The Charlesworth Evokes Feelings of Days Gone By
Photo by Meredith Winner/Mer-Made Photography.
AC JosepH Media
FORTESCUE — There are few places in South Jersey where exceptional food, outstanding service, breathtaking waterfront views, and rich local historty come togetehr so effortlessly. The Charlesworth Hotel & Restaurant delivers all of that — and more.
Nestled along the Delaware Bay, where gentle waves quietly lap against the shoreline, The Charlesworth offers one of the most picturesque dining experiences in Cumberland County. The scenery alone is worth the drive, but it’s the restaurant’s remarkable menu, welcoming atmosphere, and dedication to quality that keep guests returning.
Featuring upscale cuisine at reasonable prices, the menu ranges from “out-of-this-world” Oysters Rockefeller and perfectly prepared New York Strip Steak with sautéed mushrooms to mouthwatering Tomahawk Pork Chops. Every dish reflects a commitment to fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation.
From the moment the Front Runner New Jersey.com Dine-In Team arrived, we were greeted with the warmth and comfort of coming home for the holidays. After being seated, we sampled an impressive selection of appetizers from the Sunday holiday menu.
Among the many standouts was an unforgettable combination of local honey, pistachios, and creamy goat cheese served atop homemade, freshly baked bread. We were pleasantly surprised to learn that every item is prepared using only fresh ingredients — with absolutely no preservatives. That commitment to quality immediately captured our attention.
Other favorites included bacon-wrapped water chestnuts and generously stuffed shrimp filled with fresh crab meat — again, prepared without fillers. Both dishes were exceptionally flavorful and beautifully presented.
The Charlesworth’s menu offers something for everyone, satisfying even the most devoted seafood lovers while also pleasing those looking for outstanding steaks, poultry, and traditional favorites.
Seafood specialties include crab cakes, deviled clams, sea scallops, oysters, and marinara pasta, while land-based favorites include grilled chicken, veal primavera, spaghetti and meatballs, beef tenderloin, and premium steaks.
Even the smallest details receive extraordinary attention.
The restaurant proudly serves Stetson Coffee, which our reviewers found to be among the smoothest cups of coffee they’ve ever enjoyed. We rarely comment on water during our restaurant visits, but The Charlesworth’s water is filtered and treated under UV light, creating an incredibly fresh, clean taste.
“I’m a water snob,” laughed co-owner Syboll Munger, who has operated the restaurant since 2024.
Warm, engaging, and genuinely personable, Syboll can often be found visiting with guests throughout the dining room while Chef Julian Krady and his team of ten cooks prepare every meal from scratch.
Our servers were attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about the menu, making an already memorable visit even more enjoyable.
Outstanding presentation, incredible flavors, and exceptional hospitality have earned The Charlesworth a loyal following and countless rave reviews.
Former Millville Mayor and Cumberland County Commissioner Jim Quinn even described The Charlesworth on his Around South Jersey television program as “one of the best restaurants in South Jersey.”
After our visit, FRNJ Dine-In wholeheartedly agrees.
Syboll credits much of the restaurant’s success to Chef Krady’s creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to using only the freshest ingredients.
“He’s self-taught, but he’s studied flavors,” Syboll said. “He substitutes spices for flavor, which is so nice. He doesn’t have to use sugar to cover himself. It’s unbelievable.”
The Charlesworth’s interior is a conversation piece all its own. Every room is decorated with carefully collected treasures, antiques, and maritime memorabilia, each carrying its own story. The décor beautifully reflects Fortescue’s rich heritage and Syboll’s remarkable eye for detail. His welcoming smile and sincere hospitality quickly make guests feel like part of the family.
The restaurant’s history is every bit as fascinating as its menu.
Founded in 1924 by Ruella Charlesworth, the hotel and restaurant opened during a time when it was uncommon for a woman to own both a business and property. It soon became a favorite gathering place for local fishermen, boat captains, and travelers looking for a hearty meal.
Its beautiful location along the Delaware Bay has also made it vulnerable to nature’s power. Hurricane Sandy devastated the property in 2012, forcing it to close for several years before reopening in 2014.
The current chapter of The Charlesworth began in 2021 when brother-and-sister team Syboll Munger and Amy Munger Grabfelder, together with Chef Julian Krady, purchased the property from Jim and Cheryl Fonash.
Before purchasing The Charlesworth, Syboll owned Fortescue Bayside, another local restaurant just down the road. He recruited Krady, a longtime college friend, to help bring his vision to life.
“I have wonderful memories of coming to Fortescue with my family,” Syboll said. “We opened up our first restaurant, and then four months later COVID hit. I had known the owners of The Charlesworth since I was a little kid, and they were kind enough to sell it to me.”
Today, guests regularly travel from the opposite side of New Jersey — from Avalon, Ocean City, Cape May, and beyond — to experience this hidden Delaware Bay destination.
Although the restaurant and hotel have occasionally been listed for sale, Syboll jokes, “It’s always for sale.”
In the meantime, The Charlesworth continues doing what it has done for generations: serving outstanding food, welcoming new friends, and preserving one of South Jersey’s most treasured waterfront traditions.
Located at 224 New Jersey Avenue in Fortescue, The Charlesworth is open Fridays and Saturdays from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Front Runner New Jersey.com encourages readers to make the trip, enjoy the scenic drive through Cumberland County, and discover this hidden gem on the edge of the Delaware Bay.
Take in the peaceful surroundings, experience the incredible food, say hello to Syboll, and allow The Charlesworth to transport you back to simpler times — where hospitality still comes first and every meal is made with pride.
Some places simply serve dinner. The Charlesworth serves memories.
Follow Us Today On:
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. You can reach Editor Clyde Hughes at chughes@acjosephmedia.com. Thank you for reading!
About Author
