I’ve been going to Vegas on an almost annual basis since I turned 21 back in 2010. And yet even after over a decade, I can still remember every ridiculous story behind the inside jokes written in one of my early blog posts recounting a trip from back in 2011. After all, what happens in Vegas is usually retold over and over amongst your friend group, so those memories tend to stick even if the details get hazy. I truly always have the best time in Sin City, from birthdays and pool parties to EDC music festivals and my very own bachelorette party where the photo above was taken, though that platter of overpriced but pretty good chicken tenders and fries at Wet Republic wouldn’t make any “best of” list. And while plenty of those lists might feature world-class chefs, Vegas outposts of famous restaurants from NYC to LA, and fine dining experiences, my favorite places to eat are the kind you can afford to go to over and over again. So here are my favorite restaurants in Las Vegas ranked in order of how many times I’ve visited them after all these years.
Wicked Spoon
Maybe it’s the delicious gourmet buffet of food, or maybe it’s the fact that The Cosmopolitan has the best smelling perfumed air and is probably my favorite place to gamble in the world, but I’ve somehow been drawn to their Wicked Spoon Buffet a whopping 8 times over the years. What I love is that in addition to your classics like crab legs and carving stations, they also serve a diverse range of dishes you would find at a restaurant (hello roasted bone marrow). Most dishes are also plated individually instead of in giant chafing dishes (like mini fryer baskets of fried chicken and single serving skillets of mac and cheese) for a more elevated experience with a higher turnover of freshly cooked food. They also offer weekend boozy brunch with unlimited mimosas, champagne, bloody mary’s and beer, and even an unlimited drinks option at dinner.
Eat this: crab legs, fried chicken, mac and cheese, bone marrow, french onion soup, rotating international dishes
Lotus of Siam
I’ve been to this Anthony Bourdain-approved Northern Thai institution 4 times over the years, and it never fails to deliver on unbelievably satisfying and bold Thai flavors with expert execution. Lotus of Siam is absolutely worth the short Uber ride off-Strip, as they also serve dishes I’ve never had anywhere else (including Thailand) like their famous garlic prawns that separate the shell so they get deep fried to shatteringly crispy perfection as a counterpoint to the plump prawns in a slightly sweet, garlicky sauce. Be sure to pair their spicy Thai dishes with their wide selection of Riesling.
Eat this: garlic prawns, nam kao tod (crispy rice salad), khao soi, roasted duck curry, crab fried rice
Secret Pizza
This not-so-secret New York style pizza shop can be found at the end of an unmarked, record-lined hallway on the 3rd floor of The Cosmopolitan. Secret Pizza is open until 4AM so it’s perfect after a night at Marquee Nightclub one level down. The pizza here is legit, with a thin, crispy-chewy crust and a good selection of toppings and combinations like sausage and pepperoncini 🤤
District One
We visited this creative Vietnamese restaurant 15 minutes off the Vegas strip twice during our 4 day trip in December. First to celebrate my good friends’ wedding reception with buffet trays of their delicious fusion dishes and an open bar, and then a couple of days later for recovery pho after a night out at Omnia Nightclub (my fave if you can get a table). District One is serving some of the craziest bowls of pho I’ve ever seen, but the good thing is that the food tastes as good as it looks.
Eat this: oxtail pho, lobster pho (market price so be prepared for $$$), oxtail fried rice, garlic noodles, crispy egg rolls, spring rolls, oxtail fries
Panda Express
Let’s not kid ourselves – Panda Express SLAPS and has absolutely saved my life on many occasions in Vegas. This should probably be #1 on this list as I can’t even count the number of times I’ve visited one of their many locations scattered throughout the Strip.
Eat this: orange chicken, honey walnut shrimp, 50/50 fried rice/chow mein
Julian Serrano Tapas
If you love paella, then this sleek Spanish restaurant inside ARIA is perfect for you. I last dined here for my bachelorette party back in 2019 and another time a couple years before that, and each time was filled with so much delicious jamon, croquetas and other Spanish delights from acclaimed chef Julian Serrano. We loved their private dining package as well if you’re traveling with a big group.
Eat this: paella mixta or paella negra, chicken croquetas, pan con tomate with pata negra
Eggslut
Vegas outpost of the now-global chain that started in LA by Chef Alvin Cailan. Eggslut serves up indulgent breakfast sandwiches and egg dishes, located inside The Cosmopolitan to soak last night’s hangover right up.
Eat this: the Fairfax with bacon, the slut (coddled egg and potato purée in a jar with toast)
Beijing Noodle No. 9
Is it expensive? Yes, as this stunningly designed Chinese restaurant is located in Caesar’s Palace smack in the middle of the Strip. But is it worth it? In my opinion yes, but take my recommendation with a grain of salt. I haven’t been back here since before the pandemic, though my 2 prior visits are still ingrained in my mind, hence why I’m keeping it on this list. It was also featured more recently on David Chang’s Ugly Delicious if you want to take his word for it.
Eat this: fish in spicy numbing sauce, xiao long bao, spicy beef noodle soup
Off-Strip Las Vegas Restaurants I Loved
This next section is for places that I only tried once but really enjoyed and would recommend, listed based on recency. The Asian food off the Strip is especially excellent, and if you’re not into the overpriced dining on the Strip, then this is a great way to get more value for your money so you can put more toward your gambling budget 🤑
Gangnam Asian BBQ
This Korean and Japanese BBQ spot is located in a strip mall right across the street from Hard Rock Hotel. Gangnam Asian BBQ serves great value set meals as well as a la carte options for a wide range of high quality meats and starters. The Korean soups (especially the kalbi soup) were absolutely perfect for our hangovers when we went this past December, and you also get a wide range of complimentary banchan including japchae and macaroni salad.
Eat this: Korean prime kalbi, pork belly, kalbi soup, kimchi chigae
Kaizen Fusion Roll & Sushi
If you can imagine it on a maki roll, they probably serve it at this fun fusion sushi spot that we visited this past December, as it’s right across the street from the Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. Nice option if you want sushi and don’t want to pay the high prices on the Strip.
Cafe 86
This Vegas outpost of the California-favorite Filipino cafe is the perfect spot for satisfying your dessert cravings, especially for ube or purple yam since they created the insta-famous ube leche flan cupcakes that taste just as good as they look. Cafe 86 was also just featured on Padma Lakshmi’s show Taste the Nation in a truly heartwarming episode, and you can definitely feel the love in the desserts!
Eat this: ube leche flan cupcakes, halo-halo
Pizza Rock
Awesome award-winning pizzeria that’s worth visiting if you end up at the super fun Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas (also near the Neon Museum which I’ve never personally been to, but my friend had wedding photos taken there and it’s a really dope photo spot to check out). Pizza Rock specializes in wood-fired pizzas and recently were ranked as the 18th best pizzeria in the US by 50 Top Pizza.
Eat this: margherita and Cali Italia pizzas
Monta Noodle House
I haven’t been since 2014 but this ramen shop continues to be a super popular spot for rich tonkotsu ramen and other Japanese bites.
Hot N Juicy Crawfish
Popular West Coast chain for Cajun seafood boils served in plastic bags. Super satisfying meal if you don’t mind throwing on a bib and getting your hands dirty.
