Wakuda

Wakuda, one of the best places for upscale Japanese cuisine in Las Vegas, recently unveiled the only full-fledged omakase room on the Strip, with reservations available Friday and Saturday nights. It's something of a two-part experience, beginning with a reception in a private bar tucked behind a dark wall with Japanese graffiti to identify a secret door. Much like an omakase meal itself, there's no menu. The restaurant's head of mixology tailors cocktails to guest preferences with exceptional ingredients, from Asian spirits and Japanese bitters to house-made syrups and squeezed-on-the-spot juices. The drinks are served alongside a few canapes, including sliced Iberico ham, foie gras toast, and truffle choux.
How to get in: The private bar is only available for those who book reservations for the omakase room.

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. 

After earning a couple Michelin stars in Singapore, Tetsuya Wakuda arrives in Las Vegas with a self-titled restaurant at the Venetian. The dining room takes inspiration from Tokyo's Shinjuku nightlife scene, with neon lights illuminating a dark corridor near the entrance. Statues of sumo wrestlers squaring off is another playful touch, but the menu is all-business, combining traditional Japanese techniques with occasional French touches. Lobster can be appreciated as a poached topping on toast with Wakuda's own Osteria caviar or grilled whole with shiro shoyu butter. The prices for individual pieces of sushi and sashimi are nothing to brush off, but if you really want to splurge, Wakuda has the only full-blown omakase room on the Strip—a speakeasy-style lounge with a private bar. Diners can expect 10-15 dishes throughout the meal, featuring the restaurant's best recipes and a per-person price of at least $500.
How to book: Call 702-665-8592 to book a reservation or inquire about the omakase room.