Las Vegas has always been a city that loves a gamble, but these days, the surest bet in town isn’t at the craps table—it’s at the dinner table.
Sin City has transformed into a bona fide culinary capital, a place where world-renowned chefs open their flashiest outposts and hidden gems lurk in strip malls off the Strip.
It’s a delicious paradox: you can have a hot dog at 3 a.m. or a once-in-a-lifetime tasting menu that costs more than your hotel room.
And 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year. Michelin inspectors are back in town for the first time since 2009, getting ready to hand out stars to the best of the best in the Southwest.
The competition is fierce, the flavors are bigger than the Bellagio fountains, and the dining scene is more electric than ever. Whether you’re a high roller or just someone who loves to eat, these 13 spots represent the absolute best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada right now. Let’s dive in.
1. Esther’s Kitchen
Sometimes the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada aren’t on the Strip at all. They’re tucked away in neighborhoods where the locals actually live. Esther’s Kitchen in the Arts District is the perfect example.
This place just got named USA TODAY’s Restaurant of the Year for Nevada in 2026, and honestly, it couldn’t have happened to a nicer spot . It’s the kind of place where you circle the block looking for parking because you know the wait will be worth it.
The vibe here is completely unpretentious. The dress code is casual, the servers are incredibly attentive, and the energy is warm and inviting. But the food? It’s elevated without being stuffy. Their sourdough bread alone will make you rethink how a meal should begin—it’s that good.
The menu rotates with the seasons, so every visit feels like a new event. From brunch to dinner, everything is crafted with care. Esther’s Kitchen proves that some of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada are the ones where you feel like a regular, even on your very first visit.
2. Restaurant Guy Savoy
If you’re looking for the absolute pinnacle of fine dining, you head to Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace. This place is a legend. It just earned the Forbes Five-Star Award for the 14th consecutive year in 2026, which is an insane level of consistency.
It’s also the only restaurant from the famed chef outside of France, and it’s celebrating its 20th anniversary in Vegas this year . The dining room offers a twinkling view of the Strip’s replica Eiffel Tower, which is a nice touch when you’re digging into some of the most exquisite food on the planet.
The menu is French haute cuisine at its finest. You can order his legendary artichoke and black truffle soup, which is basically a religious experience in a bowl.
The Forbes Five-Star Celebration menu, priced at $500 (or $800 with wine pairings), features dishes like “Sealand”—A5 Japanese Wagyu beef with lobster and lobster bordelaise . It’s an investment, no doubt.
But for a once-in-a-lifetime celebration or when you just want to treat yourself to the absolute best, this is a non-negotiable stop among the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
3. Stubborn Seed
Over at Resorts World, you’ll find Stubborn Seed, the Vegas outpost of Miami’s Michelin-starred darling. Chef Jeremy Ford, who won Season 13 of “Top Chef,” has brought his affordable-yet-extraordinary tasting menu to the desert.
For $145 per person, you get a vegetable-forward journey that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Think artfully plated dishes with swipes of sauces that look like painter’s brushstrokes and proteins like Japanese yellowtail, duck, or Wagyu beef .
The menu changes with the seasons, ensuring that only the freshest ingredients make the cut . If you’re not up for the full tasting menu experience, you can grab a seat at the bar and order à la carte.
The double Wagyu smash cheeseburger with smoked beef bacon and crispy onions is a thing of beauty . Stubborn Seed is proof that the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada can be innovative, accessible, and totally unforgettable.
4. Carbone Riviera
Good luck getting a reservation at Carbone Riviera. This is quite possibly the hardest table to score in Las Vegas right now . The newest outpost of the iconic New York City Italian restaurant just opened at the Bellagio, and it sits directly on the water, overlooking those world-famous fountains.
Chef Mario Carbone describes it as the same DNA as the original, but viewed through a Mediterranean lens . The space is elegant, light, and full of movement.
The menu leans heavily on the freshest seafood flown in from around the world. But let’s be real: everyone wants to know if the vodka rigatoni lives up to the hype.
Spoiler alert: it absolutely does. Carbone himself trained the Vegas chefs on how to nail that iconic dish, ensuring the recipe and process never change . It’s a scene, it’s a show, and it’s undeniably one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada for a night you’ll never forget.
5. Cote
Down at the Venetian, Cote is bringing the party to Korean BBQ. This is a super-sized version of the Michelin-starred New York City original, and it’s got more bells and whistles than a Cadillac at a car show.
The space is clubby and spacious, with terraced seating that gives everyone a prime view of the action. Servers prepare melty Wagyu beef on smokeless tableside grills while a DJ spins tunes from an elevated booth. It’s a whole vibe.
For the ultimate experience, order the omakase menu for $225. It features higher-quality Japanese A5 cuts that will literally dissolve on your tongue.
The wine list is stellar, too. Cote manages to be both a high-energy party spot and a serious temple to the art of perfectly grilled beef. It’s easily one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada for a night out that’s as delicious as it is fun.
6. Milpa
Sometimes you just want a simple, perfect taco. And for that, you head to Milpa in the southwest valley. This neighborhood Mexican cafe is best known for its masa making—they turn roughly 150 pounds of dried corn into fresh, handmade tortillas every single day.
That dedication to tradition sets them apart. Those tortillas become the vessels for everything from beer-battered mahi-mahi to asada steak and barbacoa.
The juicy birria tacos are a fan favorite, but don’t sleep on the veggie options. There are two stellar vegetarian tacos featuring cauliflower or mushrooms, plus healthy harvest bowls packed with chickpeas and quinoa.
The tetelas—triangle masa pockets stuffed with cheese and beans or creamy squash—are another must-try. With only about 30 seats inside, the menu is geared for takeout, so order online for pickup.
Milpa is a true hidden gem and absolutely one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada for authentic, soulful Mexican food.
7. Gymkhana
London’s two-Michelin-starred darling Gymkhana has landed in Las Vegas, and it’s every bit as spectacular as you’d hope . Located in the Shops at Crystals, this upscale Indian restaurant brings the elegance of a British colonial-era club to the desert.
The live peacocks at the grand opening added even more intrigue, but the real stars are on the plate. Think minced quail kebabs, Goan salmon tikkas, and chicken roasted to perfection in a tandoor clay oven.
The Vegas outpost has a few exclusive firsts, too. You’ll find beef dishes like a naan stuffed with spiced Wagyu mince, and short rib stir-fried with South Indian spices and coconut.
Save room for dessert—the cardamom-infused rice pudding with figs and the Mango Rasmalai (sweet milk dumplings with mango foam) are showstoppers.
Gymkhana brings a whole new level of sophistication to Indian cuisine in Vegas and is a must among the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
8. Rock N’ Potato
Let’s switch gears to something completely over-the-top. Rock N’ Potato in the Showcase Mall on the Strip landed at No. 23 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2026 . And it’s not hard to see why.
This place is all about baked potato lollapaloozas—massive, loaded spuds that are a meal in themselves. The “Sugar Daddy” comes groaning under the weight of two whole lobster tails. Yes, you read that right.
The rock music theming adds to the fun, irreverent vibe. It’s the kind of place that embraces the “go big or go home” ethos of Vegas. If you’re looking for a meal that’s as entertaining as it is filling, Rock N’ Potato delivers.
It’s a reminder that the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada aren’t always about white tablecloths; sometimes they’re about a potato with two lobsters on top.
9. Chef Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum
Vegans, rejoice. Chef Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum, located just a few blocks west of the Strip, is a 100% plant-based paradise . Chef Kenny Chye is often right there in the restaurant, chatting with guests and ensuring everything is perfect. The menu is a masterclass in vegan imitation.
You’ll find all the classic dim sum offerings, but also dishes like Cantonese pan-fried “fish,” beef with snow peas, and a must-try vegan fried chicken that will fool even the most dedicated carnivore.
For vegans who prefer to skip the meat substitutes, there are turnip cakes, mixed mushroom dumplings, and traditional sesame balls for dessert.
It’s a welcoming spot for everyone, whether you’re a longtime vegan or just curious. Chef Kenny’s is a shining example of how inclusive and creative the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada can be.
10. Tamba
Here’s a gem you might not expect: Tamba, a fine dining Indian restaurant tucked away in the Town Square shopping center . Chef Anand Singh is doing innovative things with a wok, tandoor, Josper charcoal oven, and mangal grill.
The results are showstoppers. Dishes like kimchi butter oysters and his seasonal twists on Indian classics are already attracting notice from the returning Michelin inspectors .
The charred octopus with cauliflower purée, beetroot, and chaat aioli is worth a visit all on its own . Tamba proves that you don’t have to be on the Strip to find world-class food. It’s a destination in its own right and a fantastic addition to any list of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
11. Bazaar Mar
Chef José Andrés is a culinary genius, and Bazaar Mar at the Shops at Crystals is one of his finest creations. This seafood-driven restaurant scours the oceans for the world’s freshest fish and shellfish.
On the menu, you’ll find bluefin tuna sashimi with quail eggs, Ora King salmon carpaccio, and a crudo featuring Hokkaido sea scallops. For the full experience, try the Bazaar Mar Experience tasting menu for $175.
Downstairs, you can slip into Bar Centro, a Spanish bakery and coffee bar by day that transforms into a cocktail lounge with street snacks and caviar in the evening.
Bazaar Mar is a vibrant, creative, and utterly delicious spot that earns its place among the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
12. High Steaks Vegas
Perched 50 floors above the Rio, High Steaks Vegas offers some of the best views in the city, paired with some of the most interesting steaks.
Chef James Trees, a local legend who redefined Downtown Las Vegas dining, has taken on the challenge of the Strip with this stunning spot.
What sets High Steaks apart is its wild game offering. Look under the section “The Hunt” on the menu and you’ll find Wild Boar Porchetta, Elk Backstrap, and Bison Filet.
Even more impressive is the “Lion”—a whole lion’s mane mushroom from a local farm, cooked and flavored with the same care as a meat dish. It’s so savory and satisfying that you’ll be fooled into thinking you’re eating meat.
The sprawling outdoor balcony is the perfect place to soak in the views after your meal. High Steaks is a total original and easily one of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
13. Wakuda
Finally, we end at Wakuda in the Palazzo. This place captures the vibe and energy of Tokyo’s Golden Gai district, with bright neon and glowing lanterns at the entrance giving way to a modern dining room featuring stunning art by Shohei Otomo.
Michelin-recognized chef Tetsuya Wakuda crafts a delicate menu of fine sushi, Ora King salmon, soft shell crab, and grilled meats.
If you really want to treat yourself, book the exclusive eight-seat omakase room. For $300, you get a nine-course journey through Wakuda’s finest creations, paired with rare Japanese whisky and small-batch sake.
It’s an intimate, unforgettable experience and a perfect way to cap off a tour of the best restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Conclusion
There you have it—a culinary tour of Las Vegas that runs the gamut from century-old French institutions to funky vegan dim sum joints, from wild game steakhouses to handmade taco stands. This city’s dining scene is as diverse and dazzling as the lights on the Strip.
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone or just trying to eat your way through the weekend, these 13 spots are your ticket to an unforgettable meal.
Now, get on it. Grab your phone, book those reservations (seriously, for some of these, do it yesterday), and get ready to eat like a king in the entertainment capital of the world. Your new favorite table is waiting.