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.

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

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

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

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

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