Cardinal — Restaurant in Atlantic City

Update: We were given a gift card to return, which we did on 12/26/2024. The service was excellent this time around, along with the usual delicious food and tasty cocktails. Upgraded the review to 5-stars! It is excellent that the chef and owner took care of us and made up for our previous so-so experience.

Original review:

If this review was solely based off the food and cocktails, it would be 5-stars. Our group tried a variety of food and drink items, and we were more than pleased.

The issue was the service. It was absolutely dreadful. We were told it would take 30 minutes to be seated, due them having a private party event on a Sunday afternoon during restaurant week (why???), despite several tables being visibly open. Fair enough. I told the hostess that we were seated at a couch area next to the bar, so she knew where to find us. We ordered a couple hundred dollars in excellent crafted cocktails (not trying to flex, but we did support the business after the comped check that you will read about more below), and the service was excellent, considering how backed up the one bartender was while still making drinks for the other tables.

After ~35 minutes viewing several more empty tables, I checked in with the hostess who said our table was ready now. Coincidence, or did she forget?

Before I continue, I rarely ever complain to management at any restaurant. I try and remain as understanding to how difficult it is to operate a restaurant, and I also realize that there are serious staffing issues that are still prevalent throughout the country in the service industry. I can count on one (two?) hands how many times I have ever complained formally to a restaurant manager...

The table service was absolutely dreadful. We saw our server twice in 2 hours (the 3rd time was when she brought out our desserts and check) -- the drink and food runners another two times. After 30 minutes of waiting around for our desserts and check, I decided to speak with the manager. I calmly explained to him that our service was really awful, I was not looking for anything other than our check and to cancel the desserts. The manager without any pushback whatsoever, comped our entire meal. As I stated earlier, I felt better about accepting this, considering we spent a considerable amount at the bar while waiting for our table.

In conclusion, if the restaurant was appropriately staffed and they had not decided to have a private party event during restaurant week, this would have been an excellent experience. The food and drinks are awesome, and I would come back here again (1) with a reservation, and (2) after confirming that there are not private events going on during the time I...

Cardinal is truly a gem in Atlantic City's revitalized Orange Loop, a vibrant new area that's quickly becoming the place to be! Whether we’re bringing friends and family who are new to town or just enjoying one of our frequent visits, Cardinal consistently delivers an outstanding experience. With free parking next to the restaurant, and an additional lot across the street, parking is always hassle-free, adding to the convenience.

The menu is one-of-a-kind, and we’ve had the pleasure of enjoying both brunch and dinner here. Chef Michael creates top-notch meals that never disappoint, while Brian, the bartender, crafts some of the most imaginative and beautiful cocktails. Meredith, the sommelier, always has fantastic wine pairings, and Sage, the event coordinator, has been a huge help in organizing several private events for us. This past summer, we held our 40th high school reunion for over 80 guests at Cardinal, and it couldn’t have been more perfect. The blend of indoor and outdoor spaces created exactly the vibe we wanted, and their proactive rain plan gave us peace of mind. Guests who had never experienced Cardinal were blown away.

In August, we also hosted a bridal shower brunch for my daughter in Cardinal's private indoor dining area, and once again, the space and food were flawless. Cardinal knows how to make events truly memorable.

We also love The Garden, Cardinal’s outdoor space, featuring live music, container bars, firepits, and cool murals—all creating a laid-back vibe that’s perfect for catching a Phillies game or enjoying a beautiful evening under the stars.

Their late-night happy hour is another highlight, offering a great selection of drinks and discounted apps. They also frequently host weeknight specials as well as themed happy hours, movie nights, and sports events, all of which you can keep up with by following them on Instagram.

Beyond all that, Cardinal is deeply involved in the local community, supporting the Arts Foundation and other important causes. We truly can’t say enough great things about this restaurant. If you’re visiting Atlantic City, Cardinal is an...

Update: After leaving the review below, the manager reached out to follow up. I was impressed by the outreach and was able to give Cardinal another chance. We came back in for drinks and snacks during the Saturday afternoon happy hour and it was like a different place. It was quiet when we came in, but the bar filled up quickly - nice to see on a rainy off-season day. We had oysters, a charcuterie board, wings, and broccoli and all of our food was great. The draft list was really appealing and we enjoyed several NJ beers. The service was attentive and friendly. I’m glad I have this place another shot and look forward to visiting in nicer weather to enjoy their outdoor area.

Went here with my husband and in-laws for a birthday celebration and I am so embarrassed that I selected this restaurant. I should have known something was off soon as we walked in - the place was only about 30% full at 8pm on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. They have a beautiful outside that was almost completely empty, two empty bars, and a giant nearly empty dining room. The greeting from the host was so strange with a comment about us being on time for our reservation, as if that was a bad thing . It took forever for our server to come greet us and even longer for her to reappear with our drinks - simple draft beers and a wine (the wrong wine was on the check in the end and the manager did generously comp it instead of correcting the cost). At this point we decided to forego appetizers. Two of us had the scallops, one salmon and one burger. The burger was ordered rare and came out well done with a smashed burnt bun and cold under seasoned fries. Don’t even get me started on the house made ketchup. Scallops were rubbery and the portion was not in line with the price. The salmon dish and accompanying sides was good. Midway through our meal our server announced she was leaving and another would be taking her place. He proceeded to check on us every five minutes until we finally asked for the check. Maybe this was an off night, but based on reviews and social media we were...