California Confidence On The Boardwalk
Atlantic City Boardwalk · Atlantic City · Steak House · Visit Website ↗
Reviewed by the RagingWine Tasting Desk · April 18, 2026
RagingWine reviewed Ocean Steak’s wine list and gave it The Reliable — RagingWine’s Vibe-Check rating. How RagingWine reviews wine lists →
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Ocean Steak reads like a greatest hits of California Cabernet — which, in a casino steakhouse on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, is exactly what most tables are ordering. It's polished, intentional, and built to impress without surprising anyone.
The list runs 150-250 bottles with a laser focus on California, anchored by heavy hitters like Caymus, Silver Oak, Jordan, Stag's Leap, and Opus One. Duckhorn covers the Merlot corner, and Far Niente and Rombauer round out the Chardonnay side for the butter crowd. What you won't find is much range outside the Golden State — no serious Burgundy deep cuts, no Rhône alternatives, no real old-world exploration. Wine Spectator has recognized the program with an Award of Excellence since 2020, and the California focus earns it, but the list isn't pushing any envelopes.
Twelve to twenty pours keeps the glass program respectable for a steakhouse at this level. Expect the usual California suspects to dominate — Cabs and Chards that match the menu's surf-and-turf DNA. There's no evidence of active rotation or a creative BTG program, so what you see is likely what you get all year.
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon — $50–$70 (estimated bottle range)
Jordan consistently punches above its price in this company. It's the most food-friendly Cab on the list — less extracted than Caymus, more elegant than you'd expect in a casino setting — and it won't crater your wallet when you're already dropping coin on a tomahawk.
Stag's Leap Wine Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon
Most tables walk past Stag's Leap for the bigger brand names, but this is Napa history in a glass. The restraint and structure here is a genuine counterpoint to the bigger, jammier options on the list — and it holds up beautifully against a 26 oz. bone-in ribeye.
Opus One
Opus One is a legitimately great wine, but in a casino steakhouse setting you're paying a serious premium over retail for the status of ordering it. Unless someone else is picking up the check, the same money goes further elsewhere on this list.
Far Niente Chardonnay + Pastrami Rub Atlantic Salmon
The salmon's smoky, spiced crust needs something with enough richness and texture to hold its ground. Far Niente's Chardonnay — full-bodied, toasty, with good acidity — bridges that gap without getting lost in the pastrami seasoning.
The Bottom Line
Ocean Steak is a reliable California Cab showcase that does exactly what a boardwalk steakhouse wine list should — it doesn't embarrass you, it doesn't thrill you, but it keeps the Porterhouse company all night. Send a friend here if they want a proper glass with a great steak; don't send them if they're hunting for discovery.
· Atlantic City · Cocktail Lounge
Nola's is a genuinely fun place to spend a late night on the Atlantic City Boardwalk — the atmosphere earns its stripes. But if wine is why you're sitting down, you're in the wrong seat. Order a cocktail, enjoy the music, and save your serious wine budget for somewhere that's thought harder about the list.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlantic City · New American / Wine Bar
The Iron Room is the kind of wine-forward bar Atlantic City doesn't know it needs — cozy, staffed by people who care, and refreshingly serious about what's in the glass. If you're in AC and want something other than $14 Pinot Grigio at a casino bar, this is your move.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Knowledgeable & Friendly
Occasional
Acceptable
Golden Nugget Casino · Atlantic City · Steakhouse
Vic & Anthony's is a competent casino steakhouse wine list — it won't embarrass you and it won't thrill you. If you're already there for the steak, grab the Siduri by the glass and don't look too hard at the markups.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Margate City · Atlantic City · Seafood / New American
Steve & Cookie's isn't a wine destination, but it's a solid spot to drink reasonably well alongside excellent seafood and a live jazz soundtrack. If you're going Monday through Thursday, get there early and hit the bar before your table.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Occasional
Acceptable
Atlantic City · Atlantic City · Mediterranean / Italian
Sofia isn't a wine destination, but it's a better-than-expected list for the Shore — especially if you lean into the Greek selections that nobody else around here is bothering with. The markups on the California staples will sting, so go Greek and drink smarter.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
· Atlantic City · Italian
Café 2825 is a celebration restaurant with a wine list to match — trophy Champagnes, premium California whites, and a few smart Italian picks that reward anyone who looks past the obvious. Prices likely reflect the occasion more than the liquid, but if you're in Atlantic City for a big night, there are worse places to pop a bottle.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Rotating Cast
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Washington · Washington · Steak House
A 20-wine by-the-glass list with every pour between $14 and $30, split across four sparkling, six white, two rosé and eight red. With a steak, start with the $26 Clos Duval Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon or the $22 Monte Antico Supremus; for the cheapest glass, take the $14 Dr. Loosen Riesling. Pour sizes aren't posted and the page is undated, so confirm today's wines. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Chicago Loop · Chicago · Steak House
A Napa-leaning Cabernet list with a Library & Reserve section that reaches 3,098 and glass pours from $13.99 to $49.99. Start with the $15.99 Broadbent Cabernet by the glass, or the $41.99 Stag's Leap Artemis if the ribeye is on the table, and confirm current availability since the list does not guarantee vintages. This unrated guide covers the posted wine list, not service, storage or markups.
Union Square · San Francisco · Steak House
A glass list that does the steakhouse job: 36 pours, a tidy Napa Cabernet set and prices from $13. Order the $15 Beringer Cabernet with your steak, or the $14 Guado Al Tasso Vermentino if you are starting with seafood, and confirm availability since the page is undated and Morton's says pricing may vary. This unrated guide covers the posted glass list, not service, storage or markups.
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.
List Variety
Markup
Glassware
Staff
Specials & Deals
Storage & Temp
