Las Vegas Dining Experts Share the Restaurants They Can’t Wait to Return in 2021

Following an Eater tradition, we asked a group of restaurant critics, journalists, bloggers, and friends of the site to weigh in on the year in food. Their answers to the annual Year in Eater survey will be revealed in several posts. Next up, the dining experts talk about some of the restaurants they can’t wait to return in 2021.

What restaurant or restaurant-related (pop-up, etc.) return or debut are you most excited for in 2021?

Philip Tzeng, food blogger at Las Vegas Fill: David Chang doing shawarma at Block 16 Urban Food Hall at Cosmopolitan in the form of Bang Bar has got me excited! I also cannot wait for Mordeo to reopen.

Krista Diamond, freelance writer at Eater Vegas: I love what they’re doing at Vegas Test Kitchen and look forward to watching that space evolve.

Rob Kachelriess, Las Vegas writer at Thrillist: I’m excited to see what James Trees has in store for Al Solito Posto, his new restaurant at Tivoli Village. I’m also looking forward to the return of high-end French restaurants on the Strip like Joel Robuchon, L’Atelier, and Le Cirque. I don’t expect Twist to return — at least not in the same form — so it will be interesting to see what might replace it. Still curious about what will show up at Resorts World and in the Arts District. From what I hear, the Downtown barbecue scene is about to get competitive.

Sonja Swanson, food and culture writer: I’m really looking forward to seeing what chef Mariana creates next year. I met her at a farmer’s market where she was selling artisanal corn tortillas through Masazul. She has some interesting plans in the works and I can’t wait to see how she brings them to life.

Louiie Victa, Eater Vegas photographer and co-host of Two Sharp Chefs and a Microphone: I’m very excited for the return of District One and Mordeo. Khai Vu has been behind the scenes getting on top of his food game and he’s got a lot of great stuff he’s working with. Also very excited for the reinvention of Flock & Fowl as well as Valencian Gold.

Lorraine Moss, co-host of Two Sharp Chefs and a Microphone: Soulbelly BBQ — I just love Bruce Kalman and everything he stands for in food. He respects the art of barbecue. The venue will also feature live music, and I hear his cover band Foie Grock with Ace of Cakes host chef Duff Goldman will make an appearance.

Nina King, Las Vegas Magazine managing editor: I’m hoping for Harvest by Roy Ellamar. Truly amazing food.

Melinda Sheckells, editor OffTheStrip.com, OnTheStrip.com: Al Solito Posto, the new westside restaurant from chef James Trees.

Diana Edelman, founder Vegans, Baby: The Vegas Test Kitchen. I have always loved what Jolene does and cannot wait to see what she brings into her new DTLV spot. I think it’s such a fantastic idea to spotlight chefs and concepts in Las Vegas and see how the public reacts. I’m also excited for Vegan Dining Month this January and the new restaurants participating.

Scott Roeben, Vital Vegas: It’s such a strange time, because for years Las Vegas had dozens of restaurant openings every year. I’ll go with the restaurants expected to come online at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas and Resorts World. While the future is uncertain in many ways, these resorts seem intent on shaking things up and giving us a lot to try and talk about in 2021. Night + Market is already generating some buzz for Virgin, and Afters Ice Cream looks incredible (and photogenic, always a consideration for a blogger). Fuhu seems the front-runner for bringing foodies to Resorts World when it opens in the summer.

Melanie Lee, Eater Vegas: I really can’t wait for the Palms to reopen because so many of my favorite restaurants like Greene St. Kitchen and Tim Ho Wan are still closed and I miss them!

Bob Barnes, editor of The Las Vegas Food & Beverage Professional and Las Vegas writer for Gayot: I really, really, miss beer festivals. The last one I got to attend was in late February, the Beer Zombies fest, which happened to be one of the best I had ever attended, due to having such an outstanding selection and brewers from all across the nation serving their beer.

Susan Stapleton, editor of Eater Vegas: The Slanted Door. We all waited so long for it to open, and it did ever so briefly, but I can’t wait to explore the menu when it does reopen. Very excited for the return of District One from Khai Vu in Chinatown. Elio. I only ate there once and the food was divine. Night + Market from Kris Yenbamroong with its Thai street food could be a game changer at Virgin Hotels. Excited to see what Resorts World reveals.

Disclosure: David Chang is producing shows for Hulu in partnership with Vox Media Studios, part of Eater’s parent company, Vox Media. No Eater staff member is involved in the production of those shows, and this does not impact coverage on Eater.

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