In casino hotspots like Las Vegas, Macau, and Singapore, gambling goes hand-in-hand with fine dining. In addition to casino games, gambling venues like to offer as many secondary experiences as possible – namely, gastronomy and live entertainment. This transforms casinos into varied and vibrant nightlife hubs that are open to all – not just gamblers.
However, this trend has yet to fully catch on in England. While fine dining is available in some of the country’s casinos, options are few and far between. England, after all, isn’t a gambling hub like Macau or Las Vegas. Plus, with so many great online casino options, maybe British gamblers prefer to stay at home.
As Nick Pappas highlights, there are many casinos not on Gamstop that offer more games and bigger bonuses than most UKGC-licensed casino sites and venues. This is perhaps keeping UK-based gamblers at home and preventing the growth of the English casino dining scene.
However, some English casinos have established a name for themselves as premium dining spots. Below, you’ll find a list of England’s best brick-and-mortar casinos that have introduced gourmet dining to their venues.
James Martin at Manchester235 Casino, Manchester
England has 265 licensed casinos, according to the World Casino Directory. However, Manchester235 Casino is one of the only gambling venues in the UK to feature a celebrity chef-lead restaurant. This makes sense given that the venue is popular amongst footballers, singers, actors, and other celebrities. It’s open 24/7 and also hosts several bars and lots of live music.
James Martin’s menu showcases the best of British food with specialities including slow-roasted rump of beef, gin-cured mackerel, and Cornish crab risotto. All of the meals are prepared using locally sourced ingredients and served in massive portions.
While the casino is open around the clock, James Martin’s restaurant is only open for limited hours throughout the day. This ensures that the premium quality of the food is maintained. If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the chef himself, who is known to regularly visit and work in the kitchen.
Heliot Steak House at the Hippodrome, London
Since its opening in 1900, London’s Hippodrome has been a hotspot for celebrities. Over the years, it has served as a music hall, theatre, and nightclub. Sammy Davis Jr, Charlie Chaplin, and Judy Garland have all performed there. Today, it remains a popular destination for those looking for a luxurious gambling experience. Given this, it’s unsurprising that the Hippodrome is home to a luxurious dining option – the Heliot Steak House.
The Heliot is not only one of the best eateries located inside a casino but it is also considered to be one of the best restaurants in the whole of London. Bookatable customers voted it as being the best steak restaurant in the city.
This is thanks to the 6-week-aged steaks that the restaurant serves, which are noted for their distinct tenderness and flavour.
According to the Hippodrome website, the Heliot Steak House has also won the Best Casino Restaurant award at the British Casino Awards three times.
The Argentinian rib eye steak is a fan favourite – as are some of the restaurant’s side dishes. This includes the Millionaire’s Mac and Cheese.
Tanzibar at Aspers Casino, London
Aspers Casino is one of the biggest casinos in the UK, so it understandably has plenty of dining and drinking options to choose from. But if you want a truly sophisticated fine dining experience at this London casino, you should head to Tanzibar.
Although only recently opened, Tanzibar has garnered a name for itself thanks to its relaxed setting and premium menu options. It’s great for ordering a few drinks and enjoying a major sporting event on the big screen – it’s also good for enjoying some premium pub grub.
Its affordable menu features such highlights as fish and chips, pan-fried sea bass, rib eye steak, and sausage and fennel ragu. It also offers premium bar snacks such as steamed gyozas, calamari, and garlic ciabatta bread.
Tanzibar is definitely the best value-for-money casino dining option in England.
The Restaurant at Palm Beach Casino, London
This venue dates back to 1927 as a hotel and remains today as one of the most popular and glamorous venues in London’s Mayfair district. The casino is known for its American-styled gaming tables where gamblers go to play blackjack, baccarat, and British variants of roulette.
However, other visitors make a beeline for the casino’s dining options – particularly the Restaurant. The kitchen is fronted by Mahmud Zaman who has devised an extension menu featuring Indian, Southeast Asian, European, and Middle Eastern dishes.
Food highlights include the tandoori salmon, balti curry, and Middle Eastern mixed grill platter.
The decor is notable due to the magnolia velvet chairs, ruby leather booths, and Chinese symbolism-inspired artwork. These features are enhanced by the dim lighting and music provided by the DJs. This stylish setting creates a laid-back atmosphere.
