Not bookable
This restaurant is open seasonally. Unfortunately, it is currently closed.
Cafe Loren
4.9 (2226)
$31 to $50
American
2288 Dune Drive, Avalon, NJ 08202
About this restaurant
- Good for special occasions
- Neighbourhood gem
- Charming
There’s more to explore
Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.
Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.
Open appAdditional information
- Dining styleCasual Elegant
- Price$31 to $50
- CuisinesAmerican, Seafood, Contemporary American
- Hours of OperationDinner Tue–Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
- Phone number
- Website
- Payment OptionsDiscover, Mastercard, Visa
- Dress codeSmart Casual
- AreaAvalon
- Cross street23rd St.
- Parking DetailsLimited parking is available in our lot on the 23rd street side of the building.
- AdditionalBYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining
ConciergeAI Beta
Concierge
AI Beta
Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.
Reviews
OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at Cafe Loren.
4.9
4.9
- 4.9Food
- 4.9Service
- 4.6Ambience
- 4.5Value
Noise • Moderate
Loved For
New Jersey
American
Cape May
Best Overall
Cape May
Best Food
Cape May
Best Service
Cape May
Best Value
Cape May
Innovative
Cape May
Neighbourhood gem
Cape May
Good for special occasions
Cape May
American
Review summary
AI-generated from verified diner reviews
2,226 Reviews
- D
Debbie Gold
Philadelphia County26 reviews
1.0Dined on 17 October 2026
- Overall 1
- Food 1
- Service 1
- Ambience 1
Is this helpful?
- K
Kathy
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore1 review
5.0Dined on 25 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- E
Ed
Philadelphia County5 reviews
5.0Dined on 24 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- K
Kathleen Gold
Miami - Dade38 reviews
5.0Dined on 20 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- A
Alice Gold
Atlantic City / South Jersey Shore10 reviews
5.0Dined on 20 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 3
Is this helpful?
- E
Elizabeth
Philadelphia County30 reviews
5.0Dined on 20 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- D
Debbie Gold
Philadelphia County26 reviews
5.0Dined on 19 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- K
Kim
Philadelphia County5 reviews
5.0Dined on 19 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 4
Is this helpful?
- L
Laura Gold
New Jersey16 reviews
5.0Dined on 19 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
- B
Brian Gold
Philadelphia County61 reviews
5.0Dined on 19 September 2026
- Overall 5
- Food 5
- Service 5
- Ambience 5
Is this helpful?
Additional information
- Dining styleCasual Elegant
- Price$31 to $50
- CuisinesAmerican, Seafood, Contemporary American
- Hours of OperationDinner Tue–Sun 5:30 pm–9:00 pm
- Phone number
- Website
- Payment OptionsDiscover, Mastercard, Visa
- Dress codeSmart Casual
- AreaAvalon
- Cross street23rd St.
- Parking DetailsLimited parking is available in our lot on the 23rd street side of the building.
- AdditionalBYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining
Featured in
23 May 2026
Craig LaBan’s Guide to the Best Seafood Down the Shore
The guide highlights Cafe Loren’s BLT scampi pasta, which combines lobster, shrimp, garlicky wine sauce, fresh fettuccine, grape tomatoes, and apple-smoked bacon. It praises the dish as tasting like a summer picnic in a bowl.
Published in Inquirer.com
7 May 2026
Cafe Loren
Since 1978, Cafe Loren, described as Avalon’s first fine-dining BYOB restaurant, has served upscale Shore fare including grilled octopus, pan-seared halibut, and swordfish al pastor.
Published in Inquirer.com
25 June 2025
The 25 Most Exciting Jersey Shore Restaurants of Summer 2025
This Avalon classic balances tradition with a fresh, relevant menu, including signature veal Loren and seared halibut with gingered carrot purée. The article praises its hospitality and gluten-free accommodations.
Published in Inquirer.com
4 November 2024
OpenTable names New Jersey’s top 10 overall restaurants
Cafe Loren in Avalon was named one of OpenTable’s top 10 New Jersey restaurants for its food. The seasonal BYOB, open since 1978, serves American coastal cuisine, and a diner review praised its meals, ambiance, and service.
Published in New Jersey 101.5
21 June 2024
The Best Restaurants In Avalon, Stone Harbor & Sea Isle
The guide calls Cafe Loren a charming, timeless Avalon BYOB that has been open since 1978, highlighting dishes such as coconut curry mussels and pan-seared scallops with fingerling and green apple hash.
Published in The Infatuation
FAQs
Yes, Cafe Loren is often chosen for anniversaries and special evenings, with guests praising its intimate, upscale-but-inviting ambience and attentive service.
Guests routinely describe portions as generous and satisfying, reviews mention large portions across entrees and an 8 oz filet that’s “more than enough.”
Smart casual is the guide, polished but relaxed; many guests treat Cafe Loren as a spot for anniversaries and special occasions, so a slightly dressier look fits right in.
Cafe Loren offers casual seashore elegance: a small, intimate dining room with tablecloths, rotating artwork and a warm, inviting atmosphere that guests describe as upscale yet relaxed.
Sunday evenings are a lovely time to visit Cafe Loren, guests specifically report excellent Sunday dinners and enjoyable Sunday-night visits.
For a calmer visit, plan dinner at Cafe Loren in the shoulder seasons (spring or fall) or on Sunday evenings outside peak summer, locals say they dine Sept–June to avoid summer crowds and Sunday nights after the season are easier to book.
How FAQ content is generated
- Home
- United States
- New Jersey
- Cape May
- Avalon
Not bookable
This restaurant is open seasonally. Unfortunately, it is currently closed.
