Hello dear
Panico's Bistro, located at 422 Broadway in Cape May, NJ, offers a delightful culinary experience that combines fresh ingredients with authentic Italian flavors. Celebrated for its wood-fired pizza, particularly the standout Vongole and specialty pies, patrons rave about the carefully crafted dishes like perfectly cooked halibut and moist pork shank. The inviting ambiance, set in a charming former church, enhances each meal, creating a perfect backdrop for casual dining or special gatherings. With attentive service and a BYOB policy, this bistro is a must-visit for anyone seeking exquisite food and a cozy atmosphere in Cape May County.
About
Welcome to Panico's Bistro, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Cape May, NJ. Located at 422 Broadway, this charming bistro boasts an inviting atmosphere that perfectly complements its mouthwatering menu.
From the moment you step in, you can sense the dedication to quality that permeates every dish. Customer reviews echo a consistent theme: the food here is a celebration of flavor and texture. Jennifer Cassada describes her experience as "absolutely wonderful," highlighting the picturesque patio as a perfect setting for indulging in delectable dishes. The standout, her Vongole pizza, proved to be a true highlight, alongside a beautifully prepared octopus.
When it comes to pizza, Joseph Stier was not disappointed. He raved about the brick oven pizza, paired with an eggplant dish that he deemed "the best eggplant" he's ever tasted. The exquisite pork chop served with pillowy gnocchi showcases the bistro's commitment to perfection. And let’s not forget dessert; the cheesecake and peanut butter ball has a well-deserved reputation for being rich and delicious.
As described by Edna TittleWright, Panico's Bistro is a perfect venue for both intimate dinners and lively gatherings. The wood-fired pizzas are an absolute must-try. Edna enjoyed a special pizza topped with arugula and pancetta, complemented by fresh mozzarella that created a symphony of flavors on her palate. Her dinner highlight was the halibut, lying in a decadent sherry cream sauce over basil rice, while the pork shank melted in the mouth — a true testament to Italian culinary arts.
The essence of Panico's Bistro also extends to its accommodating staff, willing to tailor dishes to meet guests' needs. Allison Francis’s experience celebrating her parents’ 50th Anniversary emphasized the attentive service she received while planning the event, paired with top-notch food. Aarati Piuleac noted the friendly treatment received during visits, whether dining in or opting for takeout.
The ambiance is a blend of historic charm as the bistro is set within an old church, featuring beautiful long windows that invite a scenic view while dining. Although the high ceilings can create an echo in busy hours, the warm attention from the staff ensures every visit feels special.
BYOB is a delightful perk at Panico's Bistro, enhancing the dining experience. Do remember to bring your favorite wine or beer to complement the exquisite flavors on your plate.
In summary, Panico's Bistro remains a must-visit destination for anyone in or around Cape May. With its commitment to quality food, stunning ambiance, and remarkable service, prepare for a dining experience that will keep you coming back for more. Don’t miss the chance to indulge — you won't be disappointed!
“ Absolutely wonderful experience here. The patio is a perfect place to enjoy a beautiful night with amazing food. The Vongole pizza was definitely a highlight of the evening, as was that octopus. However, everything was fantastic. Love the complimentary focaccia and dipping oil, too. ”
“ This place was awesome. My service was great as well! Had to try the brick oven pizza and was not disappointed. Got to try an eggplant dish which was probably the best eggplant I’ve ever tasted. It was fried perfectly. The pork chop came with these pillow like gnocchi that ruled. Lastly we got dessert which was a cheesecake and a peanut butter ball... very rich and delicious ”
“ Panico's Bistro in West Cape May is an excellent place for dinner or even a small party. The food is fresh and is full of flavor. The wood fire pizza is a must try. Tonight we tried a special pizza with arugula and pancetta along with sauce and fresh mozzarella. The flavor was excellent the pancetta and arugula combination is so good together. We also had a margherita pizza and plain all very good. Now for dinner we had halibut with a sherry cream sauce over basil rice. The halibut was cooked to perfection glistening in the middle and the cream sherry sauce was the perfect compliment. The pork shank was so moist the meat fell off the bone, done the true Italian way. We also had the eggplant done thinly sliced baked to perfection with a sweet balsamic red sauce so yummy!!. The 5 cheese chicken was cheese and had a lit of sauce. Our waitress Kylie was the best she had suggested a dish they made special for my neice which was a chicken alfredo sauce she had fettuccine but they would have gave her any kind of pasta. Its BYOB so don't forget to bring your wine or beer. Now we didn't have any dessert due to it was my sister's birthday and we had a cake at home however I have had the dessert in the past and if you go just be sure to leave room for dessert and coffee there just as wonderful as the food. The service was great, we had a large party of 9 and Kylie couldn't have served us any better anything anyone needed she was right on it. They also have a team of servers ti bring food out and they also keep your tableclean at all times. Its such a nice place. It was an old church so the windows are long like church windows which makes it beautiful to look out while dining at night or e en at sunset. It does however get a little echo when it is full due to high ceiling but overall just a real nice atmospher to have dinner. If your visiting or live in Cape May County be sure to check out Panicos in West Cape May you won't be disappointed. ”
“ We celebrated my parents’ surprise 50th Anniversary at Panico’s and it was fantastic! The staff was amazing and so helpful in the planning leading up to the event, and we received wonderful service during our time at Panico’s. The food was top notch! We will definitely be back. Highly recommend! ”
“ We ate here a couple times (both dine in and takeout), and enjoyed the pasta dishes as well as their pizza. The fried zucchini and eggplant appetizer was on the heavy side for me, but that's more personal preference and I should have ordered a salad as a starter. They were very friendly and accommodating (we had a baby with us), and BYOB was a huge plus. ”
“ Not sure if this is a love letter but this may be my favorite restaurant of all time. It’s definitely my favorite place in Cape May. We’ve been coming here for years and make it a point to have at least one meal here each time. I’ve never ever had a bad meal here. The bread is baked fresh and served hot! Not warm but right out of the oven hot. I usually get the mussels as an app. They are spicy but tender and served with more bread to soak up the fabulous sauce. Last night we also had the fried Mozzarella balls. The mains were Baked Cavatappi and Italian Sausage, Garganelli & Pinot and the nightly special of linguine and clams. All three were amazing. The Garganelli & Pinot is hands down the best. I’ve gotten this the last 5-6 times I’ve eaten there and had a hard time not getting it. My wife had that and it was perfect as always and I got a few forkfuls to satisfy my craving. Tonight I went for a change and got the linguine. It was a decision I would not regret. The pasta literally melted in my mouth. You know when you expect to get 5-6 clams and a scattering of crab - this was NOT that. It was loaded with crab meat and little necks. I did sample the Cavatappi and it was great. A much sweeter red sauce then the mussels or the fried mozzarella, but paired perfectly with the sausage. The S’mores cake was good but probably not on par with the peanut butter bomb from last year. Please bring that back. Looking forward to keeping the tradition alive and coming back next year! ”
“ Maureen was wonderful! We went for an early Father’s Day dinner. Had entrees and pasta dishes and a dessert. She was incredible. Vibe was great. Beautiful restaurant ”
“ Service 5/5 stars we had Jeanette and Maureen Octopus- Rating 5/5 chargrilled then sauteed, simple olive oil, parsley, lemon Pork Shank Osso Bucco - Rating 5/5 oven roasted, marinara, rosemary, carrots, celery, tomato, parpadelle. I am not a big pork eater this was to die for. Salad - Rating 3/5 It was missing something. Desserts - I’m not big on desserts but I came for my Moms birthday it was very good. I feel like I can’t properly rate. My Mom loved them. ”