DINE-IN: Sunnyside Café Serves Cape May County with Heart and Home
BY DAVE GARNER | Front Runner Dine-In
CAPE MAY — If you’ve ever traveled down Route 9 toward the Washington Street Mall in Cape
May, chances are you’ve driven past a little gem with a name that fits its spirit — Sunnyside Café.
My wife, my son, and I had passed it many times on our way into town, always meaning to stop. Recently, we finally did — and after one meal, we wondered why we’d waited so long.
Sunnyside Café sits quietly along the road, a warm and unassuming fixture that feels more like visiting an old friend’s kitchen than dining out. Co-owners Mark Demberger and Brian Paris have kept things simple in the best possible way — fresh ingredients, classic recipes, and a commitment to quality over flash. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t chase trends. It just does breakfast and lunch right, every day.
A Café with Deep Local Roots
Its story stretches back more than half a century when this treasure first opened its doors. The year was 1972 and its name was the Country Corner Café. Fast forward to 1993 and Clary’s was born.
Strolling along to 2020 Sunnyside Café took over the long standing location of deep running local pride; the current short-order cook actually owned Clary’s years ago — and still mans the grill. That’s more than experience; that’s devotion to the craft.
Upon arrival for breakfast, the dining room was bright and neatly kept, with sunlight filtering across the country-style wall art and the smell of coffee was aromatic and rising from nearby tables.
Kristy, our server, greeted us right away with a genuine smile, menus in hand, and an easy warmth that can’t be trained. Within minutes, coffee was served and before we’d even settled into conversation, our meals were on their way.
Breakfast, Done Right!
I went for my favorite: a cheese omelet with home fries, while my wife and son chose the reamed chipped beef — a true New Jersey diner staple — served with whole-wheat toast and more of those delightful home fries.
Everything arrived in under 10 minutes, piping hot and neatly plated. My omelet was cooked perfectly, light and golden, with melted American cheese, just as I like it. The home fries were the real deal — fresh potatoes with skins on, crisped on the flat-top to perfection.
I’ve loved American-cheese omelets since my teenage days working in a local restaurant, when I’d make one for myself every morning before the rush began. Somehow, Sunnyside Café’s version brought all that back—the same comfort, the same balance of flavor and simplicity that makes breakfast feel like home.
The creamed chipped beef was rich and hearty, the kind of dish that could anchor any morning, creamy, seasoned just right, and served in generous portions.
More Than Just Breakfast!
Like many great Cape May spots, Sunnyside Café draws its strength from the community. Mark came out to greet us after our meal—friendly, unhurried, proud of what he and Brian have built.
He told us how much of their success comes down to keeping things personal: using local vendors, hiring staff who care, and focusing on quality over quantity. That philosophy carries over to the menu, which balances traditional comfort with a few creative touches.
Alongside omelets, pancakes, and Belgian waffles, you’ll find Smithfield ham steaks, fresh-sliced deli meats, and daily specials that keep the regulars returning for the daily delights. Lunch offerings expand into burgers, cheesesteaks, wraps, and salads, all crafted with the same “made fresh, made local” standard that defines the place.
One of Sunnyside’s quiet strengths is its partnership with Brewski’s Bakery, another local favorite that supplies donuts, muffins, sourdough bread, and other baked goods. The café also sells its own line of hot sauces, made in-house—a detail that speaks volumes about its ersonality. Everything here feels rooted in pride, the kind that grows only when you love what you do.
The Feel of Home
The dining room exudes a kind of country charm that’s increasingly rare. Walls dotted with rustic art, comfortable seating, the low hum of friendly conversation—it’s the opposite of corporate polish, and that’s precisely the point. Sunnyside Café is a mom-and-pop establishment through and through.
The service, too, deserves credit. Kristy moved briskly but never rushed us, chatting with tables as though she’d known them for years. Around us, families lingered over coffee refills and late-morning laughter. It was the kind of place where everyone seemed to know someone, and newcomers were welcomed all the same.
As we finished breakfast, we struck up a conversation with a few fellow diners. Kristin and Sue, local regulars, told us they come every week: “The food’s always fresh, and the service is always great,” they said without hesitation.
Wendy, visiting from Pennsylvania, smiled and added, “I eat here every time I’m in town to see my dad — I just love their food.” This kind of sentiment comes from meals shared, stories swapped, and consistency earned over time.
Seven Days of Sunshine
Sunnyside Café is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., closing only on Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. There’s ample parking, full wheelchair accessibility, and a staff that seems to know every customer by name. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite on your way to the shore or sitting down for a leisurely brunch, Sunnyside manages to make every visit feel like the right choice.
As we left, Mark thanked us warmly and waved to the next group coming in. The tables were full again, the smell of coffee and pancakes thick in the air, and a line was forming near the door. Clearly, we weren’t the only ones who had chosen the homelike atmosphere.
In a town known for its beaches and boutiques, Sunnyside Café offers something simpler but no less special — a sense of belonging. It’s where good food meets good people, where the eggs are cooked on a flat-top griddle the way they should be, and where the morning sun always seems to shine just a little brighter.
If you find yourself driving down Route 9 toward Cape May, don’t just pass by. Pull
in, grab a seat, and taste what a local classic really feels like. Sunnyside Café lives up to its name — serving not only breakfast and lunch, but a little sunshine with every plate.
Note from AC JosepH Media: If you like this story and others posted on Front Runner New Jersey.com, lend us a hand so we can keep producing articles like these for New Jersey and the world to see. Click on SUPPORT FRNJ and make a contribution that will go directly in making more stories like this available. Thank you for reading!
About Author
