Louisa’s Cafe

Says critic Craig LaBan: “This cozy gingerbread bungalow off the Washington Street Mall helped establish Cape May’s reputation as a culinary destination when it opened in 1981 with long no-reservation waits and a funky Restaurant Renaissance-era aesthetic. Louisa’s takes reservations now. But former employee Will Riccio, who bought this white clapboard gem five years ago, has preserved that quirky charm with fresh flowers and a chalkboard menu featuring retro plates built on fresh local seafood, from bronzed bluefish to seared Cape May scallops, classic crabcakes, smoked salmon rillettes dip, and ginger-sesame peanut noodles.”