Mayer’s Tavern

Once a salty dive bar, and now one of Cape May’s premier waterfront dining spots

WHERE IS IT? Overlooking the water on Schellenger’s Landing, on the bridge coming into Cape May. Look up for osprey, who, like you, are on the hunt for some tasty seaside morsels.

WHY SHOULD I GO? Let’s count the reasons. First, there’s the charming waterfront location, minus the hustle and bustle of Cape May proper. Then there’s the menu, a heady mix of small plates and entrées conceived by owner Alex Laudeman, who returned to her native Cape May after cutting her teeth in New York City.

The menu is small yet still manages to hit all the right notes, from a fried scallop dish that’s equal to the legend it inspires to a pitch-perfect burger and a kale salad that’s kinda epic. You’ll wash that down with expertly crafted cocktails (the Sardinian Sunset might be the best version of a Negroni on the island) or a smartly curated wine list that always includes several natural selections.

Before its 2016 renovation, Mayer’s was a rowdy dive bar strongly favored by commercial fishermen, who couldn’t get enough of the fried scallops that made Mayer’s locally famous. Alex was keen to preserve the soul of the building — she retained the original rails of the bar, including the fishermen’s initials that had been carved in over the years. But these days, the clientele is usually split between savvy vacationers and locals who know a special spot when they see it.

INSIDER TIP Those fried scallops are still coming off a Cape May boat, from the Laudeman family’s fishing fleet — the same day they’re served.