Firstly, a disclaimer of sorts; the UK’s casino restaurant scene isn’t quite as flourishing as some of the world’s foremost fine dining destinations, and that’s putting things mildly.
When compared to the Michelin-magnet of Macau or the veritable feast that is the Vegas food scene, the UK is without doubt less blessed with top tables around which to splurge your winnings or commiserate your losses.
Perhaps that’s due to the proliferation of convenient, smoothly-run online options. Or maybe it’s that the global casino destinations simply boast more escapist appeal.
Either way, that’s not to say you won’t find any good casino restaurants on British shores. Here, we’ve done the hard work of eating in entertainment complexes up and down the country to bring you these; the best casino restaurants in the UK.
Heliot Steak House At The Hippodrome, London
We’re starting our tour of the UK’s top casino restaurants at the Hippodrome Casino, just off Leceister Square. The biggest casino in Central London, the venue boasts a 180-seat theatre with regular jazz and cabaret performances. Big names like Charlie Chaplin, Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson have all graced the casino. Will you be next?
Befitting its size, there are several bars and lounges in the Hippodrome serving snacks, nibbles and fantastic cocktails. Incidentally, the largest is the Heliot Cocktail Bar, which is attached to the casino’s steak house, which is where we’re starting our round-up.
The restaurant has previously been awarded the title of Best Steak Restaurant in London by the customers of Bookatable and serves some serious product; USDA prime steaks, aged for up to 6 weeks to allow tenderness and flavour to ripen. Aside from massive hunks of meat, the restaurant is also famous for decadent sides including the legendary Millionaire’s Mac & Cheese (topped with a poached duck egg and black truffle).
The Heliot Steak House is open every day from 5pm to 10pm
Fahrenheit Bar & Grill At Genting Casino Fountain Park, Edinburgh
We’re off to Scotland’s capital next, to check out the Genting Casino Fountain Park and its restaurant, the Fahrenheit Bar and Grill. Located on the city’s Dundee Street and just five minutes from Haymarket Station, Fahrenheit is all about using local, seasonal Scottish produce in as elegant a way as possible in such insalubrious surrounds.
Watch head chef Stuart Fraser and his team work their magic in the glass-fronted kitchen, or simply sit back and enjoy seared Scottish scallops, haggis croquettes, and when in season, herb-crusted venison. Wow! Oh, and the tartan carpets really remind you that you’re in Scotland too.
Fahrenheit Bar and Grill is open on Mondays from 12pm to 4am, on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 12pm to 6am, and on Sundays 7pm to 12am.
Read: 5 reasons why Edinburgh is the IDEAL UK city break destination
James Martin At Manchester235 Casino, Manchester
Perhaps the only celebrity chef to put their name to a casino restaurant here in the UK, at James Martin’s restaurant at Manchester235 Casino, you can enjoy the proud Yorkshireman’s latest creations; British produce, big portions, butter and all.
Admittedly, the restaurant is a cut above the vast majority of casino restaurants in the UK, with premium ingredients treated sensitively and with respect. The steamed wagyu ox cheek pudding is a decadent, luxurious affair, and the salt aged steak selection will have you finished off and unable to return to the casino itself. Which might be a good thing!
If you’re keen to spoil yourself, then the tasting menu, priced at just £38 per person for five courses, is a real snip.
James Martin is open for dinner from 5pm to 11pm on Tuesdays through Fridays, from 12:30pm to 11pm on Saturdays, and for a short lunch slot on Sundays, from 1pm to 4pm. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.
You might even be lucky enough to see James Martin himself, as he makes regular appearances at the restaurant throughout the year, and hosts special events where he cooks a selection of courses and takes your questions.
Tanzibar At Aspers Casino, London
Located in Westfield, Aspers Casino is the biggest in the UK, clocking in at a huge 65,000 sq. feet area. Even if you don’t intend to punt, there’s still plenty to keep visitors entertained here, with a host of restaurants and bars, as well as a cinema in the shopping centre, too.
The casino’s Tanzibar bills itself as ‘East London’s newest premium bar’, and whilst we’re not sure if that’s quite correct, the food here is well worth getting stuck into; think sports snacks on steroids to go with the venue’s massive 4K screen.
Sure, it may not be the heights of gastronomy found at the casino restaurants on The Strip or The Cotai, but The Tanzibar Platter here, with its cod goujons, panko king prawns, chicken tenders and pigs in blankets, will see you through even the dullest of nil alls.
The venue also hosts some pretty big draw poker tournaments, though you’d be well advised to steer clear of those if you’ve been refreshing yourself in Tanzibar; a recipe for a loss, if ever there was one.
Aspers Casino is open from 10am to 5am, daily, with Fridays and Saturday staying open an hour later, until 6am.
The Restaurant At Palm Beach Casino, London
We’re finishing our list back in London, inspired by the cyclical nature of the roulette wheel. On one of London’s most exclusive streets, you’ll find one of the capital’s most prestigious casinos housing one of the city’s best casino restaurants; the rather prosaically named The Restaurant at Palm Beach Casino on Mayfair’s Berkely Street.
The atmosphere here is as sophisticated as its surroundings, with low lighting, hushed tones and DJs crafting the evening’s tunes with unique playlists each and every night. On the menu there’s plenty to get excited about too; a diverse offering of Indian and South Asian inspired dishes are the highlight, though there’s a more international flavour on show, too. The house favourite dhansak is particularly good.
The Restaurant at Palm Beach Casino is open from 7pm to 2am, daily.
Good World Restaurant At Les Croupiers Casino, Cardiff
Les Croupiers Casino, in the Welsh capital Cardiff, remains one of the oldest casinos in operation in Wales. Established in 1968, the casino has a large poker room accommodating close to 200 players and comprising 20 tables, various themed slot games, and popular table games such as blackjack, roulette, and dice games.
Formerly known as Dragon Court Chinese Restaurant, the casino’s premier eating venue is now the Good World Chinese Restaurant. Fear not; the menu still dishes up some superb dim sum, which many believe to be the best you’ll find in Cardiff.
Good World Chinese Restaurant is open every day from 12pm to 10:30pm.
For a different level of fine dining altogether, check out this guide to 5 of the best casino resort restaurants in Macau. A word of warning; prepare to be made hungry!
