Food · Las Vegas · United States
What to eat in Las Vegas
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Las Vegas, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Eric Kilby, CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answer
Start with Resort buffet, Shrimp cocktail and Steakhouse dinner. Weekend brunch buffets at the big resorts add sparkling wine packages and made-to-order stations; arrive early to avoid the longest queues and pace yourself. Book popular restaurants and weekend brunches ahead, especially on Friday and Saturday nights and during big conventions.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Resort buffet
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars and…
- Food experiences
- 4
8 foods to try
Dish
1.Resort buffet
The all-you-can-eat buffet is a Vegas institution. Modern resort buffets serve crab legs, carved meats, sushi, regional stations and dozens of desserts, with prices rising for weekend brunch and dinner.
Where: Major resorts such as Caesars Palace, Wynn, Bellagio and The Cosmopolitan; Downtown buffets cost less.
Dish
2.Shrimp cocktail
The Golden Gate Hotel & Casino on Fremont Street has served its shrimp cocktail in a tulip glass since 1959, a throwback to old Vegas dining.
Where: Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, Fremont Street.
Dish
3.Steakhouse dinner
Prime steaks and martinis in dark, old-school dining rooms are a Vegas tradition, from celebrity-chef steakhouses in the Strip resorts to long-running independents with red booths and tableside service.
Where: Strip resorts, and off-Strip classics such as the Golden Steer, open since 1958.
Dish
4.Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum
Las Vegas's Chinatown stretches for several kilometres along Spring Mountain Road west of the Strip, with Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean, Thai and Filipino restaurants, many open late.
Where: Spring Mountain Road, about 10 minutes by car from the Center Strip.
Street food
5.Adobada tacos
Tijuana-style tacos of spit-roasted, chilli-marinated adobada pork shaved onto small tortillas with guacamole salsa are a local favourite after a night out.
Where: Taquerias across the city, including branches on the Strip and near Downtown.
Breakfast
6.Late-night diner breakfast
Because many casinos run around the clock, diners serve pancakes, steak and eggs at any hour. The Peppermill on the Strip, open since 1972, is known for giant plates and its neon-lit Fireside Lounge.
Where: The Peppermill on the North Strip and casino coffee shops across the city.
Snack · Vegetarian
7.Secret Pizza
An unmarked pizzeria down a corridor lined with vinyl records at The Cosmopolitan sells New York-style slices late into the night; everyone simply calls it Secret Pizza.
Where: The third floor of The Cosmopolitan.
Drink · Vegetarian
8.Frozen cocktails in a yard glass
Tall plastic 'yard' cups of frozen margaritas and daiquiris are carried up and down the Strip; drinking on the street is allowed on the Strip and Fremont Street, with rules on glass containers.
Where: Bars and kiosks along the Strip and Fremont Street.
Food experiences
Weekend buffet brunch
Weekend brunch buffets at the big resorts add sparkling wine packages and made-to-order stations; arrive early to avoid the longest queues and pace yourself.
Spring Mountain Road after a show
After a late show, take a rideshare to Chinatown on Spring Mountain Road for hot pot, ramen, pho or dim sum long after Strip restaurants have closed.
Celebrity-chef splurge
Many internationally known chefs have restaurants in Strip resorts; book a tasting menu or a steakhouse for one special night.
Old Vegas dining
Start with shrimp cocktail on Fremont Street, then dine at a classic off-Strip steakhouse with red leather booths and tableside service.
Quick bites and street food
- Adobada tacos — Taquerias across the city, including branches on the Strip and near Downtown.
- Late-night diner breakfast — The Peppermill on the North Strip and casino coffee shops across the city.
- Secret Pizza — The third floor of The Cosmopolitan.
Vegetarian options
Of the 8 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Secret Pizza and Frozen cocktails in a yard glass. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Book popular restaurants and weekend brunches ahead, especially on Friday and Saturday nights and during big conventions.
- Menu prices exclude tax, and a tip of about 20% is expected on top at sit-down restaurants.
- Most restaurants are casual, but upscale dining rooms may turn away athletic wear and flip-flops.
- Chinatown, Downtown and the Arts District offer better value than resort restaurants.
- Drink plenty of water between cocktails; the dry desert air dehydrates you quickly.
Tipping
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars and for complimentary casino drinks, a few dollars for valets, porters and housekeeping, and an occasional tip for dealers when you win.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Comps | Free perks earned through gambling or loyalty programmes |
| Resort fee | A mandatory nightly fee added to the room rate |
| The Deuce | The double-decker bus along the Strip |
| Players card | A casino loyalty card that earns comps |
| Off-Strip | Areas away from Las Vegas Boulevard |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Las Vegas famous for?
Resort buffet, Shrimp cocktail, Steakhouse dinner and Chinatown pho, hot pot and dim sum. The all-you-can-eat buffet is a Vegas institution.
+Is Las Vegas good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Secret Pizza and Frozen cocktails in a yard glass.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Las Vegas?
Tipping is expected: about 18–22% at restaurants, a dollar or two per drink at bars and for complimentary casino drinks, a few dollars for valets, porters and housekeeping, and an occasional tip for dealers when you win.