Casinos are far more than just gambling. Besides a wide assortment of machines and tables, people flock to casinos for their extravagant shows, largescale nightclubs and top casino restaurants.
Good food is one of those enjoyments of life that we all have a penchant for. That’s why almost all large casinos treat fine dining as an integral part of their service offering. Many gambling houses have gone out of their way to attract top culinary talent from across the globe, including world-renowned chefs.
From the contemporary buzz of Sin City to the classic glamour of Monte Carlo, here is the list of top casino restaurants that pull out all the stops when celebrating your big win.
1. Robuchon au Dome (Grand Lisboa, Macao)
With Macao surpassing Las Vegas as the world’s largest gambling destination, the need for premium restaurants has skyrocketed. Chef Joel Robuchon evolved his original restaurant and relocated it to a 43rd-floor glass dome of the Grand Lisboa casino. The new restaurant boasts three Michelin stars and offers such indulgences as caramelised quail stuffed with foie gras and black truffle mashed potatoes.
2. Le Tren Bleau (Place du Casino, Monte Carlo)
Conveniently located at the entrance to the Casino de Monte-Carlo, this culinary gem matches the casino’s timeless elegance. Le Tren Bleau offers premium Italian dishes such as aubergine risotto topped with tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, as well as veal saltimbocca. And, the clientele lives up to the tuxedoed James Bond-style expectations.
3. Guy Savoy (Caesars Palace, Las Vegas)
Guy Savoy is a recreation of its famed namesake in Paris and happens to overlook Vegas’s replica of the Eiffel Tower to add to the authentic feel. Additionally, this is the only place outside of Paris where you can try out their signature black truffle and artichoke soup. With two Michelin stars under its belt, Guy Savoy is a great spot to feel like a high roller.
4. Waku Ghin (Marina Bay Sands, Singapore)
Waku Ghin is housed in the world’s most expensive building and, subsequently, has to live up to the expectations. Each sitting is an intimate affair with only 25 seats available. Chef Tetsuya Wakuda personally presides over each of the tables while dishing out tasty delicacies such as wasabi mustard encrusted Tasmanian grass-fed beef.
5. Café Martinique (Atlantis, Bahamas)
Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant is the centrepiece of Paradise Island Resort’s culinary offering. The café combines local bounty with a French twist, offering gastronomic delights such as cracked conch with citrus chilli mayonnaise and avocado.
6. Pikayo (Condado Plaza Hilton, Puerto Rico)
Puerto Rico’s most famous chef, Wilo Benet, has been at the forefront of the local cuisine for over a quarter of a century. He moved his well-loved restaurant to the Condado Plaza Hilton in 2009, from where he uses his creative flair to put a personal touch on traditional cuisine like alcapurrias, or meat fritters with garlic aioli, or salmorejo, a local crab stew.
7. La Terraza (Casino de Madrid, Madrid)
Set in an opulent 19th-century palace, La Terraza is headed by Michelin-starred chef Paco Roncero. Expect an exotic spread, including rose petal tempura and liquid fritters. And, for selected high rollers, an invitation to Roncero’s “secret” workshop culinary lab is an ultimate indulgence in his foody kingdom.
8. Besh Steak (Harrah’s, New Orleans)
James Beard Award-winning chef, John Besh, runs this superb steakhouse overlooking the Mississippi. The restaurant exudes jazzy vibes, with George Rodrigue paintings and brass band greats playing in the background. The menu is a meat lovers paradise, including a 38-ounce cowboy steak, while those looking for something lighter can opt for the likes of crayfish bisque or grits and shrimp.
9. Rockpool Bar & Grill (Crown Casino, Melbourne)
This elegant restaurant with a sprawling open kitchen is located in the biggest casino in the southern hemisphere. The grill’s main attraction is its extensive selection of dry-aged beef dishes, although the goat cheese tortellini and the king prawns are also highly recommended. Don’t leave without trying out some of their mouth-watering desserts!
10. Bobby Flay Steak (The Borgata, Atlantic City)
Bobby Flay Steak is an enduring symbol of Atlantic City, having first opened its doors in 2006. But don’t expect an ordinary steakhouse menu here. Sumptuous delicacies such as spice-rubbed Southwest ribeye and a well-appointed lobster bar are all the rage, accompanied by a good side serving of creamy green chile rice.
Remember, next time you visit any of these casinos, don’t forget to make a pitstop at one of the top casino restaurants there. After all, everything feels better on a full stomach. Bon appetite!
