7 Best Restaurants in Summerlin and Red Rock Canyon, Las Vegas

Anima means “soul,” and the unique fusion of Italian and Spanish cuisine found at this upscale eatery certainly has it. The boldness of the menu is mirrored by the eye-popping octopus mural that adorns a dining room wall and a charcuterie bar positioned in the front of the house. In the The Gramercy apartment complex, Anima is the latest creation from the team behind the acclaimed EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine in Chinatown, and some favorites originating there can be found at Anima, including the "Bikini" (a pressed ham and cheese sandwich). Entrees include vegan mushroom risotto as well as the the must-try braised short ribs, served with semolina gnocchi, maitake mushrooms, and black pepper sauce. There’s also a spirited selection of spirits, from a deep wine list with an emphasis on Italian and Spanish offerings to an extensive array of amaro varieties to try.

Every day is Día de los Muertos at this chic, skull-festooned cantina in Tivoli Village, where a pair of brightly colored calacas guard the entryway. Once inside, prepare to encounter a different kind of spirit: namely, a vast selection of tequila, with more than 100 varieties available in this eye-popping, high-end Mexican eatery. The menu is as inviting as the rose-covered walls, ranging from gourmet filet mignon tacos to lobster fajitas to signatures like their cedar chipotle salmon. Brunch is served all day, with bottomless bloody Marys and mimosas available to properly lubricate the festivities. The focus here is on using organic and non-GMO ingredients made fresh daily, meaning there's not a microwave in the house.

The luminous, color-changing, crescent-shaped lighting above the bar glows like a jellyfish, a fitting visual motif for this seafood-heavy, upscale Asian restaurant and nightspot. The cuisine here ranges from noodle, rice, and wok dishes to thick steaks and a deep, delectable sushi menu. Well-heeled workers flock here for half-off happy hour sips and small plates, doing so amid an equally natty black-and-white decor complete with water walls and fire elements. Try a starter like tuna "pizza" before sampling the handmade dumplings and indulging in their famous Peking duck. The patio out front is perfect for people-watching and taking in the hustle and bustle of downtown Summerlin in a decidedly more relaxed setting.

Well-dressed local professionals are drawn in by the striking slabs of dragon onyx guarding the entrance to this upscale steak house inside Red Rock Casino. It's the perfect spot for a romantic or celebratory meal, especially since live music enhances the ambience at night. During the social hour from 4 to 6 pm Sunday through Thursday, half-price martinis and bar snacks such as the French lobster rolls or the ahi tuna tacos are served on the cheap. Much pricier, however, is the à la carte dinner served in the seductive dining room. The menu features oversized dry- and wet-aged prime steaks, seafood, and poultry, and Old Vegas–style dishes including chateaubriand.

Once you get past the bland office-park setting, you'll find that this sumptuously decorated spot near Red Rock Resort has plenty to recommend in the way of contemporary Mediterranean fare. A Spanish- and Italian-influenced menu is enhanced by a large selection of wines by the glass. Start with one of the wood-fired flatbreads, or an item such as pan-seared crab cakes with tarragon cream and roasted peppers. From here the menu branches out to sandwiches, pastas, meat, and seafood. A highlight is the bouillabaisse with mussels, clams, red snapper, shrimp, scallops, and calamari. As the restaurant's name suggests, there's an impressive wine list here—and wonderful cheeses and charcuterie. At midday, look for the power-lunchers who escape the beaten path. On nice evenings, ask for a table on the outdoor patio, where the view is better than you might expect.

Frequented by local professionals and ladies-who-lunch, this spacious suburban spot serves farm-to-table–inspired dishes. Expect to see a lot of free-range poultry, whole grains, and seasonal produce on your plate. Chic, rustic decor—soft hues, reclaimed wood, and antique mirrors—lends a casual airiness to the dining room and conveys sophistication, despite its gingham-clad waitstaff. Appetizers, sides, and salads are stars here: "My Wife's Favorite Salad" combines locally sourced greens with duck confit, pine nuts, and pomegranate, crowned with a sunny-side-up egg, if you wish. In addition to caramelized sea scallops, charred filet mignon, and Nana's Chicken Curry, there are several offerings for the lighter appetite (and budget). Indulge in the Brown Bag Baked Apple Pie for dessert. A happy hour menu available from 3 to 6 pm bridges the gap between lunch and dinner.