Everywhere You Need to Eat in Las Vegas Right Now

There's amazing steak in Henderson, delectable chicken in Chinatown, and more.

Photo by Najib Saab, courtesy of Zai
Photo by Najib Saab, courtesy of Zai

It's easy to be cynical about restaurants in Las Vegas. Prices are higher than ever, and dining rooms are often too crowded for comfort, especially in high-volume tourist areas. But every now and then, we hit a pocket of optimism. A trio of recent openings—Retro by Voltaggio, Cathédrale, and Stanton Social Prime—are giving high-profile resorts on the Strip a splash of style and creativity, while Zai, Naxos Taverna, and Basilico are throwing aside the "business as usual" approach in other corners of the valley. It's an exciting time for great food in Las Vegas, and while you can't go wrong with the tried-and-true bucket list dining experiences that help define this town, the following collection of intriguing new restaurants suggests the best could be yet to come.

138°
Photo courtesy of 138°

138°

Henderson
$$$$

Henderson is now home to one of the most ambitious steakhouses in Southern Nevada. 138° (named after the ideal temperature for finishing steaks as well as a Misfits song) fully captures the talents of chef and owner Matt Meyer, a guy who takes his red meat seriously. Beef is sourced from top California ranches–plus one in Nevada Meyer tracked down outside Ely. The steaks are dry-aged in house and cooked over an open flame with the aroma of orangewood and hickory charcoal gently floating through a bold, elegant dining room with a decorative fire pit between tables. The same grill is also used to bring chicken, vegetables, and seafood to life. Meyer takes things up a notch by dry-aging fish as well, which requires strict attention to detail and a shorter aging window. You don't get the funkiness of dry-aged beef. Instead, the technique brings out the natural oils, adding complexity to the flavor. See what it's all about with a salmon aguachile appetizer brightened with jalapeño and lime. The cocktails by head bartender Adam Carroll are the restaurant's secret weapon. Try Just A Sip, a modified Manhattan that appears in a cloud of smoke from a wine barrel stave. 
How to book: Call 702-272-0839 to book a reservation.

Available for Reservations
Anima by EDO
Photo by Louiie Victa, courtesy of Anima by EDO

Anima by EDO

West Valley
$$$$

Anima is a tapas restaurant from the team behind EDO (a bucket-list dining destination in its own right) at the Gramercy near Summerlin. Chef Oscar Amador has perfected a menu that retains its core Spanish influence while mixing in inspired global elements. More than simply "EDO West," Anima has a larger, more contemporary dining room with food stations and hand-painted murals, adding to the charm and energy of the space. A few items carry over from EDO (such as the croquetas and a fantastic dry-aged strip loin carpaccio), but most of the menu is brand new. There's a notable emphasis on seafood, so order the Peruvian-style scallop crudo, spicy Bluefin sashimi, and a whole-roasted dorade with sunchoke and yuzu toppings. Pastas are also a priority. The truffle cavatelli is topped with bone marrow tableside, while a single large ravioli (with Dungeness crab, sweet corn, ricotta, and poached egg) is a popular off-menu special. The hardest decision is choosing between one of 150 wines (with an emphasis on small producers) or a cocktail from the roving gin and tonic cart.   
How to order: Book a reservation online or call 702-202-4291.

Available for Reservations
Aroma Latin Cocina
Aroma Latin Cocina | Photo by Rob Kachelriess for Thrillist

Aroma Latin Cocina

Henderson
$$$$

Aroma Latin Cocina is a small operation in a quaint strip mall dining room, but it's producing incredibly inspired, beautifully plated cuisine with a strong emphasis on Guatemalan and Peruvian flavors. The restaurant is led by chef Steve Kestler, former executive sous chef at EDO and a veteran of Bazaar Meat and Bouchon. With Aroma, he's carrying out his own vision with astute execution and a devotion to quality ingredients that more than compensates for any lack of flash and style in the setting. The soft, juicy filling of beef, olives, and raisins in the enchilada comes alive against the soft crunch of the dough exterior. A similar balance of textures is felt in the pork belly appetizer with small bites of meat served on crispy plantains with a lightly pickled onion slaw. Most of the entrees mix a variety of elements on one plate; nicely presented and separated to appreciate every bite.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Azzurra Cucina Italiana
Photo by Bronson Loftin, courtesy of Azzurra Cucina Italiana

Azzurra Cucina Italiana is an engaging contrast to the casual eateries that dominate Henderson's revived Water Street, giving the neighborhood a much-needed example of destination dining. The intimate restaurant seats just 30 guests, taking inspiration from Milan with sleek, contemporary design elements. The owner is also the architect and adds a few fun touches, such as portraits of his dogs against a gray brick wall. The menu consists of traditional recipes done right, with Chef Alessandra Madeira (formerly of Bratalian) perfecting each bite in the kitchen while husband Walter Ciccone works the front of the house like it's a private dinner party. Relish the simplicity of penne in vodka sauce and a tender, juicy pork chop in tangy agrodolce. An outdoor patio, lined with olive trees, offers additional seating for al fresco dining when the weather isn't too hot.  
How to book: Reservations are taken at 6 and 8 pm. Book online

Balla Italian Soul
Photo by TJ Perez, courtesy of Balla Italian Soul

Balla Italian Soul

The Sahara
$$$$

Las Vegas is a better place the more you have Shawn McClain around. The James Beard Award-winning chef remained on the Strip with Libertine Social after the untimely closure of Sage, and is now raising his profile in dramatic fashion with Balla Italian Soul. Modern, farm-fresh Italian restaurants aren't in short supply these days, but McClain oversees a tight, efficient menu with reasonable Strip prices and welcome creative accents. Chewy Roman-style pizzas are brought to life in a white oak-fired oven along with hearty proteins. Try the sea bream (served whole and deboned with lemon preserve, leeks, and a caper butter sauce) or the Pork Delmonico (tender slices topped with a sweet-and-sour black garlic agrodolce), complemented nicely with a selection of pastas, Italian wines, and cocktails, including the Curo di Alessandro, which is almost like a smoky take on a Penicillin. For such a new restaurant, Balla is aggressive with seasonal updates–and even found a way to make lasagna interesting with a new circular pinwheel style presentation. Meals are served in a charming dining room with an arched brick ceiling and charcuterie sliced market-style near the front entrance.
How to book: Make reservations via Seven Rooms.

Basilico Ristorante Italiano
Photo by Louiie Victa, courtesy of Basilico Ristorante Italiano

Basilico Ristorante Italiano

DTLV and Southwest Vegas
$$$$

After helping Oscar Amador launch Anima by EDO in early 2022, Francesco Di Caudo is now doing his own thing with Basilico in the same southwest corner of Las Vegas. The restaurant anchors the retail component of the new under-construction Evora apartment complex, but is already drawing fans before the first tennants arrive later in the year. Di Caudo's take on Italian cuisine ranges from traditional (a Sicilian-style eggplant parmesan) to modern (lamb tortellini in a braised prosciutto broth) and playful (a "cigar" of duck, foie gras, and mushroom, presented in a glass ashtray with black sesame and truffle "ash" for dipping). The chef is eager to stretch his creativity with a variety of seafood and a thick, chunky risotto that's given frequent seasonal updates. The main dining room is bold and contemporary with accordion style windows behind the bar that open wide to a spacious, temperature-controlled patio–a perfect spot to enjoy the daily Social Hour discounts (4-6 pm).
How to book: Make a reservation online.

Boom Bang Fine Foods & Cocktails
Photo by Robiee Ziegler, courtesy of Boom Bang Fine Foods

Boom Bang Fine Foods follows the vision of Elia Aboumrad-Page, the first female sous chef under Joёl Robuchon, who offers an elevated take on American comfort food with a few surprises and global influences. The dining room has a cozy touch of vintage decor and colorful wallpaper, with a grill on the outdoor patio. The menu is shaped by the seasonal availability of ingredients, reflected in the restaurant’s evolving series of savory tarts. The corn dogs are the most popular appetizer—a clean bite of natural Niman Ranch franks, honey-sweetened batter, and mustard sauce. Yet Boom Bang shines brightest with its entrees, especially hearty proteins like a slow-cooked, tender pork shank with Asian soy sauce, short rib rolled onto itself on a tomahawk bone, and duck confit cooked in its own fat for 20 hours and oven-roasted to order for a crispy exterior with poached pear on the side. Aboumrad-Page pays tribute to her old boss with creamy Robuchon-esque mashed potatoes that pair well with any dish.

Available for Reservations
Brezza
Photo by Sabin Orr, courtesy of Brezza

Brezza

Resorts World
$$$$

Brezza is one of the best things about Resorts World. The restaurant offers a modern interpretation of classic Italian cuisine via inventive recipes by Nicole Brisson, who formerly ran the groundbreaking dry-aging program at Carnevino. After helping to launch Locale and the Vegas outpost of Eataly, she's finally in her own element, with the freedom to stretch some creativity and showcase a fierce dedication to fresh, local ingredients. The dining room is bright and open, but the large outdoor patio steals the show, surrounded by the glow of the Strip and 65-year-old olive trees preserved from when the property was the Stardust. The food is best enjoyed as a complete multi-course experience, beginning with farm-focused antipasti and some of the best salads on the Strip before continuing with vibrant pastas and meat or seafood entrees. There's thoughtful consideration given to vegetarian recipes, and you can't go wrong with the cappellacci with spinach, lemon, garlic, and crispy capers. Steaks are dry-aged locally in collaboration with Creekstone Farms and flame-cooked over white oak.
How to order: Book a reservation via Seven Rooms.

Available for Reservations
Cathedrale
Photo by Anthony Mair, Courtesy of Cathédrale

Cathedrale

Aria
$$$$

Cathédrale is now serving dinner at the Aria, transforming the space formerly home to Sage into a modern, stylish hideaway at the end of a long tunnel-like entrance. Illuminated beads form unique shapes overhead, setting the tone for a dining room that fits in well among the most romantic restaurants in Las Vegas. Chef Jason Hall's menu builds on the foundation of French and Mediterranean recipes at the original Cathédrale in New York, broadening the selection without any hesitation to load kaluga caviar on oysters, an omelet with potato chips, or the Quaternary (a large-format gin-and-vodka cocktail presented on a large block of ice). The menu covers a lot of ground, at times risking an identity that's easy to define, but actually makes a strong impression with a pair of vegetarian dishes: a hearty zucchini ragout and grilled Hen of the Woods mushroom skewers that are all fungi (no hen). 
How to book: Score a table with an online reservation.

CHĪ Asian Kitchen
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of CHĪ Asian Kitchen

CHĪ Asian Kitchen

The Strat
$$$$

CHĪ Asian Kitchen is one of the most welcome surprises in The Strat's restaurant portfolio, which is becoming more impressive by the day under the guidance of Golden Gaming Executive Chef Bradley Manchester. The secluded dining room feels a world away from the chaos of the casino floor, designed to resemble an Asian street alley with graffiti, neon, and even a "bicycle repair shop." It's one of the few places to find quality dim sum on the Strip, with a selection that includes a variety of dumplings (including soup-filled xiaolongbao), crispy spring rolls, and barbecue pork buns. Noodle and rice dishes are expertly prepared, including a great take on beef chow fun and a yakisoba that combines large chunks of seafood with a tangy ginger-soy sauce. The cocktails are colorful, with house-infused spirits making the occasional appearance. In a rare move for a Strip restaurant of this caliber, CHĪ is gearing up to offer delivery via Grubhub and a window for pickup orders next to the West Valet, where it's easy to pull up your car without entering the casino (or dealing with The Strat's new paid parking system). 
How to book: Score a reservation via OpenTable or place an order in advance on Grubhub.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Available for Reservations
Delilah
Photo by Robert Miller, courtesy of Delilah

Delilah

Wynn Las Vegas
$$$$

You may have heard: We're in a new Roaring '20s. And while the best speakeasy bars in Las Vegas offer Prohibition-era style in small doses, old-school supper clubs are also having a moment. Just walking into Delilah is an experience all by itself, with the scene unfolding like a Martin Scorsese exposition shot. Guests enter through a bar and lounge that overlooks the main dining room, soaking in art deco extravagance before being led downstairs. It's almost like dining on a movie set with a stage for live entertainment, but executive chef Joshua Smith's food seals in the authenticity. Keep the phone in your pocket and respect the no-camera/no-social-media policy. Much like the venue itself, the menu is an exercise in indulgence with the best in prime steaks, seafood, and caviar. Even the elevated spin on "Fish and Chips" (potato-crusted dover sole) is $74. The Wagyu Beef Wellington, sliced tableside for two, is the showcase piece, but you'll find small doses of joy in the carrot side dish, presented in a souffle so sweet, it could almost be dessert.

Available for Reservations
Half Bird Chicken
Half Bird | Photo courtesy of Half Bird

Half Bird

Chinatown
$$$$

Brian Howard already has a bucket-list-worthy restaurant with Sparrow + Wolf, but the chef is now tailoring his eclectic touches for the masses with Half Bird, a more casual restaurant where pasture-raised, cage-free chickens are the stars of the show. While there's a spicy Hot Chicken sandwich and an awesome take on chicken nuggets (or "nugs") on the menu, the chef is especially proud of the rotisserie chicken, a healthier option brined in lemon, garlic, thyme, and sea salt. The menu is rounded out by fun stuff like mac 'n cheese with furikake and Spam chunks, champagne splits in red solo cups, and an after-dark walk-up window. Stop by after 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays when a ramen special is available, with rotisserie chicken bones simmered in a miso broth and spicy bacon fat. Howard is aiming to expand Half Bird with multiple locations with the next one coming to Henderson. Don't forget to order the Cockfight Pilsner, made in collaboration with HUDL Brewing. 
How to order: Just walk in or order in advance for pickup or delivery.

Available for Delivery/Takeout
Naxos
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Naxos

Naxos

Summerlin
$$$$

It's hard not to compare Naxos Taverna to Estiatorio Milos, which set the standard for Greek-inspired seafood restaurants in Las Vegas. Naxos has a similar dining room with a bright, open layout and wood accents, adding up to a refreshing change of pace for the Red Rock Resort. The large tree between tables is a visual focal point, but most of your attention will be on the flown-in-fresh catch of the day, much of it from Mediterranean waters. Build your meal around a whole fish, either charcoal grilled or baked in a salt crust to showcase the natural flavors of the meat with minimal seasoning and a touch of the restaurant's own single-origin olive oil. The selection varies, but on any given night can include branzino, dover sole, fagri, barbounia, and more. Always begin with the house baked bread and your choice of dips. The muhammara is an easy favorite with the taste of roasted red pepper against bright, juicy pomegranate seeds. Chef Mark Andelbradt puts the grill to good use with vegetables too, especially the artichoke appetizer. A sister concept, Kallisto Oyster Bar, is just outside the front entrance, featuring its own seafood menu (including three takes on pan roast) in a more casual setting of just 13 seats.   
How to book: Score a reservation online for Naxos Taverna. Kallisto Oyster Bar is first-come, first serve. 

Retro by Voltaggio
Photo by Anthony Mair, courtesy of Retro by Voltaggio

Retro by Voltaggio

Mandalay Bay
$$$$

Retro at Mandalay Bay lives up to its name with an '80s and '90s theme to showcase the inventive dining of Michael and Bryan Voltaggio, who competed against each other in the same season of Top Chef before finishing as the top two. The restaurant is billed as a one-year residency in the room formerly known as Aureole with the iconic wine tower now a multi-level exhibit of board games, roller skates, album covers, and other examples of throwback memorabilia. A retro touch is also noticeable in the plates and glassware (some of which were pulled out of MGM Resorts' storage and formerly used at iconic spots like Le Cirque). The food itself thrives with nostalgia too, but prepared with fine-dining kitchen techniques. Beef cheeks are slow-cooked for two days, turning the tough meat into tender cuts for a pot roast with jus and vegetables in old-school CorningWare. "Voltaggi O's" are poured from a can (just like your favorite soup-style spaghetti from childhood) with brown butter added to a spicy marinara sauce for a touch of sweetness and bright orange color. If that sounds too much like kids stuff, try the Lobster Thermidor with beautifully buttered lobster meat on a crab cake with lobster roe pancakes on the side. Even the drinks look like something from a TGI Fridays menu in the '80s, but prepared with ingredients that any craft bartender would appreciate. 
How to book: Go online to book a reservation. 

RPM Italian Las Vegas
Photo by Lindsay Eberly, courtesy of RPM Italian

RPM Italian

Forum Shops at Caesars
$$$$

RPM Italian gets a lot of press and attention thanks to the high profile of co-owners Bill and Giuliana Rancic. Still, it's a complete, indulgent, Vegas-worthy experience that justifies the prices. The dining room's modern design is a dramatic improvement over the space's previous and short-lived role as the Slanted Door, while the menu offers an easy layout to build a meal with multiple components. Complement hot and cold appetizers with fantastic 600-day aged prosciutto (more melt-in-your-mouth than salty), six-inch pizzas, and small shareable pastas (especially stuffed options like Lobster Pansotti and Corn Agnolotti) to leave room for ambitious entrees. The Lobster Fra Diavolo is steamed and served without mess, accompanied by a Calabrian chili butter, while a Wagyu strip is cured in whipped gorgonzola for a funky, nutty flavor similar to what you'd get from dry-aging without diminishing the heft of the cut. A newly introduced Sommelier Experience is a multi-course menu that changes nightly while tapping into exceptional wines from the cellar. RPM also has one of the best happy hours on the Strip.

Available for Reservations
Stanton Social Prime
Courtesy of Stanton Social Prime

Stanton Social Prime

Caesars Palace
$$$$

Old Homestead is becoming Bobby Flay's new French restaurant and Peter Luger (originally set to open in 2022) has yet to show up. That leaves Chris Santos' Stanton Social Prime as the main steakhouse at Caesars Palace, opting for a dark and moody vibe that mixes a current sensibility with throwback touches. Some recipes (like the French Onion Soup Dumplings) carry over from the original Stanton Social in New York, but the new version is a more refined environment with larger dishes. Highlights include a 64-ounce bone-in Super Tomahawk, presented tableside in a cognac-fueled flame with drippings of Kobe fat and bone marrow; 10-ounce Pretty in Pink Filet with pickled red onion, pink oyster mushrooms, and pink peppercorn sauce; and branzino stuffed with caramelized saffron, leeks, and fennel. The sides are nearly as dramatic, especially the crispy miso eggplant (with the texture of a potato or pasta dish) and mac 'n' cheese overloaded with 1.5 pounds of lobster.
How to book: Reservations are available via OpenTable

Toca Madera
Photo courtesy of Toca Madera

Toca Madera

CityCenter
$$$$

You get what you pay for. More than $10 million was spent on the Las Vegas version of Toca Madera, a lavish, lounge-like space with a sophisticated dining room, fire features, courtyard patio, and a secluded, speakeasy-style lounge. You could impress a date here no problem. Try a cocktail with the restaurant's own private barrels of Codigo tequila. Toca Madera previously earned fans in LA and Scottsdale with an upscale take on Mexican cuisine, but the Vegas edition in Vegas takes things further, evolving as a steakhouse that highlights certified A5 Kobe and other premium cuts. All steaks are enhanced with fat rendered from Japanese Wagyu. Through it all, the Latin influence remains strong, so don't shy away from the chipotle-mezcal prawns or bluefin tuna tacos. A weekend brunch recently launched with breakfast quesadillas, Tres Leches French Toast, and other indulgent bites. 
How to book: Make reservations via Seven Rooms.

Top Round
Photo courtesy of Top Round

Top Round

The Park
$$$$

You can never have too many quick and affordable dining options on the Strip, especially when so much care is put into the quality of the food. Top Round is a California fast-casual concept, expanding into Nevada with a semi-industrial space and roll-up garage-style windows in The Park near T-Mobile Arena. Roast beef sandwiches are the house specialty, made with 100% pure beef (no additives or preservatives) marinated in spices for 24 hours, slow-roasted for at least seven hours, and sliced to order. All sauces are made in house, including a take on Cheez Whiz that's more like a soft condiment than the heavy product it's inspired by. The same beef is used in the gravy fries and chili. Hot dogs are made with Vegas' own Snap-O-Razzo natural franks. The juicy fried chicken is marinated in buttermilk and pickle juice, lightly breaded, and available in sandwiches or as tenders. Save room for a shake blended with Top Round's own gelato.

Wakuda
Photo courtesy of Wakuda

Wakuda

Venetian
$$$$

Despite the presence of restaurants like Mizumi, Morimoto, and two versions of Nobu, Wakuda proves that even more can be done with Japanese fine dining on the Strip. The first US restaurant for Tetsuya Wakuda, who earned two Michelin stars for his work at Waku Ghin in Singapore, took over the old Morels space at the Venetian, keeping a serene patio overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard while adding a quiet bar area (with its own dedicated menu) and a dining room inspired by Tokyo's vibrant Shinjuku district. A sushi counter in the back prepares delicate bites, letting the quality of the seafood speak for itself, whether it's New Zealand Ora King salmon, Canadian lobster, or Kuruma emi (Japanese prawn). Japanese A5 Wagyu is served by the ounce, and Wakuda's own brand of caviar appears throughout various dishes. The drink selection includes Asian-inspired cocktails, an impressive Japanese whisky lineup, and more than 100 sakes. Wakuda recently opened the only full-fledged omakase room on the Strip (with an adjoining hidden bar) and introduced a lunch menu. 
How to book: Make reservations via Seven Rooms

ZAI
Photo by Najib Saab, courtesy of Zai

Zai

Fremont Street
$$$$

Chef Noé Alcalá developed the first incarnation of Zai in Mexico City and now brings the concept to Las Vegas with a prime Fremont East location across the street from the Downtown Container Park. The restaurant puts a fun spin on casual comfort food with a heavy emphasis on Latin and Asian flavors with subtle European touches. The edamame is topped with bleu cheese and Buffalo sauce, the house burger is smothered in caper pesto, and the Banh Mi sliders pack pork belly and slaw between steamed buns blackened with activated charcoal. A thick and hearty risotto is the perfect bed for a fresh catch of seafood, while the Sushi Bunker is similar to a Dragon Roll, fanned out in a circle with carrots and crispy onion strings. The fries are made from mashed potatoes formed into thin sticks and taste especially delicious when dipped in watermelon tamarind sauce. The format allows you to easily build a meal large or small in a comfortable environment with a lively open kitchen, prominent cocktail bar, and roll-up garage door facing Fremont Street. Just remember to order Alcalá's take on honey toast for dessert, made with house-baked bread. An rooftop terrace operates as a nightclub after 8 pm.   
How to book: Book a reservation via OpenTable.

Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than eight years. His work has also appeared in Travel + Leisure, Trivago Magazine, Sophisticated Living, Modern Luxury, Leafly, Las Vegas Magazine, and other publications. He's covering the tip. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.