Last week OpenTable revealed its 2026 Top 100 Hotel Restaurants in America, and only one New Jersey restaurant made the list.
Congratulations to Il Mulino New York at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
This is a big deal for the Hard Rock Italian eatery and for Atlantic City, as new consumer research and dining data show that hotel restaurants are playing a bigger role in how Americans plan their travel, where to stay, and where to eat.
OpenTable’s latest dining insights show that hotel restaurants are playing a bigger role in how people plan where to go, where to stay, and what to book before they arrive.
61% of Americans have chosen a destination because of its food or restaurant scene, and among respondents planning to travel this summer, 60% have booked a hotel specifically because of its restaurant.
A Little History
The original Il Mulino opened in Greenwich Village, NYC, in 1981.
The Atlantic City Il Mulino has an interesting history on the Boardwalk, with the distinction of being a popular restaurant for two different casinos in the same building.
Il Mulino New York in Atlantic City originally opened in the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in September 2008, where it quickly became a popular spot for casino high rollers and celebrities.
When the Taj Mahal closed and reopened as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in 2018, Il Mulino was one of the few signature brands retained and refreshed for the new casino, spotlighting its status as a local favorite.
Eddie DavisEddie Davis
Il Mulino Is An Outstanding Classic Italian Restaurant
Known for its upscale, authentic Italian cuisine and signature tableside service, Il Mulino New York prepares authentic Abruzzese cuisine with unparalleled service
Located on the first floor inside the Hard Rock, the Atlantic City outpost is recognized as a premier fine-dining establishment, winning awards for its extensive antipasti, fresh pastas, and tableside preparations.
And now, it’s being recognized as one of the 100 best hotel restaurants in America and the only one in New Jersey in 2026.
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Gallery Credit: Eddie Davis
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Dining and Cooking