Best Atlantic City NJ Restaurants [Updated for 2025]

Restaurant reviews of Atlantic City, NJ and the neighboring towns of Absecon and Margate

Atlantic City has become one of the top food destinations on the East Coast.
The city’s restaurant scene stands out for its nonstop energy, welcoming hospitality, and remarkable diversity. Whether you’re drawn to classic Italian kitchens, iconic steakhouses, or crave the excitement of sushi bars, there’s a spot here that’s earned its place on every food lover’s bucket list.
Expect to find much more than boardwalk treats. Atlantic City's best restaurants combine family tradition, bold innovation, and standout global flavors. Local favorites serve up fresh seafood from nearby docks, while upscale venues bring memorable dining with unforgettable flair.

Each visit promises something new, and this guide brings together the essential places to eat so you can savor the best of Atlantic City, no matter your taste or budget.

Now’s the time to book a table and start planning your tour of Atlantic City’s best restaurants. From romantic dinners to lively brunches, each spot promises something new with every visit. If you want to make the most of your next trip or weekend out, let this list guide your journey.

Iconic Italian Experiences in Atlantic City

Atlantic City’s Italian dining scene brings old-world warmth and modern flair to the city’s restaurant lineup. Here, classic recipes, family traditions, and tableside finishing touches transform dinner into an experience. These beloved spots highlight both the depth of Italian-American flavors and the city’s appetite for show-stopping hospitality.

Cafe 2825: Tableside Theater and Old World Flavor
Stepping into Cafe 2825 feels like being welcomed into someone’s home—one where food is a serious affair and every detail matters. This family-owned favorite is small and intimate, perfect for those looking to escape the crowds. What’s legendary here isn’t only the menu but also the tableside presentations that draw diners from all over New Jersey.
Cafe 2825 offers a true taste of Southern Italy, blending tradition and surprise for a dinner that’s as memorable as it is delicious.

Chef Vola’s: Secretive, Homestyle Excellence
Hidden in a quiet street-level location, Chef Vola’s is the kind of spot you hear about from friends and locals. With a near-mythical word-of-mouth reputation, this family-run restaurant has kept its charm by keeping things exclusive and low-key.
When you finally land a spot at Chef Vola’s, the meal is always worth the wait. It’s a rite of passage for true Atlantic City food lovers.

Angeline and Girasole: Modern and Coastal Italian Gems
If you want to experience Italian dining with a modern or coastal twist, Angeline and Girasole make perfect picks. Each puts their unique spin on tradition, yet both stay true to the roots of Italian hospitality.

Angeline: Located inside the Borgata, Angeline is Michael Symon’s tribute to his mother’s recipes and home-cooked comfort. The menu features soulful red sauce favorites, house-baked breads, and classics like lasagna layered with creamy béchamel and bold marinara. Rustic, elegant décor and a top-notch wine list make it a destination for a night out.
Girasole: Known for its airy, Mediterranean-inspired setting, Girasole draws guests in with its sun-drenched garden room and fresh, handcrafted pastas. Standout dishes include seafood linguine loaded with clams, shrimp, and scallops, all scratch-made and served with genuine warmth by the family owners.

Both restaurants balance authenticity with memorable flair. Whether you crave the comfort of Sunday sauce or the brightness of coastal seafood, Angeline and Girasole deliver memorable meals rich with Italian soul.

Seafood and Steakhouse Standouts

Atlantic City earns its reputation as a dining powerhouse with its standout seafood joints and timeless steakhouses. Here, you’ll find a seamless blend of historic charm and modern flair, where chefs treat local catch with respect and serve up steak that rivals any city on the East Coast. These restaurants set the bar for freshness, quality, and atmosphere—making them essential stops for any food lover mapping out their next meal in AC.

Dock’s Oyster House: Over a Century of Tradition
Dock’s Oyster House sits in the heart of Atlantic City, holding strong as the city’s longest-running seafood restaurant since 1897. This beloved institution is renowned for its fresh oysters and a raw bar that rotates with the seasons, always reflecting the very best the coast has to offer.
Dock’s delivers more than just good food; it’s a piece of Atlantic City’s soul, where every meal tastes like an occasion.

Knife & Fork Inn and Ocean Steak: Classic Chops, Local Flavor
For steakhouse lovers, few places build excitement like Knife & Fork Inn and Ocean Steak. Both serve up prime cuts and fresh seafood in settings that make dinner feel special from the moment you walk in.

Knife & Fork Inn: A landmark since 1912, this spot impresses both locals and visitors with its carved wood details, stained glass, and an inviting two-level dining room. The menu features dry-aged steaks, double-cut lamb chops, and a robust raw bar. The wine list is extensive enough to please any aficionado, with both bold reds and crisp whites that pair perfectly with surf and turf.
Ocean Steak: Located inside Ocean Casino Resort, Ocean Steak matches prime-grade filets and ribeyes with stunning city views. The modern, spacious dining area feels both upscale and comfortable. The kitchen excels at pairing steaks with seafood sides—think lobster tails and scallops—while offering an impressive list of international wines and signature cocktails.

Both restaurants deliver the gold standard of steakhouse luxury, but with Atlantic City’s unmistakable sense of hospitality and a focus on local flavor.

Council Oak Steak & Seafood: A Modern Take on Surf and Turf
Council Oak Steak & Seafood at Hard Rock Hotel brings a sleek, contemporary vibe to the city’s steak and seafood scene. This top-tier spot is known for its inventive approach, reliable consistency, and attention to every detail.
Council Oak strikes that rare balance—modern yet welcoming, ambitious yet authentic—making it a must for anyone who craves the best of both steak and seafood in Atlantic City.

Sizzling Spots for International Cuisine

Atlantic City’s food scene pulls inspiration from every corner of the globe, bringing vibrant Japanese, Cuban, and Mexican flavors to diners right on the Jersey shore. If you want more than classic boardwalk eats, these standouts bring bold tastes, fresh ingredients, and stunning ambiance together in memorable ways. Here’s where to find the city’s best upscale international dining experiences.

Nobu and Kuro: Sushi and Small Plates with Style
Nobu inside Caesars sets a high bar for modern Japanese cuisine in Atlantic City. The sleek, cosmopolitan decor gives off an immediate sense of luxury, but it’s the food that draws repeat crowds. Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s signature approach fuses traditional Japanese methods with contemporary creativity.

Noby: Don’t-miss dishes
Include the Black Cod Miso—a perfectly marinated filet with a deep umami glaze that melts in your mouth—and showstopping sushi and sashimi platters using premium ingredients like toro, kanpachi, and octopus. Guests rave about the shrimp tempura rolls and spicy tiradito, seasoned with Peruvian chili for a punch of flavor.
Wagyu beef on sizzling stone is a special highlight for meat lovers, cooked to perfection and served tableside for a real spectacle.
Sake lovers will appreciate Nobu’s extensive sake program, featuring selections rarely found elsewhere in Atlantic City. Pairings are encouraged to complement the menu’s layered flavors.

Over at Kuro, inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, the vibe is upbeat and contemporary, perfect for group dinners or date nights. Here, the focus is on sharing modern Japanese small plates, each made with handpicked local and imported ingredients.

Kuro’s robata grill delivers unforgettable skewers, while the spicy tuna crispy rice and seared salmon sashimi earn rave reviews.
Their omakase offerings give guests a true taste of the chef’s creativity, and the cocktail menu, built around Japanese spirits and harmonious flavor profiles, matches the inventive energy on the plate.
The dining room matches the food in style: think dramatic architectural details, curated art, and a hint of rock ‘n’ roll swagger.

Both restaurants shine thanks to attentive staff, a focus on the finest ingredients, and a commitment to elevating Japanese fare above the ordinary. Perfect for an indulgent dinner or a special celebration.

Cuba Libre and Pancho’s Mexican Taqueria: Bold, Authentic Tastes

Cuba Libre located in Tropicana, transports guests straight to Havana with its open-air style, vintage décor, and Latin music setting the mood for a festive evening. The lively, welcoming atmosphere primes guests for a menu full of classic Cuban flavors with soulful twists.

Favorites include ropa vieja, pan-roasted snapper, and fork-tender pork shoulder—all thoughtfully seasoned and slow-cooked.
Signature cocktails, especially their mango mojito made with premium Caribbean rum, set the happy hour scene alongside house-made appetizers like garlic shrimp and empanadas.
The vibrant rum list gives diners a reason to linger, and when the music starts, the space turns into a Latin nightspot, making dinner at Cuba Libre feel like a mini-vacation.

For those craving Mexican food with real intensity,
Pancho’s Mexican Taqueria stands out. Tucked away from the glitz of the casinos, Pancho’s draws locals and tourists who seek genuinely bold, from-scratch cooking.

Handmade tortillas are the backbone here—soft, chewy, and made to order so every taco, quesadilla, or huarache starts from the freshest possible base.
Fillings range from classic al pastor, steak, and chicken to specialties like goat and fish. Rich salsas and guacamole, made daily, bring each plate to another level.
The energy inside Pancho’s feels a bit like a bustling taqueria in Mexico City: colorful, casual, and welcoming. While service can be brisk during busy times, the flavors and portions always deliver.

Both Cuba Libre and Pancho’s prove that authentic atmosphere and true-to-their-roots cooking can easily rival the city’s priciest venues for pure satisfaction. This is where you’ll discover the spirit of Latin America—served with plenty of spice, music, and nods to traditio

Casual Classics and Local Favorites

Atlantic City's best-loved restaurants aren't always fancy or hard to find. Sometimes, the most memorable bites come from spots that feel like they're part of local life. These classic joints welcome everyone—families, night owls, and even celebrities—serving up big flavors and signature Jersey energy. If you want to taste the true spirit of the city, there’s no better place to start than at these crowd-pleasers.

White House Subs: An Atlantic City Legend
Few places capture Atlantic City's old-school charm like White House Subs. This storied sandwich shop has been feeding hungry locals, boardwalk workers, and travelers since 1946, keeping its original location on Arctic Avenue. What started as a small family business quickly became a must-visit, thanks to submarine sandwiches stacked almost two feet long.
The shop’s walls are a local landmark in their own right, lined with photos of legendary guests. You’ll spot autographed shots of Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Oprah Winfrey, and sports icons like Joe DiMaggio and Julius Erving. There's a good chance you’ll rub elbows with a local sports hero or entertainer as you dig in.
No frills—just hearty sandwiches, a slice of history, and an atmosphere buzzing with Atlantic City pride. White House Subs is as Jersey as it gets.

Gilchrist Restaurant and Hash House A Go Go: Breakfast and Brunch Staples
Nothing brings a community together quite like breakfast. Atlantic City locals know where to go when they want a morning meal that hits the spot.

Gilchrist Restaurant feels just like home, famous for classics made right. Open since 1946, Gilchrist has become a go-to for anyone craving a warm stack of pancakes or a fluffy omelet by the water.
Blueberry pancakes that never disappoint: Known near and far, these light, golden hot cakes are dotted with sweet berries and come piping hot from the griddle.
Welcoming, family vibe: Quick service, fair prices, and cozy waterfront views set the mood. From solo diners grabbing a quick coffee to families filling the big tables, everyone feels at home.

Hash House A Go Go, located in the Tropicana, the motto is, “Go big or go home.” This spot puts a playful spin on comfortable classics, drawing weekend crowds for its creative plates and fun energy. Pancake towers nearly the size of a hubcap, hearty hashes brimming with roasted meats and veggies, and scrambles piled high on giant platters. The menu jumps from chicken and waffles with sweet syrup to sage-fried chicken Benedict, each one eye-catching and satisfying. The buzz of happy eaters and the open, roomy dining area make it perfect for groups. Staff keep things friendly and fast, getting hot plates to the table with a smile.

Whether you crave pancakes at sunrise or a full feast at brunch, both Gilchrist and Hash House A Go Go serve up comfort and character in equal measure. Here, breakfast isn’t just the most important meal of the day—it’s a celebration.

Atlantic City Restaurant Guidelines and Seasonal Tips

Atlantic City's dining venues are shaped by its changing seasons, lively crowds, and a mix of long-standing favorites with fresh newcomers. Planning where—and when—to eat makes all the difference for anyone hoping to taste the best. From breezy summer nights to quieter off-season evenings, every meal tells its own story.

Before going to a restaurant, it’s a good idea to check ahead for essential details, like whether reservations are needed, if it’s BYOB, child-friendly, has live music, outdoor seating, parking, or other features that matter to you.
A quick look at the website or a phone call can help avoid any surprises, especially if you’re planning to bring your favorite bottle.