Ebbitt Room Cape May, NJ. A restaurant review

The Ebbitt Room Restaurant Review:
A must try spot in Cape May, NJ



Ebbitt Room Restaurant
25 Jackson St.
Cape May, NJ

The Ebbitt Room delivers one of Cape May’s most refined dining experiences—an elegant, farm to table New American restaurant rooted in ingredients from nearby Beach Plum Farm and coastal New Jersey.

Set in a beautifully restored 1879 Victorian hotel, it’s a destination for romantic evenings, anniversaries, and special occasion dinners where every detail—from the cocktails to the plating—feels thoughtfully considered.

Fare, price

  • Fare: New American, contemporary farm to table with globally inspired touches and seasonal tasting menus.
  • Price: Very expensive; this is a true fine dining experience

The chef

Credentials, awards, and recognition

  • Executive Chef: Jason Hanin, Culinary Institute of America graduate.

  • Major award: Named 2025 Chef of the Year by the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association, recognizing his culinary excellence, leadership, and impact on the state’s dining scene.

  • Industry reputation: Widely regarded as one of Cape May’s leading chefs, known for soulful, sophisticated cuisine and a rigorous farm to table, farm to glass philosophy.

Style of cooking, ingredients, and preparation

  • Cooking style:

    • Globally inspired: Influences from Japan and other culinary traditions show up in umami‑rich broths, precise knife work, and layered flavors.
    • Seasonal and narrative driven: Menus are built around hyper seasonal produce, telling a story of the farm and the shore through each course.

  • Ingredients:

    • Beach Plum Farm sourcing: Vegetables, herbs, poultry, and heritage breed pork come from their own nearby farm, less than two miles away.
    • Coastal seafood: Daily catch, mussels, crab, and other local seafood feature prominently.

  • Preparation & organic focus:

    • Farm to table rigor: Hyper seasonal, often organic or sustainably grown ingredients, prepared with techniques that respect natural flavor—slow braises, careful roasting, delicate emulsions.
    • Farm to glass cocktails: House cocktails incorporate farm preserves, herbs, and fruit for a cohesive culinary and bar program.

Menu highlights

  • Representative dishes (subject to change seasonally):

    • Braised lamb shank with whipped feta, za’atar, and pomegranate tabbouleh
    • George’s Bank swordfish with potatoes, long hots, cherry mostarda, and garlic aioli
    • Dry aged duck breast with sweet potato purée, Tuscan kale, and huckleberry jus
    • Daily catch seafood bowls with mussels, crab, saffron pastis broth
    • Wild ramp risotto with foraged mushrooms and sugar snaps
    • Valrhona chocolate mousse and honey lavender desserts featuring farm herbs

Ambiance

Décor, vibe, and striking features

  • Décor: Upscale Victorian with contemporary polish—think rich woods, soft lighting, and a living room style lounge that feels both historic and stylish.

  • Vibe: Romantic, intimate, and sophisticated; ideal for couples and small groups who appreciate a slower, more curated dining pace.

  • Striking features & scenic views:

    • Enclosed front porch and garden seating that capture Cape May’s historic district charm.
    • Proximity to the beach and tree lined Jackson Street adds a sense of coastal elegance even if you’re not directly on the water.

Table spacing, noise level, and background music

  • Table spacing: Tables are relatively well spaced for a fine dining room, supporting private conversation without feeling crowded during normal service. (Expect tighter spacing at peak times.)

  • Noise level: Moderate overall; can rise to lively during peak weekends and when the bar and porch are busy.

  • Background music & entertainment:

    • Refined background music that complements the setting rather than dominating it.
    • Live jazz on Friday and Saturday adds a classy, lounge like energy without turning the space into a loud bar scene.

Outdoor dining

Outdoor options: Heated/enclosed porch and garden seating provide seasonal outdoor or semi outdoor experiences, especially appealing in milder weather and for guests who enjoy fresh air with their meal.

Service

  • Staffing: Well trained front of house team with a fine dining mindset—hosts, servers, and bartenders operate with polished professionalism.
  • Welcoming: Warm, gracious greeting and a sense of occasion from the moment you step into the Virginia Hotel lobby and are led to the dining room.
  • Knowledgeable: Servers are fluent in menu details, sourcing, and wine pairings, and can confidently guide guests through tasting menus, specials, and dietary preferences without being intrusive.

Other key factors

Policies and reservation

Cancellation policy: Credit card required at booking; cancellations within 24 hours may incur a fee (e.g., $30 per person). Plan ahead and be sure of your date.

Alcohol and bar service

  • Bar program: Full bar with artisanal cocktails, farm inspired drinks, and a vibrant bar scene that still feels upscale.
  • Wine list: Deep, award winning list with Wine Spectator recognition, emphasizing boutique and cult producers from major wine regions.

Child friendliness

Child friendly reality: While well behaved older children may be accommodated, the atmosphere and price point skew strongly adult and special occasion. It’s not ideal for large families with toddlers or casual, noisy kid outings.

Best for vs. not ideal for

  • Best for:

    • Romantic dinners and anniversaries
    • Food centric travelers and serious diners
    • Celebrations where fine dining and ambiance matter
    • Wine lovers and cocktail enthusiasts

  • Not ideal for:

    • Budget conscious diners looking for a quick, inexpensive meal
    • Large, boisterous family groups with young children
    • Guests who prefer ultra casual, walk in beach bar vibes

Parking

Parking details: Street parking in the historic district; availability can be tight during peak season, so allow extra time to park and walk.

What you’re likely to appreciate about The Ebbitt Room

  • Farm to table authenticity: The connection to Beach Plum Farm isn’t just marketing—it shows up in the freshness, variety, and character of the dishes.
  • Chef driven creativity: Chef Jason Hanin’s award winning approach means menus feel curated, not generic, with thoughtful flavor combinations and seasonal storytelling.
  • Romantic, historic setting: Dining inside the Virginia Hotel’s Victorian charm gives the evening a sense of place you don’t get at more generic venues.
  • Serious wine and cocktail program: If you care about pairings and crafted drinks, this restaurant treats the bar as an extension of the kitchen, not an afterthought.
  • Consistently polished service: Attentive without hovering, with staff who can explain ingredients, techniques, and pairings in a way that enhances the experience.

What sets them apart from the competition

  • Integrated farm to table and farm to glass philosophy: Many restaurants claim “local,” but The Ebbitt Room’s direct relationship with its own farm and its use of those ingredients in both food and cocktails is unusually robust.
  • Award winning chef leadership: Having a NJRHA Chef of the Year at the helm elevates expectations and execution, especially for tasting menus and special events.
  • Historic boutique hotel setting: Being embedded in the Virginia Hotel creates a seamless hospitality experience—lobby, lounge, bar, and dining room all feel curated and cohesive.
  • High level wine program: The combination of Wine Spectator recognized list and farm inspired cocktails is rare even among Cape May’s top restaurants.

Managing expectations: a balanced look at your visit

To really enjoy The Ebbitt Room, it helps to align your expectations with what the restaurant is designed to be:

  • Cost and value: Expect a premium check. If you go in viewing this as a special occasion, chef driven experience rather than “just dinner,” the price aligns with the quality of ingredients, service, and setting.

  • Pace of the meal: Courses are paced deliberately; this is not a quick in and out meal. Plan for a lingering evening with multiple courses and time to enjoy drinks and conversation.

  • Seasonal variability: Menus change frequently based on farm and market availability. If you’re attached to a specific dish you saw online, it may not be available—but what replaces it is usually equally thoughtful.

  • Atmosphere vs. noise: On busy weekends, the room and bar can feel lively, especially with live jazz. If you’re seeking absolute quiet, aim for earlier seatings or off peak nights.

  • Formality level: While not stiff or pretentious, this is still fine dining. Guests who prefer ultra casual, flip flop and T-shirt experiences may feel out of sync with the dress code and tone.

Updated June 5, 2026