Year-Round Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
Not everything closes after Labor Day. Find the best dining options for off-season beach trips.
Off-Season Dining at the Shore
The Jersey Shore doesn't completely shut down after summer. Cape May maintains a vibrant year-round dining scene with award-winning BYOB restaurants. Atlantic City's casinos never close, and Asbury Park's food renaissance continues through winter.
January and February are the quietest months, but with some planning, you can find excellent dining any time of year. Off-season brings smaller crowds, easier reservations, and often more attentive service.
Winter Dining by Region
Cape May
Best off-season destination with fine dining
15+ restaurants
Top picks: 410 Bank Street, The Ebbitt Room, Lobster House
Victorian charm and BYOB culture thrive in winter
Atlantic City
Casinos mean year-round dining options
50+ restaurants
Top picks: Knife & Fork Inn, Dock's Oyster House, Casino restaurants
Never closes - best for guaranteed dining
Asbury Park
Vibrant food scene year-round
20+ restaurants
Top picks: Pascal & Sabine, Moonstruck, Talula's
Creative dining scene with BYOB options
North Shore (Monmouth)
Local favorites stay open
10+ restaurants
Top picks: Klein's, Local diners, Pizza shops
More limited but solid options
Best Year-Round Restaurants
410 Bank Street
Cape May • Fine Dining BYOB
Never (reduced hours)
Award-winning fine dining stays open through winter with a reduced schedule. Reservations essential.
Winter Hours: Thu-Sun (reduced schedule)
Must Try: Tasting Menu, Seasonal Specials
The Ebbitt Room
Cape May • Hotel Fine Dining
Brief closure Jan
Virginia Hotel restaurant serves farm-to-table cuisine year-round in an elegant setting.
Winter Hours: Dinner Wed-Sun
Must Try: Tasting Menu, Local Seafood
The Lobster House
Cape May • Seafood
Open year-round
Cape May institution stays open year-round though hours may be limited midweek in deep winter.
Winter Hours: Full service (may close some days)
Must Try: Lobster, Raw Bar, Chowder
Knife & Fork Inn
Atlantic City • Historic Steakhouse
Never
Historic 1912 landmark serves prime steaks and seafood every season. Atlantic City institution.
Winter Hours: Full service year-round
Must Try: Porterhouse, Caesar Salad
Dock's Oyster House
Atlantic City • Classic Seafood
Never
Atlantic City seafood landmark since 1897. Oysters and classic preparations all year.
Winter Hours: Full service year-round
Must Try: Oysters, Crab Cakes
Pascal & Sabine
Asbury Park • French BYOB
Never
Charming French bistro maintains year-round service. Perfect for off-season romantic dinners.
Winter Hours: Dinner Tue-Sun
Must Try: Duck Confit, Steak Frites
Moonstruck
Asbury Park • Mediterranean BYOB
Never
Cookman Avenue favorite serves Mediterranean cuisine through the winter months.
Winter Hours: Dinner daily
Must Try: Lamb Shank, Pasta Specials
Talula's
Asbury Park • Pizza & Italian
Never
Wood-fired pizza and craft cocktails year-round. Lively atmosphere even in off-season.
Winter Hours: Full service year-round
Must Try: Wood-Fired Pizza, Cocktails
Month-by-Month Dining Guide
| Month | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| September | Excellent | Most places still open, fewer crowds, great weather |
| October | Good | Many open for fall foliage visitors, some reduce hours |
| November | Fair | Holiday crowds in AC, some closures start elsewhere |
| December | Fair | Holiday events keep Cape May active, many closures |
| January | Limited | Quietest month - stick to AC, Cape May, Asbury |
| February | Limited | Still quiet but some places reopen late month |
| March | Good | Spring break starts, places begin reopening |
| April | Very Good | Most year-round places fully open, spring crowds |
| May | Excellent | Nearly everything open, great weather, pre-summer value |
Off-Season Dining Tips
Call Ahead
Hours change frequently in off-season. Always call to confirm before heading out.
Book Cape May
Cape May is the most reliable off-season destination with the best dining options.
Try Atlantic City
Casinos never close. AC is the safest bet for guaranteed year-round dining.
Embrace BYOB
Many fine dining spots are BYOB. Pick up a bottle and save big on winter dining.
Weekend Visits
More places are open Friday-Sunday even in deep winter. Plan accordingly.
Make Reservations
Fewer options means popular spots book up. Reserve ahead, especially weekends.
More Year-Round Options
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park
Boardwalk restaurant with Latin-inspired menu. Ocean views year-round, reduced winter hours.
Reduced hours
Wharfside Restaurant
Point Pleasant Beach
Canal-side seafood restaurant serves through winter with reduced days.
Reduced schedule
Washington Inn
Cape May
Victorian mansion restaurant with acclaimed wine cellar. Weekend service through winter.
Weekend dinners
Klein's Fish Market
Belmar
Fresh seafood market with restaurant. Locals favorite that stays open all year.
Year-round
Off-Season Shore Tips
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Winter Dining FAQ
What restaurants are open year-round at the Jersey Shore?
Cape May, Atlantic City, and Asbury Park have the most year-round options. Many fine dining BYOB spots in Cape May operate year-round, Atlantic City casinos never close, and Asbury Park maintains a solid food scene through winter.
Is Cape May open in winter?
Yes! Cape May is one of the best off-season destinations at the shore. Many restaurants stay open year-round, including 410 Bank Street, The Ebbitt Room, and The Lobster House. Some close January-February but reopen by March.
Are boardwalk restaurants open in winter?
Most boardwalk food stands close after Labor Day and reopen in spring. However, some year-round restaurants near boardwalks stay open, especially in Atlantic City, Asbury Park, and Point Pleasant.
When is off-season at the Jersey Shore?
Off-season runs roughly from Labor Day (early September) through Memorial Day (late May). Peak off-season is January through March when the most places close. Fall and spring shoulder seasons have more options.
Related Guides
Plan Your Off-Season Visit
Discover why winter at the shore is a hidden gem.