Cafe 2825, Atlantic City, NJ:
A Restaurant Review

Cafe 2825, Atlantic City, NJ. A restaurant review.

Café 2825: Atlantic City’s Intimate Italian Gem

Cafe 2825
2825 Atlantic Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ

Best NJ Restaurant

Prestigious "Best Restaurant" Recognition
Awarded to establishments earning 3 stars or higher for culinary excellence, service, and overall dining experience.

Cafe 2825 : Restaurant Highlights

Fare:  Traditional Italian, with Sicilian and Piedmontese regional influences.

Price:  Expensive

Food Quality; Excellent, uses fresh ingredients, supplemented by authentic Italian ingredients

Service: Friendly, attentive with Old World, Brooklyn charm

Ambiance/Decor: NYC vibe, with a sense of being in grandma;s dining room

Overall Rating: 3 Stars, One of the top Southern Italian restaurants in South Jersey

Note: Four star Rating System from 1/2 Star = poor to Four stars = Best in Class

Noise Level:  Moderate; High during peak times

Dress:  Upscale Casual

Recommended For:  Diners who enjoy homemade, authentic traditional Italian food and are willing to pay slightly more for it.

Not Recommended For:  Budget conscious diners who prefer a casual family style pizza/pasta restaurant.

Recommended dishes:  When available, For an Appetizer, the Stuffed Artichoke with hard-cooked eggs and onions. For entrees, The "Sunday Gravy" with sausage, meatball and brajole served with a homemade pasta; The Branzino, filleted table-side by the waiter with broccoli and roasted garlic cloves; and The Veal Milanese. For dessert, The Italian Ricotta cheesecake.

Liquor:  Cozy bar with a moderate selection of cocktails and wines, mostly from Italy.

Tucked a block from the Tropicana Casino and across from Tony’s Baltimore Grill, Café 2825 has been a beloved Atlantic City institution since 1989.

This cozy, upscale yet unpretentious neighborhood restaurant offers a refreshing alternative to the glitzy, high-priced casino dining scene, winning the hearts of locals—especially during the quieter off-season months.

Owners Joe and Ginny Lautato, originally from Brooklyn’s Bensonhurst neighborhood, infuse the space with New York-style old-world charm.

The intimate 14-table setting feels like stepping into a family home, adorned with terracotta walls, polished wood accents, vintage family photos, white linen tables, and warm sconce lighting. You might even spot Joe’s mother at the bar or one of his children serving your table, adding to the welcoming, familial vibe.

The menu celebrates authentic, homemade Italian cuisine with a focus on Southern Sicilian “red sauce” classics and Northern Piedmontese influences. Every dish is crafted from fresh ingredients, including house-made pasta paired with inventive meat and seafood combinations.

Not seeing your favorite dish? Just ask Joe—if the kitchen has the ingredients, they’ll gladly prepare it. Joe himself often mingles with guests, ensuring each meal meets expectations.

Café 2825 is ideal for families with older children, intimate groups (up to six), and couples celebrating special occasions

A blend of elegance, tradition, and warmth, Café 2825 invites you to savor la dolce vita in the heart of Atlantic City.

Parking Tips:
Avoid the lot next to the restaurant on Atlantic Avenue (strict towing enforced). Use the free self-park lot on Brighton Avenue (½ block away) or valet parking at the restaurant’s rear entrance on Brighton.

Reservations & Policies:
Essential year-round, with bookings recommended weeks in advance for summer. Parties of 7+ are seated only before 6:30 PM or after 9 PM.

Hours:
Open for dinner Tuesday–Saturday. Closed Sundays & Mondays.

(Updated: January 2025)

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