A labyrinth of hotels, casinos, shops and nightclubs offering unrivaled entertainment all night long, Las Vegas is also renowned for its fabulous culinary scene, particularly the city’s outstanding array of contemporary fine dining restaurants led by internationally-acclaimed chefs. These 10 cultural restaurants showcase Las Vegas and Nevada as a great foodie destination, from local hot dogs to exclusive venues, on and off the Las Vegas Strip.
Picasso offers an extraordinary fine dining experience with an artistic touch. Run by Executive Chef Julian Serrano, 13-time recipient of the AAA Five Diamond Awards, Picasso serves a delectable selection of dishes inspired by Mediterranean cuisine with influences from France and Spain – two countries where Pablo Picasso spent most of his life. The restaurant has its own wine cellar with more than 1,500 world-class wines from Europe’s finest vineyards. The Picasso experience is enhanced by the myriad of original Picasso paintings, ceramic tiles and hand-painted plates decorating the restaurant’s interior. With an unbeatable location overlooking the bustling Las Vegas Strip, diners can watch the Bellagio Hotel’s spectacular musical fountain show from the restaurant’s outdoor terrace.
Often cited as the best Thai restaurant in Las Vegas, the Lotus of Siam serves authentic Thai food with a home-cooked feel in a simple, family-style setting. Hidden away in the inconspicuous Village Square Mall, away from the glamour of the Las Vegas Strip, the Lotus of Siam is a true culinary treasure. From classic curries and soups to noodle and seafood dishes, the restaurant offers over 150 choices of Thai platters, including lesser-known specialty dishes from northern Thailand. Lotus of Siam is also known for its impressive wine list of international and local wines. Bring a big appetite and be ready to experience some of the spiciest food in town.
A gastronomic workshop created by the best French chef of the century Joël Robuchon, L’Atelier Joël’s Robuchon is nothing short of outstanding French cuisine with a dramatic, original flair. Diners can watch every step of the exquisite culinary craftsmanship from the restaurant’s open-plan kitchen and interactive counter-style seating. Specialties include quail stuffed with foie gras, mashed potatoes and steak tartare. The restaurant offers a variety of dazzling dishes from its tasting, seasonal discovery, à la carte and dessert menus, coupled with a superb collection of wines from around the world. A visit to L’Atelier Joël Robuchon, situated in the legendary MGM Grand Hotel and Casino, is bound to be an unforgettable culinary adventure.
Situated off the Las Vegas Strip in Chinatown, Aburiya Raku is renowned for its authentic Japanese cuisine, serving a delicious selection of meat, fish and vegetables, expertly robata-style grilled. Offering a mix of complex and simple dishes, Raku is committed to food quality and its grilled menu ranges from Kobe beef and duck with soy sauce to asparagus with bacon and flamed eggplant. The menu also includes dishes such as sashimi salad and homemade tofu, and every month the restaurant features three new sakes from Japan. The name Aburiya Raku means ‘charcoal grill house enjoyment’, and Raku seeks to live up to its name by guaranteeing diners the best of grilled Japanese delicacies in a traditional setting. Opened until 2 a.m. every night, stop by for a charming late dinner or a midnight snack.
Opened by French Chef Hubert Keller, known for his signature restaurants around the world, the Burger Bar is an imaginative trendy restaurant serving amazing burgers in gourmet style. Choose one of the Burger Bar’s classic burgers or build your own from scratch with the exciting menu of innovative toppings and fresh buns. From beef, buffalo and lamb to turkey, salmon and chicken, the burger patties are freshly ground and hand-shaped. There are also veggie burger options to choose from, with mouth-watering combinations of caramelized onions, button mushrooms, lentils, green peas, rice, pumpkin purée, potatoes and cheese. For dessert, enjoy a chocolate or creamy cheesecake burger coupled with a personal custom-made alcoholic or non-alcoholic milkshake.
Described as ‘Hawaiian fusion cuisine’ Roy’s Restaurant offers a superb blend of AsianEuropean cuisine with a unique Hawaiian touch. Specializing in seafood, the restaurant’s tantalizing menu is matched by an award-winning wine list and an exotic cocktail list. With signature creations such as the Yamaguchi sushi, misoyaki butterfish and lobster bisque, all the ingredients are freshly sourced. Chef Roy Yamaguchi opened the first Roy’s restaurant in 1988, and today there are 30 Roy’s locations around the world. The extraordinary dishes, warm Hawaiian hospitality and spacious dining space with Roy’s kitchen in full view have made Roy’s a favorite in Las Vegas.
For affordable gourmet food of American and Italian origin, the Off The Strip Bistro is an absolute must. With its off scene location, hence its name, the Bistro is a popular spot to dine among local residents offering great food in a friendly relaxed atmosphere away from the rush of the Las Vegas Strip. From tasty salmon with asparagus and eggplant Parmigiana to juicy lemon pork chops, the restaurant’s variety of dishes and changing daily specials displayed on its chalkboard menus appeal to a range of food tastes. Do not hesitate to ask for the secret menu that is only presented on demand, and is based on ingredients hard to source or for guests with special dietary needs.
Michelin-starred and ranked as one of the best restaurants in North America, Alizé is famous for its phenomenal fine French cuisine, world-class wine cellar and largest collection of cognac in Las Vegas. Established and run by celebrated French Chef André Rochat together with Chef Mark Purdy, Alizé’s exquisite menu is ever-changing, introducing new fabulous contemporary dishes with a French flair and consistently high quality. Situated on the 56th floor of the Palms Casino and Resort in Las Vegas, Alizé offers a breathtaking view of the Las Vegas Strip. The romantic, elegant setting and impeccable service add to restaurant’s charm, making Alizé the perfect destination for a memorable fine dining experience.
What started out as Paul Pink’s hotdog stand in California in 1939 has now expanded into a popular establishment serving undoubtedly the best hotdogs in Las Vegas. Pink’s hearty premium hotdogs and late opening hours has made it an extremely popular eat-out destination and a favorite alternative to the fancy dining spots in the city. From chili cheese and barbecue sauce hotdogs to specialties such as the Vegas Strip Dog and the spicy Mojave dog, and with the choice of additional toppings and generous side plates of onion rings and French fries, Pink’s will keep you coming back for more. Located at the Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino, Pink’s has welcomed and continues to attract locals, tourists, as well as a number of celebrities.
Popular among the international crowd, Sage is dedicated to providing the best of globally inspired contemporary American cuisine in a classy and comfortable setting. Run by award-winning Chef Shawn McClain, Sage’s dishes are creative yet simple, based on farm-to-table produce, artisanal meats and fresh seafood. Try the creamy chestnut soup and heirloom baby beets for starters, followed by braised veal cheeks with pickled sweet corn for the main course. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the restaurant’s seductive dark interior is adorned with hand-painted murals of famous, early modernist artists. Sage also boasts a fantastic daily menu of cocktails, perfectly blended using fresh fruit, liqueurs and homemade bitters, as well as a special menu of ten different absinthe concoctions.
