Las Vegas, Nevada — Food and Dining
Restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada
Restaurants
Expensive
Joel Robuchon at The Mansion
The first and youngest chef to ever win three Michelin stars, Robuchon’s restaurant at the MGM Grand does not come cheap. It does, however, serve up the best French food in North America according to many critics. Sophisticated palates will enjoy an onslaught of flavors, with many ingredients flown in from France. A true, once in a lifetime dining experience.
3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Tel: (702) 891 7925.
Website: www.mgmgrand.com
Le Cirque
It has stood for 30 years as a temple to gastronomy for the New York City dining scene, though its sister location inside the Bellagio has garnered an equally vaulted reputation. Restaurateur Sirio Maccioni brings a touch of the ringmaster to this jewel that sits along the lake overlooking the Fountains of Bellagio. The set menu is served underneath a silk-tented ceiling that accents the polished wood interior. Reservations required. No lunch.
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: 1 877 234 6358.
Website: www.bellagio.com
Twist
Situated on the 23rd floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is the first U.S. restaurant by world-renowned, three-star Michelin Chef Pierre Gagnaire. The menu infuses the simplicity of classic French cuisine with a modern spin, relying on a pairing of flavors and textures for which Gagnaire is renowned. 300 illuminated globes light up the ceiling, reflecting the lights of Vegas below.
3752 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (888) 881 9367.
Website: www.mandarinoriental.com
Moderate
Chart House
Part of the new Rush Tower development at the Golden Nugget Hotel, Chart House is immediately striking, with its 75,000 gallon aquarium integrated into the interior design. The menu is also predominantly aquatic in nature, with macadamia-crusted mahi and Lobster Francese heading up the signature dishes. The tropical fish floating around among the tables make for a relaxing atmosphere, a world away from the frantic casino downstaurs.
129 Fremont Street
Tel: (702) 386 8364.
Website: www.chart-house.com
Delmonico Steakhouse
Emeril Lagasse's offering at the Venetian Hotel delivers New Orleans-style cuisine that emphasises the finest in American-style cuts of meat. From bone-in ribeye steak to Delmonico chicken-for-two carved tableside, every dish is personally designed by Emeril, and bears his signature style. The traditional oak-wood surroundings are formal yet intimate, which sets a perfect atmosphere for those attending to serious business.
3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 414 3737.
Website: www.emerils.com
Gonzalez y Gonzalez
With its ‘fiesta' atmosphere of candy-filled piñata toys and brightly lit courtyard dining, Gonzalez in the New York-New York Hotel and Casino is probably just as popular for its selection of traditional Mexican drinks as for its food. Typical dishes include the more stereotypical Mexican dishes of burritos, enchiladas and tacos (corn or flour tortillas filled with a choice of meat, vegetables and a spicy sauce).
3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 740 6455.
Website: www.nynyhotelcasino.com
Cheap
Cabo Wabo Cantina
Set inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, this two-level nightclub and restaurant replaces the highly visible location previously occupied by Trader Vic’s. Offering a blend of live music and coastal Mexican fare, Cabo Wabo Cantina features traditional and contemporary selections inspired by Cabo San Lucas as well as a cocktail menu with a heavy emphasis on tequila.
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard. South
Tel: (702) 785 5555.
Website: www.planethollywoodresort.com
JJ's Boulangerie
This small, open French-style bakery with terrace seating serves both pastries and freshly made sandwiches. Set on the edge of a Parisian-style promenade, the bakery is a great place to people watch while sipping a cappuccino. There is also an ice cream and confectionery counter featuring various light desserts at the back of the store.
Paris Las Vegas, 3655 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 946 7000.
Website: www.parislasvegas.com
Veranda Cafe and Lounge, Clarion Emerald Springs
Designed to accommodate both casual and more formal dining, the Veranda is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The absence of a casino and throngs of vacationers at the Emerald Springs makes this a comfortable setting for business dining. Evening specials often include prime rib or New York steak and the lounge also features a happy hour with hot and cold appetizers.
325 East Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 732 9100 or 1 800 732 7889.
Website: www.clarionlasvegas.com
Nightlife
Nightlife is Las Vegas' best-known pastime. The casinos and hotels may be open by day but only under the cover of night does the city's burst of lights set the atmosphere buzzing. Casinos, restaurants and bars are packed with tourists from all over the world, most in a friendly and genial spirit. Casino hotels tend to house not only the best-known stage shows but also all the late-night bars, nightclubs and live music.
Bars
Baccarat Bar
If you have any James Bond-style fantasies, this is probably the place to live them out. Play a civilised few rounds of baccarat as impeccably-dressed servers bring you luxurious cocktails against a backdrop of live piano music. Shaken or stirred, your Martini will be exquisitely prepared, and there's a sense of refinement to the gambling that you're unlikely to find on most casino floors. Situated in Bellagio's.
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: 1 888 987 6667.
Website: www.bellagio.com
Bar at Times Square
Billed as a reconstruction of ‘the ultimate neighborhood pub', this bar in the New York-New York Hotel and Casino, aims to recreate the feel of an old New York city bar, complete with polished wooden floors and nightly entertainment. Singing along to the nightly duelling pianos show is highly encouraged, and such is the demand for tables that a reservation must be made. Cozier and more raucous (in a good way) than many Las Vegas bars.
3790 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 740 6969.
Website: www.nynyhotelcasino.com
Mix Lounge
Set high atop THEHotel at Mandalay Bay Resort, expectant tourists and locals alike queue up in their street-chic attire for a chance to 'be seen' in what is being touted as the 'highest and hottest nightlife destination' in the city. Internationally-famous DJs provide an eclectic mix of music, while the 64th-floor balcony is ideal for taking in views of the city with a cocktail.
3950 Las Vegas Blvd. South
Tel: (702) 632 9500.
Website: www.mandalaybay.com
Clubs
Pure
One of the most popular clubs on The Strip. The 3,400 sq m (36,000 sq ft) venue in Caesars Palace offers clubbers the choice of three environments, themes and sounds, with all rooms interconnected by intimate passageways and an elevated glass-enclosed VIP room at the heart of the action. It also tends to have long queues, so visitors are encouraged to arrive early - reservations are also strongly encouraged.
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 731 7873.
Website: www.purethenightclub.com
Rain
This 2,600 sq m (28,000 sq ft) adult-only playground in the Palms Casino Resort features an elevated dance floor lit by a 4m (14ft) fireball and dancing fountains of water throb in time with the DJ. Rain is also infamous as the place where Britney Spears partied hard before, during and after her first very short-lived marriage. Reservations are required.
4321 West Flamingo Road
Tel: (702) 942 6832.
Website: www.n9negroup.com
Studio 54
Modelled on the legendary New York nightclub of the 1970s, Studio 54 features live dancers, dance music and a collection of photographs taken at the original club. The music is decidedly high-energy, though if you have the money, you could always hire one of the VIP rooms for some respite. Four dance floors stretch across 2,100 sq m (22,000 sq ft) of space in this Vegas nightclub located at the MGM Grand.
3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 891-7279.
Website: www.mgmgrand.com
Live Music
The Theater for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood may have a hint of mainstream cheese factor about it, but its in-house theater still pulls in major touring rock groups and popular acts such as big name comedians. It has 7,000 seats, making it a rare medium-sized venue in Las Vegas - perfect for getting that bit closer to your favorite at, instead of watching them on a screen from the back of a stadium.
3667 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (702) 785 5555.
Website: www.planethollywoodresort.com
The Orleans Arena
A relative newcomer to the Las Vegas live entertainment scene, the arena has already hosted touring legends such as Willie Nelson, Neil Sedaka and Jerry Lewis. This 9,000-seater space within the Orleans Hotel and Casino is also home to its own hockey team and has hosted everything from circus acts to comedians, but it's as a live music venue that it really holds its own, and big contemporary acts pass through regularly.
4500 West Tropicana Avenue
Tel: (702) 284 7777.
Website: www.orleansarena.com
The Mandalay Bay Events Center
A 12,000-seat sport and entertainment complex, this center has been the setting for superstar concerts, major sporting events and television specials. It has featured everyone from Steely Dan to Stevie Wonder to Paul McCartney and Wings. The space afforded here gives the touring acts some room to put on stage spectaculars, and there are state of the art video screens and projectors to add to the atmosphere.
3950 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Tel: (877) 632 7400.
Website: www.mandalaybay.com
