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Las Vegas is one of America's hottest restaurant markets. Nearly every big Strip property has at least one and often two or more celebrity-chef restaurants. Away from the Strip, the unprecedented population growth in the city's suburbs has brought with it a separate and continuous wave of new eateries, both familiar chains and increasing numbers of legitimate destination restaurants.
Casino-resort dining basically falls into one of three categories. In the top echelon are the properties that have a half dozen or more bona fide star-status restaurants: Aria, Bellagio, Caesars, The Cosmopolitan, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, Venetian/Palazzo, and Wynn/Encore. At the next level are those resorts with one or two stellar restaurants and a smaller range of worthwhile but not quite top-of-the-line options. On the Strip, these include The Cromwell, Mandarin Oriental, Mirage, Monte Carlo, New York–New York, Paris, Planet Hollywood, SLS Las Vegas, and Treasure Island. Off the Strip, you can add the Lucky Dragon, Palms, the Hard Rock, M Resort, The Rio All-Suite Hotel, Green Valley Ranch, the JW Marriott, and Red Rock Resort. Then there's everybody else: casino-resorts with maybe a decent eatery or two but that simply aren't known for great food.
Downtown Las Vegas has seen a big revitalization in the past several years, and that extends to restaurants. Although Downtown still lacks a destination restaurant, notable spots are Carson Kitchen, Therapy, Turmeric, Le Thai, and La Comida in Fremont East; and Pizza Rock and the older Triple George Grill in the Downtown 3rd District. There also are a number of good restaurants in the Downtown Container Park.
Outside the tourism corridor, Las Vegas has a number of marquee restaurants with increasing cachet among foodies from out of town—places such as Todd’s Unique Dining, Marché Bacchus, Nora's Italian Cuisine, and Lotus of Siam. There's great food to be had off the beaten path in Las Vegas, and you'll pay a lot less in these areas, too.
If you haven't been to Vegas in a few years, you'll notice some major changes. Names like Wolfgang Puck, Michael Mina, and Emeril Lagasse still have plenty of pull in this town, but the Vegas chefs commanding the most attention are French imports such as Pierre Gagnaire, Joël Robuchon, and Guy Savoy, along with vaunted U.S. chefs like Giada De Laurentiis, Charlie Palmer, and Mario Batali.
There's also a trend toward high-minded restaurants with exclusive-nightclub vibes. Note the success of see-and-be-seen Pan-Asian hot spot Hakkasan and Tao Asian Bistro & Nightclub, the youthful late-night haunts LAVO and FIX, and bordello-chic establishments such as Strip House—to name just a few. Elsewhere in town, Las Vegas's growing international—and especially Asian—population has created a market for some of the best Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, and Pan-Asian restaurants in the country.
The sunlit Primrose perfectly reflects the all-about-nature theme of Park MGM and is a great place to stop for a quick morning coffee or pressed juice, a bountiful breakfast, or brunch or sparkling rosé all day (or at least until 2 pm). Breakfast is fairly traditional, with the likes of seasonal brioche French toast or lobster eggs Benedict, with soups, salads, sandwiches, and burgers later on.
Take a break from shopping and step into this dimly lighted restaurant and lounge that's part of a growing chain with a menu of both sushi and cooked entrées. Delicious sushi rolls might include the Gojira (with shrimp tempura, krab mix, cream cheese, and cucumber) or the Crazy Monkey (stuffed with smoked salmon, mango, and cream cheese and topped with avocado, red tempura bits, cashews, and sweet eel sauce). Heartier fare includes chicken, shrimp, or steak yakisoba, and chicken katsu with Asian cole slaw. The happy hour specials here are popular with the locals. Late-night noshers appreciate that it's open until midnight, until 1 am on Friday and Saturday.
With Las Vegas Raiders games packing Allegiant Stadium, fans of the Silver and Black will likely find this sports bar and grill at the M Resort as intoxicating as the spirits on tap at one of two bars in this large, 3,400-square-foot room. Raiders helmets and footballs line the entryway, while framed jerseys of past gridiron greats and a gift shop loaded with Raiders gear make this a must-stop for team diehards. The all-night menu ranges from stadium fare like burgers and Philly cheese steaks to homemade BBQ, wood-fired pizzas, street tacos, and steak and salmon entrees. Breakfast is served on Saturday and—of course—Sunday, so you can fuel up before the big game and then root, root, root for the home team on one of 45 TVs.
When the Rainforest Cafe moved out of its longtime berth in the MGM Grand, the animatronic animals naturally made the journey with it, just up the Strip near Harmon Avenue. But while you're watching and listening to them there's plenty to eat, with a menu offering an eclectic mix of classic American food like St. Louis-style spareribs, chicken-fried chicken with country gravy, sandwiches, and burgers. International flavors are represented by the likes of fajitas and a spicy Korean stir-fry. And kids can indulge in "Python Pasta" or "Jurassic Chicken Tidbits." Brunch is served on weekends from 10 to 2, and an a afternoon happy hour gives Mom and Dad a break from walking the Strip.
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.
This fast-casual favorite born in New York City now has seven locations in Las Vegas, and the only thing different about it is that the lines aren't so long. It's a great place to stop for a Shack Burger and fries, and don't forget the shakes and frozen custard. The Strip location has been joined by others around town and at Harry Reid International Airport.
The soul in the belly here comes courtesy of James Beard–nominated chef Bruce Kalman, who might be recognizable on sight to viewers of foodie faves Top Chef, Chopped, and Beat Bobby Flay. Bringing the barbecue flavors of central Texas to Vegas, this atmospheric venue adds cocktails, local beers, and live entertainment to the mix to turn what might have been just a barbecue dinner into a barbecue experience and a night on the (Down)town.
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.
Come to this trendy restaurant for its South American–influenced fresh sushi and sashimi, beautifully prepared and presented, with novel garnishes. Dim lighting, hip music, voluptuous decor, and excellent cocktails complement the exotic fusion of flavors from Japan, Brazil, and Peru. A variety of small plates and brightly seasoned raw seafood are served, as well as sizzling skewers of grilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. Try a side of purple-potato mash, coconut rice, or Peruvian corn with your tobanyaki or teriyaki, and be sure to save room for chocolate banana cake or dulce de leche Japanese doughnuts. Try Samba Hour from 3 to 6 pm Sunday to Friday at the bar. A kids' menu is available.
From restaurant-industry veteran and Smashburger founder Tom Ryan, this gastropub bridges a space at New York–New York between the casino and the Brooklyn Bridge that runs along the Strip, delivering great views of the action. The large menu of drinks and beers is matched by an extensive food menu, including burgers, pizzas, and other entrées. It's a good spot to try the salted caramel skillet French toast or crispy chicken and cornbread pancake for breakfast or brunch, and butter-poached lobster and shrimp tacos or Tom's Famous Prime Rib dip for lunch or dinner. The kids' menu has all of the favorites. Tom's also is open late—until till 1 or 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays—making it a handy post-game or after-concert spot.
You won't find too much in the way of nouvelle flourishes or ultramod decor at this San Francisco–style restaurant, and that's just how both visitors and locals prefer it—the elegant dining room is a favorite haunt for power-lunching and hobnobbing. Triple George is known for its commendably prepared traditional American fare such as oysters on the half shell, classic "wedge" salad, oh-so-tender pot roast, and truly stellar sourdough. Seafood and chops dominate the fancier parts of the menu, from seafood cioppino and traditional fish-and-chips to a bone-in prime New York strip and a hefty pan-seared porcini-crusted rib eye. The "glegan" (gluten-free and vegan) menu is among the best in town.
If the weather's fine, decamp to the Veranda's poolside terrace for breakfast, lunch, or weekend brunch, or stay indoors, where the feeling is airy and light. The Four Seasons is probably the only place you'll find eggs cocotte on the breakfast menu, or you can go luxe with eggs and caviar or more plebian with good ol' bacon and eggs. There's a brunch buffet from 8 to 1 on weekends. For lunch, consider a bluefin tuna Nicoise salad, or mushroom ravioli with cheese fondue.
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.
This popular Southern California restaurant, wine bar, and retail store has a sprawling two-story presence in The District at Resorts World. At dinner, expect dishes finished with truffles from wherever in the world they’re in season, such as truffle Bolognese; baked brie with truffle honey, truffle butter, and shaved truffles; truffle gnocchi; or truffle pizza. Alternatively, choose from among the steaks or be tempted by grilled halibut or pork belly. From the all-day menu, choose a cheese or charcuterie plate from nearly two dozen selections. Try the wood-oven-roasted French toast with lemon whipped ricotta and caramelized peaches at brunch from 8 am to 3 pm daily. The shop carries 8,000 wine labels, plus spirits, beer, and food items from all over the world for taking along or consuming on-site.
Among the casual dining options at Fontainebleau is this whimsical (can you tell by the name?) restaurant offering a menu of dim sum and other Cantonese (and Asian) specialties. The decor is abstract and somewhat dramatic, designed to set the stage for your meal. The menu's "Hong Kong Chow" section includes a mixed barbecue plate with pork, duck, and chicken, and main dishes like Hainanese chicken, and Thai massaman curry. Dim sum merges the familiar (chicken feet) with the not-so-familiar (squash and pine nut dumplings), and the cocktails are creative.
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.
While the specialty here is fried chicken, if you are going here expecting a down-and-diner experience, you'll be disappointed; this is Southern, high-cotton style, though with a healthy sense of humor. The atmosphere is country-esque—rustic wood and brick with chicken-wire windows. At lunch you'll find choices such as the "YB Nashville Hot Sandwich," with Carolina reaper rub and spicy slaw, while the dinner menu tempts with "Baker's Bacon Bouquet" (chicken with spiced watermelon and a sharp cheddar waffle), or a bourbon-glazed short rib. Finish with a fried Oreo sundae or Key lime pie. At brunch from 9 am to 4 pm on weekends, try braised short rib huevos rancheros, or a fried green tomato BLT stack.
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.
