10 Great Non-Casino Restaurants In The Atlantic City Area
The Atlantic City area is blessed to have so many quality casino and non-casino restaurants.
We would like to introduce you to 10 of the best non-casino restaurants in the Atlantic City area.
With the help of Peter Caporilli, a talented food and beverage expert, we’ve compiled our lists of the 10 best casino restaurants and 10 best non-casino restaurants in the Atlantic City area.
Both of our lists are included in this article. Following our list of the 10 best non-casino restaurants in the Atlantic City area (directly below), we provide a link to our list of the 10 best casino restaurants.
It wasn’t an easy task to put together either list, in fact it’s almost impossible because the Atlantic City area is blessed with so many fine restaurant owners.
Here goes! Our list of the 10 best non-casino restaurants in Atlantic City.
Knife & Fork Facebook photo.
1. THE KNIFE & FORK INN – ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Located on the corner of Albany Avenue and Pacific Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey is the legendary Knife & Fork Inn, a legendary restaurant founded in 1912.
A literal “Who’s Who” of Hollywood stars and dignitaries from all walks of life have dined there for the past 110 years.
It has earned our #1 position as the best non-casino restaurant in the Atlantic City area.
Peter Caporilli says there is no more authentic dining experience in Atlantic City than ordering the Lobster Thermidor while seated on the old porch that is now the Knife & Fork Inn’s bar area.
Jim Huntzinger in the kitchen is Atlantic City’s culinary royalty, according to Caporilli.
2. STEVE & COOKIES – MARGATE CITY, NEW JERSEY
Owner Cookie Till’s attention to detail is exceptional. Cookie even bakes all the desserts and owns and operates a separate bakery called VENT in VentnorNO.R-7311
Don’t miss Cookie’s blueberry pies at the restaurant and whenever the blue light is on in front of their bakery.
Cookie Till is a winner of the 2022 James Beard Awards.
Caporilli says when chef Kevin Kelly cooks it, he wants to eat it. Simply the best bar service and Jersey fresh menu (especially in season).
Cookie’s presence in the dining room ensures that all your favorites, such as Caporilli’s and the Milanese veal chop, are cooked and served to perfection.
Chef Vola’s – Atlantic City – Google Maps
3. CHEF VOLA’S – ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Peter and Sara Caporilli have eaten very little for takeout during COVID-19, but they have ordered quite a bit from Chef Vola.
Why? you missed it They missed the wonderful flavors of garlic and tomatoes loaded with freshly made Italian spices poured over some al dente pasta with Chicken Parmigiana.
They also missed the banana cream cake and Louise and Louie. The COVID-19 pandemic is over and life at Chef Vola is good again.
Cafe 2825 – Atlantic City – Google Maps.
4. Cafe 2825 – ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Since its inception in 1986, every item on the menu has a story.
A wonderful story about where it came from, why it’s on the menu and why you should order it.
Ask for anything with anchovies, any crepe they serve on any given night, and “if you want to shame your Italian grandmother, order the tripe a la romana,” Caporilli said.
Harry Hurley photo.
5. WATERDOG – VENTNOR, NEW JERSEY
Owner Steve Marchel and his group have created one of the most unique dine-in and take-out restaurants in Greater Atlantic City history.
The quality of the products is at the highest level and the variety is exceptional.
Do yourself a favor and please try the lobster roll which is my favorite. It’s made with the contents of a whole lobster and served on the perfect Hudson Bakery Brioche Torpedo Roll.
Capirilli says he sometimes thinks about how less enjoyable Sundays would be without Water Dog.
“It’s a mystery to me how they can smoke meat, fish and poultry and allow each to retain their individual, distinctive flavor, but they do it,” Caporilli said.
For example, if you love turkey, you’ll love Water Dog’s smoked turkey even more.
Sofia – Google Maps.
6. SOFIA – MARGATE CITY, NEW JERSEY
Sofia is Downbeach’s most physically beautiful restaurant, but according to Caporilli, it’s the artistry on the plate that makes it a family favorite.
The Caporilli love to visit the sunny Mediterranean with classics like the tigania sausage and the whole branzino latholemono. Sofia, Angela and Dr. Tom are perfect hosts.
Angeloni’s II Restaurant & Lounge – Google Maps.
7. ANGELONI’S II RESTAURANT & LOUNGE – ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Owner Alan Angeloni has been a legendary restaurant owner in Atlantic City for four decades. He is known and respected for the high quality and uniqueness of all his offerings.
Ask any Atlantic City Casino President and they will tell you that Alan has the best and most extensive wine list in all of Atlantic City.
There have been times over the years when Alan has had more than $1 million worth of wine on hand. The selection is exceptional and unparalleled in Atlantic City history.
Angeloni’s II not only has one of the most interesting wine lists with some exceptional values, but does what all local Italian corner restaurants should do; They make all of your favorites and they’re all delicious.
Caporilli asks you to order the long hots. They may not be on the menu… but they have them.
If the question ever arises, “Where can I get great Italian seafood?” This son of Ischia will tell you that I will visit Alan Angeloni for his Clams Posillipo,” said Caporilli.
Cordivari’s restaurant
8. CORDAVARI’S – BRIGANTINE BEACH, NEW JERSEY
“Is the list too Italian for you? Hard. This is a fine dining list, not a Netflix, takeout and chill list,” says Caporilli.
If you can get a table (and we suggest you go now, before the summer season begins), please visit this amazing little place, serving dish after dish the best pasta in New Jersey, hand-made daily.
The Caporilli’s always get the Pasta Giacomo, not just because they love Giacomo, but because diced pepperoni and meatballs go with thin spaghetti.
The fresh seafood and meats with Italian sauces are unlike anything you’re likely to eat at home.
“Unless you’re a Cordovari or a close friend,” Caporilli said.
Garden of Athens – Google Maps.
9. ATHENIC GARDEN—GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY
Anywhere near the Mediterranean, any list that omits Nick Psounos’ grilled branzino would be incomplete, according to Caporilli.
“I love that I can bring my own wine with all the Greek dishes with oregano, olive oil, tzatziki, brizola, lavraki and Rita Caporilli’s favorite dish, the chicken oreganata.”
“Mediterranean food is supposed to be heart healthy and I’ve eaten here so many times I’ll probably live to be 100,” said Caporilli.
Rhythm & Spirits – Google Maps
RHYTHM & SPIRITS – ATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY
Peter Caporilli offers this incredible review for Rhythm & Spirits, located on Tennessee Avenue in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Chef Kevin Cronin is a true culture man and we are blessed that he hasn’t taken his vast skill set to work professionally on joints or review films (those are just hobbies) but instead create culinary masterpieces in the kitchen.
I’m a particular lover of all things earthy, and Chef Kevin finds a way to bring truffles and slow-roasted meats to delicious perfection, transforming simple spices like salt and pepper into flavorful gastronomic reminders of the good earth we live on, said Caporilli.
DISCLAIMER: We know that those who didn’t make our top 10 list will be disappointed. We also maintain that our list is subjective and that fair arguments can be made for countless other restaurants in the Atlantic City area that are not currently on our list.
With much respect and best regards
Good Appetite.
Directly below are two great photo galleries consisting of listener and reader submissions of their favorite winter comfort foods… Along with a second gallery below that of cell phone photos submitted by listeners and readers of meals enjoyed at home and at local restaurants.
Continue reading: Hurley-Caporilli: The 10 Best Casino Restaurants in Atlantic City
SOURCE: Peter Caporilli.
