Atlantic City Dining: Top Hotel Restaurants Near The Boardwalk

Atlantic City, New Jersey is known as the "Las Vegas of the East Coast," thanks to its many casinos. Similarly to Las Vegas, these casinos attract numerous guests, many of whom opt to stay in large hotels near Atlantic City's famous boardwalk. These hotels boast a huge array of restaurants (some good, others not so good) that offer breakfast, lunch, dinner, and everything in between. In this article, we'll examine the best restaurants in some of Atlantic City's large, boardwalk hotels.

In this city, many hotel restaurants are associated with celebrity chefs such as Gordon Ramsay. However, several hotels also boast popular restaurants that — instead of being built around an individual — are designed with a certain theme or cuisine in mind. As such, there are numerous restaurant options across Atlantic City's boardwalk hotels.

We studied many sources to determine which of these hotel restaurants should make it into the article, considering reviews by locals and formal reports made by journalists. You can find a methodology at the bottom of the article, which details exactly how we made these selections. But, before that, let's discover the top hotel restaurants near Atlantic City's boardwalk.

Caesars Atlantic City recently underwent a $230 million refurbishment that completely transformed this location of the iconic hotel chain. The most impressive part of this transformation is found in the hotel's restaurant scene, as Gordon Ramsay and Nobu Matsuhisa brought their famed brands to Caesars. That being said, the best breakfast at Caesars is not provided by either of these culinary stars. Instead, it's found in Tazza Caffé. This casual spot is open 24/7, serving coffee, pastries, and breakfast bagels. This convenient schedule, as well as Tazza Caffé's low prices, make eating here the best way to start your day.

Ramsay has two restaurants in Caesars Atlantic City: Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill and Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen. Of these, only the pub serves lunch. Available from noon to 3 p.m. every day, lunch at Ramsay's pub is an indulgent affair, with flavorful starters like Duck Poutine and entrées such as Chicken Pot Pie dominating the menu. Many sandwiches are also packed with flavor, as typified by the Gruyère-stuffed The Dublin, Ramsay's take on a Reuben.

For dinner at Caesars Atlantic City, there's Gordon Ramsay's Hell's Kitchen. The name comes from Ramsay's hit show of the same title and the Atlantic City location is one of many. Pan-Seared Scallops and Crispy Skin Salmon are some of the best dishes on the menu. Critics also recommend Ramsay's famous sticky toffee pudding. 

https://www.caesars.com/caesars-ac
609-348-4411
2100 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

At its restaurants, Tropicana Atlantic City does not boast the big names that Caesars does. That does not mean there isn't a host of great places to grab something to eat. Opening at 8 a.m., Tropicana's La Petite Crêperie is the ideal place to have breakfast. Here, crêpes are made to order. They come in a variety of flavors, including Cannoli and Black Forest. Savory crêpe options are also available.

What Tropicana lacks in big names, it more than makes up for in variety. Mexican, Japanese, Italian, and Cuban cuisines are all represented in the hotel. Of these, Casa Taco & Tequila Bar is the best bet for lunch, thanks to an abundance of fun, tasty dishes. One example of this is the restaurant's guacamole, which is prepared tableside using a molcajete (a type of mortar and pestle often used in Mexican cuisine). A range of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and other entrées are also available, giving patrons a huge variety of choices.

For dinner, Ossu Asian Tavern is the jewel in Tropicana's crown, boasting an abundance of flavorful dishes from the Asian continent. The Edamame Dumplings, served in a sake broth with white truffle, are an excellent dish, as is the establishment's Mongolian Beef. Yet, the biggest draw of Ossu Asian Tavern is the drinks. The tavern serves nearly 50 Japanese whiskies, many sakes, and a host of beers and cocktails.

https://www.caesars.com/tropicana-ac
609-340-4000
2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Hard Rock Hotel in Atlantic City is home to several restaurants, including the brand's eponymous café. This café is open beginning at 8 a.m. every day, making it the ideal spot for guests to have breakfast. While similar restaurants have limited breakfast menus, the Hard Rock Café offers 20 dishes, including buttermilk pancakes, as well as a variety of omelets. Displayed memorabilia, including clothes worn by Lady Gaga and Prince, make visiting the café an event in itself.

New Jersey is a state known for its submarine sandwiches, and few companies make better subs than Atlantic City institution White House Subs, which has been serving them since 1946. Aside from its flagship store on Arctic Avenue, White House Subs has a restaurant in the Hard Rock Hotel, giving guests unprecedented access to iconic subs, including the brand's Meatball Submarine. Lunch is taken care of.

In terms of dinner, Hard Rock's premier establishment is Council Oaks Steaks & Seafood, a fine dining restaurant that serves dry-aged, USDA Prime steaks. These steaks are cooked over coals and wood to lend the meat even more flavor. Such carefully cooked meat is best served alongside wines ordered from the restaurant's excellent list, as Council Oaks has won Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence several times.

https://casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city
609-449-1000
1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Bally's is a 1,200-room hotel located on Atlantic City's Pacific Avenue. The building is home to nine different restaurants, and Casino Cafe & Grille is your best bet for breakfast. The café is more than capable of meeting the demands of various guests, thanks to a large menu that serves everything from hot cereal to lobster omelets. Aside from the food, patrons are also fond of the restaurant's classic American diner atmosphere.

The diner theme is evident in Bally's best lunch restaurant: Johnny Rockets. Here, guests are treated to classic tiled floors, red booths, and stainless steel tables. The decor comes with a traditional diner menu, chock full of burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs. All of these dishes have extremely generous portions. Johnny Rockets also serves a variety of impressive floats and shakes.

For dinner, The Yard is a restaurant and nightlife venue rolled into one thanks to its fun, beer garden-inspired style. The Yard's menu reflects the restaurant's laid-back atmosphere, featuring burgers and fried chicken served with slaw. The food is of good quality, but The Yard's biggest draw is its award-winning range of craft beers. Few places in Atlantic City can rival this impressive collection of draught and bottled brews.

https://casinos.ballys.com/atlantic-city/
609-340-2000
1900 Pacific Ave., Atlantic City, New Jersey 08401

Harrah's is a casino hotel that's owned by Caesars Entertainment. Thus, it's little surprise that the Atlantic City hotel boasts a range of celebrity-owned restaurants, from the likes of Bobby Flay, Gordon Ramsay, and Guy Fieri. Of these three, only Flay's restaurant, Bobby's Burgers, is open for breakfast. Here, customers can expect to enjoy indulgent breakfast sandwiches packed with scrambled eggs, sausages, and cheese. These are topped with potato chips — an addition that many customers greatly enjoy. Those seeking lighter dishes have the choice of a Greek Yoghurt Parfait or Cinnamon Maple Oatmeal.

Bobby's Burgers isn't the only burger joint in Harrah's, thanks to AC Burger Co., a spot that serves 100% Angus beef patties. Aside from these patties, the restaurant is known to serve an excellent cheesesteak topped with provolone cheese. Located right next to the casino, AC Burger Co. is a quality, convenient place to enjoy lunch.

When it comes to dinner, the most premium restaurant located in Harrah's is Gordon Ramsay Steak. This restaurant serves dishes typical of steakhouses across the country such as shellfish towers, wedge salads, and, of course, steak. While the dishes won't win awards for their originality, they are wonderfully executed. The steaks are particularly impressive, due to their incredibly tender texture. The only drawback of the restaurant is its expense, with many steaks costing over $80. However, these are dishes worth paying for.

https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-ac
609-441-5000
777 Harrah's Blvd., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Most hotels included on this list are home to an abundance of restaurants, often more than 10. Showboat bucks this trend with only five restaurants located on its premises. Unfortunately, most of these have less than stellar reputations. Take Atlantic City Eatery, for example. ACE serves a breakfast buffet that is deemed mediocre at best, due to an abundance of substandard food. Many guests also complained they were charged extra for a cup of coffee. Unfortunately, this is probably your best bet for those looking to eat breakfast at Showboat. Bricker's Burgers is the only other restaurant that serves the first meal of the day.

Open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and later on other days, Bricker's Burgers is the go-to restaurant for most people staying at the Showboat. However, eating here isn't always enjoyable; critics have complained of flavorless ingredients, long wait times, and even hidden fees being added to their bills. That being said, the restaurant's long opening hours make it a convenient place to refuel both during lunch and dinner.

https://www.showboathotelac.com/
609-487-4600
801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

The Golden Nugget is another hotel-casino that has launched an expensive refurbishment plan focused on various improvements. One part of the hotel that requires little attention is Golden Nugget's dining sector, thanks to the abundance of high-quality restaurants that are found on the premises. Michael Patrick's Brasserie is one of these, serving a range of comforting dishes throughout the day. The best time to visit Michael Patrick's is in the morning when the large range of breakfast dishes is most enjoyable.

One of the highly touted restaurants found in the Golden Nugget is Dos Caminos, a Mexican-themed restaurant chain that has locations in New York City. The Atlantic City location, which opened in 2023, follows the example of these earlier establishments, by serving exceptional margaritas and an impressive range of tacos. This combination makes Dos Caminos the perfect place to enjoy a boozy, late lunch.

As with several other hotels on this list, the Golden Nugget is home to a steakhouse. Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse serves USDA Prime steaks and is also celebrated for its wine list, which has been awarded Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence on several occasions. Thanks to the quality of the food and wine, this restaurant is perfect for those having a romantic dinner date. 

https://www.goldennugget.com/atlantic-city/
609-441-2000
600 Huron Ave., Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Open from 8 a.m., The Metropolitan is a popular place for Borgata guests to have breakfast. The restaurant is nicely designed, with patterned ceilings and plenty of space between tables. The ambiance is casual. This is reflected in the menu, with dishes like eggs benedict sitting alongside biscuits and gravy. The omelets are especially good; many guests enjoy the ability to choose their own fillings.

Noodles of the World, known as NOW, is a popular restaurant located in the Borgata and often has queues of people waiting for a table. Thankfully, the restaurant is open late, meaning pretty much everyone is guaranteed a seat at some point. NOW is popular because it serves quality dishes from a variety of Asian cuisines at reasonable prices. For example, a good lo mein costs less than $20. The restaurant also stocks a variety of beverages including tea, sake, and plum wine. Thanks to its quality and affordability, NOW is a great spot to grab lunch.

Old Homestead Steak House is a name that may be familiar to many steak enthusiasts. The original location in New York City is known for being one of the longest continually serving restaurants in America. The Atlantic City outpost, located in the Borgata, doesn't boast as much history. However, it does serve the same high-quality, expertly prepared steaks that have made Old Homestead a household name. Try it for dinner.

https://borgata.mgmresorts.com/en.html
609-317-1000
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

At Resorts Atlantic City, Ruby's Dinette offers a quintessential American diner experience from when it opens in the early morning until it closes late at night. Egg breakfasts, pancakes, and burgers can all be enjoyed as soon as the diner opens. These classics are offered alongside a huge range of other dishes – including an exceptional version of fish and chips — ensuring there is a dish to suit every customer's wants and needs.

The Dougherty's are known as being one of the leading families in Atlantic City's restaurant business. Given this reputation, it is little surprise that many guests staying at Resorts cannot wait to visit Dougherty's Steakhouse and Raw Bar. The steakhouse leans classical, offering succulent pieces of beef alongside more exclusive cuts including both Iberico pork and wagyu. To make matters even better, this restaurant offers a $20 prix fixe lunch.

Everybody who stays at Resorts wants to eat dinner at Capriccio, a famed Italian restaurant that is the longest-running casino restaurant in the city. Capriccio oozes old-school charm thanks to its many pillars, chandeliers, and murals. The menu is similarly impressive, boasting classics like Clams Oreganata. 

https://resortsac.com/
609-340-6300
1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

Although it opens at 8 a.m., Harper's markets itself as a brunch restaurant, by offering an enticing range of cocktails such as mimosas and Bellinis. The focus on brunch is reflected in the food. Egg-based dishes and waffles, pancakes, and toasts dominate. The Bananas Foster French Toast is particularly celebrated. When faced with impressive dishes like this, it's difficult to dispute that Harper's serves one of the best brunches in town.

Villain & Saint is a bar and grill located just outside Ocean's food court. It is open throughout the day and offers a range of dishes, making it the perfect place to enjoy lunch. Lighter dishes, including a club sandwich, form the basis of the menu. While not awe-inspiring, the food is solid. However, the main draw of Villain & Saint is a large beer menu, which includes a host of draught, bottled, and canned beers.

Amada is a Spanish restaurant by chef Jose Garces that specializes in tapas. The dishes on offer are varied and include classics such as patatas bravas, as well as larger dishes like a beef short rib that's served on flatbread. The food is excellent and is perfectly complemented by the restaurant's ambiance. The result is a wonderful dining experience.

https://www.theoceanac.com/
609-783-8000
500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401

We selected the hotels based on their location; they had to be in close proximity to Atlantic City's famous boardwalk. What's more, the hotels also had to have dining venues that catered for all three meals of the day. The restaurants themselves were included after examining local sources. These included professional reviews by journalists and restaurant critics, as well as content produced by amateur critics, bloggers, and enthusiasts.