New Mediterranean Restaurant Coming to Cape May: Mediterrano By Santorini
In a town best known for Victorian architecture, seafood traditions, and long established Italian dining rooms, a new culinary chapter is preparing to open its doors.
The former Exit Zero restaurant building located at 110 Sunset Blvd in Cape May has been purchased by restaurateur Florian Furxhiu, who plans to transform the space into Mediterrano By Santorini, a Mediterranean restaurant blending Greek and Italian influences under one roof.
New Mediterranean Restaurant Coming to Cape May Mediterrano By Santorini
The project, scheduled to open in late April or early May, represents both a physical renovation and a conceptual shift for a location long associated with casual coastal dining. Furxhiu describes the new restaurant as elevated but accessible, calibrated specifically for a shore town audience.
“I really wanted to do an upscale restaurant,” he said, “but considering that we are in a shore town, I can’t make it very upscale. It’s going to be something in between but definitely above average.”
A New Chapter for a Familiar Location
The Exit Zero building has held a notable place in Cape May’s modern dining history. Exit Zero Filling Station, which previously occupied the site, became known for its relaxed atmosphere, approachable menu, and craft beer culture.
It functioned as a gathering spot rather than a destination dining experience, emphasizing comfort and familiarity over formality.
Mediterrano By Santorini aims to take the same footprint and reimagine it entirely. Furxhiu plans to overhaul both the interior and exterior, signaling a decisive departure from the building’s past identity.
“I definitely will transform the entire building’s interior,” he said. “But I also will do a lot of work outdoors.”
Plans include a large patio designed to immerse guests in Mediterranean aesthetics, complete with greenery, water features, and Greek and Roman inspired artwork and statuary.
The goal is to create not just a restaurant, but an environment that evokes the coastal regions of southern Europe.
Inspired by Santorini, Designed as Its Own Concept
Furxhiu is already a familiar name to South Jersey diners as the owner of Santorini and Venezia, two restaurants in Wildwood that have built profiles around Greek and Italian cuisines respectively.
Mediterrano By Santorini, however, is not positioned as a direct extension of either.
“This will be a distinct concept inspired by Santorini,” Furxhiu explained, “although it will be readable Santorini in terms of look and food.”
Rather than focusing on a single national identity, the menu will balance Greek and Italian traditions, selecting what Furxhiu describes as the most popular and recognizable dishes from both cuisines.
While the final menu is still under development, diners can expect a seafood forward approach, reflecting both Mediterranean culinary heritage and Cape May’s coastal setting.
A Gap in Cape May’s Dining Landscape
Furxhiu said the decision to invest in Cape May was driven by what he sees as a missing category in the local dining scene.
“There is no Mediterranean restaurant in Cape May or surrounding areas for that matter,” he said. “Sure there are the traditional Italian restaurants, very little Greek inspired restaurants, but I’m trying to bring the best of both cuisines.”
That gap, combined with Cape May’s steady tourism and year round dining culture, made the Exit Zero location a strategic choice.
Mediterrano By Santorini plans to operate year round, offering dinner service throughout the year and adding lunch service during the peak season from May through September.
An Experience First Approach
More than any single dish or design element, Furxhiu emphasizes experience as the guiding principle behind the project.
“I will focus very heavy on the food and ambiance,” he said. “I really want to give guests an experience unlike any other before in Cape May.”
Design renderings are still in progress, with visuals and renovation updates expected to be shared in the coming weeks.
Furxhiu indicated that a follow up look at the transformation may be possible as the project moves closer to completion.
If successful, Mediterrano By Santorini could mark a notable shift for the Cape May dining scene, introducing a Mediterranean concept that blends polish with approachability while reintroducing a familiar building as something entirely new.
What do you think of the new restaurant coming to Cape May? Let us know!