BYOB Restaurants at the Jersey Shore
New Jersey's unique BYOB culture means you can bring your own wine to many of the Shore's best restaurants - often with no corkage fee.
Why NJ is a BYOB Paradise
New Jersey's strict liquor licensing laws created an accidental foodie bonus: many restaurants can't serve alcohol, so they let you bring your own. The result? World-class dining where you control the wine list and skip the restaurant markup.
$0
Typical corkage fee
60%
Average savings vs. ordering wine
100+
BYOB restaurants at the shore
Top BYOB Restaurants
Klein's Fish Market
Belmar • Seafood
Corkage: Free
Fresh-off-the-boat seafood with marina views. Whatever the boats brought in that day is your best bet.
What to Bring: Crisp Sauvignon Blanc or unoaked Chardonnay
410 Bank Street
Cape May • French-Cajun
Corkage: Free
Award-winning Creole-French cuisine in an intimate Victorian setting. One of the Shore best fine dining experiences.
What to Bring: Full-bodied red or buttery Chardonnay
The Red Store
Cape May Point • Farm-to-Table
Corkage: Free
Creative seasonal cuisine in a converted general store. Intimate atmosphere, exceptional food.
What to Bring: Natural wines complement the seasonal menu
Langosta Lounge
Asbury Park • Latin-Asian Fusion
Corkage: Free
Boardwalk-adjacent with creative Latin-Asian fusion. Great for groups with a fun vibe.
What to Bring: Sparkling wine or a crisp Albarino
The Ebbitt Room
Cape May • New American
Corkage: $15/bottle
Farm-to-table fine dining in the Virginia Hotel. Romantic setting, exceptional tasting menus.
What to Bring: Bring your best - this is special occasion dining
Blue Pig Tavern
Cape May • American
Corkage: Free
Congress Hall classic. Three meals a day in a historic setting. Great brunch spot.
What to Bring: Champagne for brunch, anything goes for dinner
Chef Volas
Atlantic City • Italian
Corkage: Free
Hidden speakeasy-style Italian. Cash only, no sign, reservations essential. Old Atlantic City charm.
What to Bring: Italian reds - Barolo, Brunello, Chianti Classico
Plantation
Harvey Cedars • New American
Corkage: Free
LBIs upscale BYOB. Creative American cuisine with island-casual sophistication.
What to Bring: Dealer's choice - menu changes seasonally
DeLorenzo's Tomato Pies
Point Pleasant Beach • Pizza
Corkage: Free
Legendary thin-crust tomato pies. The Robbinsville original has a shore outpost.
What to Bring: Italian red or a cold beer
Moonstruck
Asbury Park • Mediterranean
Corkage: $10/bottle
Romantic Mediterranean with candlelit ambiance. One of the Shore most acclaimed restaurants.
What to Bring: Spanish or Southern French wines
BYOB Pro Tips
Check Before You Go
Policies can change. Call ahead to confirm BYOB is still offered and ask about corkage fees.
Bring Good Bottles
You're saving money on restaurant markup - invest in bottles you wouldn't normally order out.
Match the Cuisine
White wine for seafood, red for Italian and steaks. Or ask the restaurant what pairs well with their specialties.
Chill Your Whites
Most restaurants will ice your white wine, but bringing it pre-chilled ensures perfect temperature.
Tip on Full Value
Your server still provides wine service. Tip as if you bought the wine there.
Plan Your Route
Pick up wine at a local shop near the restaurant. Many shore towns have excellent wine stores.
Where to Buy Wine
Pick up your bottles at these local wine shops near shore restaurants.
Cape May Winery
Cape May
Local wines from NJ grapes. Try before you buy.
Collier West Wines
Cape May
Excellent curated selection. Staff picks are solid.
Asbury Park Wine Company
Asbury Park
Natural wine focus with great recommendations.
Buy Rite
Various Locations
Best prices on popular bottles. Multiple shore locations.
Cape May: BYOB Capital
Cape May has the highest concentration of BYOB restaurants anywhere on the Jersey Shore. The town's Victorian-era liquor laws mean many restaurants simply can't get licenses, creating a foodie paradise where you bring the wine.
Pro tip: Stop at Cape May Winery on your way into town and pick up local wines to pair with dinner.
Explore Cape May DiningMore Dining Options
Fresh seafood, boardwalk classics, and fine dining at every shore town.