Las Vegas didn’t used to be a foodie destination. Back then, it was crammed with little more than steakhouses and buffets. However, the Las Vegas dining scene has evolved through the years. From international fare to local specialties, you’ll now find a great mix of culinary delights in Sin City.
For those looking for must-try restaurants in Vegas—whether it’s for the food, the experience, or both—look no further. Below, we’ve compiled a quick list of dining establishments that will make you experience Vegas on a plate.
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen
No foodie will leave Las Vegas without visiting Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, one of the many celebrity establishments in the city. The restaurant itself has that reality TV vibe, from the open kitchen to the blue- and red-uniformed chefs who look like competitors on the show. There’s also Gordon Ramsay himself, on a giant screen, to welcome you into his domain. For one-time visitors who simply want to experience the larger-than-life venue, the Hell’s Kitchen Burger should be your first priority. It’s stuffed with avocado, bacon, crispy onion, Fresno pepper jam, and ghost pepper for a truly unique flavor profile. Consider ordering the beef Wellington, too, which is the celebrity chef’s creative take on the famous English dish. For something sweet, try the sticky toffee pudding.
CUT By Wolfgang Puck
For some to-die for bone marrow flan and steaks in Vegas, food critics know where to go: CUT by Wolfgang Puck. Food critics and insiders will also tell you to head on over to the bar and ask for the Rough Cuts menu, where you will find scrumptious appetizers like Wagyu sliders. The main dining room, on the other hand, features a list of premium beef. Your taste buds will surely thank you as you sink your teeth in Japanese and American wagyu, as well as Nebraska corn-fed, dry aged for 35 days. There’s also a roving whisky cart to serve you Old Fashioneds and other expertly crafted drinks.
Benihana
Step through the doors of Westgate Las Vegas and you’ll find yourself confronted with a long list of food options. One of them is the world-famous Benihana, whose menu is filled with a full range of traditional and unique teppanyaki dishes prepared by master chefs. You can also indulge in fresh sushi and sashimi, tekka-maki, filet mignon, teriyaki steak, hibachi chicken, and more. To further enhance the experience, Benihana created a beautifully lush setting: a Japanese garden complete with water features. (Do note that there’s also a Benihana along the Las Vegas Strip.)
Hatsumi
Robata is the art of grilling food over Japanese charcoal, a technique that you’ll see a lot of in Hatsumi. Once you’ve tried their expertly grilled skewers of miso chicken breast, veal sweetbreads, and shishito peppers, you won’t want to have them any other way. Hatsumi also serves beef tataki with ponzu, okonomiyaki, gyoza, and other Japanese specialties. The best thing about Hatsumi is that the rates are very affordable! The robata menu doesn’t have anything over $6, while plates of their favorites for under $20. You’re definitely going to come back for more!
Mordeo Boutique Wine Bar
Mordeo is the Latin word for bite, which you’ll certainly be doing over and over with Mordeo’s carefully crafted dishes. Chef Khai Vu, who’s also behind Vietnamese restaurants District One Kitchen & Bar and Le Pho, explores Spanish cuisine with an Asian twist at Mordeo. From Okinawa potato gnocchi to maple soy taco with grilled octopus, your taste buds will definitely be in for an adventure. Make sure to check the wine selection, too. Master sommelier Luis de Santos is at the helm of the carefully curated list that will surely satisfy even the most discerning oenophiles.
La Strega
For a truly unique Italian experience, visit La Strega (literally “the witch”) with its charming copper-and-marble kitchen and custom-glass cocktail bar. Indeed, one of the best reasons to eat at La Strega is to enjoy the ambiance. It even features a little “witch’s garden” filled with herbs and fresh produce. For some must-try dishes, order the bucatini Genovese or the pesto and truffle pizza. The menu is constantly changing; Chef Gina Marinelli always brings in dishes inspired by her grandparents’ hometowns of Sicily and Lake Como.
Lotus of Siam
Long-time visitors and residents won’t hesitate to tell newcomers the best place to get Thai food in Sin City: the much-revered Lotus of Siam. Award-winning chef Saipan Chutima offers a slew of Thai mainstays, along with signature dishes like coconut-less curries and nua yum Katie. This sliced charbroiled beef dish, topped with fresh garlic and a spicy sauce, is one of Lotus of Siam’s best-reviewed dishes. Give it a taste, along with thum-kanoon, which mixes pork with jackfruit, tomatoes, and a variety of spices. There many, many more noteworthy restaurants in Las Vegas. This quick but satisfying list is only the beginning of your Sin City culinary quest. Bon appetit!
