Las Vegas is a like Disneyland for adults: a visually stunning spectacle with tons to see, looking to lure tourists into its bright, beautiful venues, yet there's a bevy of delectable, if lesser known restaurants that you may never see nestled amongst the tourist traps. Just because Las Vegas is privileged to house world-renowned gourmet restaurants galore doesn't mean you have to go to the chicest places for the best meal. Following is a list of ten great hideaway restaurants; from casual to fine and healthy to hearty cuisine, which contribute just as much to the marvel that is Las Vegas dining.
I LOVE SUSHI 11041 S. Eastern Ave., No. 117, Henderson, NV 89052 (702) 990-4055 Hours: open daily 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fresh fish is now readily available in the desert, and while there are dozens of decent sushi joints spread around the various neighborhoods in the Las Vegas valley, it is difficult to tell which ones are worth visiting and which ones are merely mediocre. But just drive by the shopping center that houses I Love Sushi and the crowds lining up to get in and get full on delicious sashimi and creative sushi rolls let you know this is a locals’ favorite. There’s plenty of space at the huge sushi bar in the center, where you can watch expert chefs prepare your choice from the huge list of rolls, or if you’re eating light, don’t miss the zesty tuna tataki salad. Price range average: $15-$30 per person Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
THE CARMEL ROOM 221 N. Rampart Blvd., in JW Marriott, Las Vegas, NV 89128 (702) 507-5955 Hours: open daily from 5 to 10 p.m. Hidden away in the quiet but beautiful JW Marriott and Rampart Casino property in the Summerlin area, The Carmel Room is a lavishly-decorated and pleasantly surprising example of old school Vegas dining rooms, complete with a modern Mediterranean twist. Warm wood and comfy leather booths create a classy feel, and the menu is even more impressive, highlighted by prime steaks, seafood and classic gourmet room dishes such as Beef Wellington. The food is rich and the desserts, like crème brulee and molten chocolate cake, are even more indulgent. Price range average: $25-$35 per person Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Open, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Open, New Year's Eve- Open.
MARCHE BACCHUS 2620 Regatta Drive, No. 106, Las Vegas, NV 89128 (702) 804-8008 Hours: open for lunch Monday-Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., for brunch Sunday 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., for dinner Monday-Saturday 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tourists wouldn’t expect to find a quaint but authentic French bistro off the strip, but locals know better, especially those Westsiders who happily frequent Marche Baccus and its gorgeous lakeside patio for Sunday brunch featuring salmon crepes, escargot and sweet lobster salad. Dinner offerings include cheese-topped steaks or the traditional Coq Au Vin, but Marche Baccus is equally well known for its great wine selection and minimal corkage fee. Price range average: $15 to $25 per person Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
FERRARO’S 5900 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas NV 89103 (702) 364-5300 Hours: open for lunch Monday-Friday 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., dinner daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Ferraro’s is no less than a Las Vegas Italian food institution. Opened by Gino Ferraro more than 20 years ago and now run by his son Mimmo Ferraro, the restaurant’s famous version of Osso Bucco continues to draw diners who also enjoy traditional pasta dishes and homemade gnocchi. A solid wine list and intimate dining room lend a comfortably romantic vibe to the room, especially for visitors who choose to end their hearty meal with the flaky cinnamon cannoli, one of the sweetest treats in town. Price range average: $20-$25 per person Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Open, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
AMLEE GOURMET 3827 E. Sunset, Las Vegas, NV 89120 (702) 898-3358 Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11:00am-3:00pm (Lunch); Open daily from 4:00pm-10:00pm Never write off a strip mall as incapable of housing a hidden treasure. Located near Green Valley in the Southeast part of town, Amlee Gourmet offers some of the best Chinese cuisine around. The soft pink lighting adds a classy effect to the small, modest atmosphere of the restaurant, but you'll love the food. Their Original tossed chicken salad is really the main attraction, and you must eat the strawberry chicken at least once before you can say that you've truly lived!
Price range average: $8-$18 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
CAFE HEIDELBERG 604 E. Sahara, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 731-5310 Hours: Open Daily from 10:00am-9:00pm A modest and ultra-casual joint, Cafe Heidleberg transports you from the world of chic Vegas dining to hearty German comfort food in a quaint setting. You can order an old-country deli tray from their market. This is definitely not the place for hard-core health nuts, but their Weiner schnitzel and Sauerbraten are simply scrumptious and must be topped off with apple strudel for dessert.
Price range average: $6-$12 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter- Closed, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas-Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
GRAPE STREET 7501 W. Lake Mead Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89128 (702) 228-9463 Hours: (Tues-Sun) 11:00am-10:00pm; Closed Monday Grape Street isn't just good because it has a wide array of health conscious selections. They should be awarded for most creative use of Gorgonzola cheese in various dishes Their steak salad manages to be both savory and healthy, and some may accuse this place of being a bit too eclectic, but they've got an ample by-the-glass wine list and enough vegetarian selections that you can take even the most finicky and diverse group of eaters there, and you'll find something for everyone. And that's not always easy to do.
Price range average: $15-$30 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Closed early, Christmas-Closed, New Year's Eve-Closed.
KATHY'S SOUTHERN COOKING 6407 Mountain Vista, Henderson NV 89014 (702) 433-1005 Hours: (Tues-Thurs) 11:00am-8:30pm; (Fri-Sat) 11:00am-9:30pm; (Sun) 1:00pm-7:30pm Kathy's serves a meal worth saving your caloric and cholesterol intake for. Splurge a little and live a lot as you eat amazing fried chicken and unbelievable fried catfish in this super casual environment. This is Southern home cooking at its best; a hidden treasure amongst the shinier jewels of Las Vegas restaurants.
Price range average: $7-$13 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Closed, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Closed, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve-Open.
PAMPLEMOUSSE 400 E. Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104 (702) 733-2066 Hours: (Tues-Sun) 6:00pm-10:30pm; Closed Mondays A romantic, yet extremely cozy atmosphere awaits you in this fabulous Las Vegas treasure. There's no printed menu, as your server will verbally recite all of that evening's dishes available for consumption. Upon request, prices will be told as well. (Appetizers and soups range from about $4.50-$9.50 and entrees run from $17.50-$27.50.) The Wisconsin corn fed duck is as moist and succulent as its name implies, and the soft shell crab makes a nice appetizer.
Price range average: $25-$50 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Open, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Closed, Christmas-Closed, New Year's Eve-Open. * Pamplemousse will be closed from December 23-December 27 this year.
THE TILLERMAN 2245 E. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89119 (702) 731-4036 Hours: Open daily from 5:00-11:00pm It's just across the street from that other great hideaway restaurant, Manhattan, but the Tillerman is a phenomenal restaurant as well. A longtime staple of Las Vegas, this steakhouse features Fettuccini Pasta with Lobster that's outstanding. (It might be the tomatoes, scallions and cream sauce that make this dish so desirable.) Their cheesecake is homemade, a third generation recipe that melts at the touch of your tongue.
Price range average: $25-$50 per person
Holiday Schedule: New Year's Day-Closed, Valentines Day- Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving- Closed, Christmas Eve- Open, Christmas- Closed, New Year's Eve- Open.
The Top List of Delicious Hideaways - Las Vegas, NV