Top sports stars like Ryan Giggs, Usain Bolt, Andy Murray and Lionel Messi have restaurants.. see how they rate on Trip Advisor
They're the cream of the crop in the sports world and their restaurants aren't bad either... Ryan Giggs, Andy Murray and Tiger Woods are all restaurateurs -- hoping to secure a crust well after their playing days
IT USED to be the case that footballers bought a pub when they retired.
But these days the biggest sports stars are much more likely to invest in posh restaurants or sports bars to generate some extra cash for when they call it a day.
Luis Suarez is the latest superstar to launch a restaurant, with his new Barcelona outlet called Chalito.
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Rio Ferdinand are all restaurateurs, owning swanky eateries that make an absolute killing.
But it doesn't have to be ALL posh.
In fact, Usain Bolt has his own fast-food chicken chain in Jamaica, while Frank Lampard owns a London boozer.
But not everyone is thrilled with the food on offer, judging by some of the comments on Trip Advisor.
Ryan Giggs
George’s Dining Room and Bar in Worsley
Manchester United legend Giggs bought George’s in his home village of Worsley in 2014 with two school friends Kelvin Gregory and Bernie Taylor.
The luxury bar and restaurant serves traditional British food, including steaks, burgers and roast pork belly.
The restaurant has been such a success they now want to open a second eaterie in Manchester city centre.
What's available: 8oz fillet steak with French fries £25.95
Trip Advisor: 4 stars from 746 reviews
What the punters said...
"This evening was a total disappointment for us. The food was appalling bearing in mind the average price of a main course is £16-18.
"We complained to the manager and he was pathetic not taking on board that his custumers had a very bad dining experience despite the plate of rubbish food shown to him.
"My son’s steak was also overdone(we were told it would be pink) and the bread served with it was stale but he was so hungry he ate it anyway!
"I’m furious I wasted my time and money here this evening." Maggiedebono
"Polite, friendly and tentative staff. Food was surprisingly good. House wine, easy to drink and reasonably priced.
"Very clean premises(which is important for me)." Joleen22
Tiger Woods
The Woods Jupiter in Florida
Tiger opened the doors to his bar/steakhouse in September of this year, pumping £6million of his own money into the venture to ensure it was a success.
Think steak sandwiches, truffle fries and fish tacos.
The 160z prime ribeye steak is their most lavish and delicious dish, according to reviewers.
The Jupiter also boasts an extensive cigar list for those who enjoy the finer things in life.
What's available: 16oz prime ribeye steak £34
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 454 reviews.
What the punters said...
"Outstanding service, outstanding meal and best desserts. Will definitely return and highly recommend."; Jackie C.
"This restaurant is nothing more than a high priced sports bar. Nice presentation, but, that is far as it goes.
"Ordered the tuna tartar which had more avocado and mango in it than tuna.
"Ordered two flat breads, certainly nothing to write home about. Way too much dough for a flatbread.
"Valet parking at $8.00 is a bit pricy. Recommend try someplace else." Jack W
Rio Ferdinand
Rosso in Manchester
Standing proudly at the top of Manchester's prestigious King Street, Rio's eaterie serves upscale Italian fare.
Everything is here under one roof, meat, seafood dishes and lots of pasta and pizza plates are on offer too.
It's very likely you'll bump into Rio or one his old Man United teammates, the creme de la creme of Manchester folk visit.
What's available: Spaghetti Carbonara £15
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 3,071 reviews.
What the punters said... "Do the best steak in manchester. Cook medium/rare to perfection. Love their prawn starters as well. Have to go there at least once a month." Maliksaif
"To (sic) expensive won't be back for what we got. Had a cocktail each what a rip of drinks way to expensive. Staff were very friendly and helpful can't fault them just need to reduce their prices." Christine F.
Gary Neville & Ryan Giggs
Rabbit in the Moon in Manchester
Another Manchester great, the two United legends front it -- but it's actually the brainchild of Michelin-starred chef Michael O'Hare.
The Rabbit in the Moon serves Asian fare on top of the famed Urbis building and is one of Manchester's finest establishments.
It's signature dish, and you'll have to have quite the appetite for this one, is a 17-course taster menu featuring a variety of their favourite dishes.
What's available: 10-course menu £45
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 70 reviews.
What the punters said...
"Starting with bizarre cocktails which were insanely interesting, through a series of unusually crafted but delicious dishes.
"Small portions - a mix of canape / slider / mini hot dog sized dishes and a pricey wine list (starting at £41). An amazing dining experience." Nigel A.
Usain Bolt
Tracks and Records in Kingston, Jamaica
Who else would own a restaurant called Tracks and Records?
Only the fastest man to run the 100 and 200 metres.
With Usain being a fan of KFC, there's plenty of chicken on offer. It's mainly fast food, burgers, chips and pizza.
But the real Jamaican flavour can be found in the jerk dishes, as well as the steamed fish for the healthier eater.
What's available: Jerked pork £7.40
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 408 reviews.
What the punters said...
"Great sports bar environment and even better food. The service was commendable and we were hoping to meet the big man himself. Definite must visit." S10UYX
Andy Murray
Chez Roux at the Cromlix Hotel in Cromlix, Dunblane,Scotland
When Andy Murray bought the Cromlix Hotel for £2 million in 2013, he also acquired the French restaurant Chez Roux.
Run by famed chef Albert Roux OBE and his son Michael Roux Jr,as well as a swanky dinner do they a champagne afternoon tea that has the crowds coming through.
They also specialise in incredible desserts, perfected by one of the world's leading chefs, like the Yorkshire rhubarb crumble souffle.
What's available: Stuffed Rack of Perthshire Lamb for two with Herb Crust, Boulangère Potatoes, Carrot Purée, Red Wine Jus and Sauce Paloise £58
Trip Advisor: 4.5 out of 301 reviews.
What the punters said...
"Love it, love it, love it. Fabulous food, excellent service. Credit to the hotel. It's just too good,would not stay at hotel without eating in this restaurant." Gary H.
"Booked a lunch in the bar area as we had children with us and didn't want too stuffy an atmosphere for them. Disappointingly, the bar area is dark and the tables low. This clearly isn't an ideal place to have snack lunches." ValMcD
Lionel Messi
Bellavista del Jardin del Norte
Lionel Messi teamed up with his brother Rodrigo and sister Maria Sol last year to open an innovative restaurant.
Inside, the restaurant is laid out to mimic an Argentinian town, with a newspaper kiosk, barber shop, market, bar, church and even a fountain.
The chef serves up simple fish dishes and meat cooked in a large charcoal oven.
What's available: Black monkfish with vinaigrette £16.60
Trip Advisor: 3.5 out of 613 reviews.
What the punters said...
"This is a super cute restaurant. The decor is a bit of a miss-match of garden and football, but it’s nice nonetheless.
"It is much bigger than you’d expect from the outside, it goes really far back, and there is even a large garden at the rear." Adam A
"Much has been written about this restaurant but according to our experience it is an absolute bluff.
"Not to be misunderstood, the food is good and well cooked and place is orginally decorated and enjoys a nice garden.
"But the portions are small, the prices high and the service seems to need at least two people per course." homedalsac
Lou Macari
Lou Macari’s Fish and Chip Shop in Matt Busby Way
The former Manchester United and Scotland star bought the shop for his mum but Macari now owns it himself.
The sign outside reads ‘Sleep football, drink football, eat Lou Macari’s.’
It serves traditional fish and chips, pies, burgers and jumbo sausages.
It has become a pre-match ritual for United fans for years, as it is just around the corner from Old Trafford.
What's available: Chips and gravy £2.50
Trip Advisor: 4.5 stars from 5 reviews
What the punters said...
"OK let's be clear this is not a great chippy in terms of food quality. You will get far better food elsewhere - just not anywhere near OT.
"Given the volume of food they churn out its very good. For any newbies try the steak and kidney pie with chips and mushy peas.
"The fish is also good. Enjoy." HungryTravellerAscot.
"Cheap and cheerful but very good value for money. Batter is not soggy and they are quick. seating available also." BigBorisBushkin.
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David Beckham
Union Street Cafe in London
Launched with his pal Gordon Ramsay, Becks has since dropped out of the business, but it still remains one of London's top restaurants.
They boast about using fresh produce from the local Borough Market, including Welsh mussels and Cornish clams.
It serves Mediterranean dishes, mostly Italian, but the portion sizes were once "considered meagre in the boot of Italy." They're very small!
What's available: Tagliatelle with pork neck girolles, spring onion and pecorino £19
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 992 reviews.
What the punters said...
"Attended a business dinner here while traveling (sic) for business. Had a nice bottle of red wine with gnocchi. Have to say the gnocchi was on the money and tasted like pillows of heaven. The place is a bit noisy for a business meeting though. Great atmosphere and bar area." Iris S.
"Came here with high expectations, left feeling deflated and unsatisfied. The food was incredibly salty and plain. Completely overpriced for what it was, the menu was also hard to decipher due to font used. Would not go back." Hollie W.
Frank Lampard
The Pig's Ear in London
Super Frank owns a super pub in the heart of Chelsea, not far from Stamford Bridge, and it's become a staple in the area.
Traditional cask ales are supplied by Sambrooks Brewery, while the Pig's Ear Ale brewed by the London Brewery is their recommended tipple.
Food is decent too, given its a gastropub, and they serve meals like pork belly, chicken, ham hock and mushroom pie and haddock and chips.
What's available: Beer-battered haddock-fillet, hand-cut chips and mushy peas £15.50
Trip Advisor: 4.0 out of 244 reviews.
What the punters said... "The lovely room upstairs was cozy and had a "private" feel to it. The staff were charming and friendly. The food was excellent. The cake fantastic! Could not have been a bigger success! Thank you Lorenzo and all!" trf58.
"Pretty poor, the roast wasn't good quality considering the price. There was also a big unexpected service charge. I mean its a bar! Won't be returning. how dare they charge 12.5% on those drinks and bad food." lulushoes.
Simon Mignolet
Twenty Two Coffee in Sint-Truiden, Belgium
Last year Liverpool keeper Mignolet opened a small coffee shop in his hometown of Sint-Truiden, named Twenty Two after his shirt number at Anfield.
It serves coffees and hot chocolate, coffee cocktails, and specials including Simon’s Special.
The café also sells cakes and treats with added ‘slagroom’ which means whipped cream.
What's available: Hot chocolate £2.65
Facebook: 4.8 out of 197 reviews
What the punters said...
"The nicest place outside the center! Good coffee, an excellent place to work just before or after the shuttle or to relax." Natascha Clerinx.
Luis Figo
Figo's 7 Deck Lounge Bar in Vilamoura, Algarve
As elegant as he was a player, Figo's deck lounge bar offers incredible views of the Algarve, great drinks and bar food.
Calamari and chips, washed down with a Portuguese pint is the kind of fare offered. It's very chill, very relaxed.
All the walls are covered with pictures of players past and present that have visited, including David Beckham and Pele.
What's available: Full English breakfast £6.20
Trip Advisor: 3.0 out of 599 reviews
What the punters said...
"Nice comfy outside bar built over the marina itself. The deck lounge is on top of the water where you can kick back and enjoy all the fish swimming around the marina. Great views good location plenty to do here. As a football fan it was great viewing all the great players from around the world on the pictures inside the bar." Ryan W.
"This is a horrible place, scummy decor, really run down, food not good and service worse, they live off the name of Luis Figo, it´s unfortunate he still lends his name to this, needs a total overhaul, not worth going there at all." Pola M.