5 Best Restaurants in Center Strip, Las Vegas

The Waldorf Astoria has extended its Peacock Alley brand with an outlet on the 23rd floor of the Las Vegas resort in the space formerly called the Tea Lounge. Lounge seating and floor-to-ceiling windows make for a comfortably elegant vibe, and a bar adorned with feather motifs and a blue-and-gray palette to carry out the theme. Afternoon tea is served at three seatings Wednesdays through Sundays, with a menu of tea sandwiches and scones and two exclusive tea blends. 

Chocolate—dark, white, and milk—flows from a tall glass fountain at the entrance of this stunning pastry shop just off the Bellagio's famed conservatory. This artful homage to chocolate has decadent desserts, including cakes, cookies, macarons, gelato, hand-dipped chocolate candies, and particularly memorable crêpes (try the one with Nutella sauce inside and out, candied hazelnuts, and whipped cream), as well as salads and sandwiches Seating is limited. It's open late, until 10 pm daily.

Locals and visitors alike were delighted when New York's cronut king set up shop in Las Vegas, at Caesars Palace across from The Colosseum. The shop serves Ansel's cronut creations as well as French pastries such as the best-seller kouign-amann, tiger-striped pain au chocolat, huge nutty almond croissants, macarons, Liege waffles, and canneles. Mini-madeleines are piped to order and served warm. Ansel's signature chocolate chip cookie shots and frozen s'mores are made while you wait, and there's even a Thousand Layered Hot Dog Roll. Creative, beautiful pastries like the Blueberry Muffin—blueberry mousse and blueberry gelee atop a citrus almond financier cake with fresh blueberries—are another specialty, and sandwiches are available. There are a few seats inside if you'd like to sit while indulging in a croque monsieur.

Dominique Ansel may have found fame as the creator of the "cronut" and the chocolate-chip-cookie shot, but he proves he has far more to offer in this new boite at Paris Las Vegas. All of his bakery favorites are served here, of course, including fine pastries, crêpes, and fruit tarts. But Ansel carries out the French sidewalk-café spirit of this place by adding such savory choices as rotisserie chicken, turkey, and porchetta, in addition to sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and more

Drop by this bustling branch of the famed South Miami Beach restaurant for, at the very least, a pile of fresh stone crabs and a beer. But Joe's is worth a try whether for a full meal or a snack to remember. (And the stone crabs are available here year-round, unlike at the flagship location.) There are gluten-free/vegetarian, kids' and carryout menus as well. Carnivores won't go hungry here, considering the leviathan bone-in rib eye or double-cut Colorado lamb chops, and there's a bar-food selection of burgers and sandwiches. For dessert, save room for Key lime pie or banana-cream pie with Foster sauce.