I pride myself in seeking out mom and pop hidden gems with true authentic gourmet Italian dishes, and this establishment is undoubtedly the best both within and outside of AC. Superior quality compared to the rest! From the tableside fresh mozzarella paired with your choice of accompaniments such as melt in your mouth prosciutto and roasted red peppers, to the simple fresh ingredients highlighted in the cacio e pepe + truffle cheese pasta- DIVINE. The array of entrees we indulged in included a Veal Chop Bolognese Fra D'Avolo with the perfect balance of savory and heat, a table side prepared rack of lamb with crispy roasted potatoes, among many others. Greeted by the head chef and very well taken care of by front of house manager, the service was impeccable. read more

Cafe 2825 - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

As longtime summer residents of the area we have been well aware of Cafe 2825 for some time but had never been -- so we were excited to finally get a reservation (hard still even in the total off season). We are Chef Vola regulars and as these two spots are often mentioned in the same breath -- in terms of very high end, storied Italian spots -- we expected a very similar experience, in terms of service, ambience and food quality level. We dined in the "casual" dining room (the other room requires at least $100 spent per person) which was packed with tables so close it was hard not to walk into someone on the way to ours. Up front, we were surprised by some basics of service that just weren't there -- our server couldn't even recommend a wine to my husband; bread repeatedly came without any butter. Nonetheless the bread IS very good, and we remained open minded before food came. The meatball appetizer had two generously sized meatballs that were more like patties, flavorful though wish they'd been served with a little more than the approximately one tablespoon of sauce that was under them. Chilean sea bass was tasty and great quality fish, though not a very big portion and not particularly enhanced by the bed of flavorless cabbage it's on top of. Linguini w clams was the standout, with a delicious broth-like sauce, many clams both in the shell and chopped, and homemade-tasting pasta (one clam on the plate was totally closed, which again just feels like an oversight a place like 2825 could easily avoid...but of course did not ruin the dish). While we didn't order them because they seemed better suited to large groups, the table side homemade mozzarella and Caesar salad looked really good. Overall, a better than average experience that I'd say felt somewhere in the 3.5 to 4 star range, whereas I'd put Chef Vola more firmly as 5 stars where level of service, atmosphere and the consistency of the dishes (again, for this particular kind of restaurant) is concerned. read more

Cafe 2825 - Chilean sea bass - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

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Everything on their menu is excellent. We started with a Caesar salad made right at our table, then the fresh mozzarella made at the table. What more could you ask for! The pasta in the cheese wheel was fantastic. The only criticism I have is It is very hard to get a reservation. read more

The food and drinks were heavenly! The service top notch and the ambiance was perfect for our date night! Loved everything about Cafe2825.

Best restaurant ever! Love the atmosphere, the food is consistently delicious and service is fantastic!! I love everything about this restaurant. read more

I spent an extremely memorable night at Café 2825. This was not just a dinner, but also a feast for the taste buds and senses. The warm and intimate atmosphere of the restaurant makes people feel like they are stepping into a food palace full of Italian style. The delicate and thoughtful service is the icing on the cake. The service team is not only professional and enthusiastic, but also accompanied by the explanation of the ingredients and the careful presentation of each dish, which gives the whole dining experience more ritual. The choice of aperitif is just right, opening a taste journey: Espresso Martini with Van Gogh Vodka, the taste is silky, the rich coffee aroma and the mellow vodka are intertwined, which is both refreshing and layered. Cakebread Cellars Chardonnay, full-bodied, with elegant oak and citrus aromas, complements the exquisite Italian cuisine. The appetizers are a display of craftsmanship, full of tableside interactive rituals: Handmade Umbrella-style fresh mozzarella, made on site at the table, is full of milky aroma, and the dense and delicate texture is paired with fresh tomatoes and olive oil. Every bite is pure Italian flavor Cacio e Pepe in the Cheese Wheel (Italian classic cheese and pepper pasta in the cheese wheel), stirred in a huge Parmesan cheese wheel, so that the noodles can fully absorb the rich flavor of the cheese, and then added with truffle cheese, making the whole taste more mellow and rich. The dramatic presentation is undoubtedly a highlight of the night The main course part shows the chef's deep understanding and precise control of ingredients: Lobster ravioli specialty, the sweetness of lobster is wrapped in handmade ravioli, paired with a rich cream sauce, every bite is a luxurious enjoyment of the ocean Tuscan-style chicken with Jacquelina, the chicken is cooked just right, the taste is tender and juicy, and the sauce is rich and has a hint of Mediterranean herb flavor The combination of Chicken Française with eggplant, ham, mozzarella cheese, fresh mushrooms and Marsala wine shows the charm of classic French-Italian fusion, with rich taste, salty and fragrant, and long aftertaste. In terms of the overall experience, every dish of Café 2825 has been carefully polished, not only showing the soul of Italian cuisine, but also making people feel the authentic taste of the ingredients. The atmosphere created by the restaurant is very ceremonial. From the classic dishes made at the table to the precise wine pairing, every detail interprets the respect and love for food. If you want a real dining experience, not just a dinner, then this is undoubtedly a place worth stopping by read more

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I've heard A LOT of hype about this restaurant over the years and was so happy to finally go! Call one week in advance for reservations, they do not accept walk ins. We sat in the outdoor/enclosed area in the back and it was set up beautifully. The food and drinks did not disappoint. It was everything I was hoping it would be! Our service was a little on the slow side but it was a beautiful, busy Friday night so I'll let it slide. We had multiple servers helping us out so I just think it was a busy night. We started off with the table side Caesar salad which was incredible, along with the table side cacio e Pepe. Best of the best! After seeing some other pictures on Yelp, I think we were gypped a little on the cheese wheel - it wasn't as creamy as other cheese wheels I've had, but definitely an experience! We also ordered the calamari which was cooked perfectly. Now, onto the meals... my friends and I each got the chicken parm..... this is a must!!!! It's on the spicy side but it was by far, the best chicken parm I've had. The cutlet was thin and perfectly cooked and the sauce was to die for! Each bite was better than the next. We couldn't stop eating it even though we were full! My other friend had the sunday gravy which he said was great as well and my last friend had the lemon chicken which was light and delicious. We couldn't understand why it took us so long to finally go here! The dessert.... Unlike anything I've ever had. We saw on their Instagram that they had homemade cheesecake and that they were known for their blueberry crumb. Now, I don't even like blueberry but I gave it a try. Unbelievable! It was ridicous honestly. We also got a tiramisu which was definitely the best I've ever had. Please check this place out! I cannot wait to go again!!!!! read more

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Absolutely one of the top dining experiences I've had the ultimate pleasure of attending. Thank you ! To get a reservation you need to call two weeks in advance only taken and it's hard to get . The service is impeccable; the restaurant is cozy ; street parking and valet is available. We were a group of 12 so let's just say we ordered the menu . We had the pleasure of starting with the table preparation of the mozzarella omg a master at work ...the best mozzarella I've had served with an assortment of peppers and prosciutto . My better half, his boss had raved we couldn't believe how right he was . Next we were privy to a table side preparation of Cesar salad a perfect salad. In between we had calamari and stuffed squid served and a stuffed zucchini flowers (amazing). Lastly for our table side preparation was a pasta wheel with hollow pasta so creamy and amazing . Obviously we didn't have enough to eat (joke) now came our entrees i ordered a whole Bronzino it was deboned table side served with a side of capellini ; my boyfriend ordered veal cutlet Parmesan both were perfect.the wines ordered were perfectly paired with the meal I had a dirty martini with stuffed blue cheese olives hit the spot . Then we had the nerve to get desert ok I think I couldn't breathe I had a bite stuck with my cappuccino. For a foodie this is the place to go bar none . read more

In all of the years I've been visiting AC as a Philly Suburb resident it never even occurred to me to patronize restaurants outside of the resort I'm staying in while visiting. My wife makes it her mission to find the best places to dine wherever we travel to & she never disappoints. She didn't miss the mark here! When I tell you this place is to die for, that's an understatement! Maybe I'm biased because Italian food is my all time favorite cuisine, but this place is worth it! Its worth driving to when they first open to secure a reservation. Its worth calling their # back to back until you reach someone on the other end of the line to make a reservation! It is worth all of the Yelps because, it is very rare, nowadays, that one finds an eatery with; deliciously extraordinary food, old school ambiance & top tier customer service! This place was the jackpot for me during our quick visit to AC. Café 2825, true MVPs! I can't wait to experience this place again & try other delectable menu items! read more

Cafe 2825 - The owner & wonderful chef indulging us in table side caprese & their process on how their various cheeses are made in house! - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

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Make it easier to make a reservation. The food is good but not worth waiting til fall to eat there!

Right behind the Tropicana - it's actually where a lot of the locals still come. Things to Note: 1) Parking lot 1 Block away and Valet Parking 2) Small restaurant and reservations are a must. There are no online reservations and you must call them. 3) No open hangout bar area but there are 2 seats for patrons 4) Lots of table-side service options 5) My service was outstanding, but I do expect that for the price point. The Food: 1) In-house made pastas 2) Must get the table side homemade mozzarella 3) I loved the Sicilian fish salad special 4) lots of wine options 5) we usually don't do desserts but oh my... tiramisu please..: For 2 - we spent well over $250 but it was a wonderful experience and many were here for special occasions. read more

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First of all, the food is flavorful, period. So satisfying. Anything you order is great. We came 6 years ago and the owners were so kind, we came back this year for our anniversary. My husband is mesmerized by the fresh pasta in the cheese wheel with truffel goodness. This is an appetizer. The cheesecake is so good you forget the toppping is even there. It is silky smooth. The outside patio/greenhouse like area is adorably quaint, intimate, for date night or family time. I could see the pitter patter of gulls feet on the tarp above us. Entertainment for me with a full belly. You have to make reservations 2 weeks in advance by phone. I understand why, the place is awesome all around. It is small but a gem. We love this place. read more

Great experience, and friendly staff. The mozzarella at the table is what makes this place unique. Everything we had was cooked to perfection. Only problem is you need months in advance to get a reservation. read more

I have never spoken to someone so rude in my life. Finally got someone to speak to & every date I asked for, zero availability. I said, Saturday & she said everyone wants Saturday. So I asked for a Friday or Sunday, nothing. Oh well, my money will be well received at other establishments. read more

Had a wonderful front window seat on a Wednesday night. Service was fantastic! The eggroll meatball is almost a meal in itself. The halibut, lasagna, and 9th Street Chicken were all amazing. The blueberry cheesecake was out of this world. read more

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Food. Solid 20!! Service 10 Ambience. 8 Food was amazing. We had a meatball appetizer , veal parm and twin lobster tails. All was perfect ! Still drooling for the veal parm read more

What an experience! Ginny and Zach are the best! Restaurant was packed but they had 1 seat at the bar that I snagged. Ginny is the bartender. Mixologist extraordinaire!! The food was next level. True Italian fare. Tableside mozzarella! The halibut was define! And the risotto was a sin! Whewwwww! A must go! read more

Cafe 2825 - The bar - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Phenomenal!!!!! The atmosphere is inviting. Great Ambience. Staff extremely personable. Authentic Italian, sauses freshly made, home made pasta. Old traditional style food. Everything was amazing. Don't forget the fried meatballs. read more

The food was exceptional. One of the best meals I've ever had. But I only gave it four stars because I called to make a reservation two weeks in advance. You only get a reservation if they return your call. I never got a return call. So, a week later a friend called and did get a reservation- that's how I got to eat there. What annoyed me was that there were plenty of empty tables. read more

I was in a bit of shock when calling in for reservations two weeks ago, they answered! Reservations were made after many unsuccessful prior attempts. Well let me tell you the meal was worth the efforts! Our experience cemented Cafe 2825 as THE Italian restaurant to eat an incredible meal at! From the table side fresh mutz and pasta out of the cheese wheel to the amazing tender Brooklyn Pork Chop, veal parm fra diavolo, and the Alaskan Halibut with the buttery, flaky crust everything was o so delicious. A new entry to my favorite restaurants ever! 10/10 recommend if your lucky enough to get a reservation that is! read more

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Absolutely everything is amazing and worth the price! They have excellent service, great food options, including tableside options that are absolutely worth it, and it's great for a romantic dinner with the cozy vibe! Absolutely 10 out of 10 recommend despite it being on the pricey side and also needing a reservation in advance! read more

We had a party of eight and were brought to the covered patio. Was very weird that to get there we bobbed and weaved through parts of the kitchens prep area. Food was good, but has gotten pricy. I had Sunday gravy with sausage, meatball and braciole. Came with about 12 or so rigatoni. Priced out at $58 a la cart. There were eight of us, two non drinkers and our bill with 20% tip was $1160, which equates to $145 each. Not worth it in my opinion. Also. Super noisy because most tables were groups of 6-10 people. read more

One of the best Italian restaurant in New Jersey service and the food is excellent highly recommend!

Management is RUDE and refuses to move into the 21st century. This place is the quintessential model of the "good ole boys club" where you get a reservation ONLY if they like you or you pay a premium. Most higher end places in town offer a fair reservation system with which everyone gets a chance. I actually visited to ask for a reservation to celebrate a very special event and was treated like a convict. read more

The food was excellent ! The service was excellent ! I had a great time ! The cheese was delicious

Food was delicious. Staff very attentive and helpful. The room was a bit noisy, people were friendly. Hope to get back soon.

One of the best restaurants I've ever been to. Definitely get the Tableside Experiences...we had Handmade Warm Burrata Style Fresh Mozzarella... I have never tasted anything like this in my life. We also had Cacio e Pepe in the Cheese Wheel with Truffle Cheese... I am still dreaming about it. Absolutely off the charts. We also had The Hot Honey Crispy Fried Calamari & Shrimp. It was soooo delicious. I had Chicken Clemente, soooo good. All the food from the start to finish was incredible!!! Very hard to get a reservation, but it is well worth the wait. Cannot wait to go back again. Loved every minute of it!!! read more

BEST ITALIAN restaurant in the US. It was sooooooo cool. The atmosphere is cozy and inviting. We got the tableside mozzarella and it was so delicious. The tableside caeser was very good as well. I had the mushroom pappardelle pasta and it was delightful. The tableside pasta looked amazing and will certainly be on my list for next visit. We were lucky enough to be there on a night when they had homemade carrot cake. I consider myself a bit of a connoisseur of cc and this almost had me in tears. I left here stuff and happy beyond belief. read more

Fantastic Food great time excellent service !!! Ambiance is Choice . Don't Miss out the fresh table side Handmade Warm Burrata Style Fresh Mozzarella , this is definitely a panty dropper for the ladies read more

We finally got a reservation after trying for almost 2 years. I have to say it was very hyped up. First, we came into a curtain that let the way into a bar area. We sat and had a few different waiters and they didn't offer us the specials right off the bat. We had to ask for it. We ordered a $140 bottle of wine and we weren't explained the menu at all. We knew going into this that we wanted tables side action so we ordered the Caesar salad , the fresh mozz and the pasta wheel. The salad was $72 for 4 of us and it wasn't anything crazy, the mozz was awesome and the pasta was done already and dumped into the wheel of locatelli which was really good but nothing we haven't had before. We ordered another $70 bottle of wine and got the meatball appetizer that was outstanding! Entrees included fusilli vodka and shrimp which was good, seafood cream sauce pasta which was good , chicken parm bolognese which was ok and artichoke franchise with shrimp that was good. The deserts were really good as well, blueberry cheesecake, coconut cheesecake, and lemon sorbet. I have to say the wait staff didn't speak much English and when ordering they had to ask for assistance. All in all it was a nice dinner but lacked the wow factor. I am glad to say that we finally got a chance to eat at 2825 but we were not wowed with the experience. The place is very small with few tables and dark which is nice but lacked the atmosphere of the wait. I don't think we will return as it is hard to get a table here but I believe that's the point of the anticipation of 2825. You can get the same kind of food in other restaurants without waiting for a call back reservation. read more

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I say yes because of the food. The food is exquisite. BUT I have NEVER been here to experience so many people standing blocking the front door entrance to the point is was diificult for wait staff to bring beverages and food ordered. You can barely hear the people you are dining with. BUT the food is bar none the best. Five star food. read more

Cafe 2825 was probably one of the most frustrating reservations to get but oh so worth it. Just a heads up if you are looking to make reservations you need to do so 14 days in advanced and make sure to call. We just kept calling until someone finally picked up.. it may of took a few days but determination is key. Also there are designated parking lots for this specific restaurant as well as valet parking. Food: The food was absolutely out of this world delicious. We got 3 of the table side experiences including the mozzarella (literally still dreaming about this and would come here solely for this lol), polenta and the cacio e Pepe. We also got the meatball appetizer. Out of all the table side experiences and appetizers I would rank Mozzarella at the top, cacio, meatball appetizer and then the polenta. Everything was delicious but some things more so then others. For dinner we split the Chicken Vodka Bolognese which was sooo tender and delicious. All of the food was PACKED with flavor and I would say decent size portion sizes. Prices are comparable to high end NYC so be prepared to spend a pretty penny when you come. We ended with 2 desserts. The special crueler which was Devine and the Italian cheesecake which we weren't a fan of. We usually love Italian cheesecake and flavor was good however it was served warm and it just threw off the entirety of it. Overall everything was exceptional. Service: We thought service was 5 stars. We never needed anything. Our waitresses and waiters were on top of everything refilling drinks, cleaning off tables, making sure we were good. They continuously checked in with us at all points of the dinner. Ambiance: They look like they are renovating and added on a section in the back which is where we sat. There is in an indoor and outdoor heated room. The outdoor space was very nice and trendy however those chairs they have for outdoor are extremely uncomfortable and it does get chilly outside even with the heaters. We would of easily requested the indoor room and had no problem with spending the minimum as we had already done that without knowledge. They also do not mention no cash until you get the check. So if you are a cash person make sure to bring a credit card. Overall I do believe this place is worth the hype. It's a really great place and the food, service and ambiance deserve 5 stars. I do recommend that they alter the reservation system to not be so chaotic and give more info regarding seating when booking so we have some say with indoor/ outdoor etc. We will definitely be coming back! read more

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We got lucky! There are only 4 seats at the bar and we got 2 of them. Small space, traditional Italian menu. Sicilian seafood salad was a great way to start. The chicken parmigiana bolognese was a very large portion. My husband and I split it and only ate half. Pasta is a la Carte, does not come with the meal. Chicken parm bolognese was Fra diavolo, and it was extremely spicy. Not A good choice for those that are sensitive to spicy food. The Sfogliatelle needed to be ordered at the beginning of your dinner because it takes 30 minutes to prepare and they were excellent! It was very loud in the front dining room so be prepared if you have auditory issues. A definite "must try" in AC. read more

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I saw Cafe 2825 on a a list of the top 7 Italian restaurants and wondered why I have never been here. I will give you a heads up that reservations are only accepted one week in advance, between 11am-2:30pm. It took me 277 times to get finally get through for a Friday night reservation, and it was well worth it. The food and service here are spot on. They offer a few specials that are prepared table side, we opted for the cheese wheel spaghetti which was delicious. The food and setting are very nice, we thoroughly enjoyed each dish. Please see photos of each item. My only complaint was, I felt the veal chop parmigiana (priced at $62) should have included a side of pasta, this was $14 for about 4 Oz. I'll definitely be back in the fall, go and enjoy...mangia! read more

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This place is amazing!!!! My wife and I love it there. Never had a bad meal. You have to love a place that has a plate called "Sunday Gravy." Reminded me of meals at my grandparent's on Sundays. The only downfall is trying to get a reservation. Unfortunately, it's reservation only. read more

Not sure what all the hype was about. 1) my wife wasn't feeling well and I couldn't cancel reservation same day. I tried to call at 4;30 to cancel my 8:30 dinner reservation and there is only answering machine and online it says u will be charged 50.00 a person for no show. 2) the veal parm is good. But not worth 67.00. Chef vola is much better. 3) it's very loud and packed. The staff was very nice. The salad was delish. 4). My wife' ordered the calamari in balsamic sauce. It was cooked well, but the sauce was gross and over powering. She sent it back. For the price and lack of flexibility in reservation I don't think we will be back read more

Yes, absolutely lives up to the hype around it. The table-side mozzarella and Sunday gravy is an absolute must. I was so pleased with my experience. 10/10 and already dreaming of returning. I chose to be seated in the "casual" dining (aka like an enclosed patio setting). I was glad I did that; it was more comfortable. Dirty Martinis were delicious. read more

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Outstanding food and service. All the staff are professional and courteous. It's without a doubt the best Itialian food.

Very hard to get a reservation for this Olive Garden food. Stay home and use a jar of Ragu for a better meal.

Excellent food and service . The filet mignonette was wonderful ! Never fails to impress