Max's Seafood Cafe

4.8

1542 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Max's Seafood Cafe

4.8

$30 and under

Seafood

Gloucester City

Make a booking

2 people

12 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 2 times today

Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem
Good for business meals

Max's Café was built in 1890 as a shoe store. In 1912, 34 North Burlington Street reopened as Leisinger's Saloon for the next 25 years even through prohibition (as a "soft drink establishment"). In 1937, Leisinger's Saloon passed through the family & was renamed Max's Cafe; it’s name for the next 65 years. In 1977, a new simply prepared fresh seafood menu transformed Max's Cafe into Max’s Seafood Café. The neighboring building was acquired to seat the growing number of patrons from both sides of the Delaware River, often forming lines around the corner, waiting to enjoy fresh flounder, shrimp, clams, & most of all, Steamed Mussels! Max's reputation grew for the next 22 years before age & neglect left it in a state of disrepair. The bar restaurant closed in July of 1998 & remained dormant for 2 ½ years. Refurbished in late 2000, Max's Seafood Cafe reopened on June 2, 2001 to continue its tradition of hospitality, impeccably fresh seafood, & most of all Steamed mussels.

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Hours of Operation
Tue, Sun 14:00–20:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–21:30 Dinner Wed, Thu 16:00–20:00
Phone number
(856) 456-9774
Website
http://maxsseafoodcafe.com/
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Rigerberto Ramos
Private party facilities
We have a private dining room with a fireplace off of our wine cellar that seats up to 22 people and a minimum of two. Perfect place for meeting, family gatherings and intimate special occasions.

Location
34 North Burlington Street, Gloucester, NJ 08030
Area
Gloucester City
Cross Street
Hudson
Parking details
Parking lot located directly across the street from the restaurant. Off-street parking available and additional spaces behind A & A Deli which is also across the street from Max's.
Additional
Bar Dining, Indoor Fireplace

Popular dishes

New England Clam ChowderUS$8.00
Classic Recipe, freshly prepared in Max's kitchen
Lobster BisqueUS$8.00
made from scratch a Max's classic
Monkfish chowderUS$8.00
Monkfish, cauliflower, leeks, green olives and a touch of tarragon
Caesar SaladUS$9.00
house-made garlic croutons, creamy caesar dressing
- add anchoviesUS$2.50
Bacon-wrapped scallopsUS$16.00
2 jumbo scallops, applewood smoked bacon, remoulade sauce
Crispy OystersUS$16.00
4 crispy oysters served cocktail sauce
Max's Famous MusselsUS$14.00
savory red, spicy red, white wine garlic, or Thai curry
Fried CalamariUS$14.00
lightly floured and fried with hot pepper rings
Stuffed MeatballsUS$14.00
Stuffed w/extra sharp provolone and topped with marinara
Clams CasinoUS$16.00
bacon, sausage, with a brown butter scampi sauce
Jumbo Shrimp CocktailUS$16.00
Horseradish Sauce
Traditional Italian Baccala with ChickpeasUS$16.00
spices simmered in Max's tomato sauce, crusty Italian Bread

Raw Bar

Atlantic Seaboard SamplerUS$18.00
6 oysters and 2 clams on the ½ shell
OystersUS$2.50
fresh local ask server for selection

Entrées

Mussels over LinguineUS$26.00
Savory red, Spicy red, or white wine garlic.
Chilean SeabassUS$39.00
Bass filet, pan seared, over jasmine rice with chopped wok chow, topped with a red pepper jam
Branzino FiletUS$33.00
Filet of Bronzino, with broccoli rabe, roasted fingerling potato, with jumbo lump crabmeat, olive, sundried tomato, caper gremulata
Jail Island Maine Wild SalmonUS$36.00
Sustainably raised salmon, asparagus, sweet potato, served on a cedar plank topped w/cranberry chutney
Fried PlatterUS$28.00
Crispy shrimp, flounder and french fries
Chicken ParmesanUS$26.00
Crispy crusted, provolone cheese, savory marinara sauce over linguini
CalamariUS$26.00
Tossed in basil marinara served over linguine
Lobster RavioliUS$34.00
Topped w/jumbo lump crab in a blush sauce
7 Fishes CioppinoUS$36.00
Calamari, mussels, scallops, littleneck clams, shrimp, monkfish and cod
Crab CakesUS$38.00
Jumbo lump crab, asparagus, baked sweet potato and chipotle mayo
Mixed Seafood GrillUS$39.00
½ lobster tail, crab cake, shrimp, scallop, jasmine rice, vegetables
Surf and TurfUS$49.00
8 oz. filet, crab cake, mashed potatoes, asparagus demi-glaze
- Add 6 oz lobster tailUS$14.00

What 1,542 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.8

4.8 based on recent ratings

4.8Food
4.7Service
4.7Ambience
4.5Value

Noise • Moderate

Diners' Choice Awards

Camden
Child-friendly
Camden
Good for groups
Camden
Hot spot
Camden
Neighbourhood gem
Camden
Great for fine wines
Camden
Romantic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Max's Seafood Cafe offers "great food and outstanding service" with a cozy bar atmosphere that's perfect for enjoying a delicious Manhattan. Known for its "mussels in red and clams casino," the restaurant consistently delivers a delightful dining experience. While service can occasionally be spotty, the food quality remains "fantastic."

1,542 Reviews

J
James
Philadelphia
33 reviews
5.0
33 reviews
Dined on 30 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Max's is our Go To restaurant whenever we want seafood. The staff is always friendly, especially the big beard behind the bar. Always have a great meal.
Is this helpful?
J
Joe
Philadelphia
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on 4 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Excellent service and the meals were fantastic. If you want seafood you can’t beat Max’s
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K
Kurt
Philadelphia
178 reviews
vip
5.0
178 reviews
Dined on 22 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food is always excellent. One of our go-to's. For sure
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R
Roxanne
Philadelphia
12 reviews
vip
5.0
12 reviews
Dined on 6 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 3
Sat at bar. Not many people which was nice. Food and service was excellent.
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E
Esther
Washington DC
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on 6 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Max’s is a consistently good experience. We had a drink at the bar which is quaint and friendly (they make a great manhattan) then sat down to an outstanding dinner. Mussels in red and clams casino apps were delicious . The four of us fought over the mussels. My linquine and clams in brothy spicy red sauce was the best I’ve had in a long while - including my own.
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p
paul
Philadelphia
26 reviews
vip
5.0
26 reviews
Dined on 5 September 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
My favorite spot!! Always great food and outstanding service
Is this helpful?
K
Kitten
Philadelphia
11 reviews
3.0
11 reviews
Dined on 31 August 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 4
My husband & I went Sunday of Labor Day wknd. The restaurant was fairly empty & quiet which was kind of nice. But, I believe they may have been short staffed, we waited to see a hostess for about 5 min. We were seated & no one came to table for almost ten min.we stayed, ate & it was just ok.
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B
Barton
New Jersey
1 review
4.0
1 review
Dined on 10 August 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Food was great as usual. Service was a little spotty. Our server was quite young, and I think trying his best. Took a while to get our entrees, but when they came out, they were hot, so the kitchen may have been short staffed.
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P
Paul
Atlantic City
2 reviews
2.0
2 reviews
Dined on 3 August 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 3
3. Service 2
4. Ambience 3
We went there just for some drinks and light dinner! they put us a a table that is about the size of first base, with no room to move around! Than the waiter seemed to get upset, because we only wanted of starters, and he seemed like he didn’t want to serve us ! We ordered and than came out the food , with just enough room for one plate on the table , and we ordered 3 starters! As for the meals they was good! So for what it was worth I tipped the guy well, so he didn’t lose any good tips!
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E
Edward
Philadelphia
4 reviews
vip
5.0
4 reviews
Dined on 2 August 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great food great service. The food came out piping hot and perfectly prepared. I was surprised it wasn’t more crowded on a Friday night. A true seafood restaurant!
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FAQs

Max's Seafood Cafe is rated 4.8 stars by 1542 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Max's Seafood Cafe

4.8

$30 and under

Seafood

Gloucester City

Make a booking

2 people

12 Dec 2024

19:00

Booked 2 times today

34 North Burlington Street, Gloucester, NJ 08030

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Hudson
Area
Gloucester City
Hours of Operation
Tue, Sun 14:00–20:00 Fri, Sat 16:00–21:30 Dinner Wed, Thu 16:00–20:00
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Seafood, American
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Parking lot located directly across the street from the restaurant. Off-street parking available and additional spaces behind A & A Deli which is also across the street from Max's.
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Rigerberto Ramos
Additional
Bar Dining, Indoor Fireplace

Website
http://maxsseafoodcafe.com/
Phone number
(856) 456-9774
Private party facilities
We have a private dining room with a fireplace off of our wine cellar that seats up to 22 people and a minimum of two. Perfect place for meeting, family gatherings and intimate special occasions.

Max's Seafood Cafe

Max's Seafood Cafe

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information

Max's Mussels

seafood pescatore

Crispy Calamari

Appetizers, Soups, and Salads

New England Clam ChowderUS$8.00

Lobster BisqueUS$8.00

Monkfish chowderUS$8.00

Caesar SaladUS$9.00

Bacon-wrapped scallopsUS$16.00

Crispy OystersUS$16.00

Max's Famous MusselsUS$14.00

Fried CalamariUS$14.00

Stuffed MeatballsUS$14.00

Clams CasinoUS$16.00

Jumbo Shrimp CocktailUS$16.00

Traditional Italian Baccala with ChickpeasUS$16.00

Raw Bar

Atlantic Seaboard SamplerUS$18.00

OystersUS$2.50

Entrées

Mussels over LinguineUS$26.00

Chilean SeabassUS$39.00

Branzino FiletUS$33.00

Jail Island Maine Wild SalmonUS$36.00

Fried PlatterUS$28.00

Chicken ParmesanUS$26.00

CalamariUS$26.00

Lobster RavioliUS$34.00

7 Fishes CioppinoUS$36.00

Crab CakesUS$38.00

Mixed Seafood GrillUS$39.00

Surf and TurfUS$49.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Diners' Choice Awards

Review summary

FAQs

How is Max's Seafood Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Max's Seafood Cafe currently accepting bookings?

Max's Seafood Cafe

Make a booking

Dining areas

Additional information