Union Park Dining Room

absolutely delicious, very classy place right across from the beach, great service and amazing food. It was pretty busy when I went

We had a disappointing meal here. We came by for the early bird prix fixe and had the crab cake, burrata, salmon, lobster, tiramisu, and chocolate mousse. The tiramisu was great. Salmon and crab cake were both fine but nothing special. The burrata did not have a soft and creamy interior and was more like a ball of mozzarella - the flavor was fine, but the cheese itself was super cold and didn't really integrate with the other parts of the dish. The lobster tail meat was incredibly chewy and rubbery; this was the largest disappointment of the night, and in hindsight, we should have sent that dish back. The prix fixe portion size was larger than I expected and we left pretty content fullness-wise. Service and the atmosphere were both fine. For the prices, the food was super underwhelming (we both thought a 3 star review was generous). Maybe we caught Union Park on an off day, but based on our experience, I'd recommend checking out some of the other Cape May restaurants.

3.5 stars. We came in for an early dinner to try the Prix Fixe dinner. It's located on the main entrance of the Macomber Hotel in Cape May. The restaurant and what little I saw of the hotel are beautiful with plenty of elegant furniture and decor. It definitely sets a nice atmosphere for the meal. For my prix fixe dinner, I had: crab cake, salmon, and fruit tart for dessert. My friend had: scallops, short rib, and chocolate mousse. I'm a little torn. The food wasn't bad but it didn't really wow me either. I'd definitely say the food errs more on the side of style over substance. The plating of the dishes are phenomenal and are extremely photogenic; but the flavors are not strong enough. The ingredients are definitely high quality ones, I'll give them that. The crab cake had no filler and had a nice lemon taste to it. We really enjoyed the scallops appetizer which was a Ceviche style. Definitely one of our favorite dishes there. Both of our main entrees were kind of a flop in my opinion. The portion was a little small, there wasn't enough sauce or seasoning to make it interesting, but both were cooked perfectly. The salmon skin was seared and the meat was that perfect almost raw style cook. The short rib was very tender and had no bone in it at all. The mashed potatoes and the green beans were delicious and went well with the short rib. The desserts were good. I think the fruit tart might've been my favorite part of the meal. The chocolate mousse was good and sits on top of a soft chocolate chip cookie. My friend ordered some coffee to go with the dessert. He says it was very fresh and delicious. One part of the meal I do need to rip them apart for though: the bread basket. It was $7 for four pieces of bread and butter. That's something I could've easily made myself at home for half of the price. I didn't taste or notice anything special about the bread or butter that made it any different than your typical ones either. The bread basket is a complete ripoff and I really think should just be complimentary. That brings me to my next point. Maybe I'm too much of a cheapskate but I can't say I got my money's worth here. This was not a cheap meal and depending on what you get with the prix fixe, there's a chance you could still leave hungry due to the portions. I think the portion sizes need to be increased. It's still a nice place to go for a special occasion or if you want to get away from rowdy crowds. I can't wholeheartedly recommend it though. One last suggestion I want to make is to maybe add some music. I acknowledge we came pretty early during the off season. But the restaurant was pretty quiet and some music could really bring it to life. That's likely not going to be an issue during the summer season, but it couldn't hurt either. I also wanted to note that the restaurant uses the Open Table app to make reservations. It was very easy to make a reservation for this place using it. I'll end on a good note. Service was outstanding. Shirley and Laurie were very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu offerings. They did great. The food came out in a very timely fashion, both steps of our meals came almost immediately after we finished the last part.

and a succulent lobster tail, was a culinary masterpiece. The evening culminated with a decadent Creme Brûlée, presented with a celebratory birthday candle. The dessert was a delightful conclusion to a truly memorable dining experience. Throughout our visit, we were graciously served by a kind and attentive waitress, further enhancing the overall enjoyment.

Beautiful dining room, great service, byob lobster was incredible We really enjoyed our night

The ambiance of this place fits the Victorian theme of Cape May. You felt like you are steppung back in time when you walk in here. We decided to go to Union Park for restaurant week and overall we were really impressed with every aspect of our meal! The burrata and the tuna tartare were amazing as were the lobster tails. The dining room was enormous - much larger than I had perceived it to be however despite the multitude of guests the restaurant felt cozy rather than loud and noisy. I had heard so many great things about Union Park and now I know why. My only regret is that we did not make it there sooner.

We went to 3 top restaurants in Cape May on our last visit, Union Park was top of the heap. It was restaurant week, so it was a 3 course meal. To start our server, Shirley, is a true

Restaurant week 2023. Great atmosphere and service. Prices are high for smaller portions but food is incredible. Overall a great experience

Excellent dinner. We both had the fillet mignon which was perfectly cooked. Shirley our waitress was wonderful. We normally come in July, so November was very different, but excellent as always.

We were there at end of the season and on a Sunday night. It was so quiet and not many people. Food was very good and service was very good. All went very fast. Not as expected but it was very nice and quiet.

This review is based off their prix fix menu. I'm just disappointed that their only vegetarian option was literally just vegetables, not filling at all and not even a pasta included and it cost THE SAME as filet mignon and salmon. They really put no effort into the only vegetarian option it had no sustenance... just sautéed vegetables. Not worth $79. The staff was great and the place had good ambiance. I thought it was a little weird that they were charging for bread baskets at such a nice place but I guess it's the economy.

We have dined here many times and it's always a MUST visit for our Cape May trips. The dining room is really beautiful and it has carpet so it's nice and quiet. (One of our other favorite restaurants has hardwood floors and the volume level is ridiculous.) The food is always great and the service has been outstanding. We're really looking forward to having dinner there in 2 weeks. Made my reservation today!

We're Cape May regulars and this year we decided to dine a little more upscale than normal. Union Park was high on our list of "musts" this summer and we made reservations long before we got there. It's casually elegant. There's something in particular I like about dressing up after a day at the beach. The staff, all around, was excellent. Engaging and friendly. Our waiter has been with Union Park for 9 years and knew the restaurant, the menu, and Cape May really well. It's BYOB and he poured our wine, kept it chilled, and kept us refilled. We started with the Tuna Tartare and Crab Cake, then then the Petite Tender and the Lamb. We closed with the Crème Brûlée and Chocolate Tart. All amazing! The night was fabulous and we have a new Cape May favorite.

Absolutely excellent food. Price fixe menu left us full and content, i.e., not bloated. Filet mignon was a perfect medium (per my request) married with blue cheese and sweet bourbon caramelized onions; perfect. Scallops were good, but not seared enough. Crab cake was very good with the lemon crema. My beet salad was ok, a but unwieldy on the fork with such finely diced beets, but great taste. Creme brulee very good. Caramelized cheesecake with blueberry bourbon sauce, was extremely complex in flavors and a delight. Old world charm to the restaurant. Service was quick and attentive and I fully appreciated the attention to my toddler (who was being a PIA) the waitresses gave with extra silverware for her to drop on the ground. They also have high chairs available. I would highly recommend this establishment and can't wait to revisit.

So happy we selected Union Park after seeing their ad on the Cape May Ferry. Everything was wonderful. We were seated in a quiet corner of the restaurant, our server was terrific, and the 3-course dining option was a treat. We loved trying different appetizers such as the tuna tartare and beet salad. The twin 4 oz. lobster tails with saffron risotto was a delicious second course as was the filet. Plus, we absolutely love being able to bring our own wine. Enjoy!

I was a bit disappointed at first as a three course menu was the only option, as we have been trying to eat a bit lighter lately. However, I quickly got over it! All three courses were delicious! I had the shrimp cocktail with 4 beautiful nice sized shrimp and an interesting Thai dipping sauce. For an entree, I had the flat iron steak over arugula,topped with a Dijon side and manchego truffle fries. It was cooked perfectly, and I enjoyed every bite. The fries were an amazing bonus. For dessert, I had the Basque Cheescake with a blueberry bourbon sauce. It was creamy and delicious. Why 4 stars and not 5? Kind of ridiculously priced up charges for certain items, including bread for the table. Also, the server dropped the check with our dessert. I understand a sea side restaurant needs to turn over tables, but it just felt wrong after spending so much money!

A true all around five star restaurant in Cape May!! Easy to make reservations (through OpenTable), service with a smile, delicious food and reasonably priced (being BYOB helps)! Our waitress was such a sweetheart that I wish I could remember her name to give a shout-out. They offer a $65 three course pre fixe dinner (which is a steal if you're used to North Jersey/NYC prices), with up-charges for certain dishes. My favorite appetizer was the tuna tartare. The pre fixe size was only one bite, but when we ordered a second helping a la cart (because it was that good), it came with two bites (#winning). The Petite Tender entrée with truffle fries and North American poached lobster tails were also A+. The flavors on each dish complimented each other perfectly. I enjoyed the food and the restaurant so much that I could have eaten here 4 out of the 4 nights I was visiting Cape May! Can't wait to come back!

Just when I was growing accustomed to post-pandemic short menus and apologies for lousy service, Cape May's Victorian stalwart laid down the gauntlet for a superior experience. Choosing from an extensive $65 Prix Fixe menu (with substantial up-charges depending on the item.) the four of us were able to choose from an exceptional range of appetizers, main courses and desserts along with our own BYOB selections. In the current environment of postage stamp downsizing, the portion sizes were impressive. My Burrata and Salmon were more than ample and delicious to boot. And everyone at the table was interested in bogarting my sorbet. A quick note to my dinner companion savages... order your own. Service as anticipated was stellar with absolutely no hint of frustration as our conversation lingered. A five star evening that began and ended with an exceptional menu. Union Park Dining Room is a standout in Cape May.

Union Park never disappoints. The service is always very attentive. The food is always spot on. We had dinner here again this past Saturday night just my mother and I we both had a filet mignon. Which was cooked to perfection. Caesar salad was excellent, and Shirley our waitress was wonderful. See you back in a few months.

We returned to Union Park again this summer. Between their porch and the area they have before going up their stairs, there are a decent amount of tables for outdoor dining. Due to COVID, it is a set menu and you pick 3 (app, entree, and dessert) for $60. There are 5-6 appetizers and entrees to choose from, then 3 desserts. There are also few additional items you can add on for additional cost. It is BYOB, so that is a huge plus. The complimentary bread they give you is delicious. Our waitress Sabrina was very professional and attentive. Some of the appetizers we ordered were the crab cake, burrata, ahi tuna, and scallops ceviche. Since I've dined in the past, I did notice the portions were slightly smaller for appetizers, specifically for the ahi tuna. It was just one wonton crisp with ahi Tuna, while usually they give you 3. Also- get the burrata!!! So delicious and melts in your mouth. For entrees, we ordered the lobster with risotto, short ribs, filet and lobster (which was an up charge), and the chicken. The portions for dinner seemed normal size and everything was amazing! For dessert, you have the options of creme brûlée, fruit tart, brownie, and ice cream. We had all four and I have to recommend the creme brûlée!! Dining here is truly a culinary treat and I highly recommend!!

My wife and I went there for a date night. It was Memorial Day weekend and we're able secure a reservation through open table. The atmosphere, food and service was perfect.

Not your typical dinner but definitely a unique one! Love the fact that it was in an old hotel and the overall environment! FOOD: Was unaware of the fact that it was a prefixed price three course menu but made due with what was available. First course: Caesar salad, was not much going on with the dish. Entrée: Filet mignon--which was a $10 up charge, disappointing--the dish was looked appealing and was cooked perfectly, medium rare, with the right amount of pink. The only downside was the lack of seasoning. Third course(dessert): Cheesecake. Here is where I was upset due to the fact that it was horrible. While having a nice appearance it lacked flavor, was dry, and had poor crust. CUSTOMER SERVICE: Nice waitress, staff, and surprisingly fast food arrival. If you are willing to pay the price for this restaurant it is worth trying.

I really enjoyed my food. I will say they are pricey and the portions are small. I was still hungry but the prix fixe was good. I enjoyed the atmosphere. It is fancy.

Best place for dinner at the jersey shore in cape may/wildwood area! Great service, amazing food (lamb and ceviche were amazing)

We have wanted to try this restaurant for years but it was never open in the winter when we would go to Cape May. This year we were in Cape May last week and our group of 8 decided to give it a try. The decor was elegant and the service was suburb but the food was average at best, temperatures all over the place, portions jokingly small and the prices outrageous. They were serving a 3-course dinner only (starter, entree, dessert) for $65 a person. You could add a starter for an upcharge ranging from $15-$30. You could not substitute. Entrees allowed substitutions for an upcharge ranging from $5-$45. I had the Bay Scallops starter which had maybe 2 bay scallops sliced thinly sitting in the ailoi with little slivers of the vegetables arranged on top, very pretty, somewhat tasty but it was gone in 2-3 bites. Ok, it's a starter so not too big but then came the entree, The Petit Tender, it was described by the server as similar to a Hanger steak. Not so. Again a tiny portion of meat, thinly sliced into maybe four slices, sitting in some kind a puree with some arugula on top. This one was gone in 3 bites. It looked just like the starter I had, but this one had very little taste and the meat, cut very thin, was still very chewy. Around the table similar reactions to their food choices. The biggest serving was the caesar salad starter. After many bottles of wine and laughter about what pizzeria we will be ordering from for second dinner our server took coffee orders. We has already selected our desserts when we ordered. Coffees arrived and were consumed and then we sat there for a good 15 minutes before desserts arrived. This was the only issue involving service and probably not the servers fault. To our surprise the desserts were a decent size. The slice of cheesecake I had was actually bigger than both my starter and entree. I could understand these portion sizes if this was a 5, 6, 7 course tasting menu but this was an appy and an entree and we all left hungry and disappointed. We all agreed this was a costly mistake. Thank God it is a BYOB. P.S. - We ordered pizza from Mario's, it was great lol

WOW! WOW! WOW! The food and service was outstanding last night. I had the tuna tartare appetizer, lobster with saffron risotto, and the creme brûlée. My husband has the Thai shrimp, the duck trio, and the chocolate tart. Everything was absolutely amazing! Also, server Lori was incredible! Lori was so warm and kind. We thoroughly enjoyed her genuine customer service and the level of care she gave us. If you have not booked a reservation, do so now and ask for Lori! It's BYOB or they have some wines on the menu to chose from. Bring your favorite bottle and don't forget to tip well!

A really nice spot right off the beach, Union Park was a great place to grab dinner! It was a super windy night which I will not hold against them but it definitely made it a little difficult to eat (lol). We had 7:30 reservations but opt to wait a few more minutes to sit on the upper porch. Once sat we placed our three course prefix means; I went with the burrata app, salmon entree and fruit tart dessert while my boyfriend ordered the crab cake, short rib and creme brûlée. Everything was really yummy! We also purchased a bottle of Cape May wine as it's BYOB but they do sell that winery there which was a delicious Albariño - tad sweeter than my usual preference but very good none the less!! I recommend making reservation here if you can as the wait seemed to be pretty long when we left. All in all a really delicious dinner!

Came here to celebrate my birthday. We started with the tuna and crab cake. Both AMAZING. The lobster with risotto was delicious. My fiancé got the short rib. It was good but not as good as the rest of the meals. The haricot verts could have used a little more flavor. The chocolate tart was good and the lemon sorbet was so fresh. Inside the restaurant was Victorian themed which was cool. Server was great. BYOB but there's a liquor store down the road, it was about a 10 minute walk or they say you can purchase Cape Mays local wine. If I ever come back to cape may I will be back!

The food is so delicious. The retreat in the institute is here for dinner every year. I love it!

Five stars for the ambiance! Loved the vibes here and service, good for large parties. $65 prefix menu had good variety. I ordered the crab cakes for the appetizer, scallops as the entree, and creme brûlée as the dessert. The crab cake was very moist and tasty, the creme brûlée was perfect, the scallops were just OK - they are smaller in size than what you'd expect from entree scallops normally.

We were celebrating a milestone and wanted to order something special for dinner, so we had identified this spot as an option. While they do offer gluten-free options and have a special menu for it, they don't post that menu online. Also, the only way to order takeout is through OpenTable. We tried calling to ask about gluten-free options, but nobody was answering the phone. I left a message on the OpenTable ordering page that we wanted our meal gluten-free and to call if anything we had ordered wasn't, but they didn't seem to take that into account, as I learned when I arrived to pick up my order. The server who helped me with my pickup order was good about showing me the gluten-free menu and letting me know what wasn't gluten-free, but it was a bit too late at that point, as we were hungry and wanted to take our food and go. Fortunately, we didn't need to change anything, but it would've been nice to have had the allergy acknowledged before I asked when picking up. Our meals tasted fine, cooked pretty well, and with the prix fixed menu, it included dessert, which was nice. The creme brulee was a little thicker than I'm used to, but pretty good flavor.

This restaurant is awesome. It's a little pricey but otherwise amazing. All the servers are wearing face shields and gloves. Food is delecious and on top of that, we had a beautiful view of the sunset and rainbow. Next vacation-definitely coming back

Very pretty place! But menu is limited for a vegan! And 100$ for dinner for 1 person without alcohol is a lot! Including tax and tip!

If you're looking for a more upscale evening, I'd highly suggest giving Union Park a shot. This place has great staff and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. The diversified menu offers something for everyone to enjoy.

Hmmm, so we picked this restaurant by process of elimination. Meaning, waits were too long every where else! BUT, we were ecstatic how good the food and especially, the service by our server, Liz. First course, crab cakes were spectacular! Second Course; I had the Shortribs, although tasty, it definitely needed the signature demi it's usually braised in. Creme Brulee finished out tasting and ot was very good. Thanks for a great dinner. Definitely coming back Chef Vince

Union Park is phenomenal. Please note this is a pre fixe menu, which some people don't like, but all their options on this menu are amazing. Portions are a little small, but really it is probably the correct amount of food. I recommend sitting outside on the patio overlooking the ocean if the weather permits. This is one of my favorite spots in Cape May, and I highly recommend.

Not impressed. I've eaten at a lot of 'high priced' restaurants, but this one wasn't all that great. The food was okay, but not something I would jump over the moon about. When you are paying $36 for a steak, you expect to actually get more than three or four bites out of it. And $12 for a dessert is a bit over the top, especially when it's no bigger than a small saucer. The place is a bit 'snooty,' and if you aren't all dressed to the nines, you feel as if you aren't supposed to be there. We stayed in the hotel upstairs and figured we would give this place a try, but wish we would have gone elsewhere.

Make a reservation now. Their prix fixe 3 course menu has options for classic and modern dishes. Wish we could eat here more often!! They serve local bottles of wine but they do not have beer. Every course is delicious!! Had the burrata, petit tender and chocolate tart... Outstanding!!

Three courses per person for $60 AND it's BYOB? Amazing. Service was great, every bite was absolutely delicious. Portions were perfect - we finished feeling full but not stuffed. This was easily the best meal we had during our three day visit to Cape May.

This was our first time at Union Park and we cannot wait to go back! During the pandemic outdoor dining they have a Prix Fixe menu of $60 pp. For our first course we ordered the crab cake and the scallops- delicious! For our second course, we ordered the salmon and the short rib, also delicious! The short rib melted in your mouth. This place is BYOB and make sure to call for a reservation.The staff was excellent and friendly.

What a perfect night! My mom and I celebrated post quarantine birthdays with the prefixed menu. Porch dining was perfect along with the very tentative staff ( Gloria, bussing/host) . We had the beet salad and crab cake to start; short rib & poached lobster was delish. Then had a tasty desert. I highly recommend and don't forget to tip your wait staff who are going above and beyond to make this uncertain time a piece of normalcy

The place is nice BUT - They make you choose the 3 dishes menu, the food is 6/10. The bread was 9/10. But it's , you can't get wrong. The service was horrible, after sitting there for 1 hour the waitress came to "check" with us more then 7 times to see when we will leave and she can go home. And for the best part - we found hair in our cream brûlée and they refused to cut it out/to send the manager out. All they said "we don't have blond hair in the kitchen" and we can give you dessert to go. Was ridiculous. Do not recommend!

Awesome food however the service was just okay and - they are not being as socially distant as other restaurants. People were packed-in as if it was pre-pandemic times. Prix-fixed pricing were also a bit high but the food was worth it and on-point! We ordered the Duck-three-ways, (which there was an up-charge for). I ordered the lobster risotto. Crab cake appetizer and desert were also very good. Also - cappuccino was nice and strong

Fine dining in the middle of Cape May. Union Park provides great execution on classic dishes and some new ones, right on the beachfront on CapeMay. Restaurant is decorated in a classical way - white tablecloth and chandeliers, but allows for casual dining (jeans and polo fits right in). Food is prepared very well. While dishes are on pricy side, the portion size and execution leaves one satisfied. They have a nice wine list, but also allow BYO. So we had few good bottles from visit to Willow Creek Winery earlier in the day, that they put on ice and opened for us (no cork fee - great). Meal was excellent throughout - from appetizers to mains to desert. Classic apps enjoyed by our party - scallops, tuna tartare, foiegras- all got high marks. Mains - filet + lobster tail, scallops, Short Rib and Duck Duet - were all excellent. I had Short Rib and it melted in the mouth. Deserts were quite good too. Price tag is high and check can be big for a larger party. But at the same time - you walk out satisfied.

Went there on a Monday night with an 8pm reservation. The hostess told me they were backed up and didn't know how long it would be. I would have appreciated at least a rough estimate at least. Anyway we found some nice rocking chairs on the front porch. We had wine with us because it is byob, so I went back in and asked for glasses. It made the 20 minute wait fly by as it was a beautiful night. A table became available on the side porch which was really nice. Our server was great. The menu is a 3 course price fixed deal with several upgrade options. We did the scallop and crab cake appetizers - both were delicious. For entrees we ordered the petit filet over frites and the upgraded filet... again outstanding. Dessert was also very good. The sheer presentation and execution of each plate was highly impressive. We would definitely go back for a date night!

This place is awesome. A great romantic ambience, exceptional service and fantastic food. My wife and I celebrated our anniversary here. I chose this place because the menu offered a variety of choices. In the fall/winter of 2021, they offer a 3 course pre fix menu. We both had a crab cake for course 1. The crab cake was absolutely delicious. My wife enjoyed short ribs and I had twin lobster tails. Again, our food was wonderful. Our waitress, Kate, was awesome. She was very attentive and made our experience even better. To finish things off, my wife had two scoops of vanilla ice cream. I had a slice of cheesecake with a blueberry bourbon compote. TREMENDOUS! There really are not adjectives to describe the quality of the food and our overall experience! I am pretty sure our Uber driver is going to take his wife there next week!

This was one restaurant that my wife and I had not visited after dining at most of the other places in Cape May. Our server and the staff were professional and they were courteous . My wife had the salmon and I had the duck breast. I have never ordered duck breast before so I don't have anything comparable to judge, but it was okay. My wife stated that the salmon did not seem to have any seasoning. I did have tuna tartare as a first course but it also was rather tasteless. Overall we found the food underwhelming based on our choices. My wife greatly prefers the way I grill salmon and vowed not to order it out again. , (btw brown sugar and Cajun spice).

Tight quarters, but restaurants have to do what they have to do in the middle of a pandemic. Great filet and Caesar salad. The dessert, a brownie, was so-so. Had bottles of wine from the local Cap May Winery for sale, which was nice. We sampled one, a rose, and it was excellent. Next time, I'd bring my own. The servers were busy but friendly and checked in somewhat frequently. To me, I felt that the taste of the food and the overall experience could have been a little better for the price (+$200). Would try again but only after the patrons are able to eat inside.

This was our second time at this restaurant and we thought it was very good. It was a price fix 3 course meal fo $65.00. We added the lobster Mac and cheese which was our favorite dish. The crab bisque was excellent, along with the crab cake. My wife had a lobster risotto dish which she like a lot and I had a filet mignon with mashed and French beans which I thought was average overall as I was no a big fan of the onions and gravy on it which was on the sweet side. Our desserts were mixed as I liked my cheesecake with blueberry compote and my wife had the creme brûlée which looked curdled, however most likely over cooked and was average at best. Overall very good food.

My wife and I had a fantastic date night here last week. We came for the early bird special, and were very impressed with the offerings -- and the food overall (wait staff was also good). Since the weather was comfortable, we sat on the porch, which was very nice. The best dish was the lobster tail over risotto; the sauce was outstanding and it was a great dish. The beef short rib was also good, but not quite as perfect as the lobster tail. The appetizer crab cake and scallop ceviche were also excellent(!!). The desserts were pretty and a nice way to end the meal... but for me, the apps and lobster tail were superb. Also, they are BYOB, so come prepared! (I think they may have Cape May wines too.)