The Strip may have the celebrity chefs, but Downtown Las Vegas has no shortage of exceptional places to stuff your face and unbutton that top button on your pants. As the area has grown, thanks in large part to the support of Zappos and their essential takeover of town, the culinary options have blossomed.
There’s the tried-and-true dining inside Downtown’s casinos — and we will touch on that — but, for anybody willing to explore, there are plenty of other gems in the happening downtown area that will leave you ready for a food coma … or at least a nice digestivo to finish you off before you hit all of the happening Downtown bars. After all, you’re Downtown. Make the most of your time in this oft missed part of Sin City.
1. Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse
Housed inside the “new” D hotel, Joe Vicari’s Andiamo Italian Steakhouse opened to rave reviews for good reason. Vicari, a restaurateur with a string of award-winning restaurants in the Detroit area, has brought his brand west. It’s a classy steakhouse joint, complete with white tablecloths. But, it’s the food that has people talking. Maybe it’s the homemade bread? Or the housemade pasta? Or the 30-day aged prime cuts? Or, maybe it is tableside salad prep? We think it’s everything.
301 Fremont St, Las Vegas,(702) 388-2220 thed.com
2. eat
While it hasn’t been around for a long time, eat. has garnered quite the reputation for its killer breakfasts and it’s easy to see why. Breakfast dishes are gorgeous. Think fluffy pancakes and sugar-covered beignets, flavorful hashes and ahhh-mazing sandwiches like the truffled egg. Are you drooling yet? While in perfect world, eat. would be open 24-7 to cater to all of our breakfast cravings like the uber-popular shrimp and grits, we’ll take the daylight operating hours and hope in the future this breakfast hot spot stays open past 3 p.m.
707 Carson (at 7th) Las Vegas, (702) 534-1515 eatdtlv.com
Pizza Rock
This massive pizza enclave offers gourmet pizzas and plenty of artisan cocktail yumminess for your Vegas vacation. So, what is it about this pizza that makes it different from other pizza shops? For starters, some of the pies here have won awards. Yes, there are awards for pizza. The Sicilian-style Burratina Di Margherita earned the Gold Cup Pizza Championships in Leece, Italy; the Napoletana-style Margherita won the World Pizza Cup in Naples; and the Cal Italia won the Gold Medal in the Food Network Pizza Champions Challenge. Hell, even the man behind the oven, Tony Gemignani, rocks. He’s an 11-time World Pizza Champion. They’re cooking all sorts of pies here from Neapolitan to Classic Italian to Sicilian, Roman and even gluten-free. And, Pizza Rock doesn’t just serve up pizza — they’ve got calzones, pastas and killer burgers. Sold yet? Order up some EVOO fried green beans to kick off your night and you will be.
201 N 3rd St, Las Vegas, (702) 385-0838 pizzarocklasvegas.com
4. Hugo’s Cellar
Housed in the Four Queens, Hugo’s Cellar is dark and cozy and … wait for it … classy in a pretty unclassy casino. Every lady that walks in gets handed a long stemmed rose before embarking on their dining experience. It may be a little outdated and a little dark, but the restaurant has consistently ranked as one of the best gourmet shops in town. It’s the little touches — like tableside salad service — and the raveable food that makes this one of the best steakhouses in Downtown, and possibly the entire city. You’ll feel super classy, thanks to the servers donning tuxes, but you can show up as you are .. after all, this is Vegas and anything goes.
202 Fremont St, Las Vegas, (702) 385-4011 hugoscellar.com
5. MTO Cafe
One of Downtown dining’s newest darlings, MTO Cafe has emerged as a spot to be seen while indulging in the restaurant’s fresh offerings. Open for breakfast and lunch, MTO’s comfort food appeals to all eaters — from vegan to whatever-the-hell-tastes-good. Not sure what to try? How about some coconut carrot vegan pancakes? Or, a Fat Elvis (french toast with banana, bacon, peanut butters, strawberries and nutella)? For lunch, try the Thanksgiving Burger. We’re not kidding — the food here is divine. 500 S Main St, (702) 380-8229 mtocafe.com
6. Therapy
Photo Courtesy of Therapy
The Downtown restaurant scene on Fremont Street got some major cred when Therapy opened in 2015. The large, rustic spot pulls in locals and tourists alike with its twist on American comfort food. Think pretzel bread to start, followed by chicken meatballs or a french dip and finished off with some s’mores. Yeah. With separate lunch and dinner menus, be sure to swing by to sample both. You won’t be disappointed. Especially with the Super Mac (which is basically Macaroni and Cheese on delicious crack). Out partying at the bars on Fremont but need some late night munchies? Hello, Therapy. Operating a “After Hours Club” menu every Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m., it offers burgers, flatbread and even chicken and waffles. It’s also got a housemade sangrias, signature cocktails and more.
518 E. Fremont St., Las Vegas, (702) 912-1622. therapylv.com
7. Vegenation
When meat-eaters come here and rave about it, you know you’ve struck gold at this plant-based vegan restaurant. Vegenation quickly garnered a massive crowd of both herbivores and carnivores because of its exceptional vegan menu where diners literally cannot tell the difference between meat and vegetables. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this spot taps into the local community to get some of its ingredients, and encourages people getting to know each other, thanks to its community table. Trust us when we say you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu (you can’t), and also trust us when we tell you as a first-timer you must order the following: the Bao Wow (Asian BBQ tofu, spinach and mushroom in a glorious bao bun), the Downton Tony (portobello sliders), followed by the Brownie Sundae. You’re welcome. Check out the restaurant’s pop-up menu selections and special events like the Monday night DJ and cider.
616 E. Carson, Las Vegas, (702)366-8515. vegenationlv.com
8. Triple George Grill
Photo Courtesy of Triple George Grill
Open for lunch and dinner, Triple George Grill located in the Downtown Third district (affectionately known as DT3) is one classy spot. With its hardwood and brass accents, it’s easy to forget the honky tonk of the Fremont Street Experience is nearby and be whisked away into the old school Vegas world where Sinatra was king and scotch flowed like water. While the power players of the Downtown area come here for steaks and martinis (so Vegas, right?), the destination offers up plenty of delicious San Francisco-style steaks and seafood dishes (think Filet Mignon and Rib Eyes, plus Shrimp Scampi, Salmon and much more). While it’s largely a steak and seafood joint, vegetarians — don’t despair. They’ve got options for you, too.
201 N. Third Street, Las Vegas, (702) 384-2761, triplegeorgegrill.com
9. Le Thai
The Thai darling in Downtown, Le Thai quickly gained a following thanks to faithful locals flocking to its tiny interior and larger outdoor patio. Today, the restaurant seems to be taking full advantage of every square foot of space and has even opened up a front patio. But, forget about seating and lets talk about the food.
Here, numbers are the name of the game and you can choose your dish and then choose how much you want to burn your taste buds — on a scale of 1 to 5. Thai spicy is a 5, and trust us, it is spicy but oh sooooo good in that burn your face off kind of yummy way.
Start with the pork jerky appetizer served with waterfall sauce (trust us!), then move on to the three curry main course and finish off with the roti filled with nutella and eggs. Wash it all down with your choice of Thai beer. Personally, its Singha all the way for us.
523 Fremont St, (702) 778-0888 lethaivegas.com
10. Chow
Considered to be one of the hottest restaurants in Vegas right now, thanks to its Southern-soul-food-meets-Chinese-cuisine dishes, we couldn’t leave Chow off our list. Helmed by Chef Natalie Young, whose other restaurant, eat., is up there on our list, Chow offers a creative menu with items you never knew you wanted, but now suddenly must have. Start with the Southern-style chicken and rice soup, then move on to the Chi-talian noodles, and end it all with the Fuji apple fritter topped with plum wine caramel sauce. Tap into your youth and add on a Kool Aid to your order, available in orange, cherry or grape. Take note: Chow is closed Sundays and Mondays.
1020 Fremont Street, Las Vegas, (702) 998-0574 chowdtlv.com
Bonus Picks:
10. Glutton
Like Therapy, Glutton has become known for its comfort food options. Serving up locally sourced produce, it delivers a well-rounded menu of meats, pastas and seafood, along with some barrel-aged cocktails, wines and more. With remnants of the location’s past which dates back to 1955 (whopping for Vegas, trust us) get cozy here and hunker down for some Cavatelli and Short Rib. Glutton offers brunch (ohmygod, caramel apple fritters) every Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., as well as lunch and dinner except Mondays when, we’re sorry to tell you, you’re going to have to eat at a different location from this list. Rest assured though, no matter which meal you choose — it’s the right decision to stuff your face with all the goodness.
616 E. Carson Ave., Las Vegas, (702) 366-0623 gluttonlv.com
La Comida
Brought to you by the same people who own La Cave inside Wynn — Michael and Jenna Morton — this Mexican spot is perfect for an intimate dinner or a group affair. For starters, the chips and salsa are spectacular. And, the drinks? La Comida serves up some fun and creative (hello, Prickly Pear) margarita concoctions filled to the top in mason jars that are sure to leave guests passing them around so everyone can try them. But, it isn’t just the chips and salsa or booz-y margaritas that leave us wanting more. It’s the entire menu. The menu isn’t overwhelming or intimidating — it’s awesome with a nice selection of tacos and ceviches to get your Mexican on. And, for those veggie/vegans, there is an entire (yes, entire) menu created especially for your groovy tastebuds. Lest we forget the ambiance here — it’s Mexican Day of the Dead meets old building meets gorgeously decorated.
100 6th St., Las Vegas (702) 463-9900 lacomidalv.com
Triple 7 Restaurant & Microbrewery
This restaurant could be one of the main reasons people stop into Main Street Station, where Triple 7 is located. The six hand-crafted beers won our hearts, and the varied menu which includes sushi (which there aren’t many options for Downtown), is stellar. Choose from your typical bar eats to burgers to pizza and even deep fried cheesecake for dessert.
200 N Main St, (702) 387-1896 mainstreetcasino.com
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For more great options check out our Best Breakfast Spots in Downtown Las Vegas article. Do you have a favorite dining spot in downtown Las Vegas? Let us know by leaving a comment below.