The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Since its opening in July 2003, it has become the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City, attracting visitors from all over the world. Operated by MGM Resorts International, the casino hotel features 2,798 rooms and is the largest hotel in New Jersey.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dining Connoisseur (@phillygrub)

A Brief History of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

The idea of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was first conceived in the late 1990s when Atlantic City was struggling to compete with other gaming destinations such as Las Vegas. The project was a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and MGM Mirage (now MGM Resorts International), with a total cost of $1.1 billion.

The casino was designed to attract a younger, more sophisticated crowd than the traditional Atlantic City casinos. The Borgata’s contemporary design and upscale amenities, including celebrity chef restaurants, high-end shopping, and a world-class spa, set a new standard for luxury gaming resorts.

The Borgata opened its doors on July 2, 2003, and was an immediate success, generating $64.4 million in revenue in its first month of operation. Since then, it has continued to dominate the Atlantic City gaming market, with an average annual revenue of over $800 million.

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Today

Today, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is a premier destination for gaming and entertainment in the Northeast. Its 161,000 square feet of gaming space features over 3,000 slot machines and 180 table games, including blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat.

The Borgata also hosts a variety of world-class entertainment, including concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events. Its Event Center can accommodate up to 5,000 guests and has hosted acts such as Lady Gaga, Jerry Seinfeld, and Jay-Z.

For those seeking relaxation, the Borgata’s spa offers a range of treatments, including massages, facials, and body wraps. Its outdoor pool, complete with cabanas and a bar, is the perfect place to unwind after a day of gaming or sightseeing.

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s Impact on Atlantic City

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa’s impact on Atlantic City cannot be overstated. Its success has helped to revitalize the city’s gaming industry, which was struggling before the casino’s opening. It has also had a positive economic impact, creating thousands of jobs and generating millions of dollars in tax revenue for the city and state.

The Restaurant Scene at The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

In addition to its economic impact, the Borgata has also contributed to Atlantic City’s culinary scene. It’s many restaurants have helped put Atlantic City on the culinary map.

The Old Homestead Steakhouse

In 2018, The Old Homestead opened its second location in Atlantic City. The restaurant is located inside the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and offers the same level of quality and service as the original location in Manhattan.

Guests at the Atlantic City location can enjoy the same classic cuts of beef, as well as the Wagyu beef that The Old Homestead is known for. The restaurant also offers a selection of fresh seafood, salads, and sides, making it the perfect destination for a special occasion or a night out on the town.

The dining room recently underwent a renovation, which you can read more about here. Our visit was an excpeptional dining experience from beginning to end, with superior hospitality and service (Ernesto was the best!), as you can see and read about on the Instagram post below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dining Connoisseur (@phillygrub)

Izakaya by Michael Shulson

If you’re looking for an authentic taste of Japan without having to leave Atlantic City, then Izakaya is the perfect spot for you. Located on the casino floor of the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, Izakaya is a Japanese pub-style restaurant that offers a unique dining experience. Philadelphia Chef Michael Schulson, who spent time in Japan, has created a menu that reflects his experience in the country’s traditional casual pubs, known as izakayas.

Angeline by Michael Symon

If you’re looking for a taste of classic Italian food that’s bold, fresh, and served with prideful attention to detail, Angeline is the perfect spot for you. This restaurant is the brainchild of James Beard award-winning chef Michael Symon, who delivers red-sauce style favorites honed from family recipes. The menu captures nostalgia, with every dish presented tied to his heritage and personal history. Symon taps into his Sicilian roots for meaningful dishes that showcase his unabashed love for food, passionate hospitality, and zest for life.

American Bar & Grille

Borgata’s American Bar & Grille (formerly Wolfgang Puck’s American Grille) is a contemporary grill concept that offers unique dining by blending modern and classic recipes with a focus on the special flavors of the Northeast. The menu features New Jersey’s famous tomatoes, corn, and fresh seafood, all locally sourced and used to create delicious dishes that pay homage to The Garden State. There’s wood-fired cooking open for all to see. The Bar part is equally essential, as they offer a nice assortment of specialty cocktails, wines, and beer.

B Prime Steakhouse

Guests at B Prime Steakhouse can enjoy an epicurean experience in a vibrant dinner party setting. Its modern take on timeless cuisine features some of the world’s finest steak cuts from Japan, New Jersey, Idaho, and Texas. I love how The Borgata offers two steakhouse dining options, but with different approaches and style.

The Metropolitan

The Metropolitan at Borgata is a casual, family-friendly dining experience that combines modern and traditional American cuisine. The restaurant’s menu offers various dishes to satisfy every tastebud or budget. From classic breakfast items to signature salads, gourmet sandwiches, burgers, and “Metro Favorites,” there is something for everyone for breakfast and lunch daily and dinner on the weekends.

We recently enjoyed breakfast at The Metropolitan with build-your-own omelets and bottomless coffee provided with fantastic service by Kelly. Check out the Instagram post below.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dining Connoisseur (@phillygrub)

N.O.W.

N.O.W. is the perfect spot for those who crave a delectable feast from the Far East. From noon until late at night, the restaurant offers a tempting array of Asian cuisine that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. N.O.W. has got you covered whether you’re in the mood for Thai, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean food. To optimize your dining experience, pair your meal with a frosty glass of your favorite Asian beer.

The Borgata Buffet

Casinos are legendary for their AYCE buffets. The Borgata Buffet is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends. Whether you’re in the mood for assorted pasta selections, comfort foods, fresh seafood, Asian cuisines, carving stations, or desserts to die for, Borgata Buffet has it all for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.

This is just a few of the delicious food options that the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has to offer! Check the website for more, including casual fare, cafes, and sweet endings.

The Bar Scene at The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

As with most casinos in Atlantic City, the nightlife/bar scene at The Borgata is hopping. No matter your preference, you’re sure to find a cocktail or alcoholic beverage sure to please. The nightlife scene at The Borgata’s bars and lounges offers live entertainment such as a bands, singer/songwriters, live piano, and more in casual or sophisticated settings. Naturally, there are nightclubs for dancing with DJ entertainment, too.

During our visit we enjoyed adult beverages at The Lobby Bar, The Long Bar (which also has small bites), and American Bar & Grill. I thoroughly enjoyed The Black Martini at The Long Bar – a fabulous rum-based martini! The bartenders really know how to make a great drink. And the margarita at American Bar & Grill was superb – one of the best we’d had in a while. There just wasn’t enough time to indulge in all of the bar and nightlife options in one night! That simply means we need to return one day.

Gaming at The Borgata

Of course, gaming and gambling is a part of the Atlantic City casino experience. We played some slots at The Borgata, of course. When in Rome…

You’re sure to find great food, fun, and frivolity at The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. While I did not partake in the spa offerings or recreational amentities, it’s just another reason to go back, right?

Atlantic City truly is America’s playground on the East Coast. There’s so many reasons to visit and we hope that you’ll add The Borgata to your desintations list for foodie travel and help them celebrate 20 years in Atlantic City!

We are grateful for the invitation from The Borgata to experience some of its offerings so we can share with you, as always, opinions are our own.