BYOB Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
New Jersey's unique BYOB culture means you can bring your own wine to many of the Shore's best restaurants - often with no corkage fee.
Why NJ is a BYOB Paradise
New Jersey's strict liquor licensing laws created an accidental foodie bonus: many restaurants can't serve alcohol, so they let you bring your own. The result? World-class dining where you control the wine list and skip the restaurant markup.
$0
Typical corkage fee
60%
Average savings vs. ordering wine
100+
BYOB restaurants at the shore
Top BYOB Restaurants
Klein's Fish Market
Belmar • Seafood
Corkage: Free
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood with marina views. Whatever the boats brought in that day is your best bet.
What to Bring: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay
410 Bank Street
Cape May • French-Cajun
Corkage: Free
Award-winning Creole-French cuisine in an intimate Victorian setting. One of the Shore best fine dining experiences.
What to Bring: Full-bodied red or buttery Chardonnay
The Red Store
Cape May Point • Farm-to-Table
Corkage: Free
Creative seasonal cuisine in a converted general store. Intimate atmosphere, exceptional food.
What to Bring: Natural wines complement the seasonal menu
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park • Latin-Asian Fusion
Corkage: Free
Boardwalk-adjacent with creative Latin-Asian fusion. Great for groups with a fun vibe.
What to Bring: Sparkling wine or a crisp Albarino
The Ebbitt Room
Cape May • New American
Corkage: $15/bottle
Farm-to-table fine dining in the Virginia Hotel. Romantic setting, exceptional tasting menus.
What to Bring: Bring your best - this is special occasion dining
Blue Pig Tavern
Cape May • American
Corkage: Free
Congress Hall classic. Three meals a day in a historic setting. Great brunch spot.
What to Bring: Champagne for brunch, anything goes for dinner
Chef Volas
Atlantic City • Italian
Corkage: Free
Hidden speakeasy-style Italian. Cash only, no sign, reservations essential. Old Atlantic City charm.
What to Bring: Italian reds - Barolo, Brunello, Chianti Classico
Plantation
Harvey Cedars • New American
Corkage: Free
LBIs upscale BYOB. Creative American cuisine with island-casual sophistication.
What to Bring: Dealer's choice - menu changes seasonally
DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies
Point Pleasant Beach • Pizza
Corkage: Free
Legendary thin-crust tomato pies. The Robbinsville original has a shore outpost.
What to Bring: Italian red or a cold beer
Moonstruck
Asbury Park • Mediterranean
Corkage: $10/bottle
Romantic Mediterranean with candlelit ambiance. One of the Shore most acclaimed restaurants.
What to Bring: Spanish or Southern French wines
BYOB Pro Tips
Check Before You Go
Policies can change. Call ahead to confirm BYOB is still offered and ask about corkage fees.
Bring Good Bottles
You're saving money on restaurant markup - invest in bottles you wouldn't normally order out.
Match the Cuisine
White wine for seafood, red for Italian and steaks. Or ask the restaurant what pairs well with their specialties.
Chill Your Whites
Most restaurants will ice your white wine, but bringing it pre-chilled ensures perfect temperature.
Tip on Full Value
Your server still provides wine service. Tip as if you bought the wine there.
Plan Your Route
Pick up wine at a local shop near the restaurant. Many shore towns have excellent wine stores.
Where to Buy Wine
Pick up your bottles at these local wine shops near shore restaurants.
Cape May Winery
Cape May
Local wines from NJ grapes. Try before you buy.
Collier West Wines
Cape May
Excellent curated selection. Staff picks are solid.
Asbury Park Wine Company
Asbury Park
Natural wine focus with great recommendations.
Buy Rite
Various Locations
Best prices on popular bottles. Multiple shore locations.
BYOB Etiquette Guide
The do's and don'ts of bringing your own bottle.
✓ DO: Call ahead to confirm BYOB policy
✗ DON'T: Assume every restaurant is BYOB
💡 Policies change. Some restaurants get liquor licenses. Always verify.
✓ DO: Bring quality bottles you'd be proud to drink
✗ DON'T: Bring bottom-shelf wine just because it's cheap
💡 You're saving money - invest in bottles you wouldn't normally order out.
✓ DO: Tip as if you purchased wine at restaurant prices
✗ DON'T: Reduce your tip because you brought your own
💡 Servers still provide wine service (opening, pouring, glasses). Tip on full value.
✓ DO: Offer your server a taste if they seem interested
✗ DON'T: Be offended if they decline
💡 It's a nice gesture that shows appreciation. Some decline for professional reasons.
✓ DO: Bring an extra bottle as backup
✗ DON'T: Bring just one bottle for a long dinner
💡 Worse case: you take it home. Better than running out during dessert.
✓ DO: Pre-chill white wines and rosés
✗ DON'T: Expect the restaurant to chill your warm bottle quickly
💡 Restaurants will ice your wine, but starting cold ensures perfect temperature.
💰 How Much You'll Save
| Scenario | Restaurant Wine | BYOB Cost | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casual Dinner for 2 | $40-60 | $15-25 | $25-35 |
| Date Night (Nice Bottle) | $70-100 | $30-45 | $40-55 |
| Group Dinner (4 people, 3 bottles) | $150-200 | $50-75 | $100-125 |
| Special Occasion (Premium wine) | $150-300 | $60-120 | $90-180 |
Same wine that's $45 at a restaurant costs $15 at the store.
Wine Pairing by Cuisine
What to bring based on what you're eating.
Seafood / Raw Bar
Best: Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Muscadet, Champagne
Avoid: Heavy oaked Chardonnay, tannic reds
💡 Crisp acidity cuts through richness. Bubbles love oysters.
Italian / Pasta
Best: Chianti, Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio, Montepulciano
Avoid: Sweet wines, heavy Cabernets
💡 Match wine region to food region. Tuscan wine with Tuscan food.
French / Fine Dining
Best: Burgundy (red or white), Bordeaux, Champagne
Avoid: Cheap wine at expensive restaurants
💡 Match the quality of wine to the quality of food.
Asian Fusion
Best: Riesling (off-dry), Gewürztraminer, Grüner Veltliner
Avoid: Tannic reds, heavily oaked wines
💡 Slight sweetness balances spice. Aromatic whites shine.
Pizza
Best: Chianti, Montepulciano, Lambrusco, Beer!
Avoid: Overthinking it
💡 Pizza is casual. Bring whatever you like drinking.
Common BYOB Mistakes
❌ Bringing wine that needs decanting without time
✓ Bring wines ready to drink, or arrive early and ask staff to decant.
❌ Forgetting your wine is chilling in the fridge at home
✓ Set a phone reminder. Keep a backup bottle in the car cooler.
❌ Bringing wine to a restaurant that already has a liquor license
✓ Always call ahead. Licensed restaurants don't allow outside alcohol.
❌ Not bringing enough for the whole table
✓ Rule of thumb: half bottle per person for dinner. Bring extra.
❌ Ordering soft drinks at BYOB and tipping poorly
✓ Servers rely on tips. Tip as if you bought wine there.
Cape May: BYOB Capital
Cape May has the highest concentration of BYOB restaurants anywhere on the Jersey Shore. The town's Victorian-era liquor laws mean many restaurants simply can't get licenses, creating a foodie paradise where you bring the wine.
Pro tip: Stop at Cape May Winery on your way into town and pick up local wines to pair with dinner.
Explore Cape May DiningMore Dining Options
Fresh seafood, boardwalk classics, and fine dining at every shore town.