Dave & Buster’s is most famous for its arcade, but lately, its food has been getting major buzz. In 2024, the chain revamped 20 menu items, but this November, it brought more than 100 new dishes and drinks to the lineup, as well as some formerly discontinued fan favorites. Guests nationwide can taste them by way of the Eat & Play Combo, which starts at $20 for an entrée and $10 Power Card.
I’ve only ever gone to Dave & Buster’s for the games, as I always assumed the kitchen was churning out overpriced, frozen bar bites. But as a food writer who believes in first (and second) chances, I figured there was no better time than now to investigate the chain’s fare.
The Vibe
I headed to the Philadelphia location on a Saturday afternoon. To my surprise—and pleasure—I didn’t need to enter the arcade to grab a bite. Some folks are in on the secret: Dave & Buster’s operates as its own bar and restaurant, and you can dine in or order out without ever setting foot in the gaming area. The bar was unexpectedly serene, surrounded by twinkling blue string lights that reflected the chill energy of the strangely nostalgic liminal space.
The Cocktails
I used to be a bartender, and at one point, at a big-name bowling alley. Generally, corporate bars aren’t flexible or generous in terms of pour, unlike local watering holes, where being a regular sometimes comes with drinkable perks. Because of this knowledge, I expected the cocktails at Dave & Buster’s to be on the weak side for the price—but I was wrong.
The libations were more potent than you’d think, but not excessively so. In fact, they were deliciously, dangerously balanced. I tried the resurrected Million Dollar ’Rita ($22; prices listed in this story may vary by location) and the new Passion Fruit Ranch Water ($17). The former had unexpected additions, including orange juice (which gave the marg its golden hue) and Tuaca, an Italian brandy liqueur with notes of citrus and vanilla. It was strong without being cloying, and had a nuanced sweetness akin to a Creamsicle. However, I like my margaritas sour, so I preferred the Ranch Water. It was boozy yet light, courtesy of soda water, and had an impeccable sweet-tart ratio between the pineapple and passion fruit. And who can say no to a Tajín rim?
The Appetizers
I started with a new dish no one would ever expect to eat at an arcade: the Crisp Apple Pecan Side Salad ($6). It was very well dressed in sweet-tart raspberry vinaigrette, which tamed the salty tang of the bleu cheese just right. The apples were bright and refreshing, like Fuji or Honeycrisp, though I wished they had been cut into smaller pieces. I enjoyed the slight slickness of the candied pecans. Who knew you could score quality roughage at D&B?
Next, I tried the Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls ($14), which boasted a gorgeously crunchy exterior with minimal grease. The filling was oniony and simple, although the meat looked and felt more like ground beef than what you find in a cheesesteak. The highlight was the queso blanco dip, which was sharp and lusciously thick. It brought a salty, creamy high note that made the egg rolls sing.
My favorite starter—and perhaps my favorite menu item of all—was the Grilled Chicken Quesadilla ($15), which had a layer of crisp, caramelized cheese on the outside of the tortilla. This dish made me realize what the Dave & Buster’s culinary team was going for: Whether inspired by the enduring popularity of quesabirria tacos or a slew of recent Taco Bell innovations enrobed in grilled cheese, they tapped into what’s hot in food right now for the menu overhaul. Trendy items will catch the eye of on-the-pulse foodies who may have doubts about the menu, while the breadth of offerings and quality ingredients will win over everyone else.
The Mains
I went with two revived entrées—Lacy’s Chicken ($20) and the Bistro Steak and Shrimp Alfredo Linguine ($25)—as well as the all-new Buffalo Wing Burger ($17) and Fries GPT ($3 add-on with burger, $6 as a side).
The chicken came with loaded mashed potatoes, which were deeply buttery and decadent, and a generous portion of green beans and tomatoes that offered much-needed vegetal respite. I was most impressed by the chicken, as you could taste that it was freshly grilled, thanks to its crisp, lightly charred exterior. My main critique was that between the marsala wine sauce and the garlic-herb cheese (which I suspect was Boursin), the dish was far too salty, despite being well-cooked and many steps above typical arcade grub.
The pasta, which was my favorite main, was seasoned like a mild Cajun Alfredo. (BTW, Dave & Buster’s website says the sauces are made in-house.) The noodles were a touch soft, but the slightly fishy sauce, the succulent, flawlessly cooked shrimp and the shockingly tender steak made up for it tenfold. Mushrooms brought earthiness and textural diversity, while the tomatoes imparted just enough acidity to cut through the decadence. Surf and turf pasta at Dave & Buster’s? Sure, why not?
The burger was more what you’d expect, but still elevated. Crowned with a Buffalo chicken tender, the handheld was very juicy (despite being overcooked for what I requested). The tang and complexity of the bleu cheese was absolutely essential to the burger’s balance. I thought the chicken—which the D&B website says is hand-breaded—was on the dry side, but the sauce was lip-smackingly vinegary and genuinely spicy.
Whatever sandwich or burger you order, spring for the Fries GPT, seasoned with garlic butter, Parmesan cheese and truffle dust. The truffle was super subtle, as was the garlic. The fries felt elegant, flavorful and special without being an OTT departure from the simple side you crave while watching football or playing Mario Kart. And that’s the gist of this menu revamp: It’s bar bites you know and love, only more intriguing, photogenic and dignified for the price.
The Dessert
I’d heard reviewers were going bananas (sorry) for the Bananas Foster Pie ($11). I appreciated that it wasn’t too sweet, and there were a myriad of textures between fluffy sponge cake, silky pudding, crunchy pecans and crumbly cinnamon-graham crust. It was tasty, but I wished the fresh bananas were caramelized. (More caramel sauce would have been nice, too.) I found myself wanting more brown sugar notes in honor of the dessert’s namesake.
The TL;DR
The prices had been a deterrent for me in the past—no one wants to pay a premium at the snack bar. But after tasting nine menu items, which cost about $150 before tax and tip, I can attest that the Dave & Buster’s kitchen is light-years beyond what you’d expect of an arcade. The thoughtfully varied lineup had something for traditionalists and modernists alike. Between the enviably chic serveware, the creative selection and the quality of ingredients, I’d argue that both the food and drink are fairly priced and worth the spend—especially with the Eat & Play Combo in mind.