Atlantic City is more than just roulette tables, night clubs & slot machines. While it is no secret we love putting a big stack on double-zero, its definitely not the only reason we get dressed up and head to America's Favorite Playground. The spirit of Old 1920s Atlantic City is still alive in some of our favorite spots, but there are also newer restaurants staking claim in the Atlantic City foodie scene, which should not be overlooked. Between popular chefs finding homes in the larger casinos and family owned restaurants located throughout the city, there are a lot of good eats to be had. Check out the best foodie spots in Atlantic City below:
The Knife and Fork
Dating back to 1912, the Knife & Fork is a complete embodiment of New Jersey during the roaring twenties. This institution was mentioned on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire and with good reason, as the real life Nucky Thomson was a patron and the Knife and Fork openly served alcohol during prohibition. The dark paneled walls, old photos and law defying history was enough to get us through the door, but the fantastic steaks, fresh seafood and extensive wine list are more than enough to keep us coming back. Two Dopes Tip: You’ve gotta try the 10oz Ribeye Filet with broccoli rabe, mushrooms, long hots, garlic and shaved parmesan with a side of lobster risotto.
Dock’s Oyster House
This family-owned restaurant has been in business since 1897 & if you love piano bars and delicious seafood, this is the place for you! It has a great old-timey charm which is enhanced by the piano that is built into the bar. The menu has extensive raw bar options, which makes Docks our favorite spot for a seafood tower in Atlantic City.
Café 2825
Top notch Italian cuisine with a well-known cheese man. Do we need to say more? Café 2825 does table side preparations the right way! With choices like their Cacio e Pepe and fresh mozzarella, you really cannot go wrong. The menu is full of mouthwatering dishes inspired by the family’s Brooklyn and Italian roots. Two Dopes Tip: This intimate restaurant has only 14 tables, so be sure to book a reservation well in advance.
White House Sub Shop
This sub shop has been in business since 1946 and is one of the best out of long-standing joints of old school Atlantic City. Known as the best spot for a sub in AC, White House Sub Shop get a lot of attention for their cheesesteaks & their White House Special sub. They also make 72” hoagies, which was famously devoured by The Beatles in the 1960s.
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill
This classic English style pub is located in an open space of Caesars Palace. This menu is packed with a lot delicious options! Some of our favorites include the duck poutine, the molasses & brown ale glazed wings, and the Shepherd’s Pie. However, the show stopper for us is easily the sticky toffee pudding with double cream vanilla ice cream, which we consider the best dessert in Atlantic City. Fun Fact: Every Gordon Ramsay restaurant has a version of this toffee pudding on its dessert menu.
Tony’s Baltimore Grill
If its late night and you’re looking for a greasy pizza, you’ve gotta go to Tony’s Baltimore Grill. The pizza is cheesy, sloppy and perfect for soaking up whatever you’ve been drinking. This dive-bar has been a staple in Atlantic City since 1927 and the tableside jukeboxes only adds to the very cool retro vibe. They also serves up Italian classics, and are known to have delicious meatballs!
The Iron Room
This speakeasy-style eatery is masked as a liquor store in the front, but the back of the Iron Room is where the culinary magic happens. The menu is loaded with a variety of inventive small plates, like fried sunchokes served with a spicy mayo, which changes based on the availably of seasonal ingredients. Their whiskey menu is also one of the most extensive in NJ, making it a great spot for a whiskey tasting.
Olón
With spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean, it makes sense that the menu at Olón highlights fresh seafood and coastal cuisine. The dishes at Olon are specifically influenced by the beach towns of Ecuador, which are part of Chef Jose Garces roots. If you’re not up for a full sit down dinner, Bar Olón is a fantastic choice. We cannot get enough of the beef and cheese empanadas or the shrimp skewers. You also can’t beat the Olón Brunch with a bottomless raw bar and a build-your-own Bloody Mary station. You can read more about the Olón brunch experience here.
Okatshe
Located right next to Olón, Okatshe can be easily overlooked as a small candy shop. Its only after you walk through the hidden door that you uncover the vibrant energy of Okatshe, one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in AC. The space is designed to mimic the streets of Tokyo and the menu includes Yakitori skewers, some of the crispiest chicken wings around and fried oysters, as well ramen and sushi.
Girasole
Girasole means sunflower in Italian, which suits its beautifully decorated and lavish space. This family-owned Atlantic City Italian restaurant focuses on freshness and quality of the food. All of their pastas are made daily in-house by hand, one of our favorites being the Tagliatelle pasta with Bolognese & a light ragu sauce. The lounge area is also very stylish and decorated with colorful prints by Versace.
Tony Boloney's
Tony Boloney's is widely known for its massive taco pizza and subs. While there is never a wrong time to visit, we think its to be a perfect hangover cure after a night out on the town. Their Ole Cheesesteak, with 10 spiced steak, chipotle sauce, fried onion, lettuce, tomato, cilantro and queso is easily one of the best cheesesteaks in New Jersey. The pizza is sold by the slice, which is a great way to sample their inventive pies, like chicken & waffles, french onion soup and ramen pizza.
Chef Vola
If you’re familiar with some of the best hideaway restaurants in New Jersey, perhaps you already know about Chef Vola’s, the speakeasy style Italian restaurant down Albion Street where it is almost impossible to get a table. The restaurant has an old school, home-like charm and the staff could not be friendlier. The veal parmesan is absolutely fantastic, as are the crab cakes and cream pies! You can read about Chef Vola in more detail here.
Bourré: Bourré is a New Orleans style restaurant serving up some delicious Cajun food, like alligator sausage and Jambalaya in a fun industrial style space. In addition to the expansive indoor space, they have a nice outdoor section that includes a BBQ smoker & shipping container bar.
Vagabond
If you’re looking for a delicious burger that packs a lot of flavor in Atlantic City, you need to head over to Vagabond. With fun (& equally delicious) burger options, its always hard for to decide what to get from the Surf & Turf Burger topped with a 4oz lobster tail or the Crabby Mac Burger topped with the crabby mac and cheese. Our go to burger is the Truffle Burger, which is epically delicious!
Angelo's Fairmount Tavern
If you’re looking for a classic Italian meal that’s accented with red and white tablecloths and house wine, Angelos will never let you down. Serving up Italian-American staples like XXXXXXX.l With incredibly reasonable prices and large portions, you will definitely never hungry.
Kuro
Kuro is located in the Hard Rock and is a great Japanese restaurant.
Dope Tip: Try some of the Japanese Whiskey they have on their menu!