Visit Las Vegas
We have landed in Las Vegas and are really loving it. Here are some places we are enjoying as we make the transition to being "locals".
🔥 = "muy caliente" special recommendation from yours truly
🌞 = has outdoor seating
👔 = warning! dress code in effect
🆕 = new opening or updated suggestion
Lounges & Cocktails
- 🔥🌞👔 Legacy Club (Circa, Downtown) — In my opinion the most impressive and enjoyable venue in Las Vegas. On the 60th floor; take the private elevator from the Casino level. Top-tier cocktails made by extremely skilled and entertaining bartenders; good selection of eastern whiskeys including Kavalan. Dramatic views of the Strip and the whole city with an outdoor patio open year-round. 👔 Warning: no Baseball caps, certain open-toed shoes, or overly distressed clothing. Valet parking at Circa, or self-park at Garage Mahal just across the street.
- 🔥 Rosina (Palazzo, The Strip) — Excellent cocktails in a perfectly designed classic 20's speakeasy setting right off the casino floor. Not a typical Vegas bar— the drinks are served correctly and should appease the discerning palette. Janeé particularly enjoys the seats that feature a "Press for Champagne" button. ☝️ Open limited hours; if closed, the Juliet Cocktail Room at Venetian (take the tunnel, ~5 min walk) is run by the same people and also serves an excellent drink.
- Vesper (Cosmopolitan, The Strip) — Ignore Chandelier Bar and come here instead. I've had many great times in this lobby bar since well before I lived in Las Vegas and it has never done me wrong. Lots of classic cocktails on the menu, all very well made. ☝️ Behind the bar in the darker back area is where you want to be. ☝️ Open 24/7.
- The Golden Tiki (Chinatown) — Now my go-to recommendation for tiki drinking and related fun since it seems to be universally loved. Rumor has it that some Disney engineers did the room and its decor, which are top-notch and have some... fun hidden surprises. Live music on occasion. Strongly recommended to make reservations on weekend evenings. // This one is plenty "local", but if you want to dive even deeper and are OK with the smell of 40 years of cigarettes, try Frankie's Tiki Room (I-15 & Charleston) — Off the beaten path but not far from the action, it caters particularly to regulars and the service industry.
- Ghost Donkey (Cosmopolitan, The Strip) — Unmarked tiny hidden cocktail bar focused on tequila and mezcal. Quirky! Prepare for crowding at peak times.
Less Classy
- South Point Casino (I-15 & Silverado Ranch) — For really cheap drinks and local dive-ish casino fun, the Silverado Lounge and Pendleton Whiskey bars will save you some serious dough compared to the strip. ☝️ In December and other parts of the year, cocktails can be found as cheap as $2.
- Piazza Lounge (Tuscany, Off-Strip) — It sort of tries to be a classy night-time jazz lounge... but the live entertainment ranges from mediocre to very bad, jello shots are readily available, and I've seen women in their 70s get into fist fights. So what I'm saying is that it's great.
Meh
- Bar Ginza (Arts District) — I really wanted to like this, but the ambiance falls short of what it should be.
Steak
- Oscar's (The Plaza, Downtown) — My go-to local steakhouse. "Named for former alleged mob attorney and former Las Vegas mayor Oscar Goodman", it's not unnecessarily fancy or expensive; it has real character, a classic Las Vegas gem I am proud to introduce people to. Great food and drink, wonderfully friendly wait staff. ☝️ Now open 7 days, but does close occasionally for special events, so check the web or call before you head over.
- Gordon Ramsay Steak (Paris, The Strip) — The sliders are remarkable; Janeé loves the risotto, and Gordon's trademark beef wellington is obviously very, very good. I've been advised that when Gordon comes in he gets the filet, which is unsurprisingly great. Really nice wines by the glass and cocktails. It's on the pricey side, but plenty worth it. ☝️ You can usually grab a seat in the bar late in the evening without reservation.
- 👔 Scotch 80 Prime (Palms, Near Strip) — Beautifully designed; excellent service. I had easily one of the best steaks of my life here, a ribeye cap, cooked to absolute perfection. Not crowded. 👔 No ball caps.
- Don's Prime (Fontainebleau, The Strip) — The wait staff recommend the Snake River Farms American New York Strip (hybrid wagyu) as being unequivocally the best steak on the menu— and it is certainly fantastic.
Honorable Mention
- The Palm (Caesar's Forum Shops, The Strip)
- Wolfgang Puck Cut (Palazzo, The Strip)
- Barry's Downtown Prime (Circa, Downtown)
- Hank's (Green Valley Ranch Casino, Henderson)
亞食 Asian
- 🔥 Best Friend (Park MGM, The Strip) — My favorite restaurant in Las Vegas: LA-style Korean BBQ fusion and elevated street food by Roy Choi. The first meal I had there years ago was so good that I was inspired to go home and start this Las Vegas list. The flavors are HUGE, spectacular, and uncommon. Ambiance-wise, it's got a younger vibe, and a live DJ is often still spinning late— sometimes on the loud side, but usually not enough to prevent conversation. ☝️ Order the Chef's menu for a guided tour of the main points. ☝️ Pair with soju and plenty of water; cocktails compete too much with the intensity of the food flavor. ☝️ It's always relatively busy, so reservation is recommended especially on peak evenings.
- 🔥 義美豆漿 Taiwan Café (Chinatown) — 太棒！！！ OMG it's legit Taiwanese breakfast in Las Vegas 🇹🇼🇺🇸😄
- 🔥 Weera Thai (Several Locations) — Recently upgraded to 🔥 — if you like intense flavors and a bit of spice, this is a really special spot. Strongly recommended: Boat Noodles w/ Beef (!), Nam Khao, Rad Nar. A white friend and I ordered these three dishes and got surprise looks from two separate members of the wait staff; apparently these are the dishes that "real Thai people" would order. The flavor is off the chart and I'm a big fan. ☝️ It is however a bit too much for Janeé. Your mileage may vary!
- Noodle Asia (Venetian, The Strip) — This is a staple that my friends tend to frequent in the late hours. Wide variety of noodle dishes from all over Asia. Right off the casino floor. ☝️ Open late.
- Bāng Bar by Momofuku (Cosmopolitan, The Strip) — Awesome food, quick, well priced for the strip. Maybe the best rice bowl I've ever had.
- Momofuku (Cosmopolitan, The Strip) — It's a David Chang fusion place and it's great. Why don't I come here more often??
- 金元寶廚坊 (Gold Coast, Off-Strip) — Signed as "Ping Pang Pong" in English, I go out of my way to use the Chinese name for... personal comfort reasons. Solid dim-sum. ☝️ Open late.
- The Noodle Man (Southwest) — Hand-pulled Chinese noodle dishes in the suburbs. If I was served this food in Taiwan, I'd be totally happy. Recommended to start with the "signature" 山西刀削麵 Shanxi Sliced Noodles.
Honorable Mention
- Tim Ho Wan (Palms)
- Lotus of Siam
Avoid
- 鼎泰豐 Din Tai Feng (ARIA, The Strip) — I'm extremely dissapointed to advise that despite several tries over the years, this branch continues to fall very short of the Taipei or Seattle locations.
Tacos
- Tacos El Gordo de Tijuana B.C. (The Strip / Town Square / E. Charleston) — San Diego origin street-style tacos. The taco meat is carved fresh off a rotating spit in front of you when you order, and it is superb. ☝️ The E. Charleston location is more locals focused, easier to park at, and might even taste the best.
- Tacos El Pastor (Boulder Station, Eastside) — If you happen to be milling around Boulder Highway (don't), these pastor tacos in the casino's food court are a must try. Tortillas are made on the grill to order and have a super delicious fresh corn flavor.
- Roberto's (Several Locations) — An iconic, standard issue San Diego taco shop chain you can find all over the city. ☝️ Usually open 24/7 or very late.
The Strip
- Recommended resorts for casual perusing: Paris, Venetian/Palazzo, Park MGM
- 🌞 Mon Ami Gabi (Paris, The Strip) — Everyone likes this one; it's unpretentious and delicious. ☝️ Recommended for brunch on the patio facing the Bellagio fountains— however, it can be busy, and reservations for the patio are not available. ☝️ Excellent steak options available at dinnertime are typically less expensive than at a Las Vegas steakhouse.
- 🆕 Bardot Brasserie (ARIA, The Strip) — We've been coming here for weekend champagne brunch at the bar. Good vibes!
- 🆕 Toca Modera (ARIA, The Strip) — Self-described "Mexican Steakhouse". Haven't had the steak yet, but the cocktails and raw fish items are standout, great flavors all around. Be careful, it can get pricey.
- The Buffet at Wynn (Wynn, The Strip) — Very extensive, upscale, delicious buffet recommended for breakfast or brunch. This is the wife's choice for champagne birthday breakfast.
- 🌞 Aft Cocktail Deck (Wynn, The Strip) — Previously the famous "Parasol Down", this was recently renovated to focus on its lakeside outdoor seating. To be clear it is not a good cocktail bar, but the ambiance is cool in good weather and (hopefully still) offers weird surprises for your thorough enjoyment every 30 minutes, rotating.
Honorable Mention
- Foundation Room (Mandalay Bay, The Strip)
- Garden Bar (Flamingo, The Strip)
Meh
- Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill (Caesar's, The Strip) — is passable but should be far better for the $$$
Downtown, Fremont, Arts District
- 🌞 La Mona Rosa (East Fremont) — The second incarnation of a fun spot we've been enjoying for years. Good food, good drinks, LOUD DJ boosy brunch on the weekends.
- 🌞 ReBAR (Arts District) — Fun funky bar that strongly resembles the great dives of Portland. Good food, nice patio out back... Mystery shots!!
Chinatown
- 🌞 杏記甜品 Sweethoney Desert (Chinatown) — HK style desserts and snacks. Delicious!
Elsewhere
- 🍣🍜🍻 Osaka (Anthem, Henderson) — If you don't think this place is good, you are missing the point. Is it Michelin-star Japanese food? No. Is the omakase going to make you see in new dimensions? No. But is it a great izakaya? Yes— the Asahi and Kirin are flowing, the fish is solid, the vibe is chill and you are welcome. Hang out for hours if you like. Grab a seat in the bar and soak in the repertoire of the piano bar guy who somehow plays like 6 of 7 nights a week. Even the graphic design and interior nails late 90s suburban izakaya in a white neighborhood, making the whole thing seem oddly sincere. Reminds me of home. If I take you here, it's because you're a real friend, and I think you'll get it. A++
- 🆕🌞 Tommy Bahama's Marlin Bar (Town Square, Las Vegas) — If you love the lifestyle of rich old white men lounging around on patios as much as my wife does, then this might be your new favorite happy hour. Food and drink all solid; very pleasant service; covered patio has misters and is comfortable all day long.
- Lucky Penny (Green Valley Ranch Casino, Henderson) — Diner style breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all served around the clock. Delicious. Drink options not exceptional, but the coffee is fine. Open 24/7.
- 🔥🌞 Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana (Green Valley Ranch, Henderson) — This has to be my favorite place in the suburbs and has never let me down over several dozen visits, so it has patiently earned its 🔥 designation. And as a matter of fact, it IS real wood 🔥 fired Napoli style pizza, very delicious, great negronis and charcuterie... reasonably priced! The patio is great year round and no one ever seems to use it, so, enjoy!
- 🔥 Naan & Curry (Anthem, Henderson) — Really delicious yet low key AYCE Indian lunch buffet. If you like Indian food, I haven't had better in a long time.
- 🌞 DW Bistro (Summerlin) — This place probably reminds me the most of the incredible artisan eateries that flooded Portland in its hey-day; it is very, very delicious; the wait and bar staff are superb, and there is lots of outside seating in a cozy plaza. From the website: "...a mix of Jamaican and New Mexican cuisine...a marriage of flavors like jerk spice and green chilies, DW Bistro is boldly flavored yet simply prepared..." Highly recommended.
- 🌞 Raiders Tavern (M Resort, West Henderson) — It's pretty good bar food, with a really great patio overlooking the pool, the Las Vegas valley and out towards the strip— particularly amazing during sunset. Lately they have not been offering service on the patio, but they'll usually let you order from the bartender and take it outside yourself to eat.
Honorable Mention
- "Two Hands" Korean Corndogs
- Boulder City Downtown
- Tacos La Carreta
- Carson Kitchen
TODO!
A list of places I've gotten tips on, but haven't tried yet. If you do, let me know what you think!
Recommended by Craig at Legacy Club: Roma Deli Panino Casa di amor Cabinet of Curiosities @ Horseshoe
Wolfgang Puck CUT Sinatra Grimaldi's Pizza @palatelv Baguette Cafe on Blog NY Bagel - closed Bootlegger Oscar’s Oscar night Olivera street rolled tacos The George patio happy hour M-F 3-6 F1 Grand Prix Plaza 1228 main Jazz? https://www.vicslasvegas.com/dining/
Mas Por Favor, Ramen Sora, Shang Artisan Noodle
- Michael says: Star Piano, Moonshiners
- Don't Tell Mamas
- Dispensary Jazz Club
- Esther's Kitchen
- Lotus of Siam
- The Front Yard
- Echo & Rig
- Giordano's and Rosati's for Chicago style pizza
- "Fluff Ice" （台式？）
- Polaris Street Café — Local breakfast spot
- Prime Rib Buffet @ Southpoint
- Venetian lobby bar
- Golden Steer
- Hugo’s Cellar
- Peppermill
- Italian American Club
- The Pinky Ring lounge
- @cheongdamfoodhall @ryusauce
- Pine Bistro
- Herbs & Rye
- Mama Bird
- Popparoti
- Firefly
- Taco Chinatown
- Mas Por Favor
- Nora’s
- KiSS Mini Golf
- Toca modera Tuesday
- Baguette Café / Easy’s lounge
- Osaka (yelp)