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Want to eat your way through Las Vegas? No matter how many times you've been to Sin City, there's a deliciously hidden side to Las Vegas, which the locals keep very secret. I tapped into some of the most plugged-in people in town — women who have worked here and gotten to know the city inside out — and convinced them to share their secret foodie finds with Women@Forbes.
Eat your heart out in Las Vegas. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
From restaurants that only locals know about to bars where chefs go after they get off duty, this is the Las Vegas list you need to have. Trust me, you will eat and drink very well on your next visit. Just be sure to keep it a secret. For more great Vegas addresses, check out "Secret Las Vegas: 35 Insider Tips From The Locals."
A quartet of Pink Box donuts glazed with sprinkles. (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)
What: Donuts Worth Traveling For
Recommended By: Elizabeth Blau, founder and CEO of restaurant development company Blau + Associates, restaurateur and co-owner of Honey Salt, Andiron Steak & Sea and Buddy V’s
Where: Las Vegas has great donuts, but you just have to look a little for them. PinkBox has been the standard for the past five years and with two locations on the West Side of town, it is always a great Sunday morning destination. Donut Bar, a recent San Diego transplant to downtown has all sorts of creative concoctions and killer iced coffee — a perfect destination for a morning sugar rush after a night on the Strip. Donut Mania is another spot for wild and crazy flavors. But if you want classics, Donut Hut is your go-to: It has been running for almost 30 years.
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A warm reception at Honey Salt. (Photo courtesy of Honey Salt/Facebook)
What: Top Local Neighborhood for Dining
Recommended By: Shannon McBeath, co-founder of The Ride, premium indoor cycling studio
Where: For almost 20 years, I have lived in the wonderful community of Summerlin, which was once touted as the fastest-growing community in the country. It is located in the far reaches of the Las Vegas Valley, 20 minutes west of the Strip, at the base of the Spring Mountains, home of the picturesque Red Rock scenic loop. Summerlin boasts some of the best restaurants in the city. Salute, which serves fine Italian cuisine, is located at the Red Rock Resort. On a nice evening, the patio is a must. Be sure to order the meatballs and arincini for antipasti, tableside signature pasta and the BEST chicken parmesan (large enough to split). A perfect cheat meal. Honey Salt is owned by restauranteurs Elizabeth Blau and chef Kim Canteenwalla, and this farm-to-table inspired restaurant is a favorite lunch spot for locals. I always start with the Green Goodness juice followed by the healthy Grain Power with free-range chicken…delicious! If dessert is your thing, then reward yourself with the Brookie, one of the most decadent desserts ever. Vintner Grill was recently voted “best restaurant for a celebration.” Owned by local brothers Sean and Michael Corrigan, this local hotspot is a lively American bistro with a casual elegant and modern decor. It has a great weekend vibe and an excellent wine selection. It's a neighborhood treasure where everyone knows each other.
What: Where Chefs Go On A Night Off
Recommended By: Elizabeth Blau, founder and CEO of restaurant development company Blau + Associates, restaurateur and co-owner of Honey Salt, Andiron Steak & Sea and Buddy V’s; and Andrea Bennett, editor-in-chief, Vegas and Wynn magazines; #thevegasedit
Where: Elizabeth Blau: Other Mama is a favorite of mine for premium raw seafood and great cocktails. It's the off-the-Strip neighborhood spot all the chefs in town love. Chef Dan Krohmer offers amazing oysters, sashimi, crudo, ceviche and a creative menu of other craveable dishes.
Andrea Bennett: Chef Dan Krohmer is the new national plaything among national media outlets who are just discovering him, but there’s a reason: His Other Mama is a huge culinary gift to the city. I take my oyster-obsessed 7-year-old daughter there for his rotating selection and I never, ever miss his incredible crudos and the togarashi waffle fries.
The perfect pour...over chicken and waffles at Andiron Steak & Sea. (Photo courtesy of Andiron Steak... [+]
What: Best Brunch
Recommended By: Amy Rossetti , vice president, public relations , The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas; and Shannon McBeath, co-founder of The Ride, premium indoor cycling studio
Where: Amy Rossetti: I love a good Sunday brunch, and Andiron Steak & Sea in downtown Summerlin speaks to all audiences: a tiered pricing list of bottomless bubbles, a build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, a menu that offers donuts to start, amazing avocado toast and a DJ that elevates the chic atmosphere with a variety of hits. What’s great about this spot is that it is an experience you would find on the Strip, but it invites both visitors and locals alike to its stand-alone off-Strip location, which is truly unique.
Shannon McBeath: Andiron Steak & Sea is where classic meets contemporary. My favorite for Sunday brunch. Their chilaquiles and donut plate will cure any hangover (and of course Bloody Mary’s and bottomless mimosas help as well!).
Dining room of Guy Savoy. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
What: A Secret Way To Experience One Of The World's Top Restaurants
Recommended By: Andrea Bennett, editor-in-chief, Vegas and Wynn magazines; #thevegasedit
Where: Just when I thought I couldn’t love Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace more, Savoy recently installed The Caviar Room inside its lounge, so you can experience the famous restaurant without a multi-course commitment. Look for the iconic Colors of Caviar dish, as well as oysters and Siberian Baerii caviar by the ounce, Belevedere martinis and Krug. You can go during restaurant hours: 5:30-9:30 p.m.
What: One Of The Top Thai Restaurants in the U.S.
Recommended By: Amy Rossetti , vice president, public relations , The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Where: I love trying out restaurants of various cuisines, but one establishment in particular has had me coming back since opening day. Deemed one of the best Thai restaurants in the United States, Lotus of Siam is truly a Las Vegas treasure, found in an unlikely location: a nondescript strip mall. This place is special to me, as I’ve spent birthdays here with my closest friends while enjoying some of my favorite dishes, including the must-try nam kao tod, crispy duck Panang and seasonal soft shell crab drunken noodle. The wait can be a bit long, considering the restaurant is home to a James Beard Foundation award-winning chef, so I recommend relaxing at the bar while tasting a couple of the fabulous appetizers.
The dining room at Ferraro's. (Photo courtesy of Ferraro's LV/Facebook)
What: Authentic Italian
Recommended By: Jennifer Lynn, senior director of spa and wellness, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Where: One of my all-time favorite off-the Strip local restaurants is Ferraro’s, located just blocks off Las Vegas Boulevard. Ferraro’s has spent the last 30 years perfecting Italian pastas and osso bucco. There's live entertainment to set the tone when you walk into the spacious bar area (check out their happy hour specials). Or have a romantic, intimate dinner in the main dining rooms.
Chada Thai's steamed salmon with lime sauce. (Photo courtesy of Chada Thai/Facebook)
What: Amazing Asian Fusion
Recommended By: Jessica Galindo, fine artist, leatherwear designer and owner of Summerlin's Leather Couture
Where: Chada Thai is where the cool kids go and an awesome little Asian fusion spot close to Chinatown. It has a great wine list (yay) and accommodates gluten-free easily (yay), the menu is diverse, the cuisine is interesting and delicious and the service is consistently great. It's a petite environment: Book reservations for no fuss. Another tip: Go with friends. You'll want to try many things on their menu.
What: A Low-Key Local Spot
Recommended By: Andrea Bennett, editor-in-chief, Vegas and Wynn magazines; #thevegasedit
Where: Las Vegas is such a fabulous dining town and I go to a lot of Strip hot spots for work. When I’m on my own for dinner, I like a lower-key experience. One of my favorites is Le Pho, located downtown. Chef Khai Vu’s pho just epitomizes winter comfort food. I always order the DIY spring roll platter: You get to dip your own rice paper wrappers, then fill them with all the impeccably fresh ingredients and wrap them up. It makes for a fun date, and although my spring rolls are always ugly, they’re always delicious.
Lakeside restaurant at The Wynn. (Photo courtesy of The Wynn/Facebook)
What: The Address To Know On The Strip
Recommended By: Andrea Bennett, editor-in-chief, Vegas and Wynn magazines; #thevegasedit
Where: When I do dine on the Strip, I love Lakeside, since its simply prepared fish caught by family fishermen in Hana is often fresher than fish you’d get at restaurants in Maui. I have a soft spot for this transporting restaurant, since I went fishing with chef David Walzog in Hana for a story and experienced the magic and the labor of love that goes into this restaurant.
What: A Secret Restaurant Within a Restaurant
Recommended By: Judy Stone, marketing and event consultant specializing in luxury clients (follow her on Instagram)
Where: My favorite secret dining spot is é by José Andrés, which is hidden within Jaleo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. And it doesn’t matter who you are: You have to make a reservation three months out, and then you get a "golden ticket" as your confirmation — if you are lucky to get in. The room only seats about 10 people and includes a multitude of chefs preparing the meal. And what a meal! It's the ultimate culinary masterpiece and will leave you in awe. The menu changes seasonally and can feature anything from a truffle tree to cotton candy foie gras lollipops, paired with some of the finest wines you’ll ever taste. The presentation is equally as exquisite.
Three Dog Bakery — but be careful, it's for the dogs! (Photo courtesy of Three Dog Bakery/Facebook)
What: Treats For Your Four Legged Friends
Recommended By: Denise Valdez, 8 News Now anchor (follow her on Twitter and Facebook)
What: If your dog is ready for its T-R-E-A-T, head over to Three Dog Bakery for home-cooked biscuits. Ready for a break of your own? You and your dog are both welcome at the two Lazy Dog locations, where you can grab a snack on the patio and your buddy can get their own bowl of chicken and rice.
Retro cocktails at Herbs and Rye. (Photo courtesy of Herbs and Rye)
What: Where The Locals Drink
Recommended By: Denise Valdez, 8 News Now anchor (follow her on Twitter and Facebook)
What: A short Uber ride from the Strip is a dimly lit cocktail lounge and restaurant called Herbs and Rye. It's got a speakeasy vibe that owner Nectaly Mendoza and his staff have honed over several years. Belly up to the bar, and you're guaranteed an historically accurate classic cocktail. The beverage program is the one of the best in town and drinks are worth full price — but why pay them when there are two happy hours? It's a local hangout and go-to favorite for hospitality workers.
What: Great Japanese Food
Recommended By: Dorit Schwartz, a Vegas-based artist whose work is carried at The Wynn and is currently on exhibit at Delano Las Vegas
Where: The entire dining experience at Sen of Japan is great: superb service, high-quality fresh fish, definitely second to none. Along with the food, they have an extensive sake menu, with organic offerings. You won’t regret dining here.
The swanky interior of Commonwealth. (Photo courtesy of Commonwealth/Facebook)
What: The Coolest Cocktail Bar
Recommended By: Jennifer Lynn, senior director of spa and wellness, Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas
Where: Commonwealth brings a stylish new social scene to burgeoning downtown Vegas. The swanky 6,000-square-foot cocktail bar is a collision of art and architectural influences inspired by pre-Prohibition era design and libations. It's a speakeasy: You need a contact or a password to gain entry. Commonwealth is more than a bar — it’s a meeting place for the good of the people who are ready to experience a new kind of Vegas.
What: The Best Sushi
Recommended By: Elizabeth Blau, founder and CEO of restaurant development company Blau + Associates, restaurateur and co-owner of Honey Salt, Andiron Steak & Sea and Buddy V’s
Where: Yui Edomae on Spring Mountain is about as hidden as you can get without a password, but this tiny jewel box of a sushi restaurant serves up some of the best fish in the country. Sushi master Gen San sources directly from Japan and only brings in what he knows he can sell. Local tip: Go early, before 6:30 p.m., when the most items are available and you can enjoy the undivided attention of chef Gen and his extremely capable team.
Cocktail at the Dorsey. (Photo courtesy of The Venetian/Facebook)
What: A Lounge for Grown-Ups
Recommended By: Andrea Bennett, editor-in-chief, Vegas and Wynn magazines; #thevegasedit
Where: I’m so grateful for the new trend in grown-up lounge areas for those of us who can’t spend every night in the club and have graduated from yard-long margaritas. The Dorsey is my favorite of the new lounges, with cocktails created by Sam Ross (Attaboy, Milk & Honey) and a gorgeous French oak interior with a thoroughly grown-up library in the back. Instagram shot to get: You, sticking your hands right into the very realistic-looking steam “flames” in the fireplace.
What: Finest Dining Downtown
Recommended By: Cindy O’Keefe, senior vice president/assistant general manager, Golden Nugget Las Vegas
Where: As someone who works downtown and is a downtown enthusiast, there is so much I love about the area. First, it's easy to access: Parking is convenient and valet is free. Most people don’t realize you can peruse the area's history while driving downtown on Fremont Street: From Charleston Boulevard to Las Vegas Boulevard, you’ll see historic hotel signs mixed in with artwork from the Downtown Project. It makes me smile driving into work every day. Then, there's a solid restaurant scene. La Comida offers outstanding Mexican dishes and perfect margaritas. Another favorite is the Donut Bar Las Vegas (also see "Donuts Worth Traveling For" above). Oftentimes, I will stop by the Donut Bar on my way in to work and bring treats for the staff. And Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse inside my hotel, the Golden Nugget, also hosts monthly wine dinners with wine and food pairings, often led by the winemakers themselves, like Heidi Barrett of Screaming Eagle.
Photo editor: Carolyn Ernst
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