Best Restaurants in Atlantic City
Regardless of whether you leave the casinos of Atlantic City with fat pockets or the sigh of someone who didn't quite break even, you can always say you got lucky—with the food
From the famous boardwalk to the little dives tucked inland, you'll find gourmet creations and sinful comfort food that's woven into the very character of this seaside city.
Soul Food: Kelsey's
It's soul food that literally comes with a side of soul: Kelsey's hosts R&B and jazz acts to go along with its chicken and red velvet waffles. This local favorite fries up whiting and catfish along with the chicken, slow-smokes its ribs St. Louis-style and properly smothers a pork chop. Black-eyed peas and collard greens are among the sides, along with mac and cheese and candied yams. But one of the biggest bargains is Kelsey's Saturday and Sunday all-you-can-eat brunch, where you can load your plate up with a jackpot of breakfast foods, shrimp, chicken, grits, waffles and more.
Bar Bites: The Iron Room
Take a break from the casino buffets for tapas and cocktails at the city's first post-Prohibition speakeasy. It's not on the Boardwalk, but it’s well worth the trek to find the Iron Room behind the Atlantic City Bottle Company. While fans rave about the duck confit cheese fries or foie gras whipped potatoes, be forewarned that your grilled cheese may never seem the same after you try one with cheddar, double-cream brie, Gruyere, arugula, tomato and honey Dijon. It may sound like the name comes from flatiron steaks, but it's actually drawn from the Monopoly game piece.
Fresh Catch: Barbera Seafood Market
Don't let the Barbera Seafood Market sign lead you to think this is only a grocery stop. While the market peddles the raw catch of the day to enterprising cooks, you can also reel in some scrumptious prepared seafood to devour on the back patio, or take it to go. The menu is basically whatever you dream of when you smell the ocean air, from fried flounder and scallops to crab cakes and even lobster. Platters come with fries and coleslaw, and hushpuppies are an inexpensive add-on. There's also an impressive selection of sautéed fish for those who'd rather forego the grease, including salmon, shrimp and tilapia.
Superb Sandwich: White House Subs
If you've splurged on an expensive, celebrity-chef steak dinner at one of the casinos—or if you’ve simply left too much money in the slots and on the tables—fill your stomach with not-just-any-sandwich at an Atlantic City classic. Dating back to 1946, White House Subs on Arctic Avenue makes locals and visitors alike—some of their pictures line the walls as photographic proof—go hog-wild over their hoagies. They're especially adored for their signature sub stuffed with Italian meats and provolone, but the options don't stop there. Try a giant steak sub oozing with cheese or Italian sausage parm.
Ready to travel? Find hotels in Atlantic City.
More to Explore
About Atlantic City
From climate to casinos, learn more about the adventures that await in Atlantic City.
Boardwalk Guide
From carnival rides to seaside casinos, Atlantic City Boardwalk offers fun 'round the clock.