Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

American restaurant · Cape May

Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

American restaurant · Cape May

2

1301 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204

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Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by Emily Schindler
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null
Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant by null

Highlights

Elegant beachfront mansion serving classic American fare  

Featured in The Infatuation
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1301 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 Get directions

petershieldsinn.com
@petershieldsinnandrestaurant

$$ · Menu

Information

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1301 Beach Ave, Cape May, NJ 08204 Get directions

+1 609 884 9090
petershieldsinn.com
@petershieldsinnandrestaurant

$$ · Menu

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reservations required
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Last updated

Aug 19, 2025

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@infatuation

The 20 Best Restaurants In Cape May - Jersey Shore - The Infatuation

"Peter Shields Inn is one of Cape May’s iconic dining destinations. It’s popular both for its menu of elaborate classics made with local produce and for its location: a stately Georgian revival a stone’s throw from the dunes. Ask for a table on the open-air front porch, under a black and white striped awning, and wait out the sunset with freshly-shucked local oysters and grilled lobsters. The restaurant is BYOB, but if you forget a bottle you can still pair the oysters with a glass of sauvignon blanc—they sell a small selection from the nearby Cape May Winery." - regan stephens, candis mclean, sydney mcelwee, tonya russell

https://www.theinfatuation.com/jersey-shore/guides/best-restaurants-cape-may
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@infatuation

Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant Review - Cape May - Jersey Shore - The Infatuation

"Peter Shields Inn is one of Cape May’s iconic dining destinations. It’s popular both for its menu of elaborate classics made with local produce and for its location: a stately Georgian revival a stone’s throw from the dunes. Ask for a table on the open-air front porch, under a black and white striped awning, and wait out the sunset with freshly-shucked local oysters and grilled lobsters. The restaurant is BYOB, but if you forget a bottle you can still pair the oysters with a glass of sauvignon blanc—they sell a small selection from the nearby Cape May Winery." - Regan Stephens

https://www.theinfatuation.com/jersey-shore/reviews/peter-shields-inn-and-restaurant
View Postcard for Peter Shields Inn & Restaurant

Danielle B

Google
This place is stunning and as an experience, it’s a really cool restaurant to go to. It’s on the fancier side and just feels so exquisite. One of my favorite parts was the piano player and being able to send in song requests; such an unique experience! The food presentation was impressive, but overall the food was pretty good but not the best I have had. Service took awhile too, but they were attentive. Definitely a nice place to try!

Alice (Lutheran Liar)

Google
Alas, our years of memorable meals at Peter Shields are over. Each spring migration, our band of birders would look forward to a special evening of food and wine at this wonderful restaurant. We knew the food would be good, because we'd enjoyed it for almost 15 years. We knew the wine would be good, because we brought it ourselves, where the gracious waitstaff would open and serve it. But this year, when we arrived on time and were shown to "our" table, we were told that there would be a $40 corkage fee -- per bottle! -- for the wine we had brought. We politely asked to speak to the manager, who appeared with a stern look and an even more stern attitude. "It states clearly on our website that a corkage fee will be charged," he claimed. Then he said to the member of our party who had made the reservation, "You clicked the box stating that you understood!" In other words, instead of diplomatically explaining that a fee had been recently imposed and apologizing for any inconvenience, he remained firm in his conviction that we were in the wrong. A good manager would have offered to waive the fee this time, since we were clearly surprised, or, at the very least, negotiated it or offered us a complimentary appetizer -- anything would have been better than his attitude. We got up and left -- and will never be going back. It's truly a shame.

Gregory Morris

Google
Been dining at PSI a few times per year over the last few years and while it’s consistently a phenomenal experience, our most recent visit drove me to this review. The ambiance, the pianist, the new bar/cocktail menu, etc is perfectly composed - a top notch spot for a nice evening out. However, our server, Peter, was the highlight of our most recent visit. An absolute pro, taking obvious pride in his job. His genuine and attentive demeanor made it feel as though we were his sole focus/table. Simultaneously, as hands on as he was, he also perfectly faded into the scene, allowing us the rare opportunity of date night conversations (left the young ones home). And as always, the food was phenomenal. Great job all around at PSI.

S S

Google
A Love Story with Peter Shields Inn; 3 Visits, 3 Milestones. Peter Shields Inn has become part of our love story. Our first visit was to celebrate our one-year dating anniversary. We came back again after our engagement. And most recently, we chose PSI for our honeymoon and it couldn’t have been more perfect. This isn’t just a restaurant. It’s an experience wrapped in elegance, warmth, and the kind of coastal charm that keeps calling you back. Each time, the service has been thoughtful, the setting romantic, and the food simply unforgettable. On our honeymoon trip, PSI somehow topped itself yet again. From the moment we walked in, we were greeted with genuine hospitality that made the night feel personal. The scallops were seared to perfection, the wagyu steak melted in your mouth, and the desserts felt like a celebration on their own. Every bite was beautifully crafted, and every course left us quietly smiling at each other across the table. The waiter Gary cared for my wife’s gluten allergy as if he was a member of the family. We can’t thank the team enough for helping us mark these chapters of our relationship with such beauty and care. PSI will forever hold a special place in our hearts (and our calendar, we’ll be back again, no doubt about it). Here are a few snapshots from the night, because the dishes really are as gorgeous as they are delicious.

Ina Smirnov

Google
Though the restaurant is beautiful On the outside the food leaves something To be desired. If you are truly looking for a five star dining experience skip Peter Shields. It’s supermarket quality for a luxury Price. 85 dollar caviar service for something that tasted like imitation roe.

Tatyana C

Google
Had dinner here the other night. Disappointed and almost offended at how low par the food was for the prices they charge. We got the caviar service, the crepes were cold and were obviously frozen- not fresh made. The caviar tasted like vinegar and the texture was off. The filet mignon was only edible because of the sauce, and the lobster was salty and dry. Do not recommend.

Julia Lapina

Google
We had a special event and made a reservation a week in advance, specifically asking for a better spot. However, we were seated in a corridor, away from the piano, with waiters constantly passing by. When it started raining, the roof leaked directly onto the table skirt. The food was mixed — the octopus was overgrilled, the Wagyu steak was just average, but the fish was very tasty and delicious. We waited about 15 minutes for our wine because the waiter forgot to bring it. The place was crowded, and overall, the experience did not meet our expectations for such an important occasion.

Rachel K

Google
We've dined at Peter Shields every summer for over 10 years. It’s been a tradition, and last year we were excited to bring our toddler for the first time. They had high chairs then, and we looked forward to returning again this year as a family. The night before our reservation, we received a message via OpenTable saying they no longer offer high chairs. There is now a policy, buried in fine print, stating they don’t provide high chairs, booster seats, or accommodate children under 12. It wasn’t visible when we booked, and we were never told directly until the last minute. This policy feels needlessly exclusionary. If kids aren’t welcome, just say so. We canceled and dined elsewhere. There are other fine dining options in Cape May that offer the same level of food and service while being more inclusive. For those looking for fine dining that accommodates children, The Ebbitt Room is exceptional and very welcoming.
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Matt G.

Yelp
An absolute gem of a restaurant with some haunting history.. We had a fantastic evening here for dinner. The bread service was unique; offering three different types of warm dinner rolls. The lobster bisque is a must -- this bisque was much lighter than every other bisque I've ever had. It's still cream-based, but it was just delicate without compromising depth of flavor. The deliver eggs were also unique and are arguably the best deviled eggs I've ever had (which surprisingly is a fair amount of deviled eggs). Lastly, the filet: it was prepared well and accompanied by three delicate mushroom ravioli alongside a demi glacé.
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Alex N.

Yelp
While vacationing in Ocean City, NJ, my wife and I nipped out for dinner at Peter Shields. In short: one of the best. We started off sharing a yellowtail crudo, one of my favorite fish from our local sushi haunt; this dish arrived garnished with cucumber and watermelon, a heretofore untasted melange of flavors for this diner. We also split blue point oysters on the half shell, which were plump and briny. I ordered a bone-in pork chop, which our server, Chris, was quick to point out was a pounded and fried dish; this was not necessarily my preference nor the dish I'd imagined in my mind based on the menu, but I readily agreed to this preparation. It was, in turn, excellent. The pork was pounded flat and dredged in breadcrumbs, and pan fried until crispy, with no residual oil on the surface. Topped Milanese style with greens and tomatoes would have been satisfying, but the lily was gilded with some chunks of meat and mozzarella. It was excellent and I'd order it again in a heartbeat. My wife was craving a steak, and she got the filet. It was perfectly cooked to medium rare, as requested, and beautifully served. For dessert, they offered a steamed caramel cake a la mode, which we split and adored. The dessert was swimming in a pool of molten caramel and was delicious and the perfect size to split. It was a whimsical nod to the classic caramel sundae, with the cake dressing the dish up to something elegant. Peter Shields is a BYOB, but you can order bottles from the nearby Cape May Winery, which they should advertise more. Chris, our server, was prompt, attentive, informative, and polite.
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Joseph P.

Yelp
Breathtaking! Food, ambiance, service, location...all over the top amazing! This is a very special place...arguably the best restaurant and b&b in all of Cape May. Snag one of the seven rooms if you can. Walk across the street and stumble onto the beach. Watch dolphins. Come back for tea or happy hour. Relax. Have dinner on the porch then enjoy a bottle of wine beside the fire pit. .... Can't wait to go back.
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Cara T.

Yelp
Can I give this 10 stars?!?! My parents and I had the most special meal here yesterday. I have been coming to Cape May my entire life and I can't believe this was my 1st time here! From the setting right on the water, to the live pianist, to the food, it was a true 5 star experience. Our server, Sean, was the best! He took great care of us and we never felt rushed. It is BYOB, but they do have some bottles from the Cape May Winery for purchase if you forget your wine! For my appetizer, I had the tuna ceviche. Often I like some sort of cracker or wonton, but this did not need it! It was the perfect on it's own. I loved the lime flavor and the avocado paired so well with the tuna! My dad had the burrata salad and my mom had the raw oysters. They both loved their apps! For our entrees, we all had the crab cakes. They were so special! Tons of crab meat with no filler and the flavors were next level. It was inspired by Mexican flavors and the mexican street corn topping with cotija cheese risotto was so unique. I would order this again and again! We were pretty full, but needed to try some of their house made desserts! We split the stick toffee pudding and got coffee ice cream instead of vanilla, per Sean's recommendation. OMG was it delish! I loved the caramel flavor and the bitterness of the coffee ice cream perfectly cut the sweetness. I would recommend this, especially if you don't want a super sweet dessert! I can't wait to come back here again and again. Definitely a must try for a special night out in Cape May!
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Brian S.

Yelp
This is a really wonderful venue with a remarkable service team which was eager-to-please. I'm not sure if this is an error by Yelp or the restaurant management: the restaurant is listed as "$$$", which across the world would generally mean main courses might be in the $16-32 range. Holy cow the main courses start at $48 (roasted chicken) and range up to $80. Why is this relevant? A freind asked me to pick the dining venue on the basis of buying me (and the rest of the party) dinner. The degree of embarrassment and awkwardness when realizing the tab was shifting from $200-250 to north of $1000. (Party of 5, including the host, and BY frighten OB. Now I'm sure the locals and others would say "you should have known or checked the menu in advance..." The food was average, but I'll leave a little snippet of the experience: the requisite raw oysters (ocean front venue) was $27-one could easily do the math and figure out this was going to be 4, maybe 6 oysters and certainly not a dozen. Okay fine: "local oysters hand foraged from surrounding waters". When the oysters were served I asked where in particular on this New Jersey shoreline they were gathered? "Oh those are PEI's...err Prince Edward Island...oysters." With all due respect to the precious taste buds and pallets of the northeastern shoreline, but that dog don't hunt down south. The beef shank? A bit dry and the overly generous portion out punched the gravy by a country mile. The crab cakes ($52)? Holy cow at $26/ per one would expect to have your socks knocked off. We asked for Tabasco sauce to wash them down. Average food at outlandish prices presented in a spuriously misleading manner. Come on man. Be better. I don't leave cranky reviews but the price-value ratio was out-of-balance and you sure don't print "hand foraged local oysters" and then plate commodity PEI's (no disrespect to Canadians and their sundry shellfish).
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Laura M.

Yelp
We went to Peter Shields for an anniversary dinner!! Food was delicious!! The service was top notch!! We will definitely return!!
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Kayla K.

Yelp
Beautiful restraint with really nice food. Service was great our waiter Chris really went above and beyond and had a great personality too! Live piano was a really nice touch as well. BYOB. Greta place for a special meal
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L L.

Yelp
The food remains overall very good, though for the first time in 4 years I had a big disappointment with my filet, and portion size has gotten a lot smaller, while prices have doubled for my Thanksgiving prix fixe. Service was very hands off, which can be nice but despite having two bussers for my small party, I never had enough water for two hours dining, food came out very slowly, plates cleared very slowly, and no offer of more rolls. It all felt stingy, and unwelcoming, and I was conscious of their need to turn over tables like I never felt in years past. Again, prices have doubled since my first Thanksgiving at PSI. Inflation is inflation but charging 100% more for 20-25% less isn't going to go unnoticed. This was my 4th, after missing last year due to illness, and by this year, prices just cannot justify the portions nor service, and I hate to say food quality on my entree (the last thing you want to screw up) was just not there. It was very busy, as they pack the house, round after round, starting at 2:30pm, but with PSI's reputation they ought to demonstrate they can handle that! In years past we were able to sit out on the porch, with enclosures and heat lamps. It absolutely contributed so much to the experience. But this year, they wouldn't allow it at the time of my reservation, though tables were dressed on the porch upon arrival, and further request was denied. So this year I paid more for a lesser experience. My filet was actually tough on the edges, like so tough it was not easy to chew. I asked for medium rare but it was overdone on the outer edges and raw inside. I know they're capable of rendering it pink-pseudo-cooked inside and throughout. Both filets in my party were awful. A few months ago I had a beautiful (bigger) filet at Lobster House for a lot less. First course was crafted well, taste was excellent, but portions and offerings are not exciting like they used to be. Thanksgiving turkey entree was as good as always. Heaviest plate on the table. They began offering light or dark meat this year (always light before). Got a mix but I didn't feel the dark meat was prepared as well, unfortunately. Otherwise this plate is always a win. Desserts were classic standards, tastily prepared, and the raspberry sorbet is a new life food memory for me, absolutely perfect! I will never forget that sorbet. My God! Unfortunately the godly sorbet didn't make my filet any better, nor magically add more food to each plate, nor fill up my water. Probably won't return next year. Paying a 23% tip (30-35% in past years) was painful for this experience. Sad to move on after years of good memories. Maybe things will improve in the future?
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Marcie A.

Yelp
The service was impeccable. Our waiter Dillon was friendly, efficient and there when we needed him without being overbearing. A pianist played and you could text your request to him, which we did several times and loved hearing every one of our appeals granted. It was also fun deciphering the pop tunes we'd hear turned into piano sonatas. The setting was elegant but not stuffy and the food-two courses for each of four of us all getting something different- was truly an array of culinary creations! Truly exceeded expectations!
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Kurt N.

Yelp
I've dined here 3 times now over the course of the past 5 years and while the atmosphere and service remain incredible, I feel the food has gone downhill - though still good. They got a new chef a year ago and I suspect that's why. still good, no longer great IMO
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AnnMarie T.

Yelp
Wonderful! We absolutely love PSI, typically we go in the summer and it never disappoints. We just spent our first NYE weekend, as always it was amazing. At midnight it was so lovely to feel like a family member being included in singalong with owner and his friends/family. The evening menu was so delicious, lobster bisque and filet was exceptional in addition to the personal accommodations made for myself and my food allergies, above and beyond service. In addition to the outstanding experience we would like to say a special thank you Danielle and Sean, you guys continue to make our stays memorable and wanting us to come back!
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Paul M.

Yelp
We attended for our 27 year wedding anniversary... From the moment we arrived, they wished us a happy anniversary and brought us to a wonderful table. Service was top notch throughout our dining experience. Appetizers were amazing - tuna was tasty and so was the octopus. Both cooked perfectly, which is sometimes challenging with octopus. For our mains, the short rib and polenta were sumptuous. The filet mignon was perfectly cooked medium rare and the accompanying mushroom ravioli was delicious. We opted to bring our own wine, which they happily opened and served but they also offer Cape May winery wines. Dessert of Death by Chocolate was tremendous and perfect for 2 to share. We were offered two small champagne glasses for our anniversary - nice touch! The pianist also played our wedding song and accepts Venmo tips... After dinner, we retired to the outdoor couches, fire pit and enjoyed sea breezes and late evening sun. Perfect all around, thanks for making our anniversary so memorable. We will be back!!

Brian C.

Yelp
We just had an excellent dinner and stay at Peter Shields for our anniversary! We were here many years ago and haven't been back, but just as good as remembered! We lived in Philadelphia for many years and this is as good as any of the top restaurants in the city. Beautiful location with top notch service. We had the tuna ceviche, octopus, sea bass, NY strip, 2 deserts and everything was excellent. Stayed at the inn and it was great being able to sit on the porch and by the fire pit before and after dinner. Definitely would come back to stay and have dinner!
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Joe G.

Yelp
Since coming to Cape May for a couple years now, I've been anxious to try PSI. I was never sure about the child policy, but I figured my 13 yr old, who loves steak, was ready to have dinner there. We could only make a reservation a little more than 2 weeks out due to uncertainty of our trip. As a result, on a Monday in August, we had our choice of a 5:30 reservation inside, or an 8:45 reservation outside on the porch. Despite me being SO over the whole COVID eating outside thing, I wasn't shoving a steak down my throat at 5:30pm on a Monday. So we went with the reservation at 8:45pm on the porch. We arrived at 8:30 and the inside restaurant was full. It had just rained and I was a bit concerned about being "on the porch". The porch is enclosed, but the inside restaurant is air conditioned and the porch is totally dependent on the weather outside. Despite all that, it turned out to be a reasonable night and it wasn't too bad. If I go again though, I'll be inside. PSI is a BYOB which is always nice. My wife and I each ordered an app. She got a crab soup special and I got the Yellowfin Tuna ceviche. My son passed on an app and went with bread. The two apps were very good. Both the soup and ceviche were outstanding. My son and I went with 10oz medium rare filets and my wife with the sea bass. The filets were exceptional. Not overly salty and buttery, just very well cooked and delicious. The micro greens on top and pureed potatoes with vegetables were a great compliment. My wife's sea bass was perfectly done as well. There is no salad included in the entree, and surprisingly, there is no creamed spinach or such on the menu. A common side you might see at a Steakhouse. We had plenty of room for dessert, so I went for the Pot de Creme, which was great, while my wife and child went for a blueberry sorbet and a toffee pudding with ice cream respectively. All were delicious. The overall experience was very good. No issues with service or food. I do like to spend more time eating a nice meal like this, but with an 8:45 reservation, PSI had us up and out in an hour and 15 minutes. The bill was reasonable, mostly due to the BYOB factor. I will definitely try PSI again. The menu seems seasonal and changing, which is a great thing. But for a better experience next time, I will plan further in advance and get a table inside, at a more reasonable time.

Joseph S.

Yelp
Everything at Peter Shields is first class from the food to the service was impeccable, can't wait to go back again.
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John W.

Yelp
What happened? This place used to be great till the chef left. Now it's bad, the food was tasteless. I had to salt, pepper, ask for lemons. I did have a spicy tuna app that was great. Everything else was bland city.
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John L.

Yelp
My wife and I came here for a nice meal. We brought our own cocktails and enjoyed them with great ice service by the waiter. For appetizers, I had foie gras and my wife had a crab salad. Both were very good. Then for main courses, my wife had a fillet which she loved, and I had crab cakes, which were great. And we shared a dessert. In another locale, it would have been a four star meal but in Cape May in August, definitely a 5. There seems to be a general lack of "summer help," and businesses are using thT as an excuse for weird hours, daily closures and bad service. PSI is the opposite. If you want a fine dining experience in Cape May, go here.
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Mary T.

Yelp
The only thing good was the service and piano music. $25 bowl of lobster bisque was terrible. Room temperature and lobster was soft and chewy. Terrible. The roasted chicken was rubber. My husbands steak was enjoyable. We were given a single scoop of ice cream to share for our anniversary. The kitchen was extremely slow. $185 before tip for less than mediocre.

Shari O.

Yelp
I've walked past Peter Shields several times times and it always looks so pretty so we decided to to have dinner one night on our vacation. The atmosphere is very nice and our waiter was amazing but I can't remember his name. My food came out half cold ( the risotto) though my fish was hot. I told him and he apologized and took it back immediately. When it was brought back it was warm. Not really hot. And not very impressive either. My husband's food was very good. Lobster bisque and filet. Next time I'll have what he's having. We sat on the porch after dinner with a glass of wine and listened to the waves. Overall a beautiful restaurant.
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K. C.

Yelp
Made reservations for a birthday dinner. The atmosphere was very posh. They have a "smart casual" dress code which I recommend adhering to. Our waiter Chris was fantastic & very attentive throughout the meal. We ordered the Hudson Valley Foie Gras, Pan Seared Jumbo Crab Cake & Prime NY Strip Steak. This was the first time we tried foie gras. Despite the small portion size to share, we felt it was adequate given how rich the dish was. The liver was salty but well balanced with the sweetness of the sauce & toast. I usually prefer ribeye, but decided to get the strip steak as it was highlighted in reviews I had read. It was cooked a perfect medium rare & came with mashed potatoes, green beans & carrots. Delicious. My fiancé had the crab cake & she said it was good. I tried a bite & it was moist & flavorful. It wasn't as good as the steak in my opinion. Overall, it was a great dinner in a beautiful atmosphere with fantastic service. I would highly recommend this place for special occasions when you want to impress.
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Christine K.

Yelp
We once again had a lovely dinner at Peter Shields Inn and Restaurant. We started with the panzanella salad followed by crab cakes and Chilean Sea bass. Complementary bread was served throughout the meal. We wanted to stay for dessert and coffee but the threat of an impending storm made us decide to head home. Our waiter was Peter and the service was impeccable! Throughout the evening we were serenaded by a piano player who performed a variety of traditional and contemporary hits. We hope to revisit this beautiful restaurant and inn again soon!
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Jessica K.

Yelp
How can I start!? My husbands aunt and uncle gave us a gift card here for our one year anniversary. We have been to cape May before, but never have gone to a nice restaurant, usually we just say tripped to the shops and continued on our journey home. Luckily we are here a few days and got to experience some night life and fine dining this time around. The gardens and building to PSI are beautiful. It's a sight to see, indoor and outdoors. The ambiance is old world but with some modern flair. My husbands aunt recommended a certain sister and the host accommodated us. The server, Christoph, was very nice and very attentive. Everything was timed perfectly, from when he refilled wine and water, to when each course came out. I had the crab cakes- which had a cojita and corn risotto. So delicious!!! And my husbands scallops were also tender and flavorful. Dessert was decadent. We ordered creme brûlée - which was amazing. But my hubby's aunt and uncle called and surprised us with a cake for our an anniversary too. Service was above and beyond, and the food was out of this world. Oh and it was BYOB which was great... They do offer select cape May winery wines also in case you can't come with a bottle.
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Heather R.

Yelp
We had a relaxed and delectable meal on the porch 7:15pm Sunday 9.18.22. I have been wanting to stay and dine here for years. Service was perfection. It was the best service I have experienced in years anywhere. I have vacation brain so I cannot recall our waiter's name. He was young, thin, and wore glasses. Apps- Lobster Bisque, Burrata With Roasted Red and Golden Beets, Frisée, Honey Walnut Vinaigrette Entrees- Alaskan Halibut With Fall Vegetable Ratatouille Salad, Gnocchi, Balsamic, Maple Brown Butter Aioli and Jumbo Crab Cakes With Blistered Heirloom Grape Tomatoes, Mascarpone Risotto, Remoulade Dessert- Chocolate Pot de Creme and Sticky Toffee Pudding. Food was phenomenal. The Stay- We will definitely come back. The Inn and grounds are gorgeous. I am very particular with cleanliness and I noted nothing concerning. The bed was extremely comfortable. We were on the third floor in Room Eight. As inn guests, you are eligible for a prix fixe for dinner with complementary champagne. I was not aware of that so it was a nice surprise. Breakfast each day is included. There are bikes, beach towels, helmets, common area lounge in basement and second floor, wine and cheese happy hour just to name some amenities. There is a cute seating area outside with fire pit as well. Onsite parking. My only minor complaint is the toilet in the room was not affixed to the floor properly so the noise was annoying. I was concerned about disturbing our neighbors as well. I was in the bathroom at 4am one night and heard a similar noise coming from the neighbor's bathroom. The property should remedy that.

Amanda W.

Yelp
Thanksgiving Disaster My husband and I dined at Peter Shiels for Thanksgiving. We used to have a beach home in the area, but moved to VA so we sold it. We decided to go back for Thanksgiving since we missed the shore. We chose Peter Shields as we had dined there a few years ago for our anniversary and it was lovely. How time changes restaurants. They sat us on the indoor patio, which had a little chill. The waitress did not have a lot of time to explain the Price Fix menu which was an outrageous $95.00 per person. We of course chose the Turkey dinner. My salad was fine but nothing special. Then a server ( not the waitress) drops our plates in front of us, there was a few pieces of white meat, a few small dark, cranberry sauce was more of a garnish and no stuffing. The mashed potatoes were cold. We could not find the waitress so we queried the server, is there stuffing with this meal? He stated NO! Then we saw other dinners coming out , and yes we saw stuffing. Finally we saw the waitress, and asked her, she stated, yes there is supposed to be stuffing. At that point we ate as much of the horrible meal as we could. We made the mistake of earlier ordering 2 Turkey Dinners to go for family coming later in the day to our beach condo. The waitress stated, the chef will add an extra order of stuffing in the to go order. We received the bags and left. Once back at the condo we opened the To Go order, there was NO EXTRA STUFFING, in fact the to go portions looked even smaller than what we had received at the table. We panicked, where could we get extra Turkey for our guests? Luckily we found a diner open and ordered 2 Turkey dinners, cost: $25.00 each, more food, better meat and full sides. This was the worst Thanksgiving I ever experienced in my life. The next evening we dined at the Ebitt Room. Wow! Superior service and amazing food. We will never dine at Peter Shields ever again.
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Cheryl M.

Yelp
PS may be a Mecca to some people but not me. We've been three times and only once did we think the food was pretty good. The wait staff mill around but rarely are they attentive. At the prices they charge I want a beautiful plate of delicious food and a warmer welcome.

Valerie O.

Yelp
The service was outstanding. Chris is a very attentive waiter. The piano music was wonderful. However the lobster bisque was nothing special. The lobster fra diavolo was just a lobster tail on top of mushy spaghetti in a slightly spicy red sauce. It was very disappointing. There are so many great restaurants in Cape May. You should step up your game.

Erin B.

Yelp
The food here was amazing. The tuna with crispy rice appetizer was outstanding. Definitely will be going back!
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Tommy W.

Yelp
This is our second year staying at the PSI condo's on Decatur St. (very nice). We had dinner at the restaurant on Monday night. I had the filet mignon, as did my wife. Simply delicious, melt in your mouth, juicy and flavorful delicious. Now part of our annual Cape May mini autumn getaway.
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Brion R.

Yelp
"One of the best of the very south Jerz shore" If you are looking for a truly wonderful dining experience in South Jersey, this is the real deal. Service is top-notch, meals are consistently fantastic, and the ambiance is decidedly classy. What's to cheer: - Romantic setting - Great dishes incorporating local ingredients - BYOB - It's not cheap but fairly priced for the food + experience What's to jeer: - Not much. With the clientele, you sometimes feel like it's a country club.

John S.

Yelp
Nice atmosphere across from the beach. The soft shell crab was great, John Dory fish delicious. Lobster bisque was strange. Good amounts of lobster but the base was pasty. Service very good as well.
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Darcy V.

Yelp
The Restaurant entrance is picturesque & IG worthy just for the grand staircase to to front door. While it was too cold to be out for long I can imagine that in warmer months you'd enjoy the covered outside seating. This is the place you take someone for celebrations. It's crisp and sparkling and well spaced. However it's also a little loud, if you have one loud patron, everyone can hear him or her. I was very happy that we could BYOB with no cork fee. I brought a bottle of Basil Hayden Bourbon to enjoy. It accompanied our meal in every course. My husband & I rarely order the same thing but we both wanted the ribeye - and it was top of the charts! Well-seasoned, melt in your mouth prime & worth every penny. Accompanied with a potato purée, string beans, and demi glaze it was phenomenal and very filling. We didn't order appetizers because we wanted dessert. But everything looked amazing for first course. Dessert was a showstopper too. I had the espresso panna cotta with homemade coffee ice cream. We both would have come back for just the desserts! My husband asked for just ice cream with caramel syrup & it was spectacular. Their ice cream is amazing. While this place is noted for its service, I think that depends on which waiter you get. We heard other waiters describe the menu like it was part of a novel but our waiter was brooding & uninterested in us but he sounded charming when he talked with a larger table. However, if I never read how amazing the service was here I guess I wouldn't have paid much attention. We'd definitely go back. Maybe in spring.
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Tim K.

Yelp
We were staying at the inn as well as had dinner. Had the oysters as an app and they were perfect. Dinner was lobster thermidor and it was excellent. Wife had the braised short ribs which were also great. Our waitress was attentive and kind. Can't wait to return.

Regina N.

Yelp
We had a 8:30 reservation on 9/2 for our 33rd anniversary. We were seated at a table by the server station. We asked for a table change and they graciously moved our table. The only negative was we felt rushed. The minute we were done with our appetizers the main course came out. It was a special night for us but we left disappointed

Veronica G.

Yelp
Enjoyed the whole experience. Ambience is superb in the beautifully decorated restaurant with wonderful ocean views from the porch. The mood was set with live music by an accomplished pianist, with requests for playing your favorite song. The selection of appetizers and main entrees will appeal to all diners. Our food was served in a timely manner . Our wait person Peter was always attentive to our table. The food did not disappoint. Top quality and wonderful presentation filled the plates. My husbands NY Strip was cooked exactly the way he wanted it, rare. It was tender and well seasoned. I ordered the Short Rib platter that melted in your mouth. It fell apart with my fork. Slow roasted with a lot of flavor. Perfect evening celebrating my husbands birthday.
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david l.

Yelp
If you're looking for a nice night out with fine dining this is it. The service is friendly and on point. Bring a bottle since it's byob. I highly recommend their steaks and fish. We had a great might woth good food

Bev M.

Yelp
My husband and I were celebrating our 50th Anniversary. We decided to have an amazing meal at Peter Shields. We ordered the day scallop special. The scallops were so peppery it actually ruined the dish. The service was ok not stellar. Honestly, for the price of the meal I would expect a better experience. The restaurant itself is beautiful..the food just ok. Considering the restaurants in Cape May, we've had better meals at other restaurants for a fraction of the cost. Although the death by chocolate desert was very good, PS is not on our list for a return visit.
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Laura R.

Yelp
Had an excellent meal. Took pictures of mostly everything except for the wedge salad that they kindly split on two plates. Everything was absolutely delicious. They do not rush you as we were there for over two hours. It's a byob. You can also purchase a bottle of Cape May wine there but we brought our own bottle. Servers are very attentive and knowledgeable. The executive chef will be leaving in May 2022 to open his own restaurant in town. Everything was so nicely presented and full of flavor. Definitely recommend. Make reservations in advance especially during peak seasons. See pictures for the menu items we had chosen including dessert!!

Karen B.

Yelp
There is something to say about hospitality. We booked a table for 14-16 people. We were told it was going to be tight but we had no idea how tight it was. We then added one more person but that did not make a difference it was very tight. One of our guests was literally in the fireplace. When I went up to Vince the manager his words exactly were " don't tell me how to run my restaurant you can stay or you can leave" subsequently we all left how dare he speak to us in this manner. In this environment you should value your customers. I will never ever go to this restaurant again. I dealt with Amy and she was nasty and Vince was even more nasty. Just not nice! We then went to Sea Salt who were more than accommodating and very nice to us.
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Jenn W.

Yelp
Amazing food--crab bisque was wonderful. Can't beat the ambiance. Only wish the portions were larger. Otherwise, Loved it.
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Lina M.

Yelp
I don't ever have the time to write a review for a Restaurant; since I work in one,but being off on a Saturday for the first time in a long while got the opportunity to go and try out Peter Shields Inn in Cape May NJ and O M G To my surprise my wife and I had one of the best meals ever .From the ambience to the service,and the food ; from the starters to the main 5*****,Thank you Kieth Mitchell (executive chef)for making my wife so happy on her special night. Roger&Lina Morales

Peggy L.

Yelp
One of favorite places to have that special dinner, Food is always delicious and prepared beautifully. The service is always top notch. Peter Shield's is a great place to stay and have a great celebration. We go back every year!

Gregory P.

Yelp
Great staff and the restaurant has delicious choices. We go at least 3 times a year from north Jersey
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Sopheara S.

Yelp
On a valentine date night with my husband , we have been here many years. The food is fantastic the service is excellent. Friday night they have a piano night and you can text to request your favorite song to play. My favorite thing there is Bronzino fish and my husband is pork chop. The special that they have for is 1/2 African lobster tail with stake and Canada oysters. Yummy!
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Krysta H.

Yelp
Well the ambiance was lovely as usual and the server/expediters/bussers did awesome, but the food did not meet my expectations. For appetizers we ordered the Foie Gras (just okay) and Butternut Squash Soup (very good). For our entrées, I ordered the $67 12 oz ribeye (very disappointed- not only was the steak cold but they sliced the ribeye and it wasn't seasoned... that's upsetting for me, it may have looked pretty but not worth it- lost heat, flavor, and juices. Also my mashed potatoes tasted like instant mashed potatoes that were also unseasoned and also lukewarm). My husband ordered the menus swordfish entree $39 (the fish again was not served hot it's was barely lukewarm and the best thing on the plate was the apple slaw and whole grain mustard aioli- so a small garish and a sauce... The best thing we ate was dessert! The chocolate po de creme with their homemade ice cream was amazing I will definitely give them that! However, the first and second courses did not meet my expectations, especially for their price points.

Zuska S.

Yelp
Ambiance and service were impeccable. The pianist set a a gracious and open tone, accepting requests which we took advantage of. He played our favorite song, and it brought magic to our evening. However, one goes to PSI for extraordinary cuisine prepared to perfection. Unfortunately, the tough pork chop was served just short of raw and required an electric saw to cut. When replaced with a filet, we were hopeful. It too was served blood raw. We ordered both medium. The server was apologetic and is not at fault. We tipped him well. The manager could use better people skills, although he did remove the charges for the raw meat, and rightly so. We were taken aback that he did not personally come to the table and apologize. When we told him so, he reminded us that he did indeed remove the charges. We've dined in fine restaurants all over the world and the pretentious manager should take a lesson in treating customers with dignity and appreciation. Apparently this landmark restaurant is getting a new executive chef, and things are "in transition" according to this manager. We cancelled our next reservation at PSI. Perhaps next year things will be better, after the transition.

Lisa F.

Yelp
Fantastic food and good service. Had the Lobster roll app and kale/ Brussels spout salad plus entrees Halibut and Short ribs. All delicious. Wine is available for purchase by the bottle and you can byob- but a full bar would have been preferred. Will go back.

Bryan G.

Yelp
This past week while vacationing in Cape May was our 1st eating at PSI and this restaurant is now our go to restaurant going forward. Facility was gorgeous, had Chris as our waiter who was top shelf/excellent, food was a 10. If you never tried this place, you need to add to your bucket list next time in Cape May!!!
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Greer C.

Yelp
I left a lengthy review after the horrible experience we had there but apparently it was deleted Don't waste your money here. It's totally not worth the price. The food was just so-so Host was extremely rude and we won't be back
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Araba N.

Yelp
If you've ever wondered what all of the beautiful Victorian houses in Cape May look like on the inside, Peter Shields Inn is an opportunity to dine in one. The menu is pretty expansive with a selection of appetizers, small plates, and dinner menus. I got the foie gras and the crab and bacon orecchiette small plate. The foie gras was ok but the orecchiette small plate I would give a very solid five stars. I tasted a couple of the other menu items my friends got and they were ok. One fun thing about this restaurant is that the pianist takes requests via text (and accepts tips via phone!). Overall a good dining experience with a lot of variety on the menu