15 Best Restaurants in Center Strip, Las Vegas

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.

Since Bobby Flay has always been known for his grilling skills, a burger place just seems like a natural choice. But these aren't just any burgers; order Bobby's Crunchburger, and you'll find it piled with potato chips for the signature sound. There are sides, of course, as well as thick shakes and even beer and canned cocktails. Breakfast is served from 7 to 11 am daily. Also at Caesars Palace on the Center Strip and Harrah's on the North Strip.

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

Since Gordon Ramsay's been known to flame a contestant or two, it's only fitting that his burgers are cooked over a hardwood fire. Consider the Hell's Kitchen Burger, with asadero cheese, roasted jalapeños, and roasted tomatoes; or the Farmhouse Burger, with Dubliner cheese, bacon, and a fried egg. Salads include the "hellfire" chicken, and sides run to truffle Parmesan fries and beer-battered onion rings. Dig into one of Ramsay's rich desserts, or sip a cocktail while enjoying the roaring fire. There's another location at the Flamingo.

Three things stand out at this comfortable, casual restaurant, conceptualized by celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey: the libations, the cheery across-the-pond ambience, and the elevated British pub grub. Cocktails have names like "Behind Blue Eyes" and "Boston's Inferno," or you can slake your thirst with a Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale. Hum along with classic Brit pop and rock tunes and watch football—soccer, to us Americans—on any of the numerous flat-screen tellies. Seating is easy on the bum, the place settings rich and rustic. Start with beef carpaccio or a jumbo lump crab cake. The beef Wellington, braised short rib and cabbage, crispy-skin salmon, oak-grilled meats, and mac and cheese are standouts. Warm sticky toffee pudding has fans aplenty. A four-course tasting menu and three-course menu are other options.

Visitors won't need a car for their In-N-Out fix since there's a location at The LINQ Promenade right on the Strip. The simple menu of fresh burgers, just-cut fries, and milk shakes makes this affordable West Coast fast-food joint with 18 locations around town a cult fave. If you're extra hungry (and we mean seriously so), go "off menu" and order a "4x4" (four beef patties with four slices of American cheese on a freshly baked bun), and maybe order it "animal-style," with a mustard-grilled beef patty and extra spread with grilled onions.

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.

Although chef Julian Serrano has stepped away from this lakeside Italian restaurant, the tradition continues. The emphasis is on seafood, with starter choices such as oysters with tangerine mignonette, hamachi or salmon crudo, and scallops and prawns with saffron fregola. Pizzettas include one with fresh black truffle, guanciale, and truffle cheese. Pasta dishes range from good ol' spaghetti and meatballs to gnocchi with wild boar sausage, and entrées include a mixed seafood grill, osso buco, steaks, and chicken. 

This French bistro and steak house that first earned acclaim in Chicago has become much beloved in Las Vegas, in large part because it was the first restaurant to have a terrace overlooking the Strip. For those who prefer a quieter environment, a glassed-in conservatory conveys an outdoor feel, and still quieter dining rooms are inside, adorned with chandeliers dramatically suspended three stories above. The specialty of the house is steak frites, offered three ways: classic, au poivre, and Bearnaise. The signature roast chicken A La Grand Mere is excellent, as is the classic skate wing with new potatoes and creme fraiche, and the prices are, on the whole, reasonable for the Strip. This place is also a favorite for breakfast or brunch, with dishes like classic eggs Benedict or French toast.  

The venerable New York steakhouse, which dates to 1887, launched its first American location outside of New York with this spot with lots of windows and a dramatic arched ceiling. The legendarily gruff waiters are back in the Big Apple, but the on-site dry-aged prime steaks are here—for two, three, or four people. Double-thick lamb chops are another option, and whole sole is boned tableside. For lunch, indulge in a half-pound-plus Luger Burger, or take a lighter approach with sliced tomatoes and onions with Luger’s Own Sauce, both also available as part of the three-course prix-fixe Luger Power Lunch, available Wednesday through Friday and Sunday. 

This offshoot of the Chicago original—from celebrity couple Giuliana and Bill Rancic and Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises siblings R. J., Jerrod, and Molly Melman—has a modern-Italian mission, which is reflected in its sleek, sophisticated decor. The Vegas-classic starters of steak tartare and beef carpaccio are joined by the more creative Maine lobster caprese and bluefin tuna crudo. The expected pastas are joined by one with spicy king crab, and a selection of steaks and chops, seafood, and Italian classics round out the menu. There's a three-course lunch prix fixe menu on weekdays and kids' and gluten-free menus. Happy hour from 3 to 6 pm weekdays offers discounted cocktails, wines, and small bites.

On the top floor of the towering atrium at the Strip entrance to The Forum Shops, Roku occupies an airy dining room lined with bamboo stalks and tall windows facing the Strip. Sushi is the main draw, but there's much more. You can't go wrong with the fluke kumquat with yuzu vinaigrette, or the White Lotus roll with popcorn shrimp tempura, avocado, and asparagus. But greater rewards come to those who venture deeper into the extensive menu. Feel like indulging? Go for the Roku Izakaya Feast for two.

The California-based King’s Seafood Co. brings its briny bounty to Las Vegas's Water Grill with a menu that includes many things you won’t find just anywhere. That might mean live California spiny lobster, Florida stone crab claws, Dungeness crab, live Alaskan halibut, or more than a dozen varieties of lobster—all in season, of course. Starters may range from classic clam chowder to mussels garbanzo with pancetta and harissa. Crustaceans and char-grilled or oven-roasted whole fish are sold by the pound, and there are sushi, raw bar, and chilled-shellfish menus, along with soups, salads, and a kids' menu.

Unlike other buffets, which serve all of their items in large buffet pans, many of the foods here are presented as individual portions—an improvement on a number of levels. Wicked Spoon quickly became a cult favorite for desserts including gelato and homemade macarons, and dishes such as "angry mac 'n' cheese" (traditional mac and cheese with a touch of spice). There's continuous service from breakfast to lunch daily. There's also a bottomless-beverage option. The decor and music selection are modern and fun.