The Best Cafés and Coffee Shops in Atlantic City, NJ

Open seven days a week, Ventnor Coffee is a homey, cosy, family-run operation that not only serves up perfectly crafted classics, but also delicious creations piled with whipped cream. The entire menu of fresh baked goods is incredible, so no matter what you choose, you can’t go wrong. Ventnor Coffee also hosts open mic nights, jazz jams, and evening concerts.

Brittany Café is a cozy café on Main Street that offers up traditional home-style breakfasts. The omelets here are loaded with ingredients, and there is also a long list of deli sandwiches and grilled sandwiches on your choice of bread. Old fashioned and traditional plates are comforting and add to the nostalgia of the Atlantic City atmosphere. For sweet dishes, the Italian-style French toast or the banana pancakes are popular options.

The budget-friendly brunch joint is great for breakfast after a rowdy evening. Gilchrist offers expertly-cooked, home-style brunch plates. Sides include the classics, but you could order the fried codfish for something completely different. The blueberry pancakes are a highlight with their fluffy centers, as are the filling sandwiches. Plus, with outdoor seating, you get stunning views of the boats in the marina. Service is friendly and accommodating as well.

The Enlightened Café is a part of the Hansen Foundation, an organization that supports recovery for those who suffer from substance abuse disorders, as well as their family and friends. All the profits from the café’s incredible, locally-grown menu go to support the foundation’s mission, and the café also hosts community yoga and meditation events, plus poetry and music performances, and much more.

Take a seat on the Boardwalk, take in the sea breeze, and enjoy the brand new menu at Seaside Café, which features everything from blue crab and asparagus omelets to NY strip. Go for the South Jersey classic: a pork roll, egg, and cheese, or try the cinnamon swirl pancakes. A full service bar serves up Bloody Marys, mimosas, or your favorite brunch cocktail.

Lenox Café is Atlantic City’s hidden gem. Get a taste of traditional Dominican culture; order the Mangu, plantains picked green and fried, mashed, mixed with salt, garlic, and oil in a traditional mortar and pestle then served with savory sausage, onions, and fried cheese. Pair it with a strong cup of Dominican coffee, and you’ll feel ready to take on the world—at least until lunch.