Atlantic City, often called by its abbreviation AC, is an enchanting seaside resort city nestled along the Jersey Shore in Atlantic County, New Jersey, USA. Situated on Absecon Island, the city is renowned for its vibrant casinos, bustling nightlife, and gorgeous Atlantic Ocean beaches and coastline.
It’s worth noting that Atlantic City served as a significant inspiration for the creation of the American edition of the popular board game Monopoly. The game incorporates a variety of street names and destinations from Atlantic City, adding a touch of familiarity and charm to the gameplay experience.
Atlantic City is sometimes referred to as the Vegas of the Northeast. While it’s true that AC draws inspiration from the casino capital in the west and exhibits certain resemblances, it does not boast the same magnitude as Vegas. Atlantic City primarily focuses on delivering a resort experience to its visitors. Today, it thrives as one of the most popular beach destinations in the United States.
The Italian food scene in Atlantic City is alive and diverse, so if you’re a lover of Italian cuisine, you’re in for a culinary treat. The city boasts numerous restaurants and eateries where you can indulge in authentic Italian dishes, including traditional picks such as pizza, pasta, risotto, and mouthwatering desserts.
8 Best Italian Restaurants in Atlantic City, NJ
Here are 8 of the best Italian restaurants in Atlantic City, renowned for their fantastic gastronomic offerings.
1. Chef Vola’s
Address: 111 S Albion Pl, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
This notable Atlantic City restaurant has a fascinating history that dates back to 1921. Originally, the building it’s in served as a rooming house owned by Vola brothers – Joe and Pina. The former would prepare nightly dinners for their tenants while also operating a liquor business in the basement.
The service provided at Chef Vola’s is top-notch. The staff are friendly and helpful, making sure that guests receive attentive care throughout their dining experience.
When it comes to the menu, Chef Vola’s offerings are nothing short of excellent. Several dishes stand out, including the signature veal chop, the Chilean sea bass with Macadamia nut crust, and the delectable colossal crab cakes. As for appetizers, the homestyle tossed salad is to die for.
An additional perk worth noting is that this restaurant operates as a BYOB establishment – “bring your own booze/bottle/beer.” So guests can bring their own bottles of booze like beer, wine, or selzters to match their meals, allowing the diners to enjoy their preferred drinks in a comfortable and relaxed setting.
Chef Vola is a cozy family-style restaurant within a private home situated in a residential neighborhood. They have a limited seating capacity, so we highly recommend making reservations in advance to secure your table.
2. Cafe 2825
Address: 2825 Atlantic Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
An elegant dining destination offering authentic Italian cuisine, complemented by a full bar and an extensive selection of wines, Cafe 2825 is an intimate space in Atlantic City in an upscale casual setting.
Cafe 2825 is a charming “neighborhood Italian-American restaurant” that is conveniently located just one block away from The Quarter – Atlantic City’s largest shopping and entertainment complex – at Tropicana.
Guests can indulge in a delightful dining experience, welcomed by the host who oversees this intimate restaurant with 14 tables adorned with white tablecloths.
Food at Cafe 2825 is remarkable, with the indoor dining area creating a perfect ambiance and enhancing the overall dining experience. Artichoke hearts Francese, Grandma’s fried meatballs, long hot peppers, and cauliflorini fritto (pan-fried breaded cauliflowers) are all gratifying appetizers. For desserts, the lemon sorbet is a popular offering, but the coconut cream cheesecake always steals the show with its extraordinary flavor.
You can’t complain about a bad dining experience at Cafe 2825. The combination of incredible food, inviting atmosphere, and scrumptious desserts makes for a truly satisfying culinary adventure!
3. Il Verdi
Address: 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Situated within Tropicana Atlantic City, Il Verdi specializes in Northern Italian cuisine, offering a delightful selection of award-winning wines and scrummy desserts.
Il Verdi’s offerings surpass all expectations, but one standout dish that deserves special mention is the costata di manzo (rib of beef with truffle butter), which has the power to make you forget about all the worries in the world and transport you to a culinary paradise! Make sure not to miss out on the surf and turf, cold antipasto, fried calamari, salmon, and ravioli when you visit. These dishes are a must-order!
The cocktails served here are also top-notch, leaving guests wanting for more with their flavorful concoctions. And when it comes to desserts, the sweet treats they serve are just as phenomenal.
If you’re someone who’s a little picky with Italian, make Il Verdi a go-to destination for an unforgettable meal in Atlantic City. Please note to book in advance as this restaurant is extremely popular.
4. Scannicchio’s at Lefty’s
Address: Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
One of the most renowned Italian restaurants in Atlantic City, Scannicchio’s at Lefty’s is a marriage of Scannicchio’s and the former Lefty’s Pub, coming together to create an exciting combination of the best of both establishments and offering a unique dining experience.
Scannicchio’s at Lefty’s has that cozy, “mom” kind of vibe with its homely setting, and the food is absolutely delicious. If you are quite particular about Italian food, this place truly captures the essence of traditional Italian cooking.
Diners can enjoy a diverse menu that caters to a variety of tastes, making this restaurant a must when in Atlantic City. Eggplant rollatini, veal saltimbocca, and the mouthwatering seafood pasta dish are simply not to be missed!
5. Capriccio
Address: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
A high-end restaurant within the stunning Resorts Casino, Capriccio offers breathtaking views of the ocean and the city. However, their primary offering is the classic Italian cuisine that transports diners to the heart of Italy with each meal.
The artwork adorning the walls of this establishment create a museum-like ambiance, engulfing you in a visual feast. Amazing ambience, outstanding food, and service that goes above and beyond expectations make Capriccio such an ideal choice when you’re craving Italian dishes in AC. It’s one of those places where you can indulge in a sophisticated evening with your date. In addition, they also offer a selection of non-alcoholic beers.
If you find yourself at the Hard Rock Casino, give it a shot. You can never go wrong with Capriccio!
6. Carmine’s Italian Restaurant
Address: 2801 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Carmine’s in Atlantic City is a casual eatery offering a vast range of pizzas and traditional Italian dishes. It comes with a fully stocked bar. It is located within The Quarter at the Tropicana Hotel & Casino.
Carmine’s is an exquisite family-style restaurant that prides itself on providing incredible value to its guests with a wide variety of impeccable Southern Italian dishes. Renowned restaurateur Artie Cutler conceived Carmine’s with a clear vision in mind: to leave the guests in awe by providing them with generously portioned meals that evoke the grandeur of an Italian wedding feast.
As one of the best Italian family-style restaurants in Atlantic City, Carmine’s homemade dishes – which include Caesar salad, linguine with white clam sauce, chicken parmigiana, shrimp cocktails, any many more – are made fresh daily. Their Titanic dessert is the best conclusion to any meal, so do not miss out on it!
7. Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern
Address: 2300 Fairmount Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
Step into an old-school Italian eatery that first opened its doors in 1935 and ages like a fine Italian wine. This Italian home-style restaurant in Atlantic City serves generous portions of beloved classics together with an extensive selection of wines.
While Angelo’s is not on the strip, it is just a 12-minute stroll from Caesars or a short cab ride from any of the casino hotels. This is a classic joint to get Italian food.
At Angelo’s, every dish is prepared and cooked well – and incredibly flavorful. The added perk of complimentary refills is a plus, which you should be sure to take advantage of!
Fantastic food and excellent service, humongous portions, and free refills? What’s not to like about Angelo’s?
8. Girasole
Address: 3108 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, USA
This swanky restaurant showcases exquisite Italian cuisine, featuring brick oven pizza and artisanal pastas made in-house, and with a stylish lounge area and a garden patio that guests can enjoy.
Girasole offers a delightful beverage called espresso chocolate martini, with its exquisite flavors that are truly to die for! Their branzino/seabass carpaccio and blue fin tuna carpaccio with pear guacamole will knock your socks off.
There’s no denying that Girasole is one of the finest Italian restaurants in the area. It offers an unparalleled experience of authentic Italian cuisine that goes to out-of-this-world levels. It’s the ultimate Italian experience you can get in AC!