Margate, New Jersey
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Steve & Cookie’s - a Margate staple serving farm fresh ingredients in an upscale dining room and more casual option in the Oyster Bar. Reservations required for dining room. Oyster Bar is first come first serve - people usually line up before it even opens in the summer!
Tomatoes - upscale American, Italian, and the best sushi!
The Lot at Tomatoes - outdoor lot behind Tomatoes restaurant offering food trucks, a bar truck, and live music.
Tideline - waterfront restaurant with the best bay views serving American cuisine and offering a lower deck for outside dockside dining/drinks.
Robert’s Place - legendary Margate dive bar serving the best seafood and American food. Cash only!
Sunrise Tequila Bar - trendy rooftop restaurant serving craft cocktails and bites.
Shucker’s - casual seafood restaurant. No reservations accepted.
Johnny’s Cafe - upscale Italian restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Maynard’s Cafe - local dive bar serving bar bites indoor and outdoor.
Lamberti’s - waterfront Italian restaurant and marina.
Bocca Coal Fired - Italian cuisine + coal fired pizza.
Betty’s Seafood Shack - casual seafood restaurant located on the bay.
Miyako Sushi - casual Japanese and hibachi restaurant.
Saltwater - Italian restaurant known for its pizza and gnocchi.
Sofia - Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
Ventura’s Greenhouse - casual pub serving Italian with several decks and outdoor dining.
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Coffee:
Bay Buzz Coffee - coffee shop located right on the bay in Margate.
Cafe 7311 - Ventnor - small batch bakery + coffee shop. The same owners as Steve & Cookie’s.
Remedee - Ventnor - serving specialty Colombian coffee.
Breakfast:
Johnny’s Cafe - American breakfast served daily.
Maynard’s Cafe - Served every Sunday from 9-12pm.
Gilchrist - casual breakfast open daily.
Hot Bagels & more - two locations in Margate serving the best bagels.
Sunrise Tequila Bar - available on Saturdays & Sundays.
Nearby in Ventnor:
Isabella’s (AC location too) - breakfast inspired Mexican dishes.
Hannah G’s - brunch cafe offering gluten free and vegetarian options.
Agnes Cafe -casual brunch spot.
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Bay Buzz
Cafe 7311 - Ventnor
Remedee - Ventnor
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Memories - live bands + DJs
Tideline - guitarists, DJ, saxophone players both inside and on the lower outdoor deck.
Robert’s Place - live music outback in the summer
Sunrise Tequila Bar - bands, guitarists, + DJ
The Lot - bands + guitarists
Tomatoes - DJ
Johnny’s Cafe - DJ
Lamberti’s - DJ
Bocca - live musicians
Maynard’s - live bands, guitarists, and DJ
Greenhouse - live bands + DJs
Betty’s Seafood Shack - live bands
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Casel’s - family owned local supermarket with gourmet deli and fresh, prepared food.
Downbeach Liquors
Margate Gardens - wine & spirits
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Revel Reform / Revel Ride - This studio offers it all from spin classes to mat pilates, reformer pilates, cardio sculpt, boot camp, strength & tone classes.
Doc’s Fitness - Located in Ventnor Heights, this kettlebell gym offers a variety of strength, cardio, and pilates classes.
JCC Gym - located inside the Jewish Community Center, this facility offers single and family gym memberships and includes strength equipment, a pool, indoor track, racquetball courts, and group classes.
Downbeach Jiu Jitsu - Offers varying class levels for all ages! Women only classes available too!
Core Power Barre - hot pilates, barre, and strength classes
Bravo Core Fitness - private fitness studio offering isolated stretching, personal training, and bodywork.
Zen Den - heated yoga, pilates, barre, and strength classes.
Body Architects - private fitness studio offering personal training.
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Heritage Surf & Sport - surf shop offering clothing, surfboards, and accessories..
Christina’s Boutique - local, small business offering trendy clothing and accessories.
Bedazzled - women’s clothing boutique.
JLor Fashions - upscale women’s clothing boutique.
Cameo Water Wear - women’s swimwear & weekend wear
Kidrageous - children’s boutique
Off Seids - high end concept boutique
Sunset Outpost - small business offering home decor and gifts.
Jamaican Me Crazy - clothing, gifts, home decor, and beachwear.
Carolione’s Fashion Luxuries - designer consignment boutique.
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Congo Falls Mini Golf
Farmer’s Market - Thursdays throughout the summer outside of Steve & Cookie’s.
Island Aqua Park - inflatable obstacle course water park.
Beach - beach tags required! Parking is free.
Ride bikes on the Ventnor Boardwalk or throughout town.
Rent SUP, kayaks, and boats at Scott’s Dock. Also get fishing gear and go out on a charter!
Surf Lessons - Stacey’s surf, Heritage Surf Shop
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Jersey Cow
Betty’s Creemee Ice Cream Stand
Dairy Bar
Cali Yogurt & Juice Bar
Two Cents Plain
Margate, New Jersey Travel Guide:
If you’re looking for a Jersey Shore town that gives you the beach without quite as much of the chaos, Margate City, New Jersey is my favorite.
Located just south of Atlantic City on Absecon Island, Margate has beautiful beaches, great restaurants, boutiques, and plenty to do - all packed into a town that’s easy to explore. It’s lively during the summer but still feels more relaxed and residential than some of the neighboring shore towns.
Whether you’re coming for a weekend at the beach, a summer getaway, or just spending the day, here’s my guide to Margate.
The Beach
Of course, one of the main reasons to come to Margate is the beach.
The beaches here tend to have a more laid-back, neighborhood feel, making Margate a great choice if you want to spend the day by the ocean without being surrounded by a boardwalk or amusement rides.
During the summer season, beach tags are required, so make sure to grab one before heading onto the beach.
And if you like long beach walks, you can easily walk south toward Longport or north toward Ventnor without ever leaving the sand.
See Lucy the Elephant
You really can’t talk about Margate without mentioning Lucy the Elephant.
The six-story elephant has been a Jersey Shore landmark since 1881 and is one of the most recognizable sights in Margate. Even if you don’t take a tour inside, it’s worth stopping by to see her—especially if it’s your first time visiting.
Lucy sits right by the beach, so it’s an easy stop to add to a beach day or walk around town.
Visit Ventnor
One of the best parts about staying in Margate is how easy it is to explore the neighboring shore towns.
Head north into Ventnor for more restaurants, coffee shops, and its boardwalk. Unlike Atlantic City's larger boardwalk, Ventnor's is quieter and perfect for walking, running, or biking during permitted hours.
Take a Trip to Atlantic City
Atlantic City is only a few minutes away, making it easy to head there for dinner, drinks, a show, casino night, or a walk along the boardwalk before coming back to Margate.
It's one of the things I love about this area - you can have a relaxing beach day and still have plenty of nightlife and entertainment nearby when you want it.
Don't Skip Longport
Head in the opposite direction and you'll reach Longport, located at the southern end of Absecon Island.
It's quieter and almost entirely residential, but it's beautiful for a bike ride, beach walk, or drive. Head all the way to the end of the island for views across the inlet toward Ocean City.
When to Visit
Summer is when Margate is at its liveliest. Restaurants are busy, the beaches are full, and everything is open for the season.
But don't completely overlook the shoulder season. Late spring and early fall can be some of the best times to visit. You'll still get beautiful beach days with fewer crowds, easier restaurant reservations.
Located by Lauren tip: Summer restaurants get busy, especially on weekends. If a restaurant accepts reservations, make them ahead of time. For places that don't, plan to go early or expect a wait.
