A Foodie’s Guide to Las Vegas

Las Vegas restaurants have reached a new epoch, transcending the steakhouses, Italian joints, and buffets that once fueled the city’s pleasure seekers (though a few of those enduring icons are still worth a visit). As Las Vegas evolved, so did its culinary offerings. Now, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants, world-famous chefs, and the most master sommeliers per capita in the country—all packed into a few square miles. But the real magic of Vegas’s dining scene? Its ability to adapt. It’s not just importing rare wagyu from Japan anymore; now, you’ll also find tender heirloom tomatoes from Nevada farms and hyper-local honey from the Mojave Desert beekeepers. Pick a cuisine—any cuisine—and odds are, you’ll find it in Vegas.

And if you’re planning on having a special night out or a full on food tour, book a Las Vegas bus rental with Partybus.com!

Carbone

Address: ARIA Resort & Casino, 3730 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89158

When Major Food Group opened its doors in New York City back in 2013, it created something unique: a red sauce joint with a spicy supper club vibe, decked out in vintage ‘50s glamour. You’ll find tuxedoed captains tossing plates of spicy rigatoni vodka and massive veal parmesan around a room filled with dark wood and checkered tablecloths, and as the evening wears on, a roaming band belts out Sinatra while diners wave napkins and get their groove on. It’s the kind of experience you don’t usually see outside a Martin Scorsese movie—but it’s oh-so-very delicious, which is why Carbone’s NYC location has been nearly impossible to get a reservation at since it opened. (If you’ve got a group of 10 or more, though, that is the way to go: their enormous private dining room feels like something out of “Goodfellas.”)

When it was announced that MFG was planning to open a Carbone location in Las Vegas, everyone had a similar question: would it feel as authentic as the original? After all, in Vegas, things can go a little overboard with the kitsch, to the point where the food becomes more of a side-show than the main event. But the Ken Fulk-designed Carbone Las Vegas, which debuted in 2015, answered that question before guests even had a chance to check the menu. You walk from the ARIA casino floor straight into the ‘50s, with a low-lit entryway of red-and-black checkered floors and glossy dark wood that opens to a massive replica of the original. This is a place to celebrate.

Best Friend

Address: Park MGM, 3770 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Chef Roy Choi—the mind behind Kogi BBQ in Los Angeles, founding father of the modern food truck scene, and creator of the Netflix food docu-series “Broken Bread”—is known for taking street food flavors and incorporating them into gourmet dishes that blend Korean and American influences. When he was approached to design his first brick-and-mortar restaurant for Park MGM in 2018, you knew he was going to bring something a little different to the Vegas dining scene.

Best Friend, the casino-resort’s first foray into a more hip, chef-driven restaurant scene, is less red sauce, more ‘80s Los Angeles street fare with an update, which is reflected in everything from the food to the decor to the music. You descend from the Park MGM casino floor into a glowing neon-lit Chinatown alley that opens up into a dining room of vintage boomboxes blasting hip hop, graffiti murals, and a faux liquor store facade that leads to a secret karaoke room. Chef Choi’s inventive menu blends the flavors and styles of Korean barbecue (think kalbi short ribs and bulgogi beef) with Mexican flavors (al pastor tacos, chorizo fried rice) and American comfort food classics (mac and cheese, fried chicken sandwiches). It’s a party on a plate, and a wonderful ode to the street culture of Choi’s LA beginnings.

Mastro’s Ocean Club

Address: 3720 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

If you’re in the mood for seafood and spectacular views, book a table at Mastro’s Ocean Club at The Shops at Crystals. (Don’t worry about dressing up, though—the dress code here is “upscale casual,” so all that’s required are nice jeans and a button-down.)

This national seafood and steakhouse chain (with 15 locations across the country) boasts an impressive menu of fresh fish, lobster, and Alaskan King Crab, and a selection of premium steaks. For those who want a true splurge, go for the Wagyu Tomahawk Chop. You can even choose the way you’d like your steak prepared. (The bone-in ribeye, prepared traditionally with Mastro’s signature butter, is a local favorite.)

Nobu Restaurant

Address: Caesars Palace, 3570 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

No trip to Caesars Palace is complete without a visit to Nobu. The eponymous restaurant from chef Nobu Matsuhisa is a haven for seafood lovers in the heart of Vegas. Expect sleek, minimalist decor and impeccably plated sashimi.

The Black Cod Misoyaki and Yellowtail Jalapeño are classics for a reason, but don’t shy away from seasonal special offerings like fresh oysters or soft-shell crab. And for your group of sake-lovers, there’s an extensive selection of premium varieties available by the bottle or glass.

Lago by Julian Serrano

Address: Bellagio, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

While fine dining in Vegas is great and all—sometimes all you want is a pizza, a plate of pasta, and some cocktails by the Bellagio Fountain.

Lago is a two-Michelin-star classic that remains mostly un-fooled-around-with. It is one of two restaurants in the Bellagio by the chef. (The other is the Picasso Restaurant, a fancier take on Spanish and French cuisines.)

Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant & Lounge

Address: Bellagio, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Another great seafood and sushi restaurant in the Bellagio is Yellowtail Japanese Restaurant and Lounge. If you’re looking for a Vegas spot with high energy and a lively atmosphere, this is the place to be.

The lively, high-energy room, which feels like a New York City power-lunch spot that someone turned the volume up on, has a bar that runs nearly its entire length, with high-tops and banquette tables; a show kitchen; and a small patio. Yellowtail is always abuzz and may be as close as you’ll get to a rock concert atmosphere while you enjoy delicious cuisine.

Mayfair Supper Club

Address: Bellagio, 3600 S Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Vegas is all about spectacle, and nowhere does it better than this supper club that serves as a time capsule of the golden years of Las Vegas. Inside the supper club, it is all elegant red velvet and dark woods with tableside Champagne service and live jazz that transitions from big band to burlesque as the evening gets later. The high-end, sophisticated atmosphere is a welcome break from the often-crass party scene on the Strip. It’s a pricey affair, but the food here, an homage to supper clubs, is worth it.

Sparrow + Wolf

Address: 4480 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

Vegas may be known for its casino buffets, but the Strip isn’t always the best place to enjoy the city’s culinary scene. When you’re looking for a real treat in Vegas, head to Sparrow + Wolf. It’s located in Chinatown and features a delicious selection of modern American classics. The chefs here draw inspiration from the American South, New Orleans, and Japan. This Chinatown favorite is one of the most challenging restaurants in the city to book a table at. If you can’t grab a table, the bar is walk-in only.

é by José Andrés

Address: The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, 3708 Las Vegas Blvd S Level 2, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Although José Andrés’ Jaleo is known for its boisterous vibe and casual tapas, the chef’s é by José Andrés at The Cosmopolitan is a far cry from the restaurant’s Spanish energy. Hidden behind an unmarked door on the second floor of the casino, é by José Andrés features an intimate and elegant experience. Only 8 guests per night are able to dine at the chef’s counter and be brought on an immersive, avant-garde culinary journey. The food here is playful, delicious, and unpredictable—making it a perfect example of the innovation happening throughout Vegas dining.

Book Your Tour with Partybus.com!

Whether you’re looking to visit a Vegas classic or a new restaurant in Chinatown, booking your group transportation in advance will help your foodie group get the most out of the city’s culinary scene. Skip the struggle of hailing a rideshare and getting everyone together and choose a private bus rental from Partybus.com to transport you from the airport, your hotel, and to every restaurant on your list.

If your trip details, like group size, destinations, and desired amenities, are ready, call us today at 877-563-2133 for a personalized rental quote.