The City Grill Group has officially launched the City Grill Cazino Express cafe-bistro, located inside the Constanța Casino, a recently restored historical monument of national importance. The opening marks the completion of a strategic expansion project for the HoReCa operator, which took over the space following a public auction and adapted it to strict heritage conservation standards. This inauguration represents a milestone for tourism on the Romanian seaside, bringing a national-scale operator to the region’s most symbolic building.
The festive inauguration event took place in the presence of the group’s founders, Dragoș Petrescu (president) and Daniel Mischie (CEO), alongside local officials such as the mayor of Constanța, Vergil Chițac, the director of Confort Urban, Stere Hira, and the president of UDTTMR, Gelil Eserghep. The event was also attended by Anamaria Mișa, general manager of the Constanța Casino, and Constantin Șerban Cantacuzino, owner of “Hanul lui Manuc”. The program included a guided tour of the restored building, an exclusive dinner on the Constanța seafront, and a preview of the show “Cazino Mon Amour”. On this occasion, Anamaria Mișa highlighted the goal of transforming the monument into a prestigious European cultural hub, evoking the building’s key historical moments, from its use as a field hospital in World War I to the communist period when it housed political prisoners, and the 18 years of abandonment after 1990.
City Grill’s entry into the Casino premises was officialized on February 10, 2026, when the company Patrimoniu Constanța Litoral S.R.L. designated the group as the winner of the public leasing auction. The acquired infrastructure includes an indoor usable area of approximately 550 sqm (ground floor and basement) and an outdoor terrace of 324 sqm with a direct view of the Black Sea. The location was opened to the public on a trial basis starting May 1, allowing for service calibration. Due to strict restrictions imposed to protect the historical monument, which reopened in May 2025 after a major restoration, “hot” thermal cooking is strictly prohibited inside. The menu focuses on premium coffee, fine drinks, and cold dishes or gourmet snacks, made mainly with ingredients from local producers, such as vegetables from Albești, pastries from Constanța, and Dobrogean wines. This is the group’s 44th unit nationwide, with expansion set to continue with an opening in Brașov in the near future.
The investment is supported by the solid financial performance of City Grill Group, a structure with over 1,100 employees and 42 active locations. The group’s main four entities reported cumulative profits of over EUR 7.25 million in a single fiscal year, backed by significant operational results. The City Cafe Express S.R.L. division, which operates the cafe and transit point segments (including the 7 units at Otopeni Airport and the new bistro), reported a turnover of EUR 10.5 million, recording a 138% increase. Blue Restaurant S.R.L., the main pillar of the group, 98.9% owned by City Cafeteria SRL, recorded a turnover of EUR 16.51 million. Bogdan Restaurante S.R.L., which manages strategic locations in Bucharest, reported a turnover of EUR 16.06 million and a consolidated net profit of EUR 2.44 million, up 57%. Additionally, Trotter Food Production S.R.L., the division responsible for cold dish logistics, recorded a turnover of EUR 4.51 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new location opened by City Grill?
City Grill has opened the City Grill Cazino Express cafe-bistro inside the recently restored Constanța Casino.
Why is hot cooking prohibited inside the Constanța Casino cafe?
Due to strict heritage conservation rules protecting the historical monument, hot thermal cooking is not allowed inside the building.
What does the menu at City Grill Cazino Express offer?
The menu focuses on premium coffee, fine drinks, cold dishes, and gourmet snacks, featuring ingredients from local Dobrogean producers.