-
$$$ | |
When chefs name their idol, more than a few will cite French Laundry chef Thomas Keller, the star behind this stunning, capacious French bistro in the Venezia Tower. Soaring Palladian windows, antique lighting fixtures, a pewter-topped bar, and colorful tile lend a sophisticated take on French country design, a fitting setting in which to dine on savory, rich cuisine. Menu options include classics such as escargots de Bourgogne, steak frites, mussels with white wine, and an extensive seafood bar, and selections of cheese and caviar. Finish with profiteroles or crème caramel. A charming garden outside is perfect for an alfresco dinner or postmeal stroll. Return for brunch from 8 am to 1 pm Thursdays or 8 am to 2 pm Fridays through Sundays, when you might try roasted chicken with a bacon-chive waffle, Croque Madame, or seared foie gras. There's a freestanding Bouchon Bakery near the Venetian Theatre, offering breads, pastries, and confections.
3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- Thomas Keller's bistro interpretations
- Classic French-bistro atmosphere
- Patio overlooking Venezia Pool
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.–Wed.
-
$$$ | |
The best Italian food in Las Vegas these days might be at Esther's Kitchen, a hip and lively restaurant in the Las Vegas Arts District southwest of Downtown. Chef James Trees, a Las Vegas native, churns out house-made pastas such as rigatoni carbonara with guanciale, tagliatelle with braised duck, and black fettucine with lobster. Pizzas change nightly, and the fried cauliflower appetizer is addicting. Locals also swear by brunch items such as the ricotta pancakes and the pork and beef meatball sandwich. At the bar, mixologists deliver spins on classics and seasonal drinks made with what's fresh. Trees named the restaurant after his Aunt Esther, who wrote the check for him to go to culinary school.
1130 S. Casino Center Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89104, USA
Known For
- House-made pasta
- Creative cocktails
- Long wait times for those without reservations
-
$$$$ | |
Grandiose, spectacular, and heart-stopping are three words to describe NoMad Library, the restaurant at NoMad Las Vegas. Inspired by the celebrated library of NoMad New York, the restaurant has 40-foot ceilings and is ringed with shelves of books—a backdrop that creates an intimate and sophisticated vibe. The food is worthy of this setting. Most dishes are communal, meaning they're designed to share. A signature dish is an American Wagyu prime rib (rubbed with porcini and black garlic) for two. Towers of seafood from the raw bar are nice starters, and tuna tartare is prepared tableside. Next door, in the NoMad Bar, a more casual menu is available for dinner and late-night bites. On weekends, there's jazz brunch, too.
3772 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- Breathtaking atmosphere
- Delicious communal dishes
- Jazz brunch in the bar on weekends
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Wed.
-
$$$$ | Center Strip |
Caesars Palace completely revamped its buffet experience with the Bacchanal Buffet. It's a culinary extravaganza of more than 250 menu items daily, plus nine chef-attended action stations and the support of 10 kitchens, with an emphasis on seasonality. Made-to-order sushi, baked-to-order soufflés, pizza made in a wood-burning oven, and individual portions of dishes that are served in steam tables elsewhere are consumed in three distinct dining areas with glass, wood, and steel decor themes.
3580 Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- Many made-to-order specialties
- Huge selection of more than 250 dishes
- Dining-room atmosphere
-
$$$$ | |
Michael Mina’s stunning Belle Époque dark-wood-and-glass wonder on the mezzanine level of ARIA has, as you might expect, a decidedly French accent, and old-world glory shines in dishes such as oeufs mimosa (caviar deviled eggs), duck à l'orange salad (with duck confit and sauce remoulade), and black cod bouillabaisse. At brunch, which runs from 9 am to 2 pm, Friday through Sunday, you can indulge in brioche French toast with vanilla bean mascarpone and almond brittle, or the pastry selection that includes canelé de Bordeaux and kouign-amann. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm daily, accompanied by cocktails like French 75 and Le Peche Mode.
3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89158, USA
Known For
- Foie gras parfait
- Parisian gnocchi
- Dayboat scallops
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.–Wed. No lunch
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$ | |
What warms the blood more swiftly at this down-home hang: the fresh-from-the-oven biscuits or the 80-plus varieties of bourbon? Find out at this unique addition to the ongoing refurbishment of the Water Street District in downtown Henderson, where you will find drinks served in Mason jars and a menu of smoked meats, from pulled pork to apple-brined chicken, in big portions. The biscuits are served à la carte with your choice of flavored butters, honeys, and jams. (You can't go wrong with the classic buttermilk biscuits topped with apple cider caramel butter, clover honey, and mango habanero jam.) The room is small, with a rustic-yet-modern, wood-grained decor. (Those with truly formidable stomach capacities can take on the "All In," which pairs three-quarters-of-a-pound servings of three meats with an equal number of large sides.) Brunchers would do well to indulge in the fried chicken waffle, as good a reason for getting up early on the weekends as any.
109 S. Water St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 8015, USA
Known For
- Gourmet biscuits served with a variety of flavored butters, honey, and jams
- A wide selection of 80-plus bourbons
- Mouthwatering smoked meats
-
$$$$ | |
Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger are the popular, green-minded chefs who created this cheery, sophisticated outpost of their now-closed Santa Monica restaurant. Service is snappy, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a tastier margarita in town—particularly the blood orange and chili-citrus versions. Starters include green-corn tamales, three citrusy ceviches, and house-made guacamole, and grilled sustainable fish and hormone-free meats, such as skirt steak and short ribs, make healthful, flavorful fillings for tacos and tortillas. For dinner, opt for dishes such as jamon Serrano pollo relleno, seafood molcajete, or portabello mushroom mulitas with black beans and roasted peppers. The all-you-can-eat weekend brunch, served from 10 to 3, features creative small plates, such as horchata French toast, diablo chicken with a churro waffle, and cajeta churros with cinnamon and raspberry sauce.
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89119, USA
Known For
- Urban Mexican cuisine
- Fun, flavored margaritas
- Patio overlooking Mandalay Bay Beach
-
$$ | Paradise Road |
Fans of the bygone Pink Taco will smile in recognition when they see its replacement's layout is much the same, including the convivial center bar. New operators still offer a Mexican menu and Día de Los Muertos decor, and the place is arguably even more fun now, thanks to greatly expanded outdoor patio seating against the backdrop of the pool area that keeps the 3–5 pm happy-hour crowd buzzing with hibiscus margaritas and sangria (special prices are in the bar area only). You have to comb the corners of the menu to find anything more adventurous than tacos and burritos, but they come in every form, from the standard chicken and carne asada to grilled fish and cauliflower. A Sunday brunch offers day-drinkers the tantalizing combination of mariachi bands and a $45 "bottomless" mimosa.
4455 Paradise Rd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169, USA
Known For
- Lively, party atmosphere
- Outdoor seating
- Taco Tuesdays
-
$$$$ | |
The first (and so far only) fully plant-based fine-dining restaurant on the Strip, from ground-breaker Tal Ronnen, is a haven for vegans and vegetarians as well as those who want to eat well, as well as healthfully. The "foie gras" served here is made from chestnuts and accompanied by cabernet demi, grapes, and grilled sourdough, while ravioli is stuffed with porcini and cauliflower. In addition to the à la carte menu, there’s a seven-course tasting menu (hmm . . . truffles are vegan) as well as a five-course version. At brunch, from 10 to 2 on weekends, you’ll find a bagel tower, stuffed French toast, and "chicken" and waffles.
3000 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- Five- and seven-course tasting menus
- Only vegetarian restaurant on Strip
- Tal Ronnen's plant-based food
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch weekdays
-
$ | |
Eat may serve only breakfast and lunch, but chef Natalie Young's food is so hearty (and so uniquely appealing), you may not feel the need for dinner. Among the specialties are cinnamon biscuits with warm strawberry compote, shrimp and grits with bacon, and the "DWBLTA" (thick, toasted sourdough bracketing thick-sliced bacon, tomato, lettuce, and avocado). The "Killer Grilled Cheese with Kick Ass Tomato Soup" lives up to its name on both counts. Then, of course, there are the deviled eggs, for which the whites on the bottom are fried. Need we say more?
707 Carson St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101, USA
Known For
- Creative, indulgent fare
- Truly killer grilled cheese
- Tiny, intimate spot
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner. Closed Tues. and Wed.
-
-
$$$$ | |
This Tivoli Village standout is all about meat. The menu offers a healthy list of options and cuts, from skirt steak, tri-tip, and hangar steak to a rib-eye cap and more. An on-site butcher shop offers diners the opportunity to buy fresh meat to take home with them as well. The rest of the food at Echo & Rig is pretty good, too: small plates and veggies such as summer corn with fresh marjoram are a big hit. Because the restaurant is large and dimly lit, it has a modern industrial hipster vibe. Don't let that feeling turn you off; you'll be hard-pressed to find a better steak dinner around town.
440 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145, USA
Known For
- Working butcher shop
- Modern spin on classic steak-house options
- Hipster vibe
-
$$$$ | |
This Paris Las Vegas restaurant is a room with a view. It's about a third of the way up the hotel's half-scale Eiffel Tower replica, with vistas from all four glassed-in sides. (Request a Strip view when booking for the biggest wow factor—it overlooks the fountains at Bellagio across the street; but expect to pay extra). Patrons are often pleasantly surprised that the food here measures up to the setting: the French-accented menu usually includes appetizers of cold foie gras torchon with duck prosciutto. On the entrée list, you might find individual Eiffel Tower beef Wellingtons, venison loin with huckleberry jus, and vegetarian dishes such as crispy roasted quinoa roulade with honeynut squash. The restaurant also offers a variety of caviar priced by the ounce, and brunch is served from 10 am to 2 pm weekends.
3655 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- View overlooking Bellagio fountains
- Fine French cuisine
- Caviar by the ounce
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$ | |
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 over 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, and there are family packages to feed the whole brood. The focus here is on using organic and non-GMO ingredients made fresh daily, meaning there's not a microwave in the house.
430 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145, USA
Known For
- Vast tequila selection
- High-end Mexican cuisine
- Chic decor
-
$$ | |
Inside Downtown's bohemian temple, the Emergency Arts Building, this restaurant features what they call a "scratch kitchen concept." It may sound rather pot-lucky, but this isn't the standard chain-food menu (despite being part of a California-based chain). How does this sound: skirt steak with broccolini, red chimichurri, chili flakes, Parmesan, and lemon zest; a cowboy burger nearly tipping over with shoestring onions, bacon, cheddar cheese, and a beer barbecue sauce; and a bourbon barrel cake. That's just for starters. For imbibing purposes, sample the local craft beers, small-batch whiskeys, and classic cocktails. And don't miss the daily "Hoppy Hour."
520 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89101, USA
Known For
- Creative menu
- An enticing array of beverages
- Arts-inspired atmosphere
-
$$$$ | |
The first restaurant from TV personality and classically trained chef Giada De Laurentiis sits on a prime piece of real estate at the intersection of the Strip and Flamingo Road. The wide expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows provides commanding views, and the food's pretty impressive, too. Try the caprese frittata or a selection of pastries for brunch. At dinner, start with the ricotta crostini or orzo meatballs and move on to penne rigati with wild mushroom and vegetable Bolognese, or veal chop saltimbocca. A four-course tasting menu also is available. The chef has a much more casual spot, Pronto, at Caesars Palace.
3595 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89109, USA
Known For
- Giada's first restaurant
- Expansive view of Strip
- Huge dessert cart
-
-
$ | West Side |
Hearty appetites will be richly rewarded at this quirky purveyor of so-called twisted farm food. Heaps of savory comfort food are cooked to order in this spacious restaurant done up in industrial, urban-farmhouse decor. Breakfast skillets runneth over with tender, house-cured hashes, fresh eggs, house-made biscuits and jam, and sage-fried chicken Benedict with smoked bacon, griddled mozzarella, spinach, tomato, and chipotle cream. Non-breakfast platters include sage-fired chicken and waffles; stuffed meat loaf, burgers, pork tenderloin and barbecued ribs. This expanding mini-chain has additional locations are in The LINQ Resort & Casino, the Plaza Hotel and Casino (breakfast and lunch only Sunday–Friday); in Henderson ( 555 N. Stephanie St.); and Summerlin ( 10810 W. Charleston Blvd.).
6800 W. Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89146, USA
Known For
- Oversized servings
- All-day brunch
- Lively atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No dinner
-
$$$ | West Side | Eclectic
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.
Rampart Commons, 1031 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145, USA
Known For
- Farm-to-table food
- Brown-bag apple pie
- Convivial atmosphere
-
$$$ | |
The brainchild of restaurateur Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla, Honey Salt is, quite simply, a fun place to eat a meal. The atmosphere is convivial, dishes are designed for sharing, and a creative kids' menu encourages diners to bring the whole family. Stand-out dishes include savory monkey bread, a salad with duck confit, and chicken curry. At weekend brunch, try the pumpkin pancakes or breakfast nachos. Even the desserts are noteworthy: you'll be thinking about the Brookie, a blend of chocolate chip cookie, brownie, and ice cream, for weeks. This is one of the places where chefs in the Vegas Valley come on their days off.
1031 S. Rampart Blvd., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89145, USA
Known For
- Creative kids' menu
- Weekend brunch
- Open and festive decor
-
$ | |
An anchor of the revitalization of Henderson's Water Street District downtown, Juan's is an offshoot of an established spot in southwest Las Vegas. Yes, the fajitas really are served flaming, on custom grills, and the variety extends from the usual beef, chicken, and shrimp to pork as well. Other menu items include tacos, burritos, and enchiladas. The restaurant tends to fill up quickly, but you can get a margarita at the bar and relax on one of the seating walls outside, or grab a brew at the next-door Lovelady Brewing Company; Juan's will page you there. There's a happy hour from 3 to 6 daily and brunch from 11 to 3 on weekends.
16 S. Water St., Las Vegas, Nevada, 89015, USA
Known For
- Fajitas and other familiar Mexican specialties
- Jalisco-style plates
- Margaritas and mezcal
-
$$$$ | East Side |
The vibe is spelled out in the name of this sprawling indoor-outdoor casual Italian space from Los Angeles restaurateur Nick Mathers. It's a 300-seater with three bars; the atmosphere changes from the bar-centric lounge near the front entry to "beachside" near the Virgin Las Vegas pool area. The versatile menu follows the cues of the day, from brunch with sparkling wines to late-evening light bites. While a DJ spins beneath a disco ball, you can try the deceptively complex pizzas and salads or delve into more ambitious fare like lobster pasta or branzino.
4455 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada, 89169, USA
Known For
- Pool views
- Evolving from brunch to party atmosphere
- Thin line between lounging and dining
