Max's Seafood Cafe

4.8

1542 Reviews

$30 and under

Seafood

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 12, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

Good for groups
Neighborhood 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 2:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
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
Neighborhood
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
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

Popular dishes

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

Raw Bar

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

Entrées

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

Loved For

Camden
Kid-friendly
Camden
Good for groups
Camden
Hot spot
Camden
Neighborhood 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 November 30, 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.
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J
Joe
Philadelphia
18 reviews
vip
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on October 4, 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 September 22, 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 September 6, 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 September 6, 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 September 5, 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 August 31, 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 August 10, 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 August 3, 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 August 2, 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.

Make a reservation

2 people

Dec 12, 2024

7:00 PM

Booked 2 times today

34 North Burlington Street, Gloucester, NJ 08030

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross street
Hudson
Neighborhood
Gloucester City
Hours of operation
Tue, Sun 2:00 pm–8:00 pm Fri, Sat 4:00 pm–9:30 pm Dinner Wed, Thu 4:00 pm–8:00 pm
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
Banquet, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

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

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information

Max's Mussels

seafood pescatore

Crispy Calamari

Appetizers, Soups, and Salads

New England Clam Chowder$8.00

Lobster Bisque$8.00

Monkfish chowder$8.00

Caesar Salad$9.00

Bacon-wrapped scallops$16.00

Crispy Oysters$16.00

Max's Famous Mussels$14.00

Fried Calamari$14.00

Stuffed Meatballs$14.00

Clams Casino$16.00

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail$16.00

Traditional Italian Baccala with Chickpeas$16.00

Raw Bar

Atlantic Seaboard Sampler$18.00

Oysters$2.50

Entrées

Mussels over Linguine$26.00

Chilean Seabass$39.00

Branzino Filet$33.00

Jail Island Maine Wild Salmon$36.00

Fried Platter$28.00

Chicken Parmesan$26.00

Calamari$26.00

Lobster Ravioli$34.00

7 Fishes Cioppino$36.00

Crab Cakes$38.00

Mixed Seafood Grill$39.00

Surf and Turf$49.00

Overall ratings and reviews

Loved For

Review summary

FAQs

How is Max's Seafood Cafe restaurant rated?

Is Max's Seafood Cafe currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Dining areas

Additional information