Anyone who lives in South Jersey knows that Seasonal Restaurants owned by Small Business owners are a big staple of our Jersey Shore communities. Cape May County has nine towns that have restaurants that are dependent on the Vacationers and Summer Season for a majority of their yearly business.

In the offseason, locals and visitors alike are usually wondering if their favorite establishments are open in the Winter months and when they will re-open again.  Here is a list of some popular Cape May County Restaurants located on the islands that are closed during the offseason but will be opening again for your patronage in 2024:

Bright Spot in located in Sea Isle City, New Jersey
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Bright Spot Cafe in Sea Isle City
Located at the corner of Landis Avenue and 40th Street, this popular breakfast and lunch All-American Cafe is usually closed for December and January. Many Sea Isle City restaurants open for President's Day Weekend as part of the Polar Bear Run-Walk for Autism Weekend. Bright Spot Cafe is open on weekends for part of the offseason and daily from mid-May through September each year plus during the summer they are open for dinner at night.

Duffers Family Restaurant in Wildwood, New Jersey
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Duffer's Family Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor in Wildwood
For 50 years, Duffer's has been serving great food adjacent to their Arcade and famous Homemade Ice Cream Parlor for 50 years. Located on Pacific Avenue between Bennett and Hildreth Avenues, Duffer's is usually open each year between May and September with the Restaurant, Ice Cream Parlor, Mini Golf Course, and Arcade all in one location. This throwback Wildwood establishment is a great family night out or nostalgia-style date night.

Henri's Bar at Braca Cafe
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Henri's Bar at Braca Cafe in Sea Isle City
For over 100 years, Braca's Cafe has been serving great food to generations of locals and visitors to Sea Isle City. The modern version of the popular Restaurant is called Henri's Bar which allows customers to eat and drink on the patio or inside the dining hall or at the classic bar. This family-owned restaurant will be open on weekends in March, April, and May of 2024 then open daily during the summer months plus staying open during "Locals Summer".

Ludlam Bar and Grill located in Sea Isle City, New Jersey
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Ludlam Bar and Grill in Sea Isle City
Where the old LaCosta Bar and Lounge use to be is now the Ludlam Bar and Grill at the corner of JFK Boulevard and Landis Avenue. Since Chris Glancey and his wife, Amy, took over the property, the indoor lounge has been upgraded featuring live music every weekend and the outdoor bar has become one of the popular spots for locals and visitors to Sea Isle City.  Ludlam Bar And Grill is closed for the month of January but they will be open for President's Day Weekend for the Polar Bear Run-Walk for Autism Weekend in February.  They are open daily for lunch, dinner, and late night during the summer months.

Mack's Pizza in Wildwood
Ever since "Tony Mack" brought his Tomato Pies from Trenton to the Wildwood in 1953, what most people call Pizza today has become a Wildwood tradition. With locations off Roberts Avenue and Wildwood Avenue on the Boardwalk, the original Boardwalk-style Pizza can be found at Mack's daily during the Summer Months along with weekends in April, May, and September.

Manco and Manco at 8th street and 12th street, Ocean City Boardwalk
There are three locations for the popular Manco and Manco Pizza in Ocean City with two of them only open during the summer months. For many people, they look forward to eating Boardwalk Pizza each summer and Manco's one of the most popular on the Ocean City Boardwalk.  The 9th street location is only open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the winter months if you want to get your Manco's pizza fix.

North End American Grill located in North Wildwood, New Jersey
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North End American Grill in North Wildwood
Located at the corner of Olde New Jersey Avenue and Chestnut Avenue in the heart of the North Wildwood's Restaurant and Nightlife District, you can enjoy great food and drink at this popular South Jersey establishment. North End American Grill brings a Southern California Style Restaurant to South Jersey. Open weekends in March, April, and May before being open daily for the Summer months, this North Wildwood restaurant is closed for the Holidays and Winter months.

Oyster Bay is located in Cape May, New Jersey
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Oyster Bay Steak and Seafood in Cape May
One of the best restaurants in Historic Cape May is usually closed every January and February then is open a few days per week during the offseason. Open daily starting at 4 pm during the Summer months, you will find some of the best food in Cape May on Lafayette Street whether you want to eat outside or enjoy the indoor decor.

The Rusty Nail is located on Beach Avenue in Cape May, New Jersey
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The Rusty Nail Bar and Grill in Cape May
Right across the street from the beach you will find this popular Summer Bar with locals and vacationers to Cape May. The Rusty Nail opens in May each year and is open daily for Happy Hour plus late night all summer long. After the Summer Season, This popular bar and grill is open weekends in the fall until the Winter comes and they go back into hibernation until the next season.

Sam's Pizza Palace in Wildwood
Since 1957, this has been one of the favorite pizza parlors in Wildwood with locals and vacationers coming back to 26th Street and the Boardwalk each year. Open seven days a week every summer and several weekends in the offseason, Sam's Pizza is a must-visit when you go to the Wildwood Boardwalk each year.

Stone Harbor Bar and Grill is located on 96th street in Stone Harbor, New Jersey
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Stone Harbor Bar and Grill
At the heart of the busy downtown business section of Stone Harbor's 96th street is the Stone Harbor Bar and Grill.  The popular restaurant and bar next to the Harbor Square Movie Theater is usually closed from December through March.  You can try their great food daily from May to September, plus they are open select weekends during the offseason.  Also, you have to go on a great South Jersey weather day when they open the windows across from the bar, it's a unique feature this establishment offers.

Uries Waterfront Restaurant is located on the right hand side when you enter Wildwood, New Jersey
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Uries Waterfront Restaurant in Wildwood
Dinner with a Sunset may sound cliche until you do it at the Jersey Shore.  Uries Waterfront Restaurant, located at the bottom of the Wildwood Boulevard bridge, t is a great option each summer where you can dine on the bayfront deck or have a drink at the outdoor bar.  They also offer an indoor dining area and a sports bar indoors as well. Open daily during the Summer along with weekends during the months of April May, September, and October, they have the great seafood options you would expect from a Jersey Shore restaurant.

Westside Saloon is in West Wildwood, New Jersey
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Westside Saloon in West Wildwood
One of the best "Dive Bars" in South Jersey also has great food options and some of the most comfortable seats around the bar. Located on Glenwood Avenue, Westside Saloon is usually closed from the Christmas Holiday until Saint Patrick's Day. This throwback bar and restaurant is open daily and late during the Summer months.

Top 10 Things To Do This Off-Season in Cape May, NJ Area

Anyone who has lived in Cape May County knows that even though half the businesses close during the winter, the locals still love living in this area for many reasons. As someone who has lived in Cape May County for over 20 years, here are some of my favorite activities to do in the offseason:

Gallery Credit: Josh Hennig/Townsquare Media

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