Primal By Mia, Cape May, NJ: A Restaurant Review
Primal By Mia
406 Beach Ave
Cape May, NJ
Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.
Primal By Mia Restaurant Highlights
Fare: New American - open-fire steak house
Price: Expensive - Very Expensive
Food Quality: Well-executed, creative menu of dry-aged steak and daily specials
Service: Professional, knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive without being intrusive.
Ambiance/Decor: Casual, attractive, chic vibe with scenic beach/ocean views.
Overall Rating: 3 1/2 stars --- One of the top restaurants in Cape May
Note: Four-star Rating System from 1/2 star = poor to 4 stars = Best in Class
Noise Level: Moderate - High
Recommended For: Diners who enjoy a high end, well-executed creative menu in an attractive, casual beach front setting.
Not Recommended For: Budget conscious diners who enjoy a traditional menu in a family casual dining setting; or diners looking for "Old World" fine dining amenities with a bar service.
Recommended dishes: When available, The Tomahawk steak; The Dry aged ribeye with garlic peppercorn sauce, and a side of Parmesan risotto; and The Ivory King Salmon with Chermoula suace.
Liquor: BYOB
Primal By Mia is widely regarded as one of Cape May’s premier dining destinations.
Setting itself apart from other upscale restaurants in the area, Primal By Mia is known for serving the finest dry-aged steaks south of Atlantic City. It's also the only high-end dining establishment in Cape May located directly on the beach, with every seat offering breathtaking ocean views.
The restaurant is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Executive Chef Mia Chiarella and Joe Schulte.
Chef Chiarella’s culinary journey began early, bussing tables at her grandparents’ Wildwood restaurant, Chiarella’s, where her father was the chef. After Chiarella’s closed, she joined her father in the kitchen at Gia in Wildwood Crest, which quickly earned a reputation for top-tier Italian cuisine. Mia and Joe also previously operated Prawn, a seafood market and takeout dinner spot, which closed in 2022.
Chef Mia has also been in the national spotlight, having appeared on ABC’s The Taste with Anthony Bourdain and the Food Network’s Kitchen Casino.
At Primal, Chef Chiarella leads a kitchen focused on a high-end, creatively curated menu featuring top-quality ingredients. While the menu is intentionally limited, it includes standout offerings like dry-aged Wagyu and tomahawk steaks. Daily specials highlight imaginative takes on seafood, pork, veal, and pasta dishes. Though the sides are à la carte, the meal includes a complimentary fresh salad, a warm, house-baked mini loaf of bread, and a decadent homemade dessert (the only dessert option).
Though Italian dishes are not the mainstay, Chef Chiarella often infuses the menu with subtle nods to her Italian heritage through flavor profiles and ingredient choices.
The restaurant’s ambiance is chic yet relaxed, with a stylish, beach-inspired decor. The L-shaped dining room accommodates 99 guests and offers uninterrupted views of the shoreline.
Upon entering, guests are greeted by stacked wood and a steak display that set the tone for the experience. An open kitchen with a wood-fired hearth sits just inside the entrance. Inside, hand-burnt tables, copper-toned walls, moss murals, and a coral reef motif contribute to the restaurant’s coastal elegance.
A BYOB, alcohol-free drink bar offers first-come, first-served seating near the windows.
Service is delivered by a casually dressed, professional, and knowledgeable staff—attentive, friendly, and never overbearing.
Reservations open nine days in advance at exactly 12:00 AM.
Primal By Mia is open year-round with seasonal hours.
Updated April 2025
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