuses to wear dress pants ever and we go there often in jeans and nice shirts.

    View All 3 Questions

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    Tisha's Cape May - Seafood Risotto

    Tisha's Cape May

    4.2(651 reviews)
    1.1 mi
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    My wife and I found ourselves at Tisha for dinner, and what a pleasant surprise! The service was…read moreexcellent, our meal was delicious, and the indoor dining area was very cozy and inviting. We started with the scallops with risotto as an appetizer. I'm not a huge fan of scallops, but my wife really enjoys them, and she thought they were excellent. For dinner, she had the crab cakes with shrimp, while I went with the special, which was halibut topped with crab. Both dishes were absolutely delicious and prepared perfectly. Overall, we had a wonderful experience at Tisha. We'll definitely be back!

    I went down to Cape May with a couple of girlfriends Saturday 9.5.26 during Labor Day weekend. I…read morenever go down the shore near summer holidays but the travel into town was surprisingly manageable. Tisha's is my go to for lunch when in town. We were a party of three and sat on the back patio area. It's such a relaxing spot to sit in the shade surrounded by the plants. Fabiola was our server. We ordered calamari to share as well as the Double Smash Burger, Lobster Roll, and the Blackened Salmon Po Boy. We all enjoyed our food. I typically order the Crab Cake Tacos and I regret not ordering them. The Lobster Roll was tasty but I do not enjoy the lobster salad being chopped up small as it was. It wasn't a traditional Lobster Roll preparation and I didn't realize it was $29. I regretted my selection.

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    Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar - A great dish of shrimp, fish, and sausage on rice!!!

    Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar

    3.8(333 reviews)
    1.0 mi
    $$$

    We just had dinner there and were very pleased with the entire experience. Everything was excellent…read morefrom start to finish. For appetizers, we ordered the stuffed long hots with sausage, shrimp cocktail, and burrata--all of which were delicious. My wife and I both chose steak for our entrées. She had the New York strip, and I ordered the ribeye. Surprisingly, the ribeye had very little fat and was cooked to perfection. Our entrées were served with mashed potatoes and broccoli, which complemented the meal nicely. Our server, Sam, was prompt, attentive, and provided excellent service throughout the evening. We'll definitely be back.

    The entrance of Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar is absolutely darling, and I was impressed by the size…read moreof the parking lot. The spaces are fairly narrow, though, so be careful to park fully between the white lines. If you come in through the back entrance near the bar, you'll need to turn right and walk all the way to the front to find the hostess stand. The bar-area staff seemed a little annoyed when people asked where the hostess stand or restrooms were, although I imagine they probably get those questions often. The hostess was pleasant and seated us promptly. One note for anyone who tends to get cold: bring a cardigan or light jacket. There was a floor vent right beside our table, and I got pretty chilly as the evening went on. The menu offered a wide range of options, from pork chops and duck to salmon, but I was not especially excited by many of the pairings. I started with the crab soup and ordered the blackened sea bass special with coconut rice for my entrée. For the table, we shared the bang bang shrimp and burrata. Both were adequately portioned for our party of five. The bang bang shrimp had the right amount of heat, and the burrata was a nice combination of warm pita bread, portobello mushroom, cooked red peppers, fresh greens, and burrata. I would recommend both appetizers. My crab soup arrived hot and was perfectly seasoned. The spice level was just right, and I liked the balance of small strips of crab throughout, along with a few larger pieces. In my opinion, it had an excellent ratio of crab meat, vegetables, and broth. Unfortunately, the entrées were less impressive. They were all beautifully presented--colorful and nicely portioned--but the flavors left something to be desired. My sea bass was certainly blackened, but I would have enjoyed it much more if the skin had been crisp. Instead, it was soggy, likely because it was placed directly on top of the coconut rice, which also became soggy. The mango pieces were larger than necessary, and there was far too much of the tomato, green pepper, and onion mixture on top. At $46, I expected more in terms of flavor. On a positive note, our waitress was friendly and professional, and the young man who brought out our food was pleasant as well. The food also arrived quickly. Since this was my first visit to the area, I would like to explore other local restaurants before returning. Still, I would not be opposed to giving Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar another chance and trying a different entrée--possibly the swordfish.

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    Weekly specials- wednesday are burgers, thursday are pot pies, Friday are prime ribs

    Oyster Bay Restaurant & Bar - Happy hour oysters (a buck a shuck!)

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    Louisa's - Vanilla bread pudding and Panna Cotta

    Louisa's

    3.8(234 reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Louisa's was my first lunch meal in Cape May and came highly recommended. My friend who spent a…read moreweek in the island said this was her family's favorite spot, so I had to give it a try. I read a lot of reviews about the food lacking in flavor and was a tad worried. However, I didn't mind the simple flavors and thought my curry shrimp dish tasted fresh and spiced just right. I would have appreciated more curry to coat the rice, but no complaints overall on that dish. Tasted very homemade and I spared no crumbs! I was highly looking forward to tasting dessert having read that they are made in house. Plus, Louisa's owns the chocolate store next door. I ordered the chocolate bread pudding with caramel and sea salt, and sadly it was refrigerator cold. I wish there would have been a flag somewhere because biting into it expecting a warm dessert wasn't particularly pleasant. I ended up taking it to go and it was lovely warmed up. The flavors really shun through. I later noticed "warm" was included in the description of the vanilla bread pudding. In terms of the service, some of the waitstaff appeared to be students and they were nice but a little robotic. I was asked if I wanted my check while still chewing on my food. The restaurant was fairly empty. There was also no acknowledgement when I noted I thought the bread pudding would be warm. My food came out quickly. The table next to me waited a bit and we were the only two outside. Overall some growing to do in this area, but okay. I loved the decor. Thought it was charming and pleasant on the eyes. Sitting outside people watching was a treat. I would give Louisa's another chance.

    Tried this place for lunch! This is apparently the first year they are open for lunch -- and though…read morewe were nervous to see only a few patrons seated, it was such a great decision! Our server was lovely and attentive and the food was as they say - bomb diggity - with generous portions! The color palette is one of my favorites and they've done an excellent job with the detail using that externally and internally. The bathroom has a pleasant surprise that audibly made me chuckle! Solid lunch spot!!

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    Lucky Bones Backwater Grille - Bread pudding. Yum

    Lucky Bones Backwater Grille

    4.0(1.1k reviews)
    1.1 mi
    $$

    Amazing good and very comfortable environment. Never feels overcrowded. Service is always top…read morenotch. I would recommend reservations.

    We made a day trip to Cape May during our two weeks in Atlantic City in June. I researched gluten…read morefree options for lunch and immediately bookmarked the $33 GF Crab and shrimp cake entree at Lucky Bones. The restaurant is in a super busy area, and easy to miss but has a parking lot accessible from one direction only based on traffic. It wasn't packed inside at lunch, since we arrived after 2pm. Dispensing with beverages and appetizers, we ordered our entrees right away. Husband chose the boat ramp tacos with blackened fish ($2 upcharge for blackened). On flour tortillas, there were three nice fish tacos with a little lettuce and tomato topped with a spicy drizzle of Baja sauce. Chips (thick and crunchy) and a green salsa rounded out the plate. He was happy! Although I knew I wanted to try the gluten-free shrimp and crab cakes entree, I found out at lunch time they do not have the herbed polenta mentioned on the menu. I discussed my various side options with the server, and decided on the mashed sweet potato instead and the seasonal veggies were green beans, a favorite. This was a stellar entree and very healthy to boot. I didn't care for the bland yellow pepper aoli that came with this dish. The crab and shrimp cakes had a nice texture, and were much better after I got some zingy red cocktail sauce to go with them! Very pleased with my dish. We paid our bill and got back on the road quickly, but wanted to memorialize the occasion with a positive review. Definitely worth coming back for another meal here!

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    Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant - venues - Updated September 2026

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