City Grill Group, the most important local restaurant operator, controlled by the entrepreneur Dragos Petrescu, has been appointed the winner of the tender for the operation of the commercial space in the premises of the Casino in Constanta. This strategic expansion adds a new flagship building to the group’s portfolio, strengthening its presence in locations with high historical and architectural value.
The auction, organized by Societatea Patrimoniu Constanța Litoral SRL, was aimed at renting a space with a useful interior area of approximately 550 square meters, located on the ground floor and basement of the Casino, plus an outdoor terrace of 324 square meters overlooking the sea. The starting price of the monthly rent was set, following a technical-economic analysis, at 48,700 lei (about €9.6 thousand) excluding VAT. This was the second tender procedure, after the first session was canceled due to lack of competition, and the winner was chosen on the basis of financial performance criteria and the complexity of the proposed development plan.
The future establishment will operate under a café-bistro concept, the specifications prohibiting the thermal preparation of food on the premises; thus, the offer will be limited to drinks, coffee and cold food. Daniel Mischie, CEO of City Grill, said that the new project will respect the rigor imposed by the historical monument, similar to other locations managed by the group, such as Caru’ cu Bere or Hanu’ lui Manuc. The final details of the design concept and opening date will be announced once the contractual terms have been finalized.
The move is part of a period of accelerated expansion for City Grill at the beginning of 2025. The group recently took over the Monte Carlo restaurant in Cșmigiu Park, the majority stake in the Cluj chain Marty and the events complex in the Paradisul Verde neighborhood. The City Grill network currently operates 42 locations nationwide and employs over 1,100 people.
The Constanta Casino was reopened to the public on May 21, 2025, after an extensive renovation process that lasted five years and required an investment of approximately EUR 40 million, provided through the National Investment Company. The monument now operates exclusively as a cultural destination, without gambling, and has attracted more than 220,000 visitors since its inauguration. The standard entrance fee is 50 lei (about €9.8).