The Cricket Club

Happening spot with delicious food and live music. This place works well for large parties with all its different seating areas and room to move about. The food was fresh, flavorful and came out quickly. The portions are very large, consider splitting. I have eaten here several times and it isn’t always consistent. The first time amazing, the second and third time was not the same experience. Monika was super attentive, maybe because it was my friend's bday or b/c we kept ordering bottles of wine! Reservations are a must, even in off season.

Incredible eating experience. Made a reservation for 5:30 PM on a Monday, and it was not crowded at all. I ordered the "1998 Called" cocktail, and it was sweetly tart. The waiter recommended the loaded potato muffins for an appetizer, and they were savory, fluffy, salty goodness. We also had the cricket lager mussels, which were a generous helping split between 6 adults. My only complaint was that they didn't serve much bread to dip in the broth, so we ordered extra rolls to soak up the rest. I had the pan seared salmon -- 10/10. It was so well balanced!! Perfectly cooked creamy risotto, buttery sauce, and a bright arugula salad on top. My partner had the sea scallops and raved about the dish. Couldn't recommend this place more!!

The interior is like no other...stained glass, candles. Eclectic lights and a chef who knows how to put a menu together. Wagyu and barrata 8 oz filet with bonemarrow sauce ... blew me away... I was convinced I wouldn't eat.it.. .it was delicious...THANK YOU.. THE STAFF WAS EXCEPTIONAL. As we were leaving, the manager asked us if we liked our dinner she named each menu item we had... very impressive. The restaurant was busy... we will be back.

Absolutely wonderful experience here on Saturday night. We were a group of 5 and we loved everything! Monica was our server and she is terrific. Friendly, knowledgeable, and very efficient! Best scallops I've ever had! The photos will speak for themselves. And save room for dessert! Cheesecake, chocolate cake, creme brulee, and cobbler. 🤌 it was all excellent.

We tried the Cricket Club during Cape May Restaurant. The $55 per person price fixed menu offered a wide selection of dinner options to choose from. For one of our appetizer we tried the Spicy Tuna Roll which was Breaded, flash fried and served with pickled ginger, soy, wasabi and wakame salad. It was very tasty and fresh. Our second appetizer was the Loaded Potato Muffins consisting of Shredded potatoes, scallions, bacon, and white cheddar served with tomato jam, truffle parmesan seasoning and honey herb butter. Both were delicious. For entrees we chose the Wagyu & Burrata American wagyu ground beef, red wine tomato ragu, burrata ravioli, parmesan and basil. Think of it like a pasta bolognese. The other being a Pork Chop Espresso rubbed pork chop served with mashed sweet potatoes, green beans, bacon fig jam, and bourbon maple demi glace. Desert was Creme Brulee and Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake. Both very good. The staff was attentive and friendly. We would definitely return.

Had a wonderful dining experience. Our reservation was promptly honored and we were seated by the host. Our server, Leanne, was excellent. She guided us through our menu choices. We enjoyed rge fried sushi roll for an appetizer and had chicken milanese and shrimp skewers for entrees. Both were delicious. The vibe is very nice-- great decor and live music. Highly recommend.

This was our first visit to the Cricket Club and we immediately noticed the decor and the warm inviting ambiance. Of particular interest to us was the substantial number of vegan options available. First we ordered the Inside a Dream and the French 0.0 N/A signature cocktails and both were delicious. We had the butternut squash bisque and the potato muffins as appetizers. Entrees ordered were the pork chop and the pesto orecchiette. All were excellent. Our server Monica was pleasant and attentive. 5 stars all around!

Overall a good experience! We chose this place because they had a sushi appetizer on the menu (in a town that has no real sushi options at all). Had to fulfill that craving. We also heard about this place on the tourist trolley tour, so decided to give it a shot. We started with the spicy tuna appetizer. It was not that spicy and the rice was a little under cooked + needed rice vinegar….. The spicy tuna was definitely edible with enough lemon 🍋. Our waitress brought out the equivalent of two full lemons, which was deeply appreciated. Then we moved onto the burger and short rib fries. These two dishes completely redeemed the starter, and knocked it out of the park. They put a LOT of short rib on the dish which was extremely tasty and tender. The burger was a 10/10 and cooked to perfection. I’ll definitely return the next time I’m in town.

This was our first return to this establishment since the Merion Inn closed and became The Cricket Club. We didn't know what to expect, as our experiences at the Merion Inn were delightful. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly met by The Cricket Club staff and were promptly seated. The decor was essentially unchanged from its previous nature and remained striking and sophisticated. Our server was courteous, and although the wait times were a little lengthy between courses, this was almost certainly because the restaurant was full to capacity. There was live music as well, though we sat on the other side of the wall, so it was faint. The food was absolutely wonderful! The Apple Onion Soup was an amazing twist on the French Onion soup classic. The Artisan Cheese Plate appetizer was a treat as well; the cheese selection excellent and the honeycomb was a delightful accent for the cheeses, apple slices, and toasted almonds. My daughter had the Stuffed Pepper, which was deliciously and slightly blackened, and served with simply devine  potatoes. I had the Pan-Seared Salmon, which was perfection itself; seared evenly, tender inside, on a bed of lovely fluffy lemon risotto. I had a cappuccino for dessert. Dinner for two was $145 (tip included); without alcoholic drinks. All things considered, The Cricket Club is an absolute must if you're in Cape May and desire fine dining, a menu with diverse selections, a classic atmosphere, and an efficient and welcoming staff!

My partner surprised me with a Valentine's Day weekend in Cape May; a nice Bed and Breakfast, and dinner at the Cricket Club. It was our first visit to the restaurant. We skipped the appetizers and went directly to the entrees - we shared the Cavatelli Pasta and the Braised Short Rib. The pasta was excellent! The minced lamb ragout was rich and flavorful - the pasta cooked perfectly. The portion size was very large, and easy to share. The star of the evening however was the short rib. It was a large filet of beef, that was so tender,it almost melted in your mouth. The savory beef was a great accompaniment to the pasta dish. We finished the meal with the Chocolate Mousse, which was very good, layered with a fresh whipped cream and luscious raspberries! It was a memorable Valentine's Day dinner!

My family had been going to the Marion Inn (the restaurant in this location pre-Cricket Club) for longer than I have been alive! We were so sad to see it close. but the changes they made really took a classic restaurant and elevated it to a swanky restaurant/bar! Many of the original servers have stayed on. Special shout out to Richard who is Front of House and always takes care of us! Seeing him year after year is such a treat. Our first experience at Cricket Club was just OK. We felt that the menu was a little to out there and adventurous for this area and definitely pricey. We decided to give it another chance and I'm so happy we did! The menu still has some interesting things, but they definitely added some more traditional options. Everyone in our group loved their meal! For apps, we split the short rib fries and loaded potato muffins. Both were insanely delicious and flavor! The short rib fries almost tasted like french onion soup on fries... yum!! For my entree, I had the salmon which came on risotto. I though the salmon was cooked perfectly and all the flavors were fresh, bright, and delicious! Definitely recommend! I look forward to coming back in the Spring and Summer! This is a great spot for a more upscale, special occasion meal in Cape May! Or if you can grab a seat at the bar, cocktails and apps are a must do!

Amazing food and a lot wasn't fried so you don't feel heavy afterwards. Mussels was something different from your usual garlic and white wine sauce. The shishito peppers and slab bacon really gave it great flavor. Highly recommend the broccolini. That char flavor really made a them delicious. BEST CRAB CAKES EVER. I kid you not, you get 2 huge cakes fulls of lump crab with barely any filler. I couldn't tell if there any binder at all. I would go back for the crab cakes alone. If you have kids get the cheese plate. Plenty of fruit and crackers for the kids to eat. Kids will also like the sorbet. Great atmosphere and friendly service. Close to Washington street to walk around afterwards to digest.

Absolutely amazing! Ambiance was fantastic, drinks were incredible and the food was amazing! Wonderful spot for a date night or small intimate group. Our server was lovely and had good information about Cape May as well! Definitely a must do spot in this beautiful city!

Such a great final dinner in Cape May to end our vacation. Lovely interior, delicious food (short rib is incredible!) and great service.

The bar is where you need to sit!! It's dimly lit and a musician is playing in the corner. The porch and side dining rooms are well lit. We visit once a year. Our favorite bartender has a curly mustache and is a great mixologist. I question him about the menu because it's wack. The only item the regular patrons recommend was the loaded potato muffins. (We did not order) We decided to try the fried tuna roll with a side of seaweed salad. The tuna fell out has we tried to dip it in the soy sauce. The flavors did not come together. It was the smallest side of seaweed salad I've ever had topped with a wasabi with no heat. The Fried red tomatoes with blue crabmeat gravy lacked seasoning and was mushy. The crab cake entree was meh. No seasoning on the green beans or fingerling potatoes.

Absolutely must go while in Cape May. Special kudos to the bartenders and their drinks: Dejan, Candace and Matt and the new guy too! (Sorry I can't remember his name, but he's great as well). The best drinks in Cape May. The food is good too!

Love this place! Second year dining here. Cocktails are well made, food is delicious and played elegantly. Lovely bar and dining room, more upscale dining. Dinner was crab cakes- lots of lump crab not much filler Chicken Milanese was so crispy in the outside and juicy inside. The lemon dressing perfectly balanced the dish. But it did come with cheese melted on top. We had to send the dish back, our server handled the request politely. Dessert was on the special menu - upside down apple almond cake with pistachio ice cream. That was good but my least favorite of the meal. The cake was a little dry. Overall another great meal and experience.

Happening spot with delicious food and live music. This place works well for large parties with all its different seating areas and room to move about. The food was fresh, flavorful and came out quickly. The portions are very large, consider splitting. Monika was super attentive, maybe because it was my friend's bday or b/c we kept ordering bottles of wine! Reservations are a must!

Liked - warm welcome by hosts Wonderfully decorated Warm interior Food - chicken and waffles off the chain Dislikes - although our waitress was pleasant to speak with we were ignored after the first "how is everything@. Since we didn't order wine or dessert I guess we weren't worth it,

Enjoyed a 3 course selection with my wife for Cape May restaurant week! Very tasty and enjoyable selections, service and atmosphere! Never disappoint at the Cricket Club!

Waited 5 years to eat here! What an amazing food experience we had! Service very pleasant and friendly. The recommendations given by the waiter were excellent. The food was very very good! The atmosphere was great, little loud but didn't bother us. I absolutely enjoyed it. Can't wait to come back.

Food and service was great ! We've eaten there before and always make a point to dine here on our Cape May vacay

Great experience at The Cricket Club! It was a beautiful Saturday evening post-summer and we were sans reservation. The host sat us at a 4 top in the bar area next to the performers. He smiled and said "It's jazz so it's not loud". He was 100% correct! I have a feeling others passed on that table, believing it would be difficult to hear their fellow diners. We lucked out! We ordered a variety of appetizers and small plates for sharing. The French Onion Soup was the best all of us ever had. Delicious! The Cauliflower Steak was cooked perfectly and a bit spicy to boot. If you don't like heat, then this may not be the best dish for you. The Potato Muffins were unique and tasty. The was an MLB playoff game on that night and we were watching the game (silently) on one of our phones. The host came by with an iPad with the game on and placed it at our table. It was such an thoughtful gesture and it made our night! He was super hospitable and funny, too. So welcoming! This beautiful restaurant was a hit on all fronts. Check it out!

Wonderful atmosphere and lighting with live jazz. Superb service staff and excellent menu options. The fried tomatoes with crab were delicious. The seared salmon on risotto was incomparable. Unfortunately no room for dessert. Nice bar too.

15Mar- As we were big fans of the previous occupant, The Merion Inn, while in town we decided to take a chance and try this new place. Called for an early dinner and greeted by a very friendly and humorous gentleman who set us up with a table just around the corner from the bar w/live music. Opened with wine and of course, a Bloody Mary. Excellent choices and the Bloody was mixed in house (no pre-mix), Big plus. It was a bit light with the add ons but made up for it in flavor. It was extra spicy and delicious. Highly recommended. Our entries included scallops with whipped sweet potatoes and green beans. I had the special, Halibut w/couscous in a cream sauce. We can't say enough about our meals. Both were absolutely outstanding as was the service. Big props to Kelly She helped make our dinner fun and after our long drive, it was a pleasure. We finished with their own cinnamon ice cream over apple cobbler. Again, excellent. A bit pricey but, worth every penny. Remembering you are a stone's throw from Cape Mays pristine beaches. Great service, great meal, great atmosphere. We will absolutely return. 5 Solid Stars Highly recommended

Let me start off by saying this venue is criminally underrated. We sort of stumbled upon it too, while having an unlucky time finding parking, which is not uncommon in Cape May. Sometimes it's the places you stumble upon that deliver the best experiences. Cricket Club caught our eye because of the decor, both inside and out. The place is impeccably designed from top to bottom. It gives off a very inviting, welcoming vibe. They had live music going inside as well, and the performer was on point. Our food was nothing short of excellent. I had the swordfish and it was cooked to perfection. In fact I'd say it was the best swordfish dish I've had in years. My wife had the grouper special. She didn't speak much the entire meal because she was too busy devouring and enjoying the meal. Lastly, they have a lovely wine selection both by bottle and by the glass. I had a divine red wine. The name eludes me but what drew me to it is that it was described as having "notes of tobacco", which I love in a good cabernet sauvingon. Overall, this venue is amazing. We're actually deliberating going back one more time before we leave Cape May! You cannot go wrong with this spot.

If you are looking for a casual place with good food you will enjoy The Cricket Club. In my option it is a casual dining experience and for the higher price points I expected more of a fine dining atmosphere. Also, please be aware there is a charge for a basket of bread and for stuffed olives for a Martini. Can't understand why they just don't incorporate those "extras" in their prices. It would hide the perception of "price gauging".

This was our second visit to the Cricket Club. During our first visit, we enjoyed cocktails at the bar late in the afternoon in the summer. This time we visited for dinner on a busy Saturday in December. The restaurant was festively decorated for Christmas and was packed with no space at the bar. We were promptly seated in a quiet corner near windows which was perfect considering how busy it was. To start, the curry cauliflower bisque was creamy and delicious. I also got the spicy tuna roll which was large enough for an entree. We both appreciated how the Cricket Club has an interesting menu that is different from the usual seashore fare. As we enjoyed our dinner, the live music began. We agreed that the light live jazz was a great accompaniment to the meal.

First time coming here and it was soo good!! My chicken was cooked perfect, so crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. My Mom got the Lemon Drop martini and she loved it. Service was really friendly and the ambiance was nice as well, definitely one of the "fancier" places in Cape May. Will def be back!

Delicious food lamb and chicken entrees. Live music and good service with decent cocktails

Enjoyed dinner on a Friday night. The music was wonderful. The bar area gets real crowded so reserve a table if you want more space! We enjoyed a special burrata & local tomato app - delish. For dinner, we opted for the short rib sandwich which came with the most tasty fresno sauce. The fries were crispy & very good. The corn salad side was excellent & unique! Service was great & the black manhattan drink was pretty good. Bread for the table is extra.

All I can say is...hell no! We get better food and treatment at a dive bar. Imagine spending 575.00 on food and drink. NOT eating your meals because they were subpar and the owner taunts you in email when you try to complain. Yep, all I can say is Hell No.

The octopus appetizer was exquisite! The curried cauliflower soup was over spiced and needed more than a few rice crackers wafers as an accompaniment. Swordfish tacos were tasty but the tiny swordfish cubes seemed deep fried and dried out. The vegetable gumbo was lackluster and was served with over cooked Uncle Ben's wild rice blend instead of the menu stated white rice. Didn't stay for dessert.

I've had two experiences at the Cricket Club. Late one afternoon I visited the bar along with my nephew. We each had a cocktail which was made perfectly. The bar is beautiful; the surroundings lovely, and the staff attentive. Next visit was an early dinner with my spouse. After traveling down to Cape May on Father's day we were ready for dinner by 4:00. There were bar-goers but no diners that early; service was understandably quite high though as folks came in for reservations the staff was clearly keeping up. We had the lobster bisque; rich with some texture and deep flavor. My husband had the salmon and I had the Chicken Milanese. We were both delighted with our entrees. The Chicken Milanese had the unusual addition of melted cheese (mozzarella maybe?) which I could do without, however, the chicken was so crispy outside and juicy inside I have zero complaints. In addition to classic arugula the salad include some lightly roasted tomatoes and there were really fantastic fingerlings on the side as well. We wrapped with an excellent cup of coffee and shared the flourless chocolate cake which was pretty standard yet we left none for the other Who's mouses. We will be back no question.

I was a big fan of the Merion Inn so was sad to learn that it closed but decided to try the Cricket Club with some friends. It did not disappoint. I thought the menu hit the mark with your typical Cape May priced mains but also a number of sandwich options. We shared a wedge salad which truly was enough salad for four people. The scallops, short rib and crab cake were all excellent. My friends took some pictures to document the evening.

Food, service and ambience was all on the plus side. We had 2 Appetizers, spicy tuna roll and fried tomatoes. Both were great. Scallops and Pork Chop were the main entrees. Scallops was the better of the 2 main courses. Pork Chop was a little overdone. Atmosphere was very hospitable and comfortable. Live music was good but a little too loud. The staff was all professional and welcoming. Next time in town, will definitely go back for another visit.

Loved this spot !! Kelly , the server was great , food was delish.... nice setting Live music 7 days

Good meal. Friendly service. Can manage large crowds. Definitely recommend for dinner in Cape May.

I was disappointed. I used to LOVE the Merlon Inn. All of the staff was extremely nice and polite! I just hate the management's decisions -- design, drink menu, food menu. It has lost its charm. Sad.

The drinks were really good. The fried oysters were cold in the center and the gumbo was just not great and not gumbo. It's a neat place and the entertainment was great but food at this price needs to be better to retain me.

My husband and I went here for our anniversary and we had a great meal. Very cozy environment. I ordered the filet mignon and spicy tuna roll. Both were spectacular, my husband had the fish tacos which were ok. Our waitress could've been better as she seemed to forget about us. But overall I would recommend!

Visited here on June 29, 2024. Sat at the bar. Bartender attentive and knowledgeable. They had a DJ and music was a little weird then they started Playing The Beatles which was better. Had the Lobster Cobb Salad, very disappointed, if you get a Cobb salad with chicken do they mince up the chicken into crumbles, not that I've ever seen. The lobster was actually minced into very tiny pieces like mush. ($24.00) We live locally so will be back but not for that.

Everyone dish was very good, my short ribs melted in my mouth. Our waitress was great and the atmosphere was nice.

Amazing food prepared by the Chef and Pastry Chef. The Service was perfect from the beginning to the end and the drinks were delicious.

My husband and I were served the smallest cocktails we have ever seen. The mixologist is talented, but a thimble size drink leaves you wanting more, and at $16.00 a drink it starts to become costly. This is sheer greed on the owners part. We left the restaurant feeling as though we had been cheated. If you are not interested in alcoholic beverages I can highly recommend this restaurant. We were both very pleased with our entrees. I had the pork chop and my husband had the short ribs. Both were well seasoned and cooked perfectly. The mashed sweet potatoes and green beans were also tastey. Our waitress was pleasant although it did take a long time for our entrees to be served. Perhaps the kitchen was backed up. There was no bread presented which would have helped a little with the slow service. The atmosphere is somewhat romantic with the little white lights in the windows and candles on the tables. My recommendation is to drink before you go to the restaurant or ( CARRY A HIP FLASK) If they can cheat so can you.

We went for dinner and it is a beautiful restaurant with live music and the service is good, now let's talk about food , we had an appetizer first, we ordered fried tomatoes with crab sauce and there was no flavor, than I ordered eggplant rolantine and I was very disappointed because it didn't have any flavor was completely tasteless, my husband had the pork chop and it was delicious . I will come back and give it another shot but I know not to order the eggplant rolantine again.

We were 22 minutes late. Host gave away our table and was rude. I guess putting down a deposit is a one way thing. They don't feel obligated to you at all

Excellent food and excellent service! Cant wait to come back next summer Every dish ordered by 16 of us was great!

Get the scallops. I had the salmon which was amazing, until my husband offered a bite of his scallops. And I stole the whole dish from him. The place is beautiful, service is great, drinks were on point, and the scallops were the best I've ever had.

When I went back in November it was for a guys weekend. We wanted a good meal and drinks. Cricket Club more than delivered. The special drinks were amazing. Food was well prepared, staff was nice. Tried food I did not even know I liked, and will now be judging other places against here. The setting was perfect, you could eat and listen to music or eat in the other room and actually be able to talk, unlike most places picking up the music with dinner trend It costs money to eat well, but your in Cape May, this isn't Seaside. Cannot wait to return.

It's expensive. The food is relatively good. It's not kid-friendly (no kid menu or grenadine for Shirley Temples). Perfectly intentional. It's very, VERY loud. As a designer they need to add some soft surfaces to help dampen this, under the chairs, panels on the ceiling - something ASAP - we literally could not even hear our server in a small room of 5 full tables (where they had stuck all the people with small children - mine are 10 - and a few unlucky couples), she had to actually SHOUT. I would maybe go back and sit at the bar with my husband for date night (where I can speak directly into his ear) but would not return with my family, or a full table of friends, and expect to enjoy any kind of conversation. Also, the entrance design is incredibly awkward with the placement of the hostess stand being too large and off to the left.

From the minute, we walked in and were greeted by the host to getting seated and meeting our server Monica to the incredible appetizers, dinner and cocktails, the night kept getting better. The PeI mussels were to die for. You could drink the broth straight from the bpeel, that's how good it is. The salmon with risotta was excellent. My husband got pork chop which was substantial, and cooked perfectly with a sauce that pulled it all together so well. The spectacular cocktails are worth the trip alone. Candace and Matt are the epitome of classic cocktail professionals. We had an excellent time all around and will be back. Thank you Cricket Club.

What a huge disappointment! Our waitress was almost non existent. The food took forever and served cold by the the man seating the guests, The Pepsi and ginger ale drinks were flat and tasteless, and when replaced no change..awful. The crème brûlée was a light coating across the bottom of the desert dish..really!! We paid out $165 bill for three, plus tip. As we were leaving the waitress came over.to ask how we liked the meal and how would we like to pay . And no it just wasn't that busy. We left feeling disappointed and cheated. Sadly this restaurant is not even close to any type of value for the price.

Excellent dining experience in a casual yet high end place. Beautiful bar and cozy sitting while also spacious and welcoming. Service was excellent and the food was really terrific. All kinds of options from Soup to Apps to Entrees to Desserts. Something for everyone and the staff couldn't be more accommodating. Great choice in Cape May!

My husband and I stopped into the bar here because we were told that the bartenders create amazing drinks. Matt and Dan were tending bar and we found them to be friendly and very skilled with mixology. We were lucky enough to see them trying out different concoctions for fall drinks. My husband ordered a Kentucky Hug and I had the 1998. These were delicious. We also order the drumsticks off the appetizer menu, which were quite yummy. We look forward to going back - highly recommend.

We ordered 6 appetizers instead of any entrees. To everything was delicious, the service was great, and the ambiance was lovely. We also ordered the potato muffins, mussels, wedge salad. Yum yum yum.

I'm here for my anniversary with my wife. The setting is very cozy and comfortable. The food was very good. She got the filet I got tacos, all very good and came out perfect. The service is mid. Waitress did not check on us and is a slacker and no smiles. It would be 5 stars if the waitress did her job.