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    Primal By Mia

    4.4 (200 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 9:00 PM
    Updated a few days ago

    Primal By Mia Photos

    PRIMAL BY MIA ATMOSPHERE

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    Jeffrey S.

    Had a really nice dinner here last week. Service was attentive and the décor was chick and inviting. Unfortunately we arrived after dark so we couldn't see the much lauded ocean view. Food was excellent. Steak was cooked to perfection over a wood fired grill giving it a perfect sear. The restaurant isn't cheap by any means and the $20 plate sharing for a massive $80 steak that I assume is usually shared by more than one person is annoying. I also took exception that an additional shot glass sized steak sauce was $6. Delicious salad and dessert is included as is service of amazing piping hot bread. When visiting Cape May if you're in the mood for a truly delicious meal, if cost isn't an issue, I highly recommend you give them a spin. You won't be disappointed.

    Appetizer of lobster ravioli with seared scallops in a shallot cream sauce.
    Ocean City B.

    Absolutely incredible. Food is wonderful and artfully presented. The salad and dressing were the best. Wood fired filet with truffle mashed potatoes were beyond belief. Dessert was imaginative. The price point was very reasonable considering the inclusions.... homemade bread with two dipping sauces, a large salad and dessert. Service was impeccable. Beautiful surroundings with ocean and beach views. Primal is an absolute must visit!

    Filet
    Vivian R.

    Gorgeous Waterfront, Excellent Service. Primal by Mia in Cape May offers stunning waterfront views and takes reservations -- a big plus! Our three appetizers were delicious and beautifully presented, and the complimentary salad was a pleasant surprise. The Chilean seabass was perfectly cooked, and the steaks. The steaks all came out medium well instead of one medium rare. I'd suggest going lighter on the salt, especially in the mashed potatoes & fish. Service was flawless -- our waitress was attentive and friendly, and presentation was 5-star. The cakes for dessert were the perfect sweet ending. Highly recommend for a memorable meal by the water!

    Donna P.

    Primal by Mia was a great experience. The steaks were absolutely delicious--perfectly cooked and seasoned. The staff was warm and attentive, and the views were wonderful. Every dish we had was excellent. Highly recommend!

    Bread
    Larry M.

    Our first visit to Primal was for my wife's birthday. It was so good that we returned last night for our anniversary. Ambience, service and food are all first rate. It's now our favorite restaurant.

    Grace A.

    Came to Primal for dinner during a July weeklong vacation with friends. Happy to report the meal, the location, the ambiance, all lead to a fantastic spot to check out. The entire staff was extremely kind & helpful, food was delicious.

    Dinner menu
    Alexandra I.

    WOW! What an amazing spot. Now I see why a reservation is so tough to get here. If you don't already know, they open reservations 10 days out and they're completely booked within minutes. Totally worth the wait though! The food was absolutely incredible. Every dish felt so fresh and full of flavor. And the special dessert that's included? Truly the perfect finishing touch, unique and delicious. We left already talking about when we can come back. Highly recommend this place if you get the chance to snag a reservation!

    Filet & lobster tail
    Nicole P.

    We've been following chef Mia for over 10 years and she does not disappoint. The restaurant feels cozy, rustic, yet elevated. The menu is on the smaller side which is nice. We sat ocean view and started off with their fresh bread and complimentary salad (perfect portion for 3). Skipped apps this time, but ordered the 6 oz filet paired with an Alaskan lobster tail. I'm super picky with lobster in general because i have a weird texture thing. However, this was the consistency of crab which I love! 10/10 would recommend this dish. My mom got the Chilean sea bass and it was also 10/10. My dad got the NY strip(not pictured) but was also raved about it! The mashed potatoes are also a MUST!!!! They are fantastic!!!! Ended the meal with a complimentary dessert (such a nice touch!). Our server was Trey - he was fantastic. Did not try to upsell and offered honest opinions on what he liked/didn't like. Again, Mia does not disappoint. If you are in cape may or near-this is a must go too!

    My wife and I so enjoyed everything about this restaurant. Trey was an excellent server and very knowledgeable of the menu items. His suggestions were spot on. His service was above and beyond. He was a big part of our most wonderful experience. The food....MY GOODNESS....prepared perfectly and absolutely delicious. Our compliments to the chef(s). First, the dressing on the salad. Made right there. So tasty. The twin African lobster tails were outstanding (a Trey suggestion). Always had the Maine, not the African Lobster Tail. The meat did have a sweeter taste. Can't wait to have that again sometime. My wife had the Filet Mignon with the garlic peppercorn sauce. She loved it!!! She said the Filet Mignon almost melted in her mouth it was so tender. The vegetable platter we ordered was delicious! Even the bread served before the meal was delicious. The decor is beautiful. It wasn't brightly lit. Perfect for dining. This will be one of our favorite places to fine dine when we visit the Jersey shore.

    Primal
    Jim G.

    Another trip back to Cape May and of course a stop at Primal. Always the best meal of the week! Service by Trey was exceptional and the dinner, well let me just say the pork chop never disappoints! Tender and juicy! The mashed potatoes were incredible! If you're looking for that special dinner, this is the place to be in Cape May.

    Chuck O.

    My wife had been wanting to go to this restaurant for years and we were able to finally snatch a reservation a week earlier for our large group. This place had deliciousness all over from beginning to end. We had the tuna app which was delicious. I had the filet which was top notch. I got the sauce mix to try everything. They give complimentary salad and dessert which were fantastic. Definitely one I would go back to. The staff was great and I got to say hello to Mia as well! Thank you!!

    Double bone Pork Chop, Truffle Yukon, Mixed Vegetables, Chilean Sea Bass
    Vince D.

    Down in Cape May for a family vacation and researched a good place to celebrate our wedding anniversary dinner. All signs pointed to this place, so I tried my luck and snagged a reservation 10 days prior at 9am ( they were quickly out of slots after that). Our waiter Connor was as attentive and knowledgeable as you could have ever wanted. His recommendations were on point and he guided us perfectly. The food could not have been better. A pickled vegetable salad and a decadent dessert were included with our meal and they did not miss. The hostess stopped by for a great chat and we were even able to catch Mia's ear for a few as well. The place made you feel at home, feel fancy, and surpassed all of our expectations. If you're able to get a reservation, do not hesitate!

    Complimentary salad
    Madison P.

    Wow. PLEASE EAT HERE!!!! The food is amazing. The dry aged ribeye was downright the best steak everyone at the table has ever had, and we had some serious steak lovers at the table. I could go on and on about how delicious everything was but there's no point, just go and make that reservation.

    Burrata appetizer

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    9 months ago

    After we had a problem with our reservation the staff bent over backwards to accommodate us. The food was outstanding. Love this place

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    10 months ago

    Amazing... amazing... amazing... from the service to the steak... rivals some Manhattan places

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    Mia C.

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    Ask the Community - Primal By Mia

    Are table for one reservations available? I just checked the reservation site. Multiple date and time reservations are available for a table for two but none for a table for one.

    Just click 2 and note you will be 1 person !! Mia

    How can I purchase a gift card?

    I'll give cards are available for pick up only between the hours 4 to 9pm thursday through sunday.

    Is the bar seating first come first serve?

    Yes it is !!

    I'm aware that kids need to sit upfront by the kitchen area and that you don't have highchairs. Can they sit in their stroller upfront?

    Thats fine

    I was told kids and highchairs must sit up front in the kitchen area, has anyone sat in the kitchen area before? If so, what is it like?

    Hello i do not have any highchairs in my establishment or a kids menu .All kids must sit upfront.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    GRANA BYOB

    4.6
    (111 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    It was the first trip to Grana for the four of us. The minute we walked in, we retreated so…read morewonderfully, and made to feel at home. Our server, Kit, was exceptional. She explained everything to us about the menu in detail and allowed us to order our different courses at separate times. Never did we feel rushed or neglected. Onto the food: oh my God, what can I say? It was spectacular. The Spanish octopus was extraordinary. The tuna appetizer was a beautiful blend of taste and textures. The buratta melted in your mouth. The pork loin was so tender and delicious and the portion so large that even though we were sharing it, we couldn't finish it. The other entrées, the pork chop and the Seabass looked delicious even though I didn't taste them. While the desserts looked amazing, we were too full to eat anymore. We definitely will be back for another delicious dinner soon.

    We loved last year's restaurant week experience so much we came back this year. Everything was top…read morenotch this year. We have no complaints whatsoever. The menu was even better this time around too. We went for the prix fixe meal. We got: seared crab cake, yellow fin tuna poke, grilled octopus appetizer, rigatoni, Berkshire porkchop, strawberry panacotta, and dark chocolate tart. Everything was extraordinary. That grilled octopus was cooked to perfection. It was the perfect amount of charred without making the inside chewy in the slightest. The meat inside was still very tender. The yellow fin poke was an authentic dish with great portions. The entrees did not disappoint either. That rigatoni and the porkchop were both great main courses. The porkchop was easily my favorite dish of the night. Everything was perfect. The service was speedy, the food was delicious and in great portions. I would highly recommend visiting Grana.

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    Hostess with the mostess!
    Hostess with the mostess!
    Scallops with crab risotto
    Scallops with crab risotto
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    The Ebbitt Room

    The Ebbitt Room

    4.0
    (440 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$$

    What went well? Everything! First, loved the valet parking given there were zero open spaces…read moreanywhere near. Carin was our valet and was great. We also loved the fine dining ambiance. Service by Mickey was wonderful. She was honest, helpful, attentive, let us set the pace, and made our visit great. On to the food. We began with a cucumber, gimlet, and a Hendrix martini. Both were delicious. For appetizers, we have the deviled eggs, Heirloom tomato and melon salad, and the unbelievably delicious Parker House rolls (4 for $8). The deviled eggs ($15) were some of the best we've had but come only three halves to an order (each topped differently, duck, lobster, Cherry). The salad ($20) was OK, but honestly a little bland. I don't think I would order it again. And I highly recommend the rolls and the eggs though. For entrées, my wife had the Cape May Scallops ($49) which were fantastic. I had the duck appetizer ($32) for my entrée. The sliced duck breast was more than enough and very tasty. My only complaint was it wasn't cooked medium rare as stated, it was cooked all the way to medium, which was only a little pink. Still it was delicious. We also shared a side, the special charred snap peas ($12) - very good! No room for dessert tonight.

    I recently dined at the Ebbitt Room, and I have never had such a conflicting experience. While the…read morekitchen and bar are clearly talented, the service and management decisions completely ruined the evening. The Positives: I have to give credit where it is due as the food and drinks were genuinely great. We ordered the calamari, celery root soup, scallops, and the chicken breast. Everything came out delicious and perfectly prepared. The drinks were also a highlight specifically the pomegranate margarita and the winter sangria. The bartender clearly knows what they are doing. The Service: Absent and Unprofessional. Unfortunately, the night took a sharp turn regarding the service. Our waitress was virtually non existent. She spent the entire night chatting with another couple, barely sparing a moment for our table outside of taking the initial order. It got to the point where the bartender had to do the waitresses job. Our drinks were sitting on the bar for quite a while until the bartender finally walked them over to us, saying, "I just wanted to drop these off so they wouldn't sit out." Later, we watched the bartender go into the back and run food to the other couple, the very table our waitress was busy socializing with, telling them he, "just wanted to bring this out so it would still be hot." The bartender was acting more like a waiter than our actual server was. Sketchy Billing & Atmosphere: Things got even stranger when the check arrived. We noticed a $24 charge for a "cheeseburger"--an item that isn't even on the menu. We flagged down the waitress, and before we could even explain the issue, she immediately said, "Oh yes, you are right, there is an error, sorry about that." It was an incredibly odd reaction; she knew there was an error before we even vocalized what was wrong. To top it off, the dining room was absolutely freezing. When we asked why, the waitress claimed the heat was broken. However, upon visiting the restroom, the heat was pumping just fine. It felt deliberate--like a corner cutting measure to save money during the off-season rather than a genuine mechanical failure. Overall: Despite the food being delicious, the terrible service, the suspicious billing "error," and the uncomfortable temperature make this a place I cannot recommend. For the price point, you expect a certain level of professionalism and comfort, and Ebbitt Room failed on both counts. I will not be returning.

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    Ebbitt Dining Room
    Ebbitt Dining Room
    Lobster Tail
    Lobster Tail
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    Lucky Bones Backwater Grille

    Lucky Bones Backwater Grille

    4.0
    (1.1k reviews)
    1.5 mi
    $$

    We had been here before and recall a good experience, so we went again on the Sunday of Memorial…read moreDay weekend around 4:30. First, we were seated in the back where the wait station and door to kitchen was located and staff was just standing around. We asked to move to one of the empty booths and was told they were all for reservations coming in. They were able to move us to the back room. Server was nice and attentive and our food (just appetizers) were good. The issue we had was the overly aggressive bussers who kept trying to take our plates away even when it was apparent that we were not finished. This happened several times. We dislike when dirty dishes are left in front of us but this was over the top and intrusive. With so many options around town, we likely won't be back.

    We loved it here and definitely would come back. We searched comprehensively for a special dinner…read moreexperience for our last night in Cape May, and initially we were taken aback because we could not get a reservation before 7pm on a pre-season Tuesday in May. So we went early (no problem being seated around 5:30 or so, but it did seem full an hour later) and were we ever rewarded. Everything was simply perfect, including Vicki, our veteran and down to earth waiter. When we are unsure of things, she provided expert guidance with kindness and wisdom. The mussels appetizer are an experience not to be missed - save the bread for lapping up its saucy juice. My wife loved the pork chop - its huge and she took half home for lunch. I devoured the blackened fish of the day over bok choy. Both simply were outstanding. If/when again in Cape May again, we'd certainly come back. With a reservation!

    Photos
    Interior
    Interior
    Lucky Bones Backwater Grille
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    Washington Inn & Wine Bar

    Washington Inn & Wine Bar

    4.4
    (521 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    $$$

    Celebrating our 6th Anniversary this weekend, and having had an exceptional dining experience in…read moreCape May at The Washington Inn & Wine Bar. Having the opportunity to watch my wife enjoy caviar for the very first time was an experience I will soon not forget. The Wagyu Steak Tartare was simply a delight. One of the best I have ever had. CAPE MAY SEAFOOD CIOPPINO ® scallops, shrimp, mussels, little neck clams, white wine & tomato broth, roasted garlic aioli, grilled focaccia ~this dish was nothing less of extraordinary! The tomato broth was remarkable and delicious. MEDITERRANEAN SEABASS cherry tomato, caper & taggiasca olive relish, crispy creamer potatoes, salsa verde ~one of the best fish dishes for me in 2026 for sure! Every component on this dish was sensational and so balanced. We highly recommended The Washington Inn in Cape May. The wine list by the glass is very well done and not extremely expensive. The service was polished and executed at a high level and extremely personal & detailed to attention. We both agreed we felt we received good value on every component of the meal. We simply cannot wait to go back! #rushieeats

    Happy Valentine's Day to usWe figured 44 of em. So we treated ourselves to yhe washington inn top…read morenotch spot with atmosphere and service sean our server to match, glad we chose WI&WB I had Waygu Steak au poivre, potato au gratin, roasted wild mushrooms w green pepper corn and red currant sauce, delicious is an understatement i didnt know i liked that sauce bur cleaned the plate , Robyn got her favorite crab cakes with crisper creamer potatoes and Seasonal veggies, she loved it big hit. Split the best fried brussel sprouts i ve ever had, crispy but done just right. We both went in on dessert!!!! Creme brûlée and a chocolate mousse tower w berries,whip cream and coco vannila raspberry sauces. I can't remember a better dinner w better company. This love endures it allsorry didn't use my flash cause I didn't want to be "that guy."Can't wait to go back

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    One of the dining areas
    One of the dining areas
    Seafood Cioppino
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    The YB

    The YB

    3.9
    (259 reviews)
    0.1 mi
    $$

    Service is super friendly. We arrived a bit before opening and chatted with them outside like old…read morefriends :) They are related to the owners of Georges so this is a restaurant family. They were really gracious and service was perfect. The byob element I personally love (bring what you want and pay normal rates for it) but I could see how this could be problematic for vacationers not prepared. The glassware was beautiful - one of my pics shows it. The atmosphere is very pleasant - a little romantic, a little modern but all in all perfect for an anniversary dinner - we had a corner table with bench seating so we could snuggle :) We chose three apps because it was early and we thought we'd hit another place late. These two are the duck wings and the crispy shrimp. Both delicious but the wings VERY good. We also had a swordfish crostini done on a crispy won ton and we both liked that very much. Pricing seemed reasonable. I'd recommend.

    I'd give The YB a 3.5 if Yelp allowed it. The location is great. I love that it's a small intimate…read morerestaurant. Our servers were polite an attentive. We had some ordering confusion which impacted my experience a bit. Overall the appetizers far out performed the seafood, which given were at the beach, was a bit sad. The wings were tasty. The stand out was the K&B salad which had great dressing. Loved the hot/cold contrast between the flash fried Brussels and the kale salad. I had the scallops- average and with quite a bit of grit. The carrots it came with seemed boiled and again relatively flavorless. My husband had the sea bass but unless you got some of the very minimal sauce it was plated with, it was fairly bland. I didn't even sense salt and pepper. For the price point, I wouldn't rush back for dinner but might try another meal.

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    Store front
    Store front
    Flatbread appetizer
    Flatbread appetizer
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    Primal By Mia - seafood - Updated July 2026

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