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City Cast Las Vegas

The latest on the hottest places to eat, drink, socialize, and talk about in Las Vegas.

Rob Kachelriess

, but some chefs and restaurateurs go above and beyond in Las Vegas, establishing culinary empires that deliver a variety of food in multiple locations — without skimping on quality.

 to the neighborhood dining scene. The chef’s farm-fresh Italian cuisine (and that bread!) at 

 helped establish the Arts District as a must-visit dining destination. He then set his sights on Tivoli Village with 

 (a larger dining room with Italian-American classics done right) and 

, which started out as a pizza and ice cream shop before transforming into a wine bar with food that punches well above its weight class. Back in the Arts District, Trees moved Esther’s into a larger location and brought in Ada’s to take over the old space. Down the street, the chef and his team run French bistro 

. Trees finally made it (almost) to the Strip with 

, a steakhouse on the top floor of the Rio hotel tower.

🥩 We’re keeping celebrity chefs at bay on this list, but making an exception for José Andrés, who’s been especially active in Vegas. 

 at the Cosmopolitan presents a loyal take on Spanish cuisine, featuring a wood-fired paella grill that’s a show all by itself. 

 is an exclusive, restaurant-within-a-restaurant that celebrates the chef’s love of gastronomy with just two intimate seatings a night. The Cosmopolitan is also home to 

, which serves both Asian and Mexican dishes (while resisting the urge to “fuse” them together). Andrés’ grandest restaurant, the 

 after moving from the Sahara to the Palazzo, while 

 shifts the focus to seafood inside the Shops at Crystals. The sleeper pick? 

, which combines Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and African flavors at the Forum Shops. A special $100 anniversary tasting menu (available through June 1) throws a little of everything your way with no choices to worry about — and worth it for the chilled yogurt soup and smoked lamb shoulder kleftiko alone.

🍸 Chef Oscar Amador turned a small Spanish tapas restaurant, EDO, into one of the most acclaimed restaurants in Chinatown before expanding the concept to the Gramercy with 

, which brought an Italian influence into the mix. Amador closed the original, renaming it 

personal, experimental take on Latin flavors

, which combines familiar elements (gin and tonic, anyone?) with French inspiration east of the Strip. The kitchen is in great hands under the direction of corporate executive chef Tayden Poha-Ellamar (a veteran of L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon) and executive chef Roberto Higuera. If that’s not enough, a new gastropub is on deck to open this year at the Gramercy in the old DW Bistro space.

 has only grown and gotten better under the ownership of Ivy Ma and husband Nick Lin. The Chinatown original was knocked out of action a few years ago due to a fire, prompting a 

 in Shanghai Plaza and later, the brand’s 

 at Palace Station. All three serve a spirited take on regional Chinese cuisine, from dumplings to crispy beef, under the guidance of longtime executive chef Bing Chou. The smaller 

 is geared towards takeout orders in Summerlin and Spring Valley, while 

 is more casual, serving beef rolls, soups, and other bites near Charleston Heights.

Some of our city's best chefs and restaurateurs prove it's possible to have quantity without sacrificing quality. 

Culinary Empires That Help Make the Vegas Dining Scene Great

The latest on the best and newest restaurants and bars in Las Vegas. We'll help you find where to eat, drink, and socialize.

Las Vegas Food & Drink

Food & Drink

. Not so much the sandwiches, but the flavor profile repackaged in unexpected ways. I even wrote a story about PB&J Old Fashioneds years ago for a defunct publication named Supercall (although the accompanying 

 was reprinted elsewhere). But my favorite place for peanut butter and jelly is on a good burger. Sounds weird, but it totally works — and the following restaurants agree.

, a locals-oriented sports bar by Station Casinos, has locations in North Las Vegas, Henderson, and the West Valley — and all serve the PB&J Smash Burger. The recipe has a spicy kick, thanks to a house-made raspberry-jalapeno jam. A pair of short rib-and-chuck patties get smashed on the grill for a nice crust while both halves of the bun are smeared with peanut butter and griddled until golden brown. The kitchen adds it all together with pickles and American cheese for one indulgent, delicious bite.

Whether in Silverado Ranch or the Northwest Valley, 

 has the P.B. & Jealousy, a favorite on the menu since day one. It layers a flame-grilled angus beef patty, thick-cut bacon, melted peanut butter, and strawberry jelly on a honey wheat bun. (Feel free to substitute a 50/50 patty — half beef, half ground bacon — at no extra charge for extra smokiness.)

The Ellis Island Casino is getting in on the act too. 

 just introduced a new menu that includes a PB&J Burger with bacon, cheddar cheese, and peanut butter jam with the crunchy kick of fried jalapenos. Wash it down with one of Ellis Island’s own craft beers. (I recommend the amber ale.)

 is best known for its pet-friendly policies, welcoming doggies to hang out with their owners on large covered patios with locations in 

. Bring your pup and ask for the PB & J Burger, which combines a half-pound burger with peanut butter, grape jelly, candied bacon, and havarti cheese with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles.

Peanut butter and jelly is perfect on a sandwich, but the combo is even better on a burger. Trust us. 

Peanut Butter and Jelly Burgers in Las Vegas

Peanut Butter & Jelly Burgers: Your Stickiest Guilty Pleasure

Cinco de Mayo just seems to get bigger every year in Las Vegas. Yet the celebration is about more than margaritas — although there’s plenty of that too 🍋‍🟩

 doesn’t celebrate the founding or independence of Mexico as a nation. (That comes later in the year on 

). May 5 marks the anniversary of Mexico’s military victory over France in the 

The Chicano social movement of the 1960s 

 with Cinco de Mayo, raising the profile of the holiday while identifying with Indigenous resistance to foreign oppression or influence. Over the years, Cinco de Mayo became a more generalized celebration of Mexican food, culture, and heritage as it grew in acceptance throughout the United States.

Cinco de Mayo is usually a weekend celebration (especially this year with the holiday falling on a Monday) with festivals, parades, decorations, food, and drink. Las Vegas traditionally hosts a big boxing extravaganza too. This year, unified WBA and WBO cruiserweight champion Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez defends against undefeated two-division world champion David Benavidez on May 2 

 at Bob Price Park | May 1 | Sunrise Manor

Gritos Y Guitarras Cinco de Mayo Celebration

 at West Las Vegas Theatre | May 1 | Historic Westside

 at Fremont Street Experience | May 5 | Downtown

 at Cabo Wabo Cantina | May 2-5 | Planet Hollywood

 at El Segundo Sol | May 1-5 | Fashion Show Las Vegas

cool stuff happening in Las Vegas throughout May

 in today’s episode. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Your Guide to May 2026 in Las Vegas

Learn the history behind Cinco de Mayo and the best ways to celebrate in Las Vegas.

Cinco de Mayo Events in Las Vegas 2026

How to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Las Vegas

It’s not uncommon to find a coffee joint inside a bookstore, mall, or even a casino here in Las Vegas. But we uncovered a few more secret-ish spots, tucked away inside unlikely local businesses.

, a Summerlin hair salon. Whether you have a hair appointment or not, you’ll appreciate the fresh-brewed coffee, featuring Onyx beans with fun creations like a PB&J Latte, made with peanut butter espresso and apricot syrup. A few options are more health conscious with protein powder, monk fruit, or date syrup.

 is a Southwest Valley bicycle sales and service shop with its own coffee counter. Java nerds will love the pour-over option. Just pick your own beans (locally roasted by Vesta) and give it a few minutes. The pastries, made exclusively by MG Patisserie, are excellent. So try a croissant or brownie. 

, which rents exotic cars and three-wheeled slingshots off the Strip. Guests are welcome to sip away on lattes and espressos while checking out high-performance vehicles on display. The menu is also big on matcha and “Red Bull infusions” 😳 Come by on Sundays when the party picks up with vendors, a DJ, and sports viewing parties.

 is a coffee shop inside a thrift store near Flamingo and Buffalo. Browse discount clothes, home goods, vinyl while saving a few bucks on coffee, which, like everything else in the space, is priced on the affordable side. (The Cuban Coffee is less than three bucks.) Those on the run can place an online order for pickup.

 inside Neiman Marcus at Fashion Show mall. Sure, you can enjoy an espresso or cappuccino, but the champagne list actually dwarfs the coffee menu. Cocktails and lunch bites are available too. No matter what you order, the best seats are on the patio overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard.

 is a mobile coffee bar that now has a location inside the 

 on the corner of Decatur and Oakey. Just look for space D-61 to enjoy a pan dulce and horchata latte while shopping for anything and everything from hundreds of merchants.

 The West Valley food scene is picking up in a big way. 

caught up with two of our favorite foodies, Al Mancini and Gemini Stevens of the Food & Loathing podcast, for a revealing look at why 

North Summerlin is booming with new restaurants

Can the Summerlin North Dining Scene Compete with the Strip?

We uncovered a few secret-ish coffee spots, tucked away inside unlikely local businesses.

Secret Coffee Houses Hidden Inside Las Vegas Businesses

Hey wrestlenerds. I used to be one of you — back when WrestleMania was about stuff like “Rowdy” Roddy Piper choking out “Adorable” Adrian Adonis in a sleeper hold. Teenage me would’ve loved what you get today: two nights of WrestleMania surrounded by days of official and not-so-official events. I'll let someone else 

 while I focus on what appears to be a new trend this year: booze-soaked drinking activities for wrestling fans.

🍸 One of my favorite cocktail lounges on the Strip, the 

 at 4 p.m. inside The Vault backroom speakeasy, April 16-19. You’ll learn how to make two specialty drinks (The Dirty Dom and Charlotte’s Flair) and customize a third one of your own. (Mine would just be an Old Fashioned, since that’s how I like my wrestling.) The price is $100.

 with WWE fans in mind (although anyone can appreciate this) April 17-19. No cover charge and no wristband necessary. Just roam between 10 bars and restaurants for $5 drink specials, which could ease the sting of those 

 💸 My advice: Start with a margarita at Cabo Wabo Cantina and take it from there.

 on Fremont Street has a $15 WrestleMania special that includes a slice of any specialty pie and a “Stone Cold Austin beer,” which I think means Steve Austin’s 

, but check with the restaurant for details.

🍷 Meet, mingle, and drink with former WWE faves during a 

 on April 17. The price of admission begins at $113 and includes a beer, wine, or cocktail at five stops inside 

at The Strat hosts a free meet-and-greet on Friday (6-8 p.m.) with Gunther. (For those unfamiliar, he’s the guy who 

). The event is sponsored by Wheatley Vodka and anyone who buys a bottle gets it signed.

 closes out WrestleMania weekend on April 20 with a viewing party for Monday Night Raw with DJ 

 spinning classic WWE entrance music. Cosplay as your favorite wrestler and get a free shot.

 will be packed with wrestling fans this weekend too. 

which local strip clubs serve surprisingly good food

 in between lap dances. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

Is the Food at Vegas Strip Clubs Actually ... Good?

It's a big weekend for pro-wrestling in Las Vegas, and fans can maximize the fun with themed bar crawls and drink specials. 

Bar Crawls and Boozy Events for During WrestleMania Weekend

Drink Your Way Through WrestleMania Weekend

 that are worth your attention, but sometimes an old favorite feels new again with a grand return, new location, or another big change. We 

 last year — and have a few more examples for 2026.

 was a trendy spot before it closed at the Forum Shops in 2012. It’s now back in Vegas at the Grand Canal Shoppes with a sharp, contemporary dining room and returning favorites like the spicy tableside Caesar salad and goat cheese baklava. I like the “omakase” steak dinner. Name your price and the chef curates a custom meal. Just make sure to include the crème brûlée-style corn on the side.

 started out as a pizza and ice cream parlor before evolving into one of the best wine bars in Vegas (with an overachieving food menu) at Tivoli Village. James Trees has now moved Ada’s to the Arts District, taking over the former Esther’s Kitchen space and expanding the chef’s culinary empire in the Arts District. It’s more of a full restaurant now, but the emphasis on wine remains strong.

 hosts regular free wine tastings, which we feature in our weekly events rundown — emailed to 

🥩 After years as the signature steakhouse at the SLS and later the Sahara (in an “old is new” situation for a hotel), 

 has moved to the Palazzo. I prefer the old dining room, but the restaurant is definitely positioned as the chef’s most exclusive, high-end destination, shifting greater focus to bone-in ribeyes, grilled over oak and priced by the pound. Go with the new Josper-smoked leeks as your side dish and customize your cocktail at the martini cart.

 was a pop-up at the Hard Hat Lounge for a while and now has its own full-fledged location in the Soho Lofts building. As always, Detroit-style pizzas are the specialty — rectangular with cheese that spreads out to the edges for a crispy crunch.

, popular with locals at UnCommons, recently expanded to Pahrump (yes, 

, which used to be the Pahrump Valley Winery. We also hear Amari is introducing a great, new chef soon … but we’re not allowed to share the details yet 🤐

 closed in 2023 at the Red Rock Resort, but the casino had a change of heart and brought it back after trying out a Mexican restaurant in the space. The rustic style and wood-fired pizzas have returned, but chef Jason Janson is having fun with comfort food, including a fried chicken bucket (with biscuits and dipping sauces) and fruit-filled handpie desserts.

🍷 After finding success at UnCommons, 

 Resort at Summerlin. The decor is similar, but the windows overlooking the lawn are nice and you can semi-officially bring your wine outdoors. The food menu is different (try the crab louie) and there’s no retail component, but the wine is great and the team is loose with pouring samples before you commit.

 — with a location out on the Strip next to Madame Tussauds. It’s the first with all-day breakfast and a bar. I spied a bottle of Bulleit and asked for a shot on the rocks. I was promptly told the booze is strictly for spiking milkshakes 😕 As usual, the staff tosses lots of extra fries in the bag, even if you order the ”little” size.

Sometimes an old favorite feels new again with a grand return, new location, or another big change.

Old Restaurants That Feel New Again in 2026

 has been a locals favorite in Charleston Heights for more than 20 years. You can’t miss the distinctive arched roof on the corner of Decatur and Alta, but the restaurant just unveiled a few changes.

Renovations include an enhanced outdoor dining patio, a refreshed Benjamin Franklin mural, and a new retro-style sign, while preserving the original at the Neon Museum. POP’S also debuted a food truck for special events and regular Saturday appearances at 

The name represents the “Pride of Philly Steaks” with the City of Brotherly Love well represented on the menu. Just walk up to the counter and order. The restaurant’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Some staff members have been part of the team since day one, including general manager Jose Hernandez.

POP’S was founded by Perry and Barbara Walton; North Carolina transplants who moved to Las Vegas, but loved the food and culture of Philadelphia. It’s been a family-owned business all this time and is now run by daughter Christina.

POP’S cheesesteaks are made with sliced Ribeye, locally baked buns, and vegetables brought in fresh daily. There are lots of options on the menu, but typically you’d choose between American or Provolone cheese (or if you really want to get crazy, authentic Cheese Whiz). Ask for the sandwich “wit” or “wit-out” onions. You can go with chicken instead of steak too.

The most popular cheesesteak is the #32 with provolone, peppers, and mushrooms. POP’S occasionally rotates in seasonal specials like the Holiday Hoagie ( sliced turkey with gravy, mayo, cranberry, and stuffing, layered with sweet potato fries) and a summer Lobster Roll on lettuce and tomato.

Fried sides are the specialty, so load up on mac n’ cheese bites, green beans, mozzarella sticks, and more. The coconut dipping syrup with the sweet potato fries is a nice touch. POP'S even has packaged Tastykake treats, which all Philadelphians crave, but is hard to find outside the Northeast.

 is an iconic spot that helps define the character of Charleston Heights, a neighborhood you might want to 

Visit an iconic, 24-hour cheesesteak restaurant that helped shape the identity of a Vegas neighborhood west of the Strip.

POP'S Philly Cheesesteaks in Las Vegas

How POP’S Got Vegas Hooked on Round-the-Clock Cheesesteaks

Miss the days of renting movies and showing your parents how to work the VCR? Well, the old-school video store is back — with a twist (to garnish your cocktail). 

 is a pop-up speakeasy, running from March 25 to May 17 in Las Vegas.

Back 2 The Video Store takes over part of PKWY Tavern on the corner of Flamingo and Decatur. Admission is $17.80, which includes your first cocktail, a 90-minute window, and open seating. Just like a real video store, you get a membership card. Browse the selection and pick out a “movie,” which represents a cocktail, and bring it to the bartender to place your order.

The cocktails are movie themed, fruity, and reflect the era. (In other words, they wouldn’t look out of place at TGI Fridays.) Highlights include the Titanic with mezcal, vodka, and a rose-shaped ice mold, Happy Gilmore (a boozy take on an Arnold Palmer), and an Indiana Jones punch bowl. The drink prices, between $8 and $16, border on “throwback” status as well. The NBA Jams Fireball-Rumchatta shot includes a toy basketball net presentation. Royale with Cheeseburger Sliders and Mighty Ducks Mini Corn Dogs headline a menu of small bites.

The experience includes a few photo stations, from movie posters and cutouts to a throne worthy of the “Fresh Prince” and a “Clueless” backdrop. You may even get a chance to test your skills with an arcade-style video game, bowling, bingo, or karaoke. A DJ plays throwback hits on weekends.

The pop-up is presented by Bucket Listers, the same event company behind 

, which came to the Park MGM last year and other licensed concepts like the 

, which wraps up its Vegas run at AREA15 this weekend.

with a look at today’s best food 😋 Philip Tzeng (also known as 

, one of the most popular foodie Instagurus in Vegas) joins 

The Ultimate Guide to Ramen in Las Vegas

Back 2 The Video Store serves alcohol-fueled nostalgia without late fees.

Back 2 The Video Store Pop-Up Bar in Las Vegas

Be Kind, Rewind to the Video Store Era with a Pop-Up Speakeasy

 — and that includes meatballs. You can’t get away with slopping ground beef, salt, and breadcrumbs together anymore. So let’s take a look at who gets it right.

Nicole Brisson took inspiration from working with Dario Cecchini (a famous Italian butcher) when putting together her meatballs for 

 at Resorts World. The chef combines two parts veal, two parts house-ground beef, and one part Heritage Farms pork sausage, along with fresh herbs, garlic, shallots, and sheep’s milk ricotta. The key ingredient? Lemon zest to cut the richness of the meat. The tomato sauce includes house-pickled peppers and poached Fresno chili for a pop of heat. The meatballs are so good, they’re offered as an entree, but a smaller portion is available during happy hour.

Giovanni Mauro had Sicily in mind when putting together two meatball recipes for 

. The chef adds currants, pine nuts, and mint to pork and beef Palermo meatballs for a bright pop of flavor, served with tomato sauce and pecorino. The Foglie di Limone Ripiene is more like sausage, made with pork, beef, and lamb — and wrapped in a lemon leaf.

 focuses on quality ingredients when baking meatballs, crafted with a robust combination of filet mignon, pork, and veal — all ground fresh in house — plus grana padano and pecorino cheeses, Italian parsley, and caramelized onions. The recipe uses just 4% breadcrumbs — a sharp contrast to other restaurants that often have up to 30% breadcrumbs to cut down on costs.

, a Vegas staple for more than 30 years, love Pat’s Meatballs, named after a longtime employee. The all-beef recipe is fried in equal parts olive oil and canola oil for a golden brown exterior and fluffy texture to handle the seasonings, breadcrumbs, and parmesan cheese.

 puts an Asian spin on the concept with Lion’s Head meatballs. No, the meat isn’t from a lion 🦁 (The name refers to the lopsided shape of the meatball.) The kitchen braises pork with soy sauce, served with vegetables to balance the richness of the fat in the meat.

to tell you about — the beef, veal, and Italian sausage meatball at 

inside the Aria. Here’s the catch: It’s a secret off-menu item 🤫 But why stop there? 

 — even as social media threatens to spoil the surprise. [City Cast Las Vegas 🎧]

You can’t get away with slopping ground beef, salt, and breadcrumbs together anymore.

The Best Meatballs in Las Vegas

Meatballs: The Most Important Meal of the Day

I have a soft spot for what I call the “airport Old Fashioned” — made with regular ice, maraschino cherries, an orange slice, and a squirt of soda water. If I’m lucky, I can upgrade the whiskey to something that wasn’t pulled off the bottom shelf of a grocery store. I consider it a bonus if the bartender pours in a touch of artificially colored “juice” from the plastic cherry container.

It does the job between flights — but I’d rather reserve low expectations for the pace of TSA security checks.

So with an eye for something better, I checked out 

, a first-of-its-kind passenger lounge by American Express, modeled after a vintage speakeasy at Harry Reid International Airport 🍸

From the green tile and bright marble to heavy drapes and brass accents, Sidecar has the aesthetics down. In the true spirit of a speakeasy, it’s exclusive — and you need the "password" of an American Express card (platinum or above) to enter. The food and drinks are free, so if you’re a frequent traveler, the annual fee could be worth it. (I might make up the cost in cocktails alone over a few business trips.)

The Continental (rye and cognac with cinnamon bitters) easily trumps my “airport Old Fashioned” — stirred in an old-school mixing glass and garnished with a fresh-sliced orange peel. The wines, curated by sommelier Helen Johannesen, favor small-production vineyards and Old World regions. How often do you find a bordeaux blanc or chilled lambrusco at the airport?

The food is the biggest surprise, featuring global flavors and recipes designed by a quartet of James Beard award-winning chefs.

 opens at the Sahara later this year, but you can get a taste of his Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a crushed cucumber salad, topped with rice pearls and chili honey infused with sumac and fermented scotch bonnet chilies.

Sarah Grueneberg of Chicago’s Monteverde put together a chicken parm “slider,” wonderfully overstuffed with a full breast, crispy pepperoni, and a housemade sauce of oven-roasted tomatoes, basil, and fennel seeds.

The French background and Southern heritage of Mashama Bailey (whose Savannah restaurant, The Grey, is expanding to Paris soon) is on display with an egg combo of mushrooms and mustard greens with black garlic aioli.

Mike Solomonov of Philadelphia's Zahav puts an Arabic spin on avocado toast with harissa and labneh (yogurt with a cheese-like texture) on brioche bread.

 these days, Sidecar is secluded, but not impossible to find. Look for it on the upper level of Terminal 3 near the D gates — perfectly positioned to thumb its nose at the Capitol One Lounge on the opposite side of the foyer.

secrets to share at the Las Vegas airport

A new speakeasy at the Las Vegas airport offers ample amounts of ambiance and exclusivity.