You may not sleep during your stay in Las Vegas, but sooner or later, you’ll need a good meal. Luckily, this larger-than-life grown-up playground is full of excellent restaurants – many of which also do fabulous cocktails. Read our guide to the city’s best American restaurants to find out more.
Golden Steer
Bar, Restaurant, Restaurant with Rooms, American, Steakhouse, $$$
A standard of old-school Vegas dining, the Golden Steer has served stars from Sammy Davis Jr. to Marilyn Monroe to Elvis himself. The red velvet wallpaper and leather banquettes are a fine setting for the tableside creation of Caesar salad, bananas Foster and cherries jubilee. Well-shaken martinis, well-aged steaks and attentive service make everyone feel like a high roller.
MB Steak is a collaborative effort from brothers David and Michael Morton, who, despite being sprung from a long line of restaurateurs, have never had a place together. The space is an alluring combination of sleek crystal and weathered wood. The flavorful steaks are flown in from Chicago, and master bartenders pour the elegant cocktails. Be sure to make room on your menu for the fruits of the sea—both the ahi tuna and crab cake appetizers are delicious enough to make you want to skip the meat.
This low-key sub shop has a loyal following for a simple reason: stuffed sandwiches and wraps overflowing with all the fixings for under $10. Soft sub rolls emerge piled high with Korean rib-eye beef, hot pastrami and cheese, chipotle turkey and avocado, and salami and provolone. There are soups and sandwiches as well, plus freshly squeezed juices, smoothies and cookies. You simply order at the counter and watch it all come together.
LA’s Dirt Dog now has a home in Vegas at The Grand Bazaar. The hot dogs are just as big and just as dirty, each one piled with funky ingredients. The buns are plush and warm, ready to be loaded with a grilled dog and a host of accoutrements: guacamole spread, melted cheddar fries and bacon thousand island dressing. Pair an under-$7 hot dog with a carton of the Filthy Fries: thick, crispy fries showered with guacamole, chipotle aioli, and cheddar and cotija cheese.
Restaurant, Restaurant with Rooms, American, Fusion, $$$
Americana’s elegant, peaceful vibe begins with the drive out to its lush lakeside setting. Gaze through the airy dining room’s enormous windows at families of ducks and light-bedecked boats as you dine on oysters rockefeller and lobster ravioli. The Sunday brunch is a particular standout, best described as “the buffet comes to you”; everything from butternut squash cappuccino to shrimp-n-grits to braised pork burritos is brought to your table. A daily happy hour and seasonal tasting menu allow guests to enjoy the restaurant further
Opened in 2012 and located in downtown, Eat is a delicious breakfast and lunch venue owned and operated by the accomplished chef, Natalie Young. In the vibrant interior, diners can savor American comfort fare with a twist. The meals are made with the best locally sourced ingredients when available. Open seven days a week, this place’s flavorful highlights include the truffled egg sandwich with scrambled eggs, wild mushrooms, chives, feta, bacon, and chive potatoes on ciabatta. Other good options include shrimp and grits with eggs; and tasty cinnamon biscuits served with warm strawberry compote. There’s several vegetarian options and a welcoming atmosphere so any foodie will find this restaurant delectable.
A small local chain, Babystacks Cafe is a laid-back eatery serving breakfast and lunch at three Las Vegas locations plus one in Henderson. Featuring American cuisine imbued with Filipino and Hawaiian flavours, this restaurant offers diners a host of tempting sweet and savoury selections, including over 15 different flavours of pancakes. Dishes to note are carrot cake pancakes topped with cream cheese syrup and pecans and Rick’s adobo fried rice with shredded chicken and rice wrapped in an omelette — a house specialty and local favourite. They also have a variety of other omelettes and tasty takes on the favourite brunch classic, eggs benedict. With an impressive menu, this café is sure to appeal to a wide range of tastes.
Opened in 2012 by husband-wife duo, Kim Canteenwalla and Elizabeth Blau, Honey Salt is a farm-to-table eatery located in Summerlin. Serving American comfort classic cuisine with a creative twist and handcrafted libations in an inviting atmosphere with shabby chic décor, this restaurant offers lunch and dinner daily plus an awesome Sunday brunch. Visitors can take delight in options like monkey bread, a citrus brioche with a honey bourbon sauce; the weekend frittata with a variety of fresh vegetables and laurel chenel goat cheese; and the breakfast pizza topped with spinach, apple wood smoked bacon, cheddar, and a scrambled egg.
