About Us

Built in 1840, this Cape May estate is now home to the acclaimed Washington Inn and Wine Bar. Since 1978, the Craig Family has carefully preserved the beauty & essence of this distinctive treasure without undertaking major alterations to its original form. The Inn's welcoming facade overlooks tree-lined Washington Street in the seaside community Historic District.

The Washington Inn offers six unique dining areas, from a summer patio to cozy fireside tables. Cocktails are a must in the Wine Bar, where the passing Cape May scene can be best appreciated. Often described as romantic, our easy-going elegance will satisfy anyone's craving for fine dining. Our enticing menu offers the best of American cuisine but with an inventive, upscale edge. Food, Service, and Ambiance, the essential ingredients for dining excellence, are all masterfully blended here at the Washington Inn.

Come experience it for yourself!

Meet the Team

  • A woman with wavy brown hair and light skin smiling at a dinner table, wearing a dark blue blazer and gold jewelry, set with wine glasses, silverware, and napkins, in a room with large windows letting in natural light.

    Ashley

    Restaurant Manager

  • A woman with long dark hair and a colorful patterned dress sitting at a table in a restaurant, smiling, with a pink cocktail on the table.

    Lindsey

    Wedding & Event Director

  • A woman in a black chef's uniform and a blue bandana with a white floral pattern is smiling while holding a plate with a chocolate dessert garnished with a sprig of mint and a purple edible flower in a cozy room with cream-colored walls and windows.

    Maria

    Pastry Chef

  • A smiling woman with long blonde hair sitting at a bar, surrounded by bottles of alcohol and barware, with a warm wooden interior

    Robin

    Wine Bar Manager

  • A man with a beard and mustache, wearing a blue suit jacket and a white shirt, smiling while sitting at a bar with a bottle of wine, a glass of red wine, and a cork, in a warmly lit room with patterned wallpaper and windows in the background.

    Tyler

    Sommelier & Manager

  • Portrait of a male chef wearing a white chef's coat and a blue apron, standing in a restaurant kitchen.

    Vincent

    Executive Chef

A dining room with large windows showing a garden outside. A round table is set with a white tablecloth, wine glasses, and silverware. There are chairs around the table, and the sunlight coming through the windows illuminates the room.

  • Our dress code is "elevated casual." We kindly ask that you do not wear beach attire, hats, athletic wear, or loungewear in our dining rooms. While men do not require jackets, we recommend wearing a collared shirt. Ladies should also consider wearing equivalent attire.

  • The Washington Inn & Wine Bar features a full-service bar and offers wines by the bottle or glass.

  • Guests are welcome to bring their own wine; however, we charge a $40 corkage fee for each bottle (standard 750ml size).

    Join us on Sundays through mid-May to take advantage of a waived corkage fee!

  • We provide complimentary valet parking for our guests. Simply drive to the front of the restaurant on Washington Street, and our valet will gladly park your car for you. There is also free street parking available in the surrounding area.

  • Well-behaved children are welcome. Please note that we do not provide high chairs for children, and ask that strollers be checked with our valet service before entering the building.

    For everyone's comfort, we kindly request that electronic devices be used with headphones. Please be mindful of others by managing any crying or disruptive behavior. For your child's safety, ensure they remain seated throughout your visit.

    Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in helping us create a comfortable experience for all guests.

Black and white sign with large text reading "LUCKY BONES" and smaller text below reading "BACKWATER GRILLE."

Visit our sister properties

A black and white logo for Cape May Winery & Vineyard featuring a stylized scallop shell above the text.
Black circular sticker with white text that says "Cape May Roasters" and an illustration of a steaming coffee cup.
A graphic of a lipstick, a red heart, and a red border on a black background for the store "Love the Cook"
Line drawing of a stylized flower with a circular pattern at the center and symmetrical leaves.