If you’re like me you’ve spent time Googling for places to eat in Wildwood with kids. Maybe you just did it or you’re planning ahead for a visit. Even though there are A LOT of restaurants on the Wildwood boardwalk and some spread out off the boardwalk between Wildwood Crest, Wildwood, and North Wildwood it can be hard to know where to eat, how close the restaurants are to you, and whether or not the kids will like what’s on the menu.
On our most recent visit to Wildwood I had that same question, where can I eat in Wildwood with the kids. We had eaten dinner early at one of our partnering restaurants but a few hours later we were hungry again. I flipped through one of the tourism brochures in our room for ideas but eventually ended up Googling Wildwood restaurants.
That’s the inspiration behind this post. There are so many things to do in Wildwood with kids, but we know families struggle with where to take their kids to eat. Let this guide be a resource for you. If you’ve got a restaurant to recommend please comment below with it.
The Best Places to Eat in Wildwood
Our list of the best places to eat in Wildwood with kids features restaurants that have treated my family to a meal as part of a media trip and restaurants we’ve gone out and discovered on our own. We note with each restaurant how our costs were covered (media trip (complimentary) versus paying on our own.)
We know the where to eat in Wildwood struggle can take place any time of day, so we’re including Wildwood restaurants that serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. We also couldn’t help but include some of our favorite places to get a snack in Wildwood.
Gluten-Free Dining in Wildwood
As someone who needs to eat gluten-free whenever possible, I know how important it is to find Wildwood restaurants with gluten-free options. It can be hard, but not impossible. As we share details about the best places to eat in Wildwood with kids we will highlight the gluten-free options we discovered at each location. If we don’t specifically list a food as being gluten-free it might not be. For example, my boys don’t have this dietary restriction. I also don’t suffer from Celiacs so while we can share our experiences guests should always verify with the restaurant if they have any concerns.
The Best Places to Eat Breakfast or Lunch in Wildwood with Kids
Marvis Pancake House in North Wildwood off the Boardwalk
Newly opened in 2022, Marvis Pancake House is owned by the same owners as Marvis Diner, Pasta Pesto, and The Bagel Depot. It’s a cute little diner in North Wildwood with a 50’s feel to it. We were treated to breakfast there on Saturday morning of our Wildwood visit.
Located at 325 West Spruce Avenue in North Wildwood, Marvis Pancake House wasn’t hard to get to at all. They have their own parking lot which is definitely a plus. Bike parking is also available.
What we ate at Marvis Pancake House
My 13-year-old son had chocolate chip pancakes with sausage. My 16-year-old son had french toast. I had an egg omelet with tater tots, because who can turn down the option to have tater tots?
We all found our breakfasts to be yummy and just what we needed to fill our bellies for the day. In fact, the serving size was so generous I don’t think any of us were able to finish our entire meal.
Other Marvis Pancake House menu options from their breakfast and lunch menus
You can also view options in their online menu.
We did not see any notations on the menu regarding vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free options. I did have an omelet that is typically gluten-free and passed on having toast.
For more information about Mavis Pancake House please visit their website or call (609) 854-3640.
McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar in North Wildwood off the Boardwalk
The McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar is a must-visit stop for breakfast in the Wildwoods if you’re visiting Wildwood with kids. I mean adults love the deliciously-named coffees, but where WHERE can a kid get a doughnut topped with their favorite cereal? NOWHERE ELSE!!
Sadly, you will need to get up early to get one of those doughnuts. McCoy’s had only been open for a few days before our visit, but it was already a neighborhood favorite. Even though we arrived a few minutes before 9:30 am those cereal-topped doughnuts were all but gone. I had to get this picture since I couldn’t take my own. ;-)
McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar is a mom-and-pop kinda place, run by Jackie and her husband. This is the first season they have been open. It’s located at 1710 New York Avenue in North Wildwood. They don’t have their own parking lot, so you may have to drive a few minutes to find street parking, but it is definitely worth it. Nearby street parking is free.
If the coffee choices and doughnut yumminess don’t get you, know that McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar also has gluten-free options, YAY! I always love and appreciate when a restaurant makes it so easy to know they have and to order gluten-free options.
What we ate at McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar
We were treated to breakfast here on Sunday morning of our Wildwood visit, and Jackie spoiled me a little at this stop. I was so excited for the gluten-free options. I had a gluten-free bagel with egg and bacon AND gluten-free donut holes. It’s extremely rare to find those gluten-free choices at any restaurant.
My 16-year-old son had a bagel with cream cheese while the 13-year-old son had a doughnut. He devoured that doughnut so quickly I almost didn’t get a picture.
Other McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar menu options from their breakfast and lunch menus
You can also view options in their Facebook page.
For more information about McCoy’s Coffee & Cereal Bar please visit their Facebook page or call (484) 459-6732.
The Doo Wop Diner in Wildwood on the boardwalk
My favorite kind of diner are the ones with a 50’s decor and the Doo Wop Diner does not disappoint. We were introduced to the Doo Wop Diner in 2019 when they treated us to breakfast and I am so thrilled they are still in business.
Betty Boop greets you at the door. There’s a soda shop-style counter and a jukebox in the back.
Enjoy a menu of burgers, milkshakes, and other American favorites. Bonus points for this diner that’s up-to-date on what today’s diners need like gluten-free options. The GLUTEN FREE pancakes were delicious and left me so stuffed.
The Doo Wop Diner is such a fun atmosphere with great service. Breakfast is available until noon. Then they start serving lunch.
You can see more of our pictures, from 2019, in this Facebook post or learn more at their website.
The Best Places to Eat Lunch or Dinner in Wildwood with Kids
Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar in Wildwood on the Boardwalk
This barefoot beach bar is family-friendly and dog-friendly. They hosted us for dinner on the first night of our 2022 Wildwood visit. It’s right off the boardwalk in the back of Morey’s Piers Raging Waters Water Park. It’s a little bit of a walk to get to but once you do you’ll be treated to warm ocean breezes and great views of the beach.
Time your dinner right and you could just be watching the sunset as you dine.
During our visit to Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar it rained. On a sunnier day, kids and grown-ups can enjoy a sandy area with beach games like cornhole, bingo, and more while they wait for their food. It’s just a few steps off the restaurant’s beachfront seating area.
What we ate at Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar
I had the pork tacos (pictured on the right). They had a bit more kick (spice) to them than I expected but were still good. One teen ordered a Philly cheesesteak while the other ordered a burger.
Our favorite though was the Trash Can Nachos. You must try them! The presentation is fun as they come in a can that sits on a plate. As your server brings the plate to your table the can is lifted and the nachos and their toppings spill out on the tray. My teen boys enjoyed drizzling the cheese over them. These were soooooo yummy! My 16-year-old son says that was the best thing he ate all weekend.
Other Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar menu options from their lunch and dinner menus
You can also view options in their online menu.
For more information about Morey’s Piers PigDog Beach Bar please visit their website or call (609) 729-3700.
The Pink Cadillac Diner in Wildwood off the Boardwalk
The Pink Cadillac Diner was our dinner host for the second night of our Wildwood trip. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t just a fifties diner. At the Pink Cadillac Diner, the fifties meet Greek cuisine. You can get your favorite ‘classic’ comfort food or try something new like one of their Greek-inspired entrees.
In 2022, the Pink Cadillac Diner underwent a complete renovation, along with an updated menu!
While we were at the diner for dinner, they also serve breakfast. Families can choose from booths named after celebrities from the fifties or tables with chairs.
The Pink Cadillac Diner is located at 3801 Atlantic Avenue in Wildwood. It’s off the boardwalk, but just by a few blocks. Rather than drive, we just walked the boardwalk and then turned off on a cross street to make our way to the restaurant. They don’t have their own parking lot but there is street parking with meters.
What we ate at The Pink Cadillac Diner
We tried the Greek-inspired Mozzarella Mezza Luna. It was tasty and so filling, the perfect serving size for sharing.
For our dinner entrees, I had a Cadillac Burger with a gluten-free hamburger roll. It was tasty but I wasn’t prepared for 2 beef patties. It was more than I could handle. I couldn’t finish it. One teen ordered the Cadillac Burger as well. The other ordered a Philly Cheese Steak.
Other fun-sounding menu options include the Elvis Burger, Marilyn Monroe Burger, and Jersey Boys Burger.
The desserts from the dessert menu sounded AMAZING! Unfortunately, they were not yet available during our visit. Since their first choice wasn’t available, my boys opted for classic chocolate milkshakes. Doesn’t this look delicious?
Other Pink Cadillac Diner menu options from their lunch and dinner menus
You can also view options in their online menu.
For more information about The Pink Cadillac Diner please visit their website or call (609) 522-8288.
Seaport Pier in North Wildwood on the Boardwalk
Games to play, outdoor seating that overlooks the beach, roller coasters and waterslides to watch in the distance, a kids’ menu to choose from, music to dance to, room to let the kids run, Seaport Pier knows how to do family dining right.
It was so relaxing to let the kids play Jenga and cornhole while I sat listening to the music and enjoying the views. You don’t mind waiting for your food because the kids can actually be kids and the grown-ups can enjoy the atmosphere. We have been treated to dinner at Seaport Pier during both of our Wildwood media visits.
Seaport Pier is located at 2201 Boardwalk in North Wildwood and yes, the tram car does travel that far down the boardwalk. So while it may be a bit down the boardwalk, it’s still pretty convenient to get to and worth it to get views of the beach over lunch or dinner.
What we ate at the Seaport Pier
My teens and I can’t resist tortilla chips with spinach and artichoke dip, so we started with that. For dinner, both of my teens ordered a Ceasar Salad with a side order of grilled salmon. I selected the Apple Walnut Salad with grilled chicken.
Other Seaport Pier menu options from their lunch and dinner menus
You can also view options in their online menu.
For more information about Seaport Pier please visit their website. There is no public number listed to contact them.
Jumbos Boardwalk Grille and Eatery at Morey’s Piers in Wildwood on the Boardwalk
Jumbo’s Boardwalk Grille is another great option for lunch or dinner when you’re on the Wildwood Boardwalk. It’s located in the heart of the amusement park so you don’t have to walk too far into Morey’s Piers to get there. It’s at 3501 Boardwalk on Morey’s Mariner’s Pier.
This is where we were treated for lunch when we visited Morey’s Piers in 2019. It’s so close to the action that as we waited for our food I could let my kids go squeeze in some extra rides and I could watch them from my seat.
Jumbo’s offers full-service dining that features seafood, steaks, gourmet pizza, sandwiches, and more. More importantly, they offer gluten-free options which I certainly appreciated.
You can view options in their online menu.
The Surfing Pig in North Wildwood off the Boardwalk
On our last night in Wildwood, in 2019, The Surfing Pig, Located at 231 West 10th Avenue in North Wildwood hosted us for dinner. Never have I ever had such a hard time picking something to eat for dinner. There were so many delicious-sounding options.
The views from our seats were incredible! (Take a look.) The only thing that would’ve made it better is if the clouds had not been hiding the sun as it was setting on the water.
The Surfing Pig menu includes BBQ plates, burgers, seafood, and more. The kids’ menu even included options like ribs, coconut shrimp, and fish tacos.
You can see more of our pictures in this Facebook post or learn more at their website.
The Best Places for Desserts and Snacks in Wildwood
Cluster’s Handmade Popcorn on the Wildwood Boardwalk
Ever have that craving for a snack that’s sweet or savory while you’re on the Wildwood Boardwalk? You don’t want a funnel cake or anything fried. Or maybe you just want a treat that’s gluten-free. You need to visit Cluster’s Handmade Popcorn on the Wildwood Boardwalk.
Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn is a brand new must-visit stop on the Wildwood Boardwalk (3314 Boardwalk)! Newly opened this summer (2022), Clusters Handcrafted Popcorn serves gourmet popcorn made fresh daily. We were so excited when they treated us to popcorn to take back home.
What makes Clusters different than a normal popcorn store?
Well besides having a very patient and courteous staff and popcorn that’s popped fresh daily, they offer popcorn in a variety of mouth-watering flavors. Flavors include the original CLUSTERS Caramel Corn, Peanut Butter Blast, Cookie Explosion, and White Cheddar, just to name a few. So yes, you’ll appreciate that patient staff when you try to decide which flavors to bring home. And yes, you can taste free samples to help you decide.
Each batch is made with the finest ingredients and with kernels that when popped are the most tender available. Most varieties are gluten-free. Make everyone happy! Let each kid order their own bag.
Learn more at their website or call (609) 770-7260.
Cool Scoop’s Ice Cream Parlor in North Wildwood
Cool Scoops Ice Cream Parlor was an accidental discovery and might just be the best place to eat in Wildwood with kids when looking for a yummy dessert. We were in our room at the Port Royal Hotel and as I was searching a magazine for places to eat in Wildwood with kids I came across an ad for Cool Scoops.
As soon as I saw that Cool Scoop offers gluten-free ice cream cones and homemade waffle bowls, I knew I needed to take my boys for a visit. I mean, where have you ever seen gluten-free waffle bowls? They also have sugar-free and dairy-free options.
I treated my boys to ice cream and I had an amazing sundae in a gluten-free chocolate chip cookie bowl. The care the staff took to create an experience free from cross contamination was incredible. Even my napkin and spoon had been packaged separately.
This fantastic ice cream parlor offers a 50s theme with Elvis decor, convertible car booths, and toys that you or your parents may remember from their childhood.
Cool Scoops was our last visit out of Wildwood and was so worth sticking around in Wildwood just a bit longer in order to experience it.
Two quick notes: there is free parking available in their lot. They only accept cash, but there is an ATM in their ice cream parlor. Learn more at their website or call (609) 729-2665.
Got a suggestion to add to our list of the best places to eat in Wildwood with Kids? Let us know in the comments below.
Want to invite Jersey Family Fun for a meal at your Wildwood restaurant? Contact us at [email protected].