New at Hard Rock Atlantic City: Sitar and Federal Donuts

Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City has two new places to eat this year, both part of the resort’s $50 million refresh. Federal Donuts and Chicken opened in June 2026, and Sitar, a modern Indian restaurant with Boardwalk views, followed in August. If you have not been to Hard Rock lately, here is what is new on the menu.

Sitar

• Town: Atlantic City
• Where: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City
• When: Open seven days a week. Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to midnight; Friday through Sunday, 1 p.m. to midnight.

Sitar brings modern Indian cuisine to the Boardwalk, drawing on regional cooking from across India, from Punjab’s tandoor breads to Kerala’s coastal curries. Familiar favorites like butter chicken and chicken tikka masala share the menu with dishes such as Guntur Chicken 65 and a Pastooni lobster masala, plus Indian inspired cocktails, mocktails and a full wine list.

The dining room is a big part of the experience, with onyx marble, pearl string chandeliers and Mughal arch alcoves, so it works well for a date night or a special dinner before a show. The Sitar Bar sits near the Sound Waves Theatre, which makes it a handy spot for a drink before a show there. Reservations can be made online through the restaurant’s reservation page linked from Hard Rock’s site.

Sitar

Federal Donuts and Chicken

• Town: Atlantic City
• Where: Second floor of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City, next to the Icon Lounge, 1000 Boardwalk
• When: Open 24/7

The Philadelphia favorite founded by Michael Solomonov and Steve Cook opened its first Jersey Shore location at Hard Rock on June 5, 2026. The formula is simple and hard to beat: hand battered, twice fried chicken, including the Original Chicken Sandwich with Rooster Sauce and crispy tenders, alongside cake donuts fried to order in classic and seasonal flavors.

The menu also covers breakfast sandwiches, hash browns, fries and a coffee lineup that includes cold brew and Vietnamese iced coffee. Because it never closes, it is an easy stop for an early breakfast, a late night snack after a concert, or a box of donuts to bring home.

Federal Donuts and Chicken

More Changes Coming to Hard Rock

The new restaurants are part of a larger investment at the resort that includes renovations to more than 700 guest rooms, over 60 suites and eight penthouses in the North Tower, along with refreshed walkways, corridors and public spaces. Between the new dining options and the updated spaces, it all adds up to a good excuse to plan a winter night out on the Boardwalk.

We keep track of new restaurants, shops and attractions across Atlantic County all year, so check back with Shop Atlantic County for the latest openings near you.