Food - 5/5 Service - 5/5 Ambiance - 5/5 I made the mistake of not ordering the veal Parmesan the first time I was here. That won't be happening again! Veal Parmigiana - topped with melted mozzarella and a flavorful marinara. The edges were crispy, the veal was tender, and all the ingredients were perfectly proportioned. Every bite was incredible! 8.6/10 Shoutout to Christian and Mary for the spectacular service! read more

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The service was right on the money. Brian and William made sure that we had everything we needed and wanted. We tried sone of the items they said we're the best. The veal parm was a huge chop, bone in and butterflies. It was crispy and cheesy. We had a side of angel hair in marinara. The sauce tasted fresh but it wasn't anything that blew me away. The crab cakes were just jumbo lump meat and little else. The basil sauce on top gave it a little zing. The pasta and crab was good, but the sauce was a little under seasoned. The desserts were the best part of the dinner. The chilled pies were fabulous. We has banana cream and coconut cream. Neither would disappoint. Overall, it was good but not as good as the prices would suggest. read more

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Every time I have the honor of returning chef Vola doesn't disappoint. The restaurant is still the wildly acclaimed center of Italian food and gastronomy old world style. I always return for the roasted red peppers and anchovies and salad appetizers but the entree is always the same I order the bone in Milanese style parmigiana see picture It is absolutely the finest meal available for this type of food featuring a succulent large paillard of veal on bone breaded perfectly with a perfectly fried bone in The parmigiana style is classic featuring a robust marinara that is succulent next to the veal chop Absolutely divine The beef bolognese and spaghetti is also excellenf As is the eggplant parmigiana Omg such deliciousness Try and go The service is always special and being my birthday also featured the talented waiters and waitresses singing me happy birthday to a scoop of vanilla ice cream Well that's a great story read more

Chef Vola's - Veal parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

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Outstanding food, service and ambience. Mary, our waitress was terrific. Met and exceeded expectations even with a problem. The issue was resolved well above what most any restaurant would have done. Looking forward to returning many more times. Great genuine Italian menu. read more

It's worth the trouble. Great homestyle Italian in AC! We ordered the Parm crusted veal, halibut, and some other things. It was all top notch, Reservations are a bugger to get, but once you're in, you're in! A great option indeed! read more

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This was absolutely incredible, from the atmosphere to the food everything was just perfect. We started with the salad which was very good, good dressing and the croutons are the same bread as you get on the table when you sit down which is really good. The Chicken parm on steroids is what they called it and let me tell you it was amazing. I absolutely loved the potato's on top and the sauce was outstanding. You get 2 nice sized pieces of chicken definitely fills you up. The bolognese sauce was incredible. Lots of meat and lots of pasta. Very garlicky which I love. Got it with angel hair pasta which was a great choice as well. The cappuccino and biscotti was amazing as well. Everything just tasted so fresh. Service was awesome, they were on point. Food came out fast and again tested great. It's a BYOB so dont forget to bring a bottle of wine. It's hard to get a reservation so if you're lucky to get one you will enjoy it. read more

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There's nothing I can say. Everything about this is a 10/10. Perfect restaurant. If you don't go here, you messed up. read more

Chef Vola's - Veal Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Came across this spot via Yelp and called to see if we could get a table. There was only 2 of us and luckily we got in (2 hours later). I hear that usually it takes 2 months to get into. No walk ins, BYOB, reservations only, and is in a house. The upstairs is the main house and the basement is the speakeasy part. I for sure would like to come back and try to get the basement. They also have the porch closed in enough to sit outside and they have heaters. They are knows for their ricotta cheesecake served warm but I thought it was just on. It was good but I like a cold cheesecake so I wouldn't get it warm. read more

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We finally got a chance to dine at Chef Vola's last night! Our party was seated on the outside porch which was surprisingly comfortable. If anything, it was rather warm instead of freezing like another reviewer mentioned. Lisa greeted us and we were then taken care of by Rhianen, who was outstanding! Throughout the night the staff were attentive, friendly and really enhanced our dining experience. Our group shared a variety of meals... some of the favorites; The house salad served in the wooden bowl - perfect! The veal chop parm was very good as was the eggplant parm. The homemade cheesecake was outstanding! This was probably the best item out of all. The portions were very big and enough for sharing. Pasta and broccoli rabe were very good as well. Thank you everyone at Chef Vola's for a wonderful dining experience! read more

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This is a fantastic find in Atlantic City! It's been in business for 80 years in the same location. The staff is amazing in their knowledge of the menu. Everything we ordered was delicious. The house salad included black olives, pepporocini, pepperoni and cheese bits. We had peppers, sausage and onions along with pasta as a mid course. Our mains included the veal chop, crab cake, and Chilean Sea Bass. All were excellent the sea bass being my favorite. Dessert was incredible! The butterscotch pie was my favorite. All were truly wonderful! read more

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Service was spot on and friendly, the food was incredible. My wife had the Halibut special and I had the most awesome veal parmesan chop. Had a cozy table for two...had the owner photo bomb us and talked me into the Bananna creme pie...light and refreshing...really! read more

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This place is just spectacular, and it is a family-run restaurant, a hidden gem right off the Atlantic City boardwalk. I highly recommend it! The food is served in massive portions and it is just outright delicious. Plus, the service there is top-notch. Our server, Anthony, acted like he was one of the family just telling us what we'd like, he was superb at remembering an extensive list of specials, which between appetizers and entrees, had to have been around 8-10 different items. We were a party of 18, luckily he had an entourage of waiters/busters to help him fill waters, hand out dishes and buss tables. When we were waiting for our party to all get there we were in the houses (yes house - like grandma's on a Sunday) basement. Aside for a tiny alcove, the other room was wall to wall tables, stuffed mainly with larger sized men, I'd harbor a guess 6-10 at a table. Barely no elbow room, very loud (to be expected we were all there for an Athletic Director convention) I was glad when we were taken upstairs. Anthony had great recommendations for us (we were seated in the covered porch - yes I was cold) to start with a house salad (best salad ever - reminded me of my Italian grandmas) crab cakes, buffalo mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto, roasted peppers & tomatoes, antipasto. A pasta course, consisting of ziti, spaghetti, and angel hair with bolognese, clam sauce, marinara and ricotta blush sauce. At this point I was stuffed! No entree for me!! The guys at my table all ordered the veal chop parmesan, the other table also, along with a halibut special, & Chilean sea-bass. Our table all took veal to go. No room for desert. The other side; cheesecake, rice pudding & banana cream pie was ordered but not shared lol The crab cakes had the biggest chunks of crab I have ever seen in them. But the bone-in veal parm looked the best, I did take a bite & it was amazing! I almost forgot to mention it is BYOB also!! The place is very unique and not your typical restaurant! But don't take my word for it - go! Make reservations well in advance, leave a message & hope they call you back. If I wasn't cold I'd give 5 stars!! Maybe next time ... I'd absolutely go back!! read more

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As an Italian, I really want to love this place but can't. We went to Chef Vola's for my mother in law's birthday. Our waiter,Steve, was awesome. I had the bone in veal parm, and honestly, could take it or leave it. I don't know what it is, I can't put my finger on it, I just feel the sauce lacks something. We ordered spinach and asparagus for the table, which both tasted bland. My wife had the chicken parm and loved it. The table side salad is better at Joe Italiano's Maplewood. I do respect the owner is on top of everything and occasionally comes up to the table and checks on you. read more

Chef Vola's - Veal Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

The food, tonight, at 530, and our Sinatra Room, was perfect. Sat next to an amazing man and his dad. We all enjoyed the convo. The food was, bar none, the best meal I've had in a long time. Waiter, Brian, was a panic. He brought a salad to our table we didn't order, and left it with us to try. Ridiculously good. Then an app, and a pasta app - the one I make every Christmas Eve, but NEVER this food. (EVOO, garlic, anchovies and Linguini!!!). Hubby had a veal sausage giambotta. I have the BEST chicken Milanese I've ever had. Only sorry this place is so far from us. read more

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Beli says Chef Vola's is in the top 10 of the best Italian restaurants in the US, and after finally trying it last night, I wholeheartedly agree! From outside, it just looks like a nondescript house, but this place has been in operation since 1921. There's a paid parking lot nearby and some street parking. Reservations are a must and difficult to come by except for in the off season. Credit cards are accepted for a 3% fee. They are also BYOB, but have soft drinks and sparkling pellegrino available. They brought out a nice bread basket with some delicious buttered crostinis and soft bread. I had the house salad to start. This was delicious. A single order was plenty for 2 people. For my entree, I had the bone in Veal Parmesan which is their best seller. It was by far the best veal dish I've ever had. It was lightly breaded and topped with a delicious cheese blend and their house made marinara sauce. The veal is milk fed and it melted in my mouth. The portion was huge so I took half home. I also had a taste of the bolognese, sea bass, halibut, eggplant parm & chicken parm & everything was outstanding! I would definitely get the Chilean sea bass next time with the honey tequila pistachio crust. It was sweet but delicate and so unique! Everything was cooked perfectly and came out at the same time for our group of 5. We were very impressed by all the staff. From refills to table clearing, everything was on point! For dessert, I had to try a ricotta cheesecake and there were so many to choose from but I went with the warm apple version with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato and it was the perfect ending to one of the best meals I've ever had in & outside of Atlantic City! read more

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My brother told me this was one of the best meals in AC. I found that hard to believe bc there are so many solid dining spots in the AC area. He was right and I have been here twice now. I took my wife and friends here and they were blown away by the dining experience. The food is top notch. The service is always solid. And the vibe is always right. It's always a fun dining experience! read more

Chef Vola's - Chicken Parmigiana - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Ok... we went back again. This place is dangerous, it's seriously habit forming. We sat on the patio and had Brian as our waiter. The man knows his stuff. As a result of his high quality of service, we had a meal that I fear in years to come, joyous music will be written about. The veal parm... the chicken scarpariello, the crab cakes, the sea bass, and the cheesecake... the warm apple cheesecake... my years from this point forward shall be marked as BAC and AAC (before and after apple cheesecake). Make a reservation and go here, do it, absolutely epic dining experience. read more

I'm writing this as I bask in the glow of the best meal I've ever had. From the moment you walk in the door you are treated wonderfully. Our server was Stevie, and he was amazing, very attentive and friendly. We wanted for nothing , he was there with what we needed before we could ask for it. The breaded chicken Arrabbiata was perfect , just the right amount of spicy, not dry , perfectly cooked. My wife had the NY strip , cooked perfectly medium , and melted in your mouth. It was done with salt , pepper and garlic , with just a the right amount of crusty goodness on the outside. For dessert she had the banana cream pie with a scoop of chocolate gelato. It was perfect , she said it was the star of the show. I had the warm butterscotch rum ricotta cheese cake, it was also fantastic. All in all the best meal/experience I have ever had. The old school ambience and feel just added to a great night. I can't recommend Chef Volas any higher. Infinite stars for me. read more

Been coming to Atlantic City for over 15 years, checked out Chef Vola's for the first time last weekend. Might be my new favorite restaurant in A.C. after just one visit! Finally decided to check out Vola's last Friday night after reading all the rave reviews online going back several years. In the past had been a bit discouraged by the dress code and hearing that it could be difficult to secure a reservation. But I called Vola's Friday afternoon for any reservation I could get that weekend; they responded that they had something available for 8:00 that night. They also mentioned that while they technically have a business casual dress code, it's not necessarily strictly enforced; mostly they want to make sure you're wearing something decent and not wearing beach clothes. (I wore a polo shirt, shorts, and sneakers and was fine.) They also mentioned that Chef Vola's is BYOB for alcohol, though they do have softer drinks like regular water, sparkling water, and soda available at the restaurant. (There was also some wine they had available on location.) Chef Vola's is only a 5 minute or so walk from the Tropicana, not too far from the California Avenue exit of the Boardwalk. The restaurant is basically located in a restaurant, but is not at all hard to find - especially since there will likely be a small crowd outside waiting to get in. I arrived at the restaurant just before my 8 pm reservation time and was seated immediately. Since I was solo would've preferred to sit in a bar area but Vola actually doesn't have a bar - it's tables only. Ordered the veal parmigiana, which might be the most popular entree on their menu. Was told the wait time could be 40+ minutes but the meal came out pretty fast - only took around 15 minutes! Was provided very generous (and complimentary) Italian and garlic bread portions while waiting, which I appreciated. The veal parm was excellent, right up there with the best chicken or veal parm meal I've ever had. The portion provided was generous but I could've eaten a larger portion it was so good! The customer service was also outstanding. My waiter was extremely attentive and another manager came around a couple of times to check how everything was going. In observing the service at other tables it does seem customer service is a big priority at the restaurant, which was cool. I don't know if maybe the Yelp menu for Chef Vola's is outdated as the prices at the restaurant were definitely higher than the prices shown here. For example, my veal parm was $47.95, which was considerably higher than the price cited here. Will also warn that the restaurant notes that they charge a 2.87% fee on bills paid by credit card. But all-in-all the meal was well worth it and this was an awesome spot! Maybe the best meal I've had in AC! Will definitely be back some other items on the menu! read more

Came for dinner while In town. Restaurant in a house and must must make reservations to get in. Real Italian restaurant. Complete menu and ala cart. Great service and ambiance. BYOB. Ordered house salad, chicken parmigiana and pasta bolognese. Chocolate ricotta cake for dessert. Salad very good. Pasta was good as was the chicken parmigiana. Cheesecake very good. Prices were as expected. read more

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Best meal EVER! The seafood salad is the BEST thing you'll ever eat. Such an amazing meal from salad to desert. Banana Cream Pie is amazing. I can't say enough great things about the dinner ........ but I can!! MARY was the BEST server ever. She made us feel so welcomed and took the time to explain everything along with making us smile and laugh. When we come back which we will, we are requesting Mary. Great job!!!!!! read more

At the top! Best all around restaurant in the area! Food and service top notch! A must try!

Food was great but extremely expensive for Italian compared to their direct competitors in AC. Great service and an interesting atmosphere due to the history. I don't know why all the rave about the banana cream pie. Steve & Cookie's pie blows them away. Sarah Lee is about on equal footing. read more

Rip off. Lots of hype, very mediocre food. Bolognese sauce had very little meat with burnt red sauce, clam sauce had no flavor. Meat dishes are way overpriced. Servers are polite. read more

My friends and I dined at Chef Vola's on 7/24/26. I had eaten there years ago and remembered it to be excellent, but wasn't sure what to expect this time. So I was nervous. Needless, I know now Let me tell you, Chef Vola's was absolutely phenomenal. It was everything I remembered, and more. Honestly, hands down, second to none. We arrived a little before they opened and one of the owners, Lou, waited outside with the people who arrived early, talking to us like we were family. So welcoming, gracious and friendly. Now, Chef Vola's had been in business for decades with a very loyal following, so he certainly didn't need to wait outside with us in order to drum up business in any way. No, he waited with us because he is an amazingly hospitable guy. So we felt really good about the place from the very start, before we even stepped foot in the door. I exhaled. I've read the AI summary that said some people consider Chef Vola's a tourist trap and overpriced. If you read that too, get both thoughts out of your mind because neither is true. Not even a little. All of the people waiting with us were from Jersey and NOT tourists. Hey, we're from Jersey, we know good food, and all we're repeat customers, so ehat does that tell you? Go. From start to finish, the food was to die for. Even the bread basket was amazing, so much so, that I asked to bring what wasn't eaten home. Seriously, who does that with bread, unless it's "that good"? Well, it was that good. And, if it ran out during the meal, it was immediately refilled. (Sidenote: I ate every bit of the bread I brought home as soon as I got home.) And that's just the bread. lol Our table had the aged provolone and red peppers appetizer, and chicken parm, eggplant parm and a halibut entrees, with sides of linguini and artichokes/mushrooms. Each dish was incredible. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures, but even if I did, they would not have done the food justice. My chicken parm was, hands down, the best I've ever had. My friends devoured their meals too, so I know they were amazing also. If you want the best Italian food in Jersey, if not the entire tri-state area, Chef Vola's is the place. Trust me. We drove from 2-1/2 hours away, and I'd go back tonight if I could get a reservation. The homemade peanut butter chocolate chunk pie was simply out of this world. It is huge, so we shared and everyone agreed it was amazing. Again, I'd go back just for that. So, so, so good. As for the service, they did not miss a beat. Not once, from start to finish. Our server knew the menu and specials like the back of her hand, and asked about food allergies at the very start. She was so knowedgeable, nice and pleasant, and she checked back with us regularly to make sure we didn't need anything. Our meal courses were spaced out perfectly. Dishes were cleared immediately. Water glasses were refilled before they were even empty. I was even escorted to the ladies room by a polite young man. The owner Lou stopped by towards the end to make sure we were happy with everything, and when we left, it felt like we were leaving a dear friend's home. That is how special the entire staff (and owners) make you feel. Kinda like we came as strangers, but left as friends. I simply cannot recommend Chef Vola's enough. As they say, "You get what you pay for," and at Chef Vola's you get way more than what you pay for. Trust me. It's true. Go and enjoy -- you'll be glad you did! read more

Amazing dinner lastnight!!!!! Veal parm was perfect, crab cake was full of Lump crab meat and wife enjoyed her seafood pasta dish. read more

Chef Vola's - Veal Parm, Crab cake, Pasta with Blush Sauce and Seafood Pasta with Jumbo Shrimp - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

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We had dinner there this past Sunday celebrating my 80th birthday. Everything was excellent. The portions were so large that we took over half of the asparagus home and I made cream of asparagus soup today which we are having tonight. The grilled veal chop melted in our mouths. Thanks for making my birthday a real success. read more

It takes a while to get thru for a reservation, but well worth it. You see pictures of celebrities who have dined there. It is a family owned business so small basement type of location. Servings are big. It is BYOB so you bring your own wine. I ordered the spaghetti and a side of spinach which was huge. All food was delicious. read more

Chef Vola's - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

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Great atmosphere and service. Very expensive and food was just ok. More hype than anything.

Nice dining experience last night at this restaurant. Greeted at the door & brought to a table set upstairs by fireplace. Really gave feeling you were having dinner at a relative's. Service was excellent with everyone being pleasant & upbeat. The food was superb. My wife said it was best Sea Bass she has ever had. My entree was veal, eggplant & prosciutto. We shared penne with bolognese sauce. It was our 32nd anniversary & our server "Mary" brought us some ice cream to celebrate. Also it is a BYOB. Just a fantastic evening. Highly recommend if you can get a reservation. read more

Chef Vola's - Foreground is veal, eggplant & prosciutto Center penne bolognese Rear Sea Bass special - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Reservation is required for this place and you have to call the restaurant. Overall, I think food is pretty good. My favorite is the sea bass with macadamia. It's slightly sweet and has nice nut crunch. For pasta, the ricotta blush sauce is much better than the bolognese meat sauce. I also like linguini more than angel hair. You can either do the pasta as a side or entree, and entre portion is huge. I ordered one of them as a side but for some reason they brought out two entrees. The mushroom and artichoke with oil and garlic is really yummy too and really helps make the food less heavy. The veal is good but it has way too much cheese imo. House salad is meh. Complimentary bread is really good! They have lots of options for dessert but we were too full to try anything. This place doesnt not sell any alcohol and you can byob. Price is expensive and wait time for food is a little long. Place is a little small. read more

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Favorite dinner spot in AC! The veal parm is THE BEST! Everything is delicious on the menu and it's a cozy BYOB with friendly service. read more

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I went to Chef Vola's on February 18th with a group of amazing women, and from the moment we arrived, I knew we were in for something special. First of all, I loved the vibe. It's tucked away off the beaten path, reservation only and gives this underground speakeasy, sexy, intimate feeling. It feels exclusive in the best way... like you're in on a secret. Absolutely loved that. The food was incredible. And I don't say that lightly, I've been in the hospitality industry for over 20 years, so my standards are high. Every single dish that came to our table was cooked to perfection. The flavors, the execution, the consistency, all of it. There wasn't one thing that disappointed. This will 100% be a repeat spot for me when I'm back in the area. But what truly made the night unforgettable was William. William is the kind of server that every restaurant hopes to have. Professional, well-spoken, personable and completely on point the entire night. He was attentive without hovering, engaging without being over the top and he made us feel genuinely welcomed. We ended up being the last table there, literally closed the place down and not once did he make us feel rushed or like we were a burden. That says everything. If I were still running restaurants, I would've tried to steal William immediately. Service like that is what creates repeat clientele. It's what builds loyalty. It's what makes guests feel like family. William, thank you for an amazing experience. You truly elevated an already phenomenal meal.We'll absolutely be back and we'll be asking for you. read more

Great veal chop. Sat on porch. Great service and ambience. Did not feel rushed which was important to our group.

We dined on 5.27.26. Service was average. We asked for Fiji water. Did not come. We received tap water first. We asked for additional garlic toast after we ordered. It did not come. We ordered padta dishes work shrimp, clams and lump crab, for $73 a plate, but requested not a lot of pasta..half of the amount. We received a full plate of padta with the seafood. When the staff came by to see how the food was, we commented that we received too much pasta, when we asked for not much, the waiter & supervisor said nothing & walked away. When you have too much padta, it soaks up all the garlic & oil sauce, which is exactly the case here. No sauce, dry pasta and little flavor. Chopped clams in the pasta..not worth $73. Staff only wants to hear colmliments..no complaints...listen to your customers when they order!! Bring their requests to the table!! This is a one & done for us..not worth the money..not worth the 45 minute drive for us and the staff not worth the bother​​ read more

A great dining experience!! The service was excellent and the food outstanding. Loved the place and can't wait to go back!!

We have been to Chef Vola's many times and can't believe we never left a review. It is a must experience in Atlantic City. I have yet to find a better Veal Parmigiana entree anywhere. I would highly recommend the linguini and white clam sauce as a shared appetizer and you must finish off the night with the banana cream pie. Service is always above and beyond, Anthony was our waiter on several occasions and he makes you feel like family. The atmosphere is classic speak easy feel when dining downstairs. Truly a must experience when you're in AC!!! read more

Chef Vola's - Veal Parmigiana on the bone. - Italian Near Me - Atlantic City, New Jersey

Food was excellent, service was great. Owner is a nice guy. Will be back. Love the deserts.

The food was short of authentic Italian and extremely expensive. Service was very good. Not worth the hype. One and done.

Food good , the service really bad! You need a reservation gets really busy , it's a byob so great savings on alcoholic drinks , prices on entrees were average but portions are big. Could have been a bad day on service , I believe on trying it again read more