41 Best Restaurants in Center Strip, Las Vegas

Adorned with some original works by Picasso, this restaurant raised the city's dining scene a notch when it opened in Bellagio in 1998. Although some say executive chef Julian Serrano doesn't change his menu often enough, the artful, innovative cuisine—based on French classics with strong Spanish influences—is consistently outstanding. Appetizers on the seasonal menu might include warm quail salad with sautéed artichokes and pine nuts, or poached oysters with osetra caviar and vermouth sauce. Roasted milk-fed veal or sautéed medallions of fallow deer with romanesco are other potential entrée choices. Sometimes a seasonal specialty menu may feature Alba white truffles. Dinners are prix-fixe, with four or five-course options; a vegan menu also is available.

In an ultraswank dining room on the second floor of the Augustus Tower, Michelin three-star chef Guy Savoy introduces diners to his masterful creations, such as roasted turbot with beet and garlic. The seven-course 5 Star Celebration Menu features signature dishes like the artichoke-and-black-truffle soup and hazelnut-crusted sweetbread. Prices are a little lower if you opt for the à la carte menu. The selections from Savoy's 15,000-bottle wine cellar only add to this restaurant's epicurean mystique.

The Tea Lounge may be right off the main lobby, but it’s still a sea of serenity (with the addition of fabulous 23rd-floor views)—this is the Waldorf Astoria, after all. Service is formal but not stuffy, and the afternoon tea is done in the classic English style. There's also a children's tea, with a hot-chocolate option and dishes designed to appeal to the younger set. There are three seatings on Wednesdays through Sundays, and reservations are usually necessary.

Chef Bobby Flay scored another hoped-for hot spot at Caesars Palace with his replacement for the popular Mesa Grill. With a menu emphasizing seafood (thanks to Flay's visits to Italy's Amalfi Coast), the new restaurant encourages diners to visit a "market" section near the back, where they can choose a whole fish and one of three ways to prepare it. A "knowledgeable fishmonger" is on hand to answer the diners' questions, right down to where the fish comes from and how long it's been sitting. One thing to note: this is Flay's first foray into an Italian restaurant concept.

Caesars Palace completely revamped its buffet experience with the Bacchanal Buffet. It's a culinary extravaganza of more than 250 menu items daily, plus nine chef-attended action stations and the support of 10 kitchens, with an emphasis on seasonality. Made-to-order sushi, baked-to-order soufflés, pizza made in a wood-burning oven, and individual portions of dishes that are served in steam tables elsewhere are consumed in three distinct dining areas with glass, wood, and steel decor themes.

Michael Mina’s stunning Belle Époque dark-wood-and-glass wonder on the mezzanine level of ARIA has, as you might expect, a decidedly French accent, and old-world glory shines in dishes such as oeufs mimosa (caviar deviled eggs), duck à l'orange salad (with duck confit and sauce remoulade), and black cod bouillabaisse. At brunch, which runs from 9 am to 2 pm, Friday through Sunday, you can indulge in brioche French toast with vanilla bean mascarpone and almond brittle, or the pastry selection that includes canelé de Bordeaux and kouign-amann. Happy hour is from 5 to 7 pm daily, accompanied by cocktails like French 75 and Le Peche Mode.

Chocolate—dark, white, and milk—flows from a tall glass fountain at the entrance of this stunning pastry shop just off the Bellagio's famed conservatory. This artful homage to chocolate has decadent desserts, including cakes, cookies, macarons, gelato, hand-dipped chocolate candies, and particularly memorable crepes (try the one filled with caramel sauce, caramel candy pearls, and whipped cream), as well as salads and sandwiches (Parmesan crisp grilled cheese!). Seating is limited. It's open late, until 11 pm daily.

Since Bobby Flay has always been known for his grilling skills, a burger place just seems like a natural choice. But these aren't just any burgers; order Bobby's Crunchburger, and you'll find it piled with potato chips for the signature sound. There are salads and kids' meals, too, as well as thick shakes and even beer and wine. Breakfast is served from 7 to 11 am daily. Also at Caesars Palace on the Center Strip and Harrah's on the North Strip.

The Flamingo's newest restaurant honors its founders, notorious mobsters Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky, in a fun way, with a “hidden” entry that looks like a bakery. Inside, you’ll find decor that evokes the 1940s and a classic steakhouse menu: crab cakes, beef tartare, lobster bisque, and onion soup are among the starters, and the menu of wet and dry-aged steaks is augmented by seafood, lamb chops, and short ribs. As for cocktails, the “unique old fashioned experience” lets you choose your liquor, citrus, syrup, and bitters. The tucked-away, speakeasy-style Count Room has its own menu of vintage cocktails.

Locals and visitors alike were delighted when New York's cronut king set up shop in Las Vegas, at Caesars Palace across from The Colosseum. The shop serves Ansel's cronut creations as well as French pastries such as the best-seller kouign-amann, tiger-striped pain au chocolat, huge nutty almond croissants, macarons, and canelés. Mini-madeleines are piped to order and served warm, and Ansel's signature chocolate chip cookie shots and frozen s'mores are made while you wait. Creative, beautiful pastries like the Goldfish, flavored with calamansi, coconut, and mango, are another specialty, and quiche and sandwiches are available. There are a few seats inside if you'd like to sit while indulging in a croque monsieur.

This Paris Las Vegas restaurant is a room with a view. It's about a third of the way up the hotel's half-scale Eiffel Tower replica, with vistas from all four glassed-in sides. (Request a Strip view when booking for the biggest wow factor—it overlooks the fountains at Bellagio across the street; but expect to pay extra). Patrons are often pleasantly surprised that the food here measures up to the setting: the French-accented menu usually includes appetizers of cold foie gras torchon with duck prosciutto. On the entrée list, you might find individual Eiffel Tower beef Wellingtons, venison loin with huckleberry jus, and vegetarian dishes such as crispy roasted quinoa roulade with honeynut squash. The restaurant also offers a variety of caviar priced by the ounce, and brunch is served from 10 am to 2 pm weekends.

The first restaurant from TV personality and classically trained chef Giada De Laurentiis sits on a prime piece of real estate at the intersection of the Strip and Flamingo Road. The wide expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows provides commanding views, and the food's pretty impressive, too. Try the caprese frittata or a selection of pastries for brunch. At dinner, start with the ricotta crostini or orzo meatballs and move on to penne rigati with wild mushroom and vegetable Bolognese, or veal chop saltimbocca.  A four-course tasting menu also is available. The chef has a much more casual spot, Pronto, at Caesars Palace.

Since Gordon Ramsay's been known to flame a contestant or two, it's only fitting that his burgers are cooked over a hardwood fire. If you're looking for something a little different, consider the UK Burger, with Dubliner cheese and Major Grey's Chutney, or the Stout Burger, with Guinness mustard aioli, Gruyere, mushrooms, and crispy onion strings. Dig into one of Ramsay's rich desserts while enjoying the roaring fire.

Gordon Ramsay's fifth Las Vegas restaurant is a reflection of his popular Fox TV show, right down to the red and blue teams in the kitchen and TV monitors dotted around. The sprawling restaurant is a lively, noisy place where fire is a frequent motif. The menu lists Ramsay signatures such as beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding, and there also is a selection of chilled seafood and a number of grilled dishes, plus a menu for vegetarians and vegans.

Three things stand out at this comfortable, casual restaurant, conceptualized by notoriously tyrannical celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey: the libations, the cheery across-the-pond ambience, and the elevated British pub grub. Drinks have names like Goodbye Blue Sky and Bloody Orange; or slake your thirst with a Kilkenny Irish Cream Ale or Fuller's ESB Champion Beer. Hum along with classic Brit pop and rock tunes and watch soccer on any of the numerous flat-screen tellys. Seating is easy on the bum, the place settings rich and rustic. Bread isn’t complimentary, so get your yeast fix with the Ploughman's Board that also includes bone marrow, cured meats, cheese, and vegetables. Or start with maple glazed bacon or a poached shrimp cocktail. The roasted beef Wellington, braised short rib and cabbage, steak and ale pie, oak-grilled meats, crispy fish-and-chips, and lobster mac and cheese are standouts. Warm sticky toffee pudding has fans aplenty.

Gordon Ramsay's heavily British-themed Las Vegas flagship bridges the geographic gap with a Chunnel-like entrance connecting it to Paris Las Vegas. It bridges the culinary gap with a wide variety of beef, including Japanese A5 strip loin and numerous cuts of American Wagyu and prime beef. On the menu, shellfish, caviar, and luxe entrées like roasted beef Wellington are joined by pork belly porchetta and other more earthy fares. The five-course tasting menu is a tour of Ramsay's signature items.

It's no easy feat coming up with a restaurant in Las Vegas that offers more than just a gimmicky theme or celebrity-chef pedigree. Harvest, a casual but cosmopolitan spot that's secluded from Bellagio's noisy gaming areas, succeeds by presenting a locally sourced, sustainable menu with a healthful tilt. The sandstone and glass walls and soothing waterfalls provide a suitably soothing backdrop to the seasonal menus, which might include seared octopus with white bean puree, salt and pepper fried shrimp with chile-lime mayo, or Wild Isles salmon. Quench your thirst with a glass of house-made ginger ale or a classic cable car. Vegetarian and vegan dishes also are available.

Holsteins made its reputation (which has been known to draw the occasional celebrity) on burgers, burgers, and more burgers. But the restaurant is also known for its "Bam-Boozled" shakes, which are just as fun as they sound. Start with Philly Egg Rolls or Buffalo chicken dip, followed by a burger like the Forager Burger—a beef and mushroom patty topped with mixed greens, a fried egg, tomato confit, and Swiss cheese—or a turkey or vegetarian burger, which is chicken breast on a bun or a salad. It's hard to miss; just look for the great big cow.

Chef José Andrés was one of the first to capitalize on the tapas concept in the United States at his original Washington, D.C., location, and small plates are the highlights of his restaurant here, too. You haven't thoroughly explored the menu until there are stacks of plates on your table. There are classic choices like jamon iberico (Spanish ham) and gambas al ajillo (shrimp in garlic). Another highlight: paellas, in at least four varieties. Bring a sense of humor to the main dining room, as some tables are fashioned out of foosball tables that still function perfectly (balls available upon request). For a more formal and intimate experience, try dining in the adjacent "é," an intimate, prix-fixe experience with seats that overlook a separate kitchen.

This steak house, from famed chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten, serves a modern spin on the traditional meat and potatoes in dishes such as the soy-glazed short rib with apple-jalapeno puree. But this is a serious beef room, with both Japanese A5 and F1 cuts, prime, American Wagyu, and certified Piedmontese steaks, with optional accompaniments of bone marrow, Hudson Valley foie gras, or jumbo prawns. You can get a 36-ounce prime Porterhouse, or a wagyu tomahawk ribeye carved tableside. Mustard-crusted salmon and swordfish Milanese are among other choices, along with a raw bar (including caviar) and a long list of sides. During busy weekends, look for pros on break from the nearby poker room; "J.G.," as it's known, has reportedly become one of the favorites of several well-known players.

Drop by this bustling branch of the famed South Miami Beach restaurant for, at the very least, a pile of fresh stone crabs and a beer. But Joe's is worth a try whether for a full meal or a snack to remember. (And the stone crabs are available here year-round, unlike at the Florida location.) There are gluten-free, vegetarian, and carryout menus as well. Carnivores won't go hungry here, considering the leviathan bone-in rib eye or double-cut Colorado lamb chops, and there's a bar-food selection of burgers and sandwiches. For dessert, save room for Key lime pie or banana-cream pie with Foster sauce.

Chef Julian Serrano—renowned for Picasso at Bellagio—chose to honor his homeland's tapas and paella traditions at his eponymous restaurant in ARIA. Tapas include classics as well as those with Serrano's special touch. Look for head-on shrimp with smoked paprika oil, mushroom duxelle-stuffed piquillo peppers, brava potatoes with spicy tomato sauce, and dates stuffed with goat cheese, apple puree, and bacon. There's a selection of canned fish imported from Spain, four ceviches, five paellas, cheese and charcuterie plates, soups, and salads. During lunch on weekends, seats on the edge of the "patio" that face the hotel registration desk and the casino are great spots from which to people-watch.

Koi has garnered a reputation as a see-and-be-seen restaurant in New York and Los Angeles as well as Las Vegas. The cavernous 220-seat local outlet offers sublime Asian-fusion fare, with an ever-changing menu of dishes such as lobster tacos with mango salsa, spicy crunchy tuna tartare, and Queensland Wagyu sirloin with sansho peppercorn–garlic soy. The main dining room can get noisy, so request a table along the back wall. After dinner, hit the swanky lounge to order a cosmo or martini, then head for the open-air patio to enjoy the Bellagio fountains across the street. Don't miss happy hour from 5 to 7 pm daily, with $6 to $10 signature bites and specials on drinks such as the Mindfreak Cocktail.

Renowned chef Julian Serrano, who has long had the award-winning Picasso at Bellagio (and an eponymous tapas spot at ARIA), has added more frontage on the resort's lake with his first Italian restaurant. The emphasis is on seafood, with starter choices such as oysters with Champagne mignonette, hamachi or salmon crudo, and shrimp with Calabrese peppers and white wine. Pizzettas include one with black truffle shavings, pata negra Iberico ham, and truffle cheese. Pasta dishes range from good ol' spaghetti and meatballs to lemon tagliolini, and entrées include a mixed seafood grill, osso buco, steaks, and chicken. Brunch from 10 am to 2:30 pm, Fridays through Sundays, is an especially good time to get a great view of the fountains.

This sumptuous restaurant, a branch of the now closed New York City landmark, remains one of the city's true temples of haute cuisine, despite increased heavy-hitting competition. The mahogany-lined room is all the more opulent for its small size: in a city of mega-everything, Le Cirque seats only 80 under its draped silk-tent ceiling. Even with a view of the hotel's lake and its mesmerizing fountain show, you'll only have eyes for your plate when your server presents dishes like sauteéd foie gras with pain d’epices streusel, candied orange and poached pear, or diver scallop with aromatic yogurt emulsion and crispy garlic root. Eight-course, vegetarian, or five-course tasting menus are available.

In addition to food that is upscale and delicious, this impressive restaurant is known for the "Tree House," a two-story wooden sculpture that rises from the ground level and houses the main dining room 30 feet up. Menu items range from Bering Sea red king crab claws and bigeye tuna tartare to 32- or 40-ounce Wagyu tomahawk chops, Japanese A5 Wagyu, rack of lamb, and filet mignon. Side dishes tend to be predictable, except for the wild mushroom and black truffle gnocchi, and the lobster mashed potatoes. The signature warm butter cake alone warrants repeat visits.

David Chang's budding New York–based restaurant empire went way west for the first time with this spot at The Cosmopolitan, which offers a mix of Momofuku favorites and only-in-Vegas choices. You can also set up slow-roasted pork shoulder for parties of four to six; other group options are Belachan lobster and shrimp, or five-spice roasted duck for three or four. The decor is heavy on soothing woods, and the nearby Milk Bar offers MilkQuakes as well as Christina Tosi's soft serve, cookies, pies, and more.

This French bistro and steak house that first earned acclaim in Chicago has become much beloved in Las Vegas, in large part because it was the first restaurant to have a terrace overlooking the Strip. For those who prefer a quieter environment, a glassed-in conservatory conveys an outdoor feel, and still quieter dining rooms are inside, adorned with chandeliers dramatically suspended three stories above. The specialty of the house is steak frites, offered three ways, including classic, au poivre, and Bearnaise. The signature roast chicken A La Grand Mere is excellent, as is the classic skate wing schnitzel with parsnip and apple puree, and the prices are, on the whole, reasonable for the Strip. This place is also a favorite for breakfast or brunch, with dishes like classic eggs Benedict or French toast.  

It was a long time coming, but the venerable celebrity magnet Mr Chow has established a beachhead at Caesars Palace. On the second floor overlooking the Garden of the Gods pool complex, the predominantly white restaurant is centered on a circular suspended "kinetic sculpture" that periodically descends and opens itself to the room. All the favorites are here, including the famous green prawns, plus Mr. Chow noodles and drunken fish. There are three "semi"-prix-fixe options. Don't miss the champagne cart as it makes its way around the room.