Eat, Play, Repeat: Kitchener Eateries Where Players Feel Right at Home

Are you searching for dining spots in Kitchener that offer both great food and a strong Wi-Fi connection? Maybe you want a place where you can enjoy Kitchener-Waterloo’s culinary highlights while also hosting an online casino night with friends. We have insights on some of Kitchener’s best restaurants that meet both these needs. These places have menus filled with Canadian favourites, pub classics, and the freshest local seafood. What makes them unique is their open welcome to gamers. They provide the ideal setting for both individual players and groups to enjoy online games.

Best Restaurants in Kitchener

Whether you want to enjoy meals sourced from local docks, try new cocktails, or play online casino games right at your table, these restaurants combine Kitchener-Waterloo’s food and gaming experiences seamlessly.

Are Cafes Becoming New Online Casino Hubs?

Incorporating the essence of the evolving gaming scene in Kitchener, it’s fascinating to observe how restaurants and cafes are becoming vibrant hubs for casino enthusiasts. This transformation is not just about gaming. It’s about creating a social experience where people can share stories and connect over their favourite online casino games. For a deeper understanding of the high standards that these online venues aspire to achieve, head to the top industry awards in the gambling industry page. It sheds light on the prestigious awards that recognize outstanding contributions to the gambling industry, mirroring the commitment to excellence and innovation seen in Kitchener’s establishments.

This emerging trend is reshaping local dining scene, with restaurants and cafes adapting to accommodate the preferences of the online casino community. Establishments are enhancing their environments to suit both dining and gaming needs, offering reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seating, and an atmosphere that balances the focus required for gaming with the casual relaxation of dining out. From themed gaming nights that complement the menu to spaces designed for both solo and group gaming sessions, Kitchener’s eateries are embracing this fusion of food and digital entertainment.


The Rich Uncle Tavern Kitchener

The Rich uncle

With the advances in technology, you can find your favourite live table games live:

  • 📍 Located at 45 King St W, Downtown Kitchener
  • 📱 Phone: (519) 208-8555
  • 📧 Email: hello@richuncletavern.ca
  • 🕒 Hours: 04:00 PM – 12:00 AM

Looking for the best restaurants in downtown Kitchener? Located on King Street, The Rich Uncle Tavern (former The Berlin restaurant) is one of the top restaurants in Kitchener-Waterloo, offering elevated pub grub in a lively atmosphere. This gastropub serves whisky-kissed dishes, craveable sandwiches, and sweet endings that will delight your tastebuds. As one of the best places to eat in Kitchener for both tourists and locals, The Rich Uncle Tavern promises a warm welcome alongside scrumptious surprises. Its storied past and delicious comfort food make it a must-try among Kitchener Waterloo restaurants. Come experience some of the tastiest fare Kitchener has to offer at this can’t-miss King Street eatery.

Cuisine and Menu

The Rich Uncle Tavern offers classic tavern fare with an inventive twist. The menu focuses on shared plates, handheld sandwiches, hearty main dishes, and creative desserts. Cuisine styles include American, seafood, pub fare, street food, Canadian, and bar snacks.

Highlights from the menu include:

  • Soup options like Parsnip & Artichoke Soup and Daily Soup
  • Shared plates such as Duck Wings, Fried Brussels Sprouts, Whiskey & Dubliner Dip
  • Classic handhelds like the TRU Burger, Lamb Burger, and Italian-style Pressed Sandwich
  • Mains including Fish & Chips, Shepherd’s Pie, Chickpea Curry, Bangers & Mash
  • Desserts like Sticky Toffee Pudding and seasonal Crème Brûlée

Dishes range from $10-30 with gluten-free and vegetarian/vegan options available. The tavern also serves over 16 draft beers from local Ontario breweries.

Atmosphere

The interior of the tavern has an industrial-chic vibe with exposed brick, dark wood accents, and pendant lighting. There’s seating for over 100 guests including communal tables, cozy booths, and a central bar, ideal for those who like to enjoy a meal while they play their favourite online casino games on their devices. The open kitchen allows guests to view the cooking action. Private event spaces are also available upstairs.

On Wednesday nights the tavern hosts a lively Music Bingo night when the space gets loud and energetic. It’s a popular spot before concerts and events in downtown Kitchener. Servers and bartenders like Beia and Daniel provide welcoming, attentive service.

History and Ownership

The Rich Uncle Tavern resides in a historic building that was once home to Joseph Winterhalt’s cigar factory and the “Rich Uncle” cigar brand in the late 1800s. Paying homage to this piece of local history, the tavern took its name from Winterhalt’s famed cigar line.

The space originally opened in 2015 as The Berlin, Kitchener, a farm-to-table restaurant concept led by chef Jonathan Gushue and restaurateur Ryan Lloyd-Craig. The name nodded to Kitchener’s German heritage when it was formerly called Berlin. The interior design spotlighted the charm of the century-old brick and timber building.

Under The Berlin, head chef Gushue focused on ethical food practices and culinary innovation. The dinner menu centered around the daily harvest, often incorporating whole animal butchery and housemade offerings like bread, butter and pasta. The restaurant also benefited from Kitchener-Waterloo’s growth as a tech and innovation hub.

At some point after 2018, The Berlin restaurant underwent a concept change and rebranding to become the more casual, tavern-style eatery The Rich Uncle Tavern. The Berlin menu shifts to focus more on approachable tavern classics rather than fine dining.

Reviews

As one of the top rated restaurants on King Street Kitchener and among the best restaurants in Kitchener-Waterloo, The Rich Uncle Tavern is praised for its delicious comfort food, lively atmosphere and welcoming service. Many guests recommend it as a great place to eat in Kitchener.

Peter G (November 2023): “Great food, excellent atmosphere and terrific service.” Peter highlighted well-presented plates of salmon and sticky toffee pudding. His only note was that Wednesday Music Bingo nights can get loud.

SoSickofCovid (September 2023): “Fun night out before the show.” This first-time guest enjoyed the awesome atmosphere and was delighted by the food and service. They plan to return.

Cambridge, Canada (October 2020): “Great Food.” Cambridge enjoyed being warmly greeted, seated and served by Julia and Daniel. The food and drinks were awesome and they loved the music. They will definitely be back.

From the rave reviews, The Rich Uncle Tavern seems like a can’t-miss spot for both tourists and locals looking for a quality meal in Kitchener-Waterloo. It comes highly recommended as one of the best places to eat downtown.


Borealis Grille & Bar

Borealis Grille & Bar

With the advances in technology, you can find your favourite live table games live:

  • 🍴 Cuisine: Canadian
  • 🍲 Meals: Lunch, Dinner
  • 👔 Dress: Casual
  • 💲 Price Range: $7-$18

Tucked away in a restored 19th century schoolhouse, Borealis brings a sophisticated yet welcoming vibe to Kitchener’s dining scene. The Harvest Lounge entrance feels nostalgic while the dining room provides a warm, simple setting for lunch and dinner. Using top ingredients from local purveyors, Borealis presents a menu of creative Canadian fare that competes only with the thrill of online casino gaming, like maple-glazed pork tenderloin, Great Lakes pickerel, and chickpea flatbreads. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

  • 📍 Location: 4336 King St E, Kitchener
  • 🕒 Hours: Sun-Thu 11:30am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11:30am-11pm
  • 📱 Contact: (519) 219-9007

Steven B. (October 2023): “Unassuming exterior but impressive inside. Very good service and delicious food in a unique setting.”


Wildcraft Grill & Long Bar

Wildcraft Grill
  • 🍴 Cuisine: Canadian, Grill
  • 🍲 Meals: Lunch, Dinner
  • 👔 Dress: Smart Casual
  • 💲 Price Range: $15-$30

Bringing sleek yet welcoming ambiance to Uptown Waterloo, Wildcraft is a favourite haunt not only for food lovers but also for fans of online casinos who prefer a touch of elegance as they play. The patio expands the fun outside when weather allows. Wildcraft provides excellent hospitality whether guests are meeting friends or hosting private events such as casino game nights. Using quality ingredients, the kitchen plates up hearty mains like smoked brisket, lobster mac and cheese, and gnocchi with Canadian flair. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are also available.

  • 📍 Location: 425 King St N, Waterloo
  • 🕒 Hours: Daily 11:30am-12am
  • 📱 Contact: (519) 885-0117

Sarah S. (November 2023): “Fantastic! Stopped in for an early dinner while visiting Laurier. I had the roasted beet salad and sweet potato wedges – absolutely delicious.”