Cape May Seafood: A Guide to Fresh Fish at the Shore

Cape May seafood comes from a working fishing harbor at the southern tip of New Jersey, where boats land scallops, flounder, clams and tuna. A town better known for Victorian houses also feeds visitors fresh fish at the dock and the table. Eat it plain, eat it soon after it lands, and ask what came in today.

Why is Cape May seafood worth seeking out?

Because the boats are close. The harbor at the edge of town is home to commercial and charter vessels, and the fishing industry in this part of New Jersey is a real working one, not only a postcard. That proximity means a kitchen can serve fish that came off a boat a short time before, if it chooses to, and a fish market can sell it to a visitor with a cooler. Freshness is the main reason to eat fish here rather than far from the coast.

What are Cape May scallops?

Sea scallops are one of the best-known catches of the region, a large adductor muscle sold as a sweet, tender disc. Cooked well, a scallop is browned on the outside and barely opaque in the middle. Overcooked, it turns rubbery. Ask how they are prepared and what they are served with. Seasonal availability varies, so ask the kitchen what is running now rather than relying on a menu. Fresh scallops are sweeter and cleaner in flavor than frozen ones.

What is the Cape May fishing harbor like?

A working waterfront, with boats, nets, gear and the smell of salt and diesel. Visitors can walk along the water, watch boats unload and book a charter or a dolphin watch with the operators there. Restaurants near the water lean on their view, and fish markets sell the day's catch. Behave as a guest: stay out of the way of the crews, ask before taking photos of people and respect the signs.

The harbor is the best answer to the question of where the fish came from, and it is worth a walk even if you eat inland.

How do you judge fresh fish at the shore?

Use your eyes and nose. Fresh fish smells clean and slightly of the sea, never sharp or sour. Fillets should look moist and firm, whole fish should have clear eyes and bright gills, and shellfish should be closed or close when tapped. In a restaurant, ask what came in today and what the kitchen recommends. A server who answers quickly and with detail is a good sign. A menu with a long list of fish and no word on what is fresh is not.

How should you order seafood without a mistake?

Start with the simplest preparation of the catch you are curious about: grilled, broiled, pan-seared or steamed. Ask about portion size and sides. If you want to try several things, share a platter or a few small plates. Fried seafood is a shore tradition, and a basket of fried flounder or clams is a happy meal on a hot day. Be honest about allergies, since shellfish is a common allergen, and tell the server at the start.

What else can you buy from a Cape May fish market?

Fillets, whole fish, shellfish, smoked fish, crab cakes and prepared salads, depending on the market. If you are staying in a rental with a kitchen, you can cook your own, and a market will usually advise on how. Bring a cooler with ice if you plan to carry fish home, and keep it cold. Ask whether a cut can be skinned or filleted for you.

For a different shore town, the Astoria seafood list shows how another harbor town keeps track of its fish.

What does a good seafood meal cost in time?

More than you think, in the best way. A proper seafood dinner at the shore is slow: the kitchen cooks to order, the table shares, and the evening stretches toward sunset. Fast food fish is available, but the point of eating here is to savor the catch. Plan for an hour and a half, order a starter to share and leave dessert for a walk. If you are with children, a basket of fried fish arrives quickly and keeps the peace, and a calmer adult dish follows.

How do tags and dish ratings help?

In the Mosey app, you rate the place with stars and can add the dish, such as pan-seared scallops or fried flounder, with its own rating. Tags such as Fresh Seafood, Outdoor seating, Sea View and Family Friendly describe the place, and a diner can look for them in the Find sheet. A tag is a note from someone who ate there, and a dish rating from a few people is an opinion, not a ranking.

Where next in Cape May?

The Cape May Victorian breakfast guide covers the morning side of town, the off-season restaurants guide covers winter, and the Asbury Park beach day food page covers a different shore town. The US food guides hold the rest of the country.

This is one of many New Jersey guides, and the Food in New Jersey page lists them all by town.

With the shells cleared away, open the Mosey app, rate the best dish you had by name, add the Fresh Seafood tag if it fits and save the harbor to a list called Cape May catch.