7 Top Destinations for Poker and Food Lovers

Many Americans have been including casino visits in their leisure travels. A YouGov survey reveals that 10% of American adults have stayed at least one night at a large resort casino, while 9% stayed overnight at smaller local casinos. Nearly half (48%) of those who responded value the quality of the gambling floor, its size, and the variety of casino games it offers. Additionally, 54% prioritise dining and drinking options when choosing a casino to visit or stay at.

Fortunately, if you particularly like to play poker, many destinations offer the opportunity to combine your interest in the classic casino game with your love for delicious food. Whether planning a short weekend trip in the US or a weeklong vacation abroad, you can find must-visit spots to suit your palate and your pocket. From gaming venues surrounded by a diverse array of restaurants to casinos and hotels serving gourmet dishes, below are some top destinations for travellers who love food and poker.

Las Vegas

Living up to its nickname as the world’s entertainment capital, Las Vegas, Nevada, has attractions that satisfy your hunger for food and poker adventures. You can start at the famous Las Vegas Strip, which houses premier gaming venues like the MGM Grand, known for its Grand Poker Room with daily low-stakes tournaments starting at $1-$3. MGM Grand provides a unique dining experience with its first-rate buffet and celebrity-owned restaurants such as Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak.

However, if you want a change of scenery from the Strip, a previous post recommends Downtown Las Vegas and its rich gaming culture, art, and history. One of the top spots to visit is the Fremont Street Experience, where you can find pubs and restaurants to fuel your night of gaming and the iconic Golden Nugget Las Vegas. The luxury hotel and casino has one of the city’s best and oldest poker rooms, hosting a full spread of Texas Hold’em, Omaha, stud, and other mixed games.

Atlantic City

Like Las Vegas, Atlantic City, New Jersey, is known as a gaming and entertainment hotspot, from world-famous amusement parks like Steel Pier to luxury hotels, resorts, and casinos. For example, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa boasts the city’s most modern 52-table poker room.

Another must-visit for poker and food lovers is Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City, which will host the 2025 World Series of Poker Circuit this summer. Harrah’s Resort was chosen to welcome the WSOP-C in its return to Atlantic City after a five-year hiatus, mainly for its renovated hotel rooms and suites, vibrant nightlife, and a selection of celebrity chef restaurants. These include Gordon Ramsay Steak, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, and Buddy’s Boardwalk Empire by Buddy ‘Cake Boss’ Valastro.

Montenegro

Considered one of the hidden gems in South-eastern Europe, Montenegro is a destination for outdoor enthusiasts and has become a poker hotspot in recent years. The Triton Super High Roller Series will return to Montenegro this year, with poker tour packages offered through the High Stakes Adventure. This high-stakes flagship event is hosted by leading poker site Americas Cardroom, which has established its name in poker tourism by awarding round-trip tickets to other premier destinations. Monte Carlo and Jeju Island for previous Super High Roller Series tournaments are among these.

This year, the High Stakes Adventure: Montenegro tournament gives poker players a chance to win two guaranteed all-inclusive packages, each valued at $110,000 in tournament fees, business-class airfare, and a luxurious five-night stay at the Maestral Resort & Casino. Beyond meeting your gaming needs, this five-star resort and casino caters to foodies like you through its exclusive gastronomic delights, such as the Terraza Main Restaurant for buffet and the Jade Restaurant for exotic Oriental flavours.

Barcelona

Due to its world-class architecture, stunning beaches, and energetic nightlife, Barcelona has been selected as one of the stops for the renowned European Poker Tour for over 20 years. Last year’s EPT in the Catalonian capital saw the fourth-largest in history, with 1,975 entries and a total prize pool of €9,578,750. This summer, the EPT will take place at the luxurious Casino Barcelona, while off-the-felt activities include padel tournaments and catamaran trips around the city.

Even if the EPT is off-season while in Barcelona, you can still enjoy a unique blend of poker and gastronomic adventures at Casino Barcelona. It offers various daily cash games and tournaments for beginners and pros while serving Mediterranean and fusion cuisine.

Prague

Like Montenegro, Czechia's gaming scene has steadily grown in recent years. The Financial Administration of Czechia has increased taxes for land-based casinos and other gaming venues while streamlining licensing procedures for international gaming operators. This is in light of the industry’s significant contribution to tax revenues and overall economic growth.

As such, its capital, Prague, deserves to be on every poker enthusiast’s travel bucket list. You can find a broad selection of poker rooms in this city, from Casino Ambassador, which offers variants like Texas Hold’em, Oasis, and Russian Poker, to high-stakes tournaments at the five-star Hilton Hotel’s King’s Casino. Before a night of poker, exploring traditional Czech food like trdelník (chimney cake) and grilované klobása (grilled sausage) along Prague’s street kiosks and food stalls is highly recommended.

Macau

For good reason, Macau has been dubbed the Las Vegas of Asia. In addition to its rich culture and bustling nightlife, the city has an array of cosmopolitan hotels and casinos where you can play poker to your heart’s content.

You can hop from one poker room to another—starting at the City of Dreams, which hosts annual tournament series like the Asian Poker Tour, before ending your night at the high-stakes VIP rooms of the Venetian Macao. The latter is renowned for its Venetian Food Court, which offers everything from quick eats like pan-fried buns to traditional Cantonese noodles and congee.

Melbourne

If you’re willing to travel to the other side of the world for poker and food, make no exceptions for Melbourne, Australia. Even if the Aussie Millions poker schedule has already concluded, you can still have fun at Crown Melbourne all year round. 

Its poker tables cater to all players through low-stakes cash games and big blind tourneys. Like other hotels and casinos on this list, its critically-acclaimed restaurants ensure you’ll never go hungry before or after your games. Options include the famous Nobu for innovative Japanese cuisine and Bistro Guillaume for elevated French dining.

Ensure a safe and stress-free poker holiday by buying travel insurance ahead of your trip. This way, you can protect yourself from medical emergencies, lost luggage, and other unforeseen events that may dampen the experience.