Wildwood, NJ is a true beach town. The town is filled with people from May through early September, but at other times of the year makes a great romantic get away. Of course any town that is a romantic get away offers great choices for meals as well. I will share you my three favorite restaurants to go to in Wildwood, NJ when I am looking to take my wife out for a nice romantic dinner.
One of the first restaurants I have on my list to consider when I want to have a romantic dinner in Wildwood, NJ is Neil’s Steak And Chowder House. Neil’s has a nice romantic setting at the beach, with white linen cloths in a dining room that is decorated with dark woods. Each table has a candle to add to the romantic atmosphere. Neil’s has very good standard entrees including the steak, chicken, and seafood entrees, with very large portions. As far as appetizers, my wife is a big fan of their chowder as she said it had large pieces of seafood and a nice spice to the chowder.
While they can be a little overpriced, I do recommend if you want something special that you should consider their daily specials. I had the blackened tuna one night there which was perfectly done to a medium style with a pink middle and a blackening seasoning which was the best I’ve ever had. The desserts are not bad, but honestly when at a beach town I tend to not eat dessert very often in the restaurants I go to and instead have my dessert on the boardwalk. For a beach town I am impressed by the fact that Neil’s will not rush their customers in and out like many in the area do.
While Neil’s does not have much of a view, another of my selections does. This is The Boathouse. The Boathouse is located just over the bridge as you enter Wildwood and has a nice view of the water while you dine. This also tends to be one of the most crowded restaurants in Wildwood (especially in-season). The portions are large, and a lot of the local hotels will recommend them to their customers staying at the hotel. The food is well done, but I do have to say that nothing is outstanding. The fish and seafood are fresh and tasty. The service is usually very good, but sometimes especially on a Saturday night in-season can feel a bit rushed. My suggestion for a romantic meal is to go during the week instead or during the slow season.
I would have to say The Boathouse’s biggest thing it has going for it is the view, but the food is better than most restaurants in the area as well. They have raised prices in recent years, but if you would like to dine with a nice view, then it is a good choice. The desserts here are average, but as I said, when at a beach town I do not judge a restaurant based on their dessert because while at the beach it’s best to have dessert on the boardwalk.
My final selection is Russo’s. This is what Italian food should be. It is a family run restaurant, and is sort of a hidden secret. It is located in the middle of Wildwood so it does not have a view of the water and is not in the most traveled areas of town. This means unless you know of it or have a recommendation than you probably will not be dining there. The surprising thing is after hearing that, you will see it a very crowded restaurant. This is because of all the world of mouth recommendations Russo’s receives.
The sauces are very nicely done, they are not overpowering, but the marinara especially has an interesting combination of sweetness and spice to make you know it is a truly homemade sauce. They have a large variety of entrees including seafood, chicken, beef, and standard pasta dishes. The portions here are very large, and the setting is nice with dark woods, clothed tables, and attentive service. Part of the reason for long weekend wait times can be that the servers will not rush their diners even at the busiest times of the year, which makes for a nice meal to enjoy with your significant other.
So, whether you are looking for good steaks, a nice view, or good Italian food there are several good choices that will meet your desires in Wildwood, NJ. They all are very nice choices for a romantic evening while at the beach with your significant other.
