From celebrity-chef menus to casual bites, here’s where to eat in Las Vegas

Famed for its bright lights, headline residencies and round-the-clock energy, Las Vegas has long lured visitors with the promise of escapism. Set in the heart of the Mojave Desert in Nevada, the city’s sun-scorched surroundings stand in sharp contrast to its neon-drenched core. Beyond the dazzling nightlife and poolside parties, however, the city has evolved into an exciting dining destination, attracting global culinary talent ready to make their mark. From opulent spots in the Strip’s most iconic hotels to hole-in-the-wall noodle bars in Chinatown, the food scene is as varied as it is ambitious. With the Michelin Guide’s return bringing fresh momentum, this guide explores some of Las Vegas’s standout places to eat — from celebrity chef haunts to neighbourhood favourites.

On the radar for Michelin’s return

After the global financial crash put an end to Michelin Guide's run in the city 17-years ago, Las Vegas is set to be included in a new American Southwest edition – spotlighting a destination already rich in culinary talent. Of the 17 restaurants awarded stars during the guide’s 2009 run, a handful remain strong contenders. Among them are long-standing stalwarts Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand — the only restaurant in the city ever to hold three Michelin stars — and Wing Lei at Wynn Las Vegas, the first Chinese restaurant in North America to receive a Michelin star. Newer openings, such as Gymkhana at Aria Resort & Casino, also impress, bringing upscale Indian cuisine and the prestige of its two-Michelin-starred Mayfair counterpart.

Beyond the Strip, the city’s culinary scene continues to evolve. In Spring Valley, Anima by Edo has garnered attention for its modern Mediterranean and Italian-inspired menu, led by two-time James Beard Foundation Award nominee Oscar Amador. Closer to downtown, in the city’s eclectic Arts District, the food scene is equally vibrant. Esther’s Kitchen is a go-to for seasonal Italian dishes, while Main St Provisions focuses on ingredient-led, contemporary American plates centred on steaks and seafood.

Dine at celebrity-chef hotspots

Gordon Ramsay’s presence looms large in Las Vegas — his face beaming from billboards along the Strip, reflecting the huge success of Hell’s Kitchen and Kitchen Nightmares in the US. That popularity extends across Las Vegas Boulevard, with his six restaurants ranging from the flagship Hell’s Kitchen at Caesars Palace — designed to echo the high-energy set of the TV show — to the more casual Gordon Ramsay Burger at Flamingo Las Vegas.

The city’s penchant for celebrity chefs didn’t begin with Ramsay, however. In the early 1990s, Wolfgang Puck — often dubbed ‘the original celebrity chef’ — made his mark with Spago at Caesars Palace, later relocating it to the Bellagio in 2018. By the late 1990s, Nobu Matsuhisa had arrived, opening at the Hard Rock Hotel in 1999 before expanding to Caesars Palace. Backed by actor Robert De Niro, the restaurant attracts a steady stream of A-listers.

Elsewhere on the Strip, David Chang’s Asian-American Momofuku at The Cosmopolitan attracts a younger, creative crowd, many of whom are familiar with him as the host of Netflix series Ugly Delicious. The celebrity pull extends beyond chefs, too, with reality TV star Lisa Vanderpump, of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, behind glamorous restaurants at Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas , Flamingo Las Vegas, as well as her newly opened Vanderpump Hotel. At the latter, guests can dine on Italian flavours at Giada, with menus created by TV chef Giada De Laurentiis.

Off-Strip eats in Chinatown

You'll find a whole other side to the city's dining scene just west of the Strip. Known locally as ‘Chinatown Vegas’, this three-mile stretch along Spring Mountain Road is one of the city’s most dynamic food districts, home to more than 200 restaurants. Though increasingly on visitors’ radars, it still feels largely local, drawing in those in the know. Chinese cooking remains central — from signature salted prawns at China Mama to the soup dumplings at ShangHai Taste — but it’s the diversity that defines the neighbourhood, with influences spanning Japanese, Korean and Mexican, among others.

A standout is Japanese restaurant Raku, renowned for its charcoal-fired robata (Japanese-style grilling) and traditional small plates. Led by chef Mitsuo Endo, a multiple James Beard Award semi-finalist, this acclaimed spot sits within an unassuming shopping plaza. Close by, Kabuto Edomae Sushi offers an intimate omakase tasting menu paired with sake, while Sparrow + Wolf brings a globally influenced, modern American menu.

For a more casual — yet no less rewarding — option, Big Dan Shanxi Taste plates up northwestern Chinese dishes from inside an Asian supermarket. Tuck into a bowl of thick, hand-pulled noodles, a house speciality that gained wider recognition after featuring on Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil.

Bold Mexican tastes

More than 30% of Las Vegas residents are Hispanic or Latino, many of Mexican descent — a presence woven into the city’s food culture. From neighbourhood taquerias to upscale restaurants, chefs draw on Mexico’s diverse regional cuisines.

For a sophisticated modern-Mexican steakhouse, head to Toca Madera at The Shops at Crystals. Order a flaming tomahawk steak with chipotle butter, or visit on Toca Tuesdays, when DJs and fire performers dial up the atmosphere. On these nights, the focus shifts to creative tacos — from mushroom truffle to beer-battered sea bass with slaw — best washed down with mezcal margaritas. For Baja California’s coastal flavours, visit Casa Playa at Wynn Las Vegas on the north end of the Strip. Here, James Beard Award finalist chef Sarah Thompson serves family-style dishes such as blue shrimp ceviche, lobster tostadas and lavish seafood platters.

Further west, La Neta Cocina y Lounge in Downtown Summerlin is a lively spot for modern Mexican cooking, with a jungle-inspired dining room and a cocktail bar influenced by Tulum. Or, for a local favourite, head to award-winning El Dorado Cantina (with two locations across the city), noted for its sustainably sourced ingredients and authentic dishes — don't miss the slow-braised pork or pulled-chicken tacos. Milpa in Spring Valley is also known for its tacos, crafted from heirloom corn by James Beard Foundation Award semi-finalist DJ Flores.