This New Jersey Shorefront Restaurant Pairs Boardwalk Views With Seafood Platters Locals Swear By

There’s an undeniable magic in savoring fresh seafood while looking out at the very waters it was pulled from, and nowhere captures that feeling quite like McGlade’s On The Pier in Cape May.

Perched right on Beach Avenue, this beloved spot has become a local legend, drawing diners back year after year with its perfect blend of flavor and atmosphere. The seafood platters are piled high with ocean-fresh goodness, but what truly sets McGlade’s apart is the experience itself.

With boardwalk views, salty breezes, and plates meant for sharing, every meal becomes more than food—it becomes a memory in the making.

The Pier That’s Part of the Experience

Stepping onto McGlade’s wooden planks feels like walking into a postcard! I’ll never forget my first visit when the hostess led us to a table literally suspended over the Atlantic. The restaurant is built onto the pier at 722 Beach Avenue, creating an immersive ocean experience few places can match.

The constant rhythm of waves beneath your feet adds a sensory dimension that elevates every bite. You’re not just near the water—you’re above it, surrounded by it, breathing in salty air that seems to season the food naturally.

Many Cape May restaurants claim ocean views, but McGlade’s delivers the real deal: panoramic vistas where dolphins occasionally leap past your table while you’re mid-bite into perfectly steamed crab legs.

Seafood Platters That Live Up to the Hype

Holy mackerel! The first time I ordered their signature seafood tower, my jaw dropped faster than an anchor. These aren’t your average platters—they’re maritime monuments showcasing the Atlantic’s finest treasures, artfully arranged and generously portioned.

Local fishermen deliver their catches daily, ensuring everything from the butter-drenched lobster to the delicately fried clam strips tastes impossibly fresh. The seafood medley platter—my personal favorite—combines steamed crab legs, broiled scallops, and jumbo shrimp with just the right amount of seasoning.

What makes these platters legendary isn’t just quality or quantity, but versatility. Whether you’re a fried seafood enthusiast or prefer yours simply steamed, McGlade’s customizes each tower to your preferences.

A Legacy of Shorefront Dining

“You haven’t really visited Cape May until you’ve eaten at McGlade’s,” my grandmother told me decades ago. That wisdom still rings true today. Since opening in 1967, this family-owned treasure has withstood countless storms—both literal hurricanes and changing culinary trends—without compromising its authentic Shore identity.

Three generations of the McGlade family have maintained their commitment to simple, spectacular seafood preparations. The walls tell their story through faded photographs of record catches, celebrity visits, and weather events that became part of local folklore.

Featured in Jersey Shore InMotion’s 2025 “Local’s Guide,” McGlade’s represents what shorefront dining should be: unpretentious excellence where memories form as naturally as waves breaking on the shore.

Seasonal Specialties Worth Planning Around

Mark your calendar! McGlade’s secret weapon is their rotating menu that follows the rhythms of the sea. Summer brings soft-shell crab sandwiches that make me weak in the knees—lightly dusted, perfectly fried, and served on toasted brioche with their famous remoulade.

Fall ushers in oyster season, when they showcase varieties from Cape May’s own Delaware Bay alongside East Coast favorites. Winter means their legendary chowder festival where the kitchen prepares three different styles daily: creamy New England, tomato-based Manhattan, and the lesser-known Rhode Island clear broth version.

Spring celebrates the return of striped bass and bluefish with simple preparations that let these local favorites shine. Smart visitors plan their Shore trips around these seasonal treasures.

Sunset Views That Enhance Every Flavor

Sunsets at McGlade’s aren’t just pretty backgrounds—they’re flavor enhancers! Something magical happens when golden hour light streams across your table, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary memories.

My favorite table is #22 in the northwest corner, where the sun’s final rays create a light show on the water that rivals any entertainment. The staff knows exactly when to time the delivery of your entrées to coincide with nature’s most spectacular moment.

Colors dancing across the horizon somehow make seafood taste sweeter, cocktails more refreshing, and conversations more meaningful. Unlike many tourist traps that charge premium prices for mediocre food with a view, McGlade’s delivers excellence on both fronts—proving that feasting your eyes and satisfying your palate aren’t mutually exclusive.

Local Knowledge That Elevates Your Visit

Psst! Want to experience McGlade’s like a true local? Order off-menu! Ask for Captain Mike’s Platter—named after a legendary fisherman who delivered to the restaurant for 40 years—combining their freshest catches with special family-recipe seasonings not found on standard offerings.

Timing matters too. Tuesday evenings bring lighter crowds but the same spectacular experience. Request a table in “The Cove” section, a semi-hidden area where the acoustics somehow minimize tourist chatter while amplifying wave sounds.

Don’t skip their housemade tartar sauce, which uses a recipe guarded more carefully than the family silver. And save room for their seemingly simple but impossibly perfect key lime pie—made with authentic Key West limes and a secret graham cracker crust technique that’s remained unchanged since 1972.

The Community Connection That Makes It Special

McGlade’s isn’t just a restaurant—it’s Cape May’s living room! Beyond serving incredible food, they’ve created a community gathering place where fishing tales grow taller and local legends are born.

Every Thursday, they host “Fishermen’s Corner” where local captains share sustainability practices while guests enjoy samples of the day’s catch prepared three ways. Their annual Blessing of the Fleet ceremony brings together commercial and recreational boaters in a tradition dating back generations.

They’ve raised over $200,000 for marine conservation through their “Save Our Seas” program, proving their commitment extends beyond profit. This deep connection to Cape May’s maritime heritage creates an authentic experience that chain restaurants simply cannot replicate—and explains why locals guard their favorite tables with fierce loyalty.