I’ve Visited Vegas More Than 50 Times. Here Are The 11 Strip Restaurants That Always Deliver
Las Vegas isn’t just about gambling and shows. It is also a food lover’s paradise. After visiting Sin City more than 50 times, I’ve eaten my way through countless restaurants on The Strip.
From celebrity chef hotspots to hidden gems, I’ve experienced the best and worst of Vegas dining. Here are my absolute favorite places to eat when I’m in town.
1. Zaytinya at Caesars Forum Shops
Mediterranean magic happens at José Andrés’s newest Vegas venture. The vibrant lamb chops sizzle with flavor while their signature mezze plates transport you straight to the shores of Greece, Turkey, and Lebanon.
Once, I arrived heartbroken after losing at blackjack and left with my spirits lifted by their heavenly honey-drizzled baklava.
The elegant blue-and-white décor makes this spot as feast-worthy for your eyes as it is for your stomach.
2. Don’s Prime at Fontainebleau
Theatrical doesn’t begin to describe the tableside service at this newcomer to the Strip. Watch in awe as servers flame-finish your perfectly aged ribeye right before your eyes.
The refined space feels like stepping into a Rat Pack fantasy, with dim lighting that makes everyone look like a million bucks.
Their bone marrow appetizer changed my life – rich, buttery, and served with toast points that crackle with each bite.
3. Bar Centro at Fontainebleau
Morning coffee or evening cocktails? Why choose when Bar Centro does both brilliantly? This José Andrés gem transforms throughout the day like a culinary chameleon. By morning, the aroma of freshly ground beans fills the air.
Come sunset, the vibe shifts as bartenders craft perfect gin tonics. Their patatas bravas – crispy potatoes drizzled with spicy aioli – pair perfectly with either caffeine or alcohol.
4. The Mayfair Supper Club at Bellagio
Dinner and a show merge seamlessly at this lakeside gem. While forks clink against plates, performers belt out jazz standards against the backdrop of the famous Bellagio fountains dancing outside floor-to-ceiling windows.
I celebrated my 40th birthday here, sipping champagne while a sultry singer serenaded our table. The seafood tower arrives like an edible sculpture – fresh oysters, lobster, and crab legs arranged in Instagram-worthy perfection.
Sunday nights bring the most magical performances.
5. Mother Wolf at Fontainebleau
Roman cuisine gets the Vegas treatment at this buzzworthy Italian hotspot. The pizza arrives with a crust that’s somehow both pillowy and crackling – a textural miracle that haunts my dreams between visits.
Chef Evan Funke’s squash blossoms stuffed with ricotta deserve their own Vegas residency. The meatballs? Tender clouds of meat that dissolve on contact with your tongue.
No Vegas food coma has ever been more welcome than the one induced by Mother Wolf’s tiramisu.
6. Peppermill Restaurant & Fireside Lounge
Time travel exists, and it’s located inside this neon-soaked 24/7 diner that’s been serving Vegas since 1972. The portions are absolutely ridiculous – pancakes larger than your face and fruit plates that could feed a bachelor party.
The real magic happens in the attached Fireside Lounge. Sink into the plush velvet seating surrounding an actual water-and-fire feature while nursing their famous 64-ounce Scorpion Bowl.
My late-night Vegas stories invariably begin or end at this retro wonderland.
7. Gilley’s Saloon at Treasure Island
Cowboy boots not required but highly recommended at this honky-tonk BBQ joint. The mesquite-smoked brisket falls apart with just a stern glance – no knife necessary. Line dancing breaks out nightly, fueled by mason jars of moonshine and the house band’s twangy covers.
Last summer, I lost a mechanical bull riding contest to a grandmother celebrating her 70th birthday – the place attracts characters! Their loaded potato skins make the perfect pre-gambling foundation.
8. Julian Serrano Tapas at Aria
Spanish small plates reach artistic heights at this Aria gem. The paella arrives still sizzling, its golden crust hiding treasure-like seafood beneath. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the modern space with natural light during day service.
By night, the mood shifts as Vegas glitters outside and inside, sangria flows freely. Their patatas bravas ruined me for all other versions – the potatoes achieve the impossible balance of crispy exterior and fluffy interior.
9. Howlin’ Ray’s at Via Via Food Hall
Nashville hot chicken that will make you both cry and smile. Chef Johnny Ray Zone brings his cult LA creation to Vegas, and the Strip is better for it.
The chicken sandwich comes in heat levels from “Country” (no heat) to “Howlin'” (borderline irresponsible). My first bite of their medium heat had me sweating through my shirt while simultaneously planning my next visit.
The cooling comeback sauce provides just enough relief to keep you eating.
10. Ivan Ramen at Via Via Food Hall
Slurping is not just allowed but encouraged at this noodle paradise. New York ramen wizard Ivan Orkin brings his perfectionist approach to broth-making to the desert.
The Tokyo Classic features springy noodles swimming in a clear chicken broth that somehow tastes more chicken-y than actual chicken. My go-to recovery meal after a night of Vegas excess.
The soft-boiled egg with its jammy center deserves its own fan club – I’ve considered starting one after my third bowl.
11. Scarr’s Pizza at Via Via Food Hall
Pizza perfection achieved through obsessive attention to detail. Owner Scarr Pimentel grinds heritage wheat in-house daily for dough that’s both flavorful and digestible – no post-pizza bloat here!
The plain slice needs no adornment – the marriage of tangy sauce and stretchy cheese atop that exceptional crust speaks for itself. Though I’ve tried fancier pizza in Vegas, I find myself craving Scarr’s simple perfection most often.
The perfect grab-and-go option while casino hopping.