The Boardwalk Casino and Entertainment World is a relatively new and very successful addition to the main Port Elizabeth beachfront. Situated just of Hobie Beach it is a very popular attraction for locals and tourists alike. Contrary to the impression created by the resort's name the Casino really only makes out a small part of the whole development. Many regular visitors never set a foot in the Casino, located in a back corner of the resort, but rather concentrate on all the other attractions on offer.

The resort consists of the Casino, a large variety of restaurants and coffee shops, a movie house, an informal market place, game arcades and a fun park. The whole development is located around a man-made lake with many of the restaurants and coffee shops organised in the style of pavement café's looking out onto the lake. Ample open parking is provided and childcare facilities are also available. The Boardwalk is within walking distance of a number of beachfront hotels.

The Boardwalk Casino
The casino offers 700 electronic, Smart Card operated slot machines, with denominations ranging from 10c to R50, and 19 casino tables, including American Roulette, Blackjack and Raise 'em Poker and Midi Punto Banco. The minimum bet on Roulette is R5 and Blackjack is R10. Every machine in the Casino is linked to either one or many of the Mystery Jackpots that can be won without achieving a winning combination. The Casino also offers a designated smoking and non-smoking area.

Restaurants & Coffee Shops
The Boardwalk Entertainment World offers a wide range of restaurants, from sit-down formal dining to informal café style dining to takeaways. At the top end is the Lai Kung Chinese Restaurant. It is located on a small island in the corner of the development that is heavily styled as an Oriental Village. It offers traditional Chinese menus. On the same island you will also find the Kyoto Japanese Restaurant, which includes a Sushi Bar. Another more formal offer is the Bayside Pantry Restaurant, located next to the Casino floor, which offers mostly buffet meals.

Our favourite dining option is the 34° South Food Emporium and Gift Shop. It is a seafood and wine emporium including a deli counter with a wide selection of delicacies like wild oysters, curried calamari and smoked salmon. The food is sublime and they also have a worthwhile gift section. The wine section offers connoisseurs a superb selection of vintage wines to transport home or to enjoy on the spot (also see South African wines).

Other options include Squires Legendary Grill (steakhouse), Leonardo's (Italian trattoria), Café Dulce (coffee shop), Tarantino's (light meals, cocktail bar & night-club), Wimpy (economic hamburger outlet), News Café (coffee-shop/bar with great atmosphere and menu) and The Greek (Greek menu).

On the fast-food side there's also a wide range including Quick Bites, Chippers, Sub Shack, Georgies Pies, Sausage Saloon, Steers (hamburger outlet), Fishtales, Indian Cuisine, Milky Lane (diary and ice-cream) and Juicy Lucy (healthy stuff).

(also see: Southern Africa Casino's)