The perfect date night requires far more than just a flickering candle and a freshly pressed white tablecloth. It needs immersive atmosphere, world-class hospitality, and unforgettable cuisine that forces you to slow down and savor each bite. That’s exactly what you get from The 10 Most Romantic Restaurants at the Jersey Shore.
From flawlessly executed, dry-aged steak to innovative farm-to-table tasting menus, this list showcases the most enchanting dining rooms on the East Coast. Below, you’ll find hidden private alcoves illuminated by soft mood lighting, roaring 1920s historic landmarks, elegant seaside farm-to-glass experiences, and other mesmerizing experiences that you and your date will still be talking about months later. Keep scrolling to find our 2026 list of the Jersey’s Shore 10 Most Romantic Restaurants.
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The 10 Most Romantic
Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
Featured from Cape May County:
Ebbitt Room
Where: 25 Jackson St, Cape May
Details: This award-winning restaurant is located in the heart of historic Cape May at the Virginia Hotel. The innovative cuisine, attentive service, and refined ambiance make it a wonderful spot for date night or any other occasion. The Ebbitt Room is strongly rooted in a farm-to-table, farm-to-glass dining philosophy. In fact, it features the freshest ingredients available from their very own Beach Plum Farm. Popular main dishes range from the Cape May Scallops to the A5 Japanese Wagyu with seasonal accompaniments. When it comes to dessert, they have an indulgent treat for every taste. Options include the Pumpkin Cheesecake, Sweet Ricotta Donuts, Flourless Chocolate Torte, and Apple Crostata. For a fun date night idea, keep an eye out for their monthly dinner series. One example is their Valentine’s Day “Night of Indulgence”. Those who love a good wine pairing will also find NJ’s premier selections here.
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Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse
Where: Red Bank
Details: Traditional Italian cuisine meets modern aesthetics at Gabriella’s, an upscale steakhouse known for quality ingredients and world-class service. The robust menu covers everything from family style dinner to lunch, dessert, and options for the kids. But it’s their raw bar and dinner menus that will charm the heart (and mouth) of any dinner date. For the ultimate indulgence, their Grand Tower showcases the best of their raw bar; including crab cocktail, a dozen oysters, a dozen clams, a half dozen shrimp, and a whole lobster.
Knife & Fork Inn
Where: Atlantic City
Details: This upscale steak and seafood spot has been a fan favorite for over 100 years. While the building’s history is a sordid affair — used for illegal gambling, mob dealings, and other extracurricular activities in the 1910s-1930s — the modern day Knife & Fork Inn has been renovated, restored, and refurbished to create a fine dining experience designed for romance (the legal kind). We recommend the Herb-Crusted Lamb Chops or Lobster Thermidor for dinner, followed by their Banana Cream Pie for dessert.
Pascal & Sabine
Where: Asbury Park
Details: What makes Pascal & Sabine a great spot for date night is their commitment to curating a compelling atmosphere. Their goal is to transport customers away from mundane day-to-day life through a rich sensory experience. They do this through a signature selection of small plates perfect for sharing, alongside refined comfort food entrees. We recommend starting with the steak tartare, charred shishito peppers or mushroom tart. Then move on to the scallops, duck breast, or Moules-Frites (steamed mussels) for dinner.
PRIMAL By Mia
Where: Cape May
Details: Give in to your primordial urges and enjoy a mix of steak and seafood delights at PRIMAL. The upscale dining is juxtaposed by an easy-going atmosphere that makes dinner dates feel equal parts luxurious and comfortable. Kick things off with tuna tartare, calamari, or some truffle mashed potatoes to share. The Barrel Cut and Cowboy Ribeyes are popular choices from the steak menu; while the twin lobster tails (which we recommend with basil aioli) are the go-to seafood entree. Bonus: Meals end with a surprise, complimentary dessert!
Scarborough Fair
Where: Sea Girt
Details: Perfect wine and food pairings enhance the romantic experience at Scarborough Fair. The restaurant’s rustic decor and mood lighting are already enough to create an intimate night out; however, their signature private dining “alcoves” are what raise the bar for a next-level date night. Removing all distractions, these alcoves allow patrons to feel like they have the restaurant to themselves. As for entrees, try out the Pork Shank Osso Bucco or Palm Coast Grill (fire grilled mahi-mahi & ocean garden shrimp with coconut grove rice).
The Smithville Inn
Where: Galloway
Details: The Smithville Inn wins over its patrons with New American favorites and a popular Sunday brunch. Their elegant, old-world interior is the perfect place for a refined lunch or dinner date. We recommend beginning with Chef Phil’s Cheesesteak Eggrolls to share, along with some Shrimp Pot Stickers. For dinner, the classic Teriyaki Salmon is a great seafood choice. Likewise, the New Zealand Rack of Lamb and Chicken Milanese are land-based favorites that are sure to please. For dessert, go for their iconic Apple Ice Cream Filo.
Spano’s Ristorante Italiano
Where: Point Pleasant
Details: Chef/Owner Joseph Spano has been tantalizing taste buds with his flair for Italian fare since 1989. His mammoth portions, use of only the freshest ingredients, and general love of Italian cuisine shine through in every dish. This BYO spot curates the perfect atmosphere for date night, with a dinner menu that feels familiar yet new. Their fresh pasta is made in house daily, so we recommend trying one of their signature pasta entrees. For instance, their Seafood Fiesta plates shrimp, scallops, and lump crab meat over spaghettini.
Tisha’s Fine Dining
Where: Cape May
Details: Tisha’s may say fine dining in the name, but it also doubles as a great afternoon lunch date. That’s because their lunch menu offers luxe New American handhelds like Lobster Rolls, Salmon Po’Boys, and Burrata BLTs. When it comes to dinner, the restaurant seamlessly transitions to an upscale eatery for an unforgettable evening. Standout starters include Lobster Bisque, Mushroom Risotto, and Stuffed Pumpkin Gnocchi. After that, we recommend going for the Shrimp Puttanesca or Peppered Shrimp and Crabcake.
Whispers
Where: Spring Lake
Details: Whispers is definitely someplace to shout about, so consider the secret officially out. This fine dining, American BYOB restaurant is hidden inside The Hewitt Wellington hotel. The menu showcases a harmonious merging of flavors, where every dish is a masterpiece crafted to delight the senses. This includes seafood favorites like Fried Flounder and Seafood Fra Diavolo, alongside roasted rack of lamb and Chicken Parmigiano. Ensure your date ends with a smile by ordering either the Warm Apple Cobbler or Keylime Cheesecake.
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Jersey Shore Romantic Restaurant FAQs
Scarborough Fair (Sea Girt) offers incredibly romantic, secluded “dining alcoves” that make you feel like you have the entire restaurant to yourself. Likewise, Whispers (Spring Lake) provides an intimate, fine-dining BYOB experience inside the Hewitt Wellington hotel.
The Ebbitt Room at the Virginia Hotel brings farm-to-table dining to life. Similarly, PRIMAL By Mia perfectly balances luxury and comfort, while Tisha’s Fine Dining delivers an unforgettable, upscale romantic evening.
The Knife & Fork Inn (Atlantic City) is a beautifully-restored steak & seafood spot with 1920s Prohibition-era roots. For a more modern vibe, Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse (Red Bank) blends traditional Italian cuisine with a sleek, contemporary aesthetic.
Pascal & Sabine offers a sensory-driven French brasserie experience. Their compelling atmosphere—paired with refined comfort foods like duck breast, Moules-Frites, and steak tartare—transports couples to a romantic getaway.
The Smithville Inn (Galloway) boasts an elegant, old-world interior famous for its refined Sunday brunch. Additionally, Tisha’s Fine Dining (Cape May) offers luxe handhelds like lobster rolls and salmon po’boys in a beautiful setting.
Top (Hero) Photo: © The Ebbitt Room / Instagram
