Best BYOB Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
New Jersey's legendary BYOB culture means no corkage fees and incredible dining. Bring your own wine or beer to these top restaurants.
9
Top BYOB Spots
$0
Typical Corkage Fee
4
Shore Regions
100+
$ Saved Per Dinner
Why New Jersey BYOB is Special
No Corkage Fees
Unlike California or New York where restaurants charge $20-50 per bottle, most NJ BYOB restaurants welcome your wine at no extra cost. Bring that special bottle you've been saving.
Fine Dining Quality
Many of the Shore's best restaurants are BYOB. You're not sacrificing quality - you're enhancing value. Cape May has more BYOB fine dining per capita than almost anywhere in America.
Wine & Beer Variety
Bring any wine you love - red, white, rose, sparkling, or champagne. Beer lovers can bring craft brews, IPAs, or Belgian ales. The choice is yours.
Save Serious Money
Restaurant wine markups are typically 200-300%. At a BYOB, a $40 bottle costs you $40, not $120. That's $80+ back in your pocket every dinner.
NJ BYOB Laws: What You Need to Know
New Jersey's BYOB rules are governed by state law (N.J. Stat. 2C:33-27). Here's a straightforward guide to what's allowed.
✓ What You CAN Bring
- •Wine - Red, white, rose, sparkling, champagne - all types welcome
- •Beer - Any malt beverage including craft beers, IPAs, lagers, ales
- •Hard cider & seltzers - Malt-based beverages are permitted
✗ What's NOT Allowed
- •Hard liquor - Vodka, whiskey, rum, tequila, gin, bourbon, etc.
- •Spirits & cocktails - Mixed drinks and spirit-based beverages
- •Liqueurs - Cordials and spirit-based liqueurs
Restaurant Rules
- •No fees allowed - Restaurants cannot charge corkage, cover, or service fees for BYOB
- •No advertising - Restaurants legally cannot advertise BYOB policies
- •Same as bars - 21+ age requirement and time restrictions apply
Good to Know
- •Municipal control - Some towns may prohibit BYOB entirely; check local rules
- •Licensed vs unlicensed - These rules apply to unlicensed BYOB restaurants only
- •Most shore towns allow BYOB - Cape May, Stone Harbor, Avalon, and LBI all permit it
Source: N.J. Stat. 2C:33-27 (1999). This summary is for informational purposes. When in doubt, call ahead to confirm the restaurant's current policy.
Cape May - The BYOB Capital
More BYOB fine dining per capita than almost anywhere in America
The Ebbitt Room
$$$$No CorkageCape May's finest dining experience in the Virginia Hotel. Farm-to-table excellence with impeccable service.
Must order: Seasonal tasting menu
Washington Inn
$$$$No CorkageHistoric plantation-style restaurant with romantic atmosphere. Perfect for anniversaries and special occasions.
Must order: Filet mignon
Tisha's
$$$No CorkageLocal favorite with refined American cuisine. Intimate setting with consistent excellence year after year.
Must order: Crab cakes
Lucky Bones Backwater Grille
$$No CorkageCasual waterfront BYOB with great burgers and laid-back atmosphere. Perfect for families and casual nights.
Must order: Burgers & craft beer
Asbury Park
Trendy BYOB scene in this revitalized shore town
Talula's
Asbury ParkNew American | Trendy, upscale
Upscale American with creative seasonal dishes. The spot to see and be seen in Asbury Park.
Try: Seasonal small plates
Reservations neededToast
Asbury ParkBrunch | Casual, brunch vibes
Popular brunch spot where you can bring your own champagne for mimosas. Weekend lines are worth the wait.
Try: BYOB mimosas with brunch
Stone Harbor & Avalon
Upscale BYOB dining on Seven Mile Island
Cafe Loren
AvalonNew American | Fine dining, intimate
Seven Mile Island's premier fine dining destination. Creative cuisine in an intimate, elegant setting.
Try: Chef's seafood special
Reservations neededThe Whitebrier
Stone HarborSeafood | Upscale, refined
Upscale seafood in a refined setting. Known for exceptional fish preparations and local ingredients.
Try: Fresh catch of the day
Reservations neededLong Beach Island
LBI's finest BYOB dining
The Gables
Beach HavenNew American | Victorian elegance
LBI's most celebrated fine dining BYOB. Victorian charm meets contemporary cuisine in Beach Haven.
Try: Scallops
Reservations neededBYOB Etiquette & Tips
Bring Quality Bottles
BYOB is your chance to enjoy great wine at restaurant-quality meals without markup. Bring bottles you're excited about, not the cheapest option.
Call Ahead for Chilling
Many liquor stores will chill your wine if you call ahead. Ask for your bottles to be ready an hour before pickup.
Tip Generously
Since there's no drink markup, your bill is lower than it would be elsewhere. Show appreciation with a generous tip.
Bring the Right Glassware
Most BYOB restaurants provide wine glasses, but call ahead if you're bringing something special that needs specific glassware.
Offer the Server a Taste
If you've brought something special, offering the server a small pour is a classy gesture they'll appreciate.
Plan Your Quantities
A good rule: 1-2 bottles per couple for dinner. Bring an extra bottle if you're celebrating.
Where to Buy Wine & Beer
Remember: New Jersey requires alcohol sales at dedicated liquor stores only - not supermarkets. Stop at one of these shops before your dinner reservation.
Canal's Discount Liquor Mart
Multiple locations
Large selection and competitive prices. Locations throughout South Jersey.
Collier's Liquor Store
Cape May
Cape May's go-to for wine and spirits before dinner.
Stone Harbor Wine & Spirits
Stone Harbor
Excellent wine selection with knowledgeable staff.
Joe Canal's
LBI Area
Huge selection near LBI for all your BYOB needs.
Buy Rite
Multiple locations
Chain with good prices and reliable selection.
What Wine to Bring
| Dining Occasion | Wine Suggestions |
|---|---|
| Seafood Dinner | Sauvignon Blanc, Chablis, Muscadet, Albarino, dry Rose |
| Steak or Red Meat | Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Bordeaux, Barolo |
| Italian Cuisine | Chianti, Brunello, Pinot Grigio, Prosecco |
| Special Celebration | Champagne, high-end Burgundy, Barolo, aged Bordeaux |
| Casual Summer Dinner | Rose, Gruner Veltliner, Vermentino, sparkling wine |
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BYOB FAQ
What is BYOB and why is New Jersey famous for it?
BYOB stands for "Bring Your Own Bottle." New Jersey has a unique BYOB culture because many restaurants choose not to obtain expensive liquor licenses. This means you can bring your own wine or beer to enjoy with your meal. Unlike most other states, the vast majority of NJ BYOB restaurants charge no corkage fee at all, making it a huge value for diners.
Do I have to pay a corkage fee at Jersey Shore BYOB restaurants?
No! This is one of the best parts of NJ BYOB culture. Most BYOB restaurants at the Jersey Shore have no corkage fee. This is different from states like California or New York where corkage fees of $20-50 per bottle are common. You can bring a $100 bottle of wine and pay nothing extra to enjoy it.
What can I bring to a BYOB restaurant in New Jersey?
Under New Jersey law (N.J. Stat. 2C:33-27), you can bring wine or malt alcoholic beverages (beer) to BYOB restaurants. This includes all types of wine - red, white, rose, sparkling, champagne - plus any beer, including craft brews. Hard liquor and spirits are not legally permitted at unlicensed BYOB establishments. Most restaurants provide wine glasses, corkscrews, and ice buckets for chilling.
Where can I buy wine or beer before dinner at the Jersey Shore?
New Jersey requires alcohol to be sold at dedicated liquor stores (not supermarkets or convenience stores). Most shore towns have well-stocked liquor stores. Popular options include Canal's in Cape May, Buy Rite locations throughout the shore, and local wine shops. Many stores offer chilling services if you call ahead.
What is proper BYOB etiquette in New Jersey?
Good BYOB etiquette includes: bringing quality bottles (not the cheapest option), offering the server a taste if you bring something special, tipping generously since there's no drink markup, bringing an appropriate amount (1-2 bottles per couple is standard), and thanking the restaurant for the BYOB privilege. Some diners bring an extra bottle as a thank-you gift.
Which Jersey Shore town has the best BYOB restaurants?
Cape May is widely considered the BYOB capital of the Jersey Shore, with dozens of excellent BYOB restaurants ranging from casual to fine dining. Other great BYOB towns include Stone Harbor, Avalon, and Beach Haven on LBI. Asbury Park also has a growing BYOB scene with trendy options.
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Grab a bottle, make a reservation, and experience the best of Jersey Shore BYOB dining.