The Jersey Shore Has a Gourmet Hidden Gem With Farm-to-table Dinners, an Amish Barn, and Seasonal Markets

Farm-to-table cuisine straight from the source.

In recent years, there’s been a shift towards transparency and sustainability in the food industry — and it very much coincides with the farm-to-table movement. You can find seasonal fare at restaurants around the world, whether it’s a Michelin-rated fine dining establishment in London or a lobster shack right on the water in a picturesque New England town. Of course, if you really want to taste the freshest, just-plucked-from-the-ground veggies, plums left to ripen in the sunshine, and eggs laid by chickens that morning, it’s best to go straight to the source: the farm.

Many Arcadian estates have opened their barn doors to foodies with harvest-driven culinary concepts. Some pastoral epicurean outposts are situated in more obvious regions with well-established culinary pedigrees such as Napa and the Hudson Valley, while others reside in less likely locales ... like the Jersey Shore.

Anyone familiar with the Jersey Shore knows Cape May — the historic seaside resort that sits at the southern tip of the state. Most people stick to the well-trodden tourist path of beach, boardwalk, and classic seaside eateries. But that’s just one side of the peninsula. Drive inland for a few minutes and you’ll notice a change in the landscape, with grape vines and fields beginning to replace sand and surf.

Tucked away in West Cape May, less than two miles from Cape May's historic downtown, Beach Plum Farm is a 62-acre working farm and agritourism that’s responsible for putting this overlooked corner of town on the gourmet map.

“Everything comes back to our location. We always strive to honor the farming roots of the Garden State,” Ed Hackett, Beach Plum Farm's general manager, told Travel + Leisure. The property grows 100 kinds of vegetables — notably crisp lettuces, juicy heirloom tomatoes, and colorful bell peppers — and raises chickens (yes, that means plenty of fresh eggs) and prize-winning Berkshire Hogs. Farm tours provide deeper insight into the authentic inner workings of life on the farm.

“Fresh, organic produce cultivated right on site forms the foundation of our culinary offerings,” explained Hackett. “This closeness to the source ensures that all our ingredients are of the highest quality and bursting with flavor. So it’s really about creating dishes that celebrate that bounty.”

The Amish barn, flanked by garden beds and picnic tables, functions as both a café and a market. Between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., hungry patrons order greens and goat cheese frittatas, biscuits with sausage gravy and fried farm eggs, and heritage-pulled pork sandwiches. While waiting for your food, be sure to browse the selection of housemade goods like jams, honey, and soaps.

One of the most delicious and acclaimed initiatives? The farm-to-table dinner series features a multi-course menu that changes based on seasonal availability. Recently, diners savored fresh sourdough with green olive oil, spicy fennel salami, jersey peaches, and heirloom tomatoes, garden kale caesar salad, charcoal-grilled zucchini, first-harvest shishito peppers, open fire roasted pork with herby bulgar salad, and blueberry fig pannacotta with farm honey.

Beach Plum Farm also hosts special events such as Sunday afternoon summer BBQs with house-smoked chicken and pork, baked beans, coleslaw, and live music.

As for what’s on the horizon for this burgeoning gourmand destination, Hackett said they're planning to offer a farm-to-table lunch. "The future culinary vision looks like introducing innovative, new dishes and collaborating with chefs to create unique dining experiences," he said.

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