Canada takes its casino culture seriously, with high-quality hospitality, modern infrastructure, and plenty of complementary dining and gaming experiences to boost the experience. Walking into a casino on a weekend means hearing the exciting buzz of a slot machine, clinking glasses, and the smell of wood-fired pizzas and oven-fresh pastries.
Casinos and dining are deeply connected. They’ve long come together to turn a simple night out into a full lifestyle event. Guests are more inclined to stick around, and they get to engage their senses in a dynamic mix of taste, sound, and ambiance. Many gaming establishments across the country boast standout dining spots, including gourmet dining experiences, bistro-style restaurants, all-you-can-eat buffets, and bars and lounges that exude that nightlife energy.
If you’re someone who loves a good bet and an even better bite, this article will take you on a tour of Canada’s best casinos to eat and play. While we’re at it, we’ll also explore the world of online casinos and how you can combine the thrill of the game and the joy of delicious food off the casino floor.
Ontario is home to some of the country’s largest and most famed casinos, and tourist hubs like Niagara Falls and Toronto attract many domestic and international visitors. Naturally, it requires a big culinary investment to complement its full-service entertainment model, which is why the province has plenty of standout casino restaurants.
At the Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort, diners often feel like they’ve hit the dining jackpot, with over 20 options to choose from. From Asian cuisine to steak and seafood, everyone will find a restaurant to suit their preferences.
The Overtime Sports Lounge is the ultimate spot to watch major sports events and chow down on elevated pub fare like handhelds and other classics. Chicken wing options include a dozen different flavours, such as Carolina bourbon BBQ and sweet chilli ginger lime.
Ponte Vecchio can add a little pizzazz to your evening, with a delicious menu of antipasti and pasta, including a butter-poached lobster tagliatelle. If pasta dishes aren’t your speed, you can try their AAA Black Angus bone-in rib steak or other fish and meat dishes. Or perhaps you’re after some fresh sushi and seafood.
The Salon Privé is the Sushi and Oyster Bar, with fresh seasonal oysters and a list of sushi and sashimi to please your palate.
All these offerings come with their own unique atmospheres, providing a space to dine that takes you on a culinary adventure to complement your gaming experience. Knowing that the rushing waters of Niagara Falls are right outside is a bonus, too.
Almost a four-hour drive south-west from Niagara, near the border of Detroit, is Caesars Windsor, a place of stylish luxury that reflects what the brand is all about. Guests can enjoy a memorable evening at Neros Steakhouse, indulging in sophisticated dishes and wines while taking in views of the Detroit River. Their signature weekend Prime Rib comes with two scrumptious sides and allows you to add some surf to your turf. Alongside dining, Caesars also features modern stays, shows at The Colosseum, an indoor pool, and a high-energy nightlife scene to round out a visit.
Quebec is distinct from the rest of Canada, with a rich French-inspired lifestyle and culinary culture that shapes its casino dining scene. A prime example is the Casino de Montréal, a premier destination with a complete entertainment experience that includes Cabaret, tournaments, games, shows, bars, and restaurants.
Pavilion 67, a long-time guest favourite, offers fine gourmet food in its buffet gourmand, including reinvented classics made with local ingredients and decadent French-inspired desserts.
Le Montréal specializes in grilled meats and seafood, showcasing Québec-sourced products in creative dishes like the Field Pea Falafel, Gourmet Game Terrine, Québec Butter-Roasted Veal Chop, and more. The restaurant hosts Wine Appreciation Nights every Monday and Tuesday, and has a covered patio for outdoor dining. Those seeking something more down-to-earth can head to L’Instant for classic deli dishes, including Montréal smoked meat sandwiches and other light bites.
In contrast to casinos in Ontario, guests enjoy regional touches like fine local wines and artisanal cheeses, as well as Québecois dishes like tourtière or pea soup. Combined with other contemporary eats and classic comfort food, Quebec makes it clear that gastronomy is important in its casinos. It’s a must for anyone wanting a memorable night out gaming and tasting the best of the province’s cuisine.
While the buffet concept is becoming less common in eastern Canada’s casinos, Western Canada embraces the more social style of dining, with casual restaurants and buffets synonymous with the gaming floor.
At Richmond’s River Rock Casino Resort, guests can dine in one of a handful of restaurants by the Fraser River. The buffet at the Chairman’s Room comes with endless options in an unpretentious setting, with handcrafted pies and cakes, salads, seafood dishes, pasta, and roast carvings, inspired by West Coast cuisine. River Rock is also one of the only Canadian casinos to feature a Gordon Ramsay restaurant—in this case, Gordon Ramsay Steak. On the menu is market price caviar, chilled seafood platters, tartare options, signature entrées like the roasted Beef Wellington, and a range of high-end steaks. Craving something more international? Sea Harbour Restaurant offers an award-winning Chinese dining experience with chef specials like shrimp paste and scallop soup, and a lengthy dim sum menu to cater to your taste buds.
Alberta is known for having many casinos located on First Nations reserves, giving patrons a chance to savour Indigenous-inspired cuisine. The Grey Eagle Resort and Casino, River Cree Resort and Casino, and Deerfoot Inn and Casino feature expansive buffet dining. Whether you’re hankering for a surf-and-turf buffet with Alaskan snow crab legs and Alberta beef tenderloin or pan-Asian delights, each resort comes with a stellar casino experience to match.
But not every casino night means dressing up and heading out the door. Thanks to the enormous number of Online Casinos, you can replicate that same thrill from the comfort of your own home. Just like there are physical casinos where you pop in, play a few rounds, and head out, there are also those where you settle in for the full experience with dinner, drinks, and entertainment. That same choice exists at home, where you can either log in for a quick spin or recreate a night out at the casino with a takeout spread or a home-cooked feast. Meal kits, delivery apps, and millions of recipes online make it easy to enjoy all sorts of delicious eats while you settle in for a few rounds of poker or blackjack.
And this doesn’t mean abandoning the true casino experience whatsoever. Some nights call for the buzzing energy of an actual dining room, while others are all about cozying up at home and switching from food delivery app to digital play.
Casino restaurants are just as much a defining part of Canadian nightlife as an upscale bar in the Entertainment District of Toronto or a five-star seafood restaurant on the West Coast. What makes them extra special is that they’re located right by the casino floor, so every meal comes with a side of entertainment. Meanwhile, with online casinos, the experience has expanded, as you don’t always have to head out to a destination to mix play and yummy food. Sometimes it’s as simple as ordering from your favourite restaurant and browsing a new casino app on your own terms. But above all else, it means you’ve got plenty of options in Canada.