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The 21 Hottest Restaurants in Las Vegas Right Now, December 2014

Here's where you should be eating right now.

by Susan Stapleton
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by Susan Stapleton
1 comment / new

More often than not, tipsters, readers, friends and family of Eater have one question: Where should I eat right now? Restaurant obsessives want to know what's new, what's hot, which favorite chef just launched a sophomore effort. And while the Eater 38 is a crucial resource covering old standbys and neighborhood essentials across the city, it is not a chronicle of the "it" places of the moment. Thus, we offer the Eater Heatmap, which will change continually to always highlight where the foodie crowds are flocking to at the moment.

Have any suggestions? Any vital omissions? Leave 'em in the comments.

Jan. 2: Added: B&B Burger & Beer, Crush, Jayde Fuzion; Deleted: Hops & Harvest, Press, Viva Las Arepas, Pub 1842, Rx Boiler Room, Nobu, Nobu Restaurant & Lounge, FIVE50 Pizza Bar, Andrea's

Feb. 6: Added: 1900 Asian Cuisine, Desnudo Tacos, Rose.Rabbit.Liee. and Soho Japanese Restaurant; Deleted: Hakkasan, Tom Colicchio's Heritage Steak and Yonaka Modern Japanese Restaurant

March 6: Added: Bobby's Burger Palace, District One Kitchen & Bar and The Goodwich; Deleted: 1900 Asian Cuisine, Echo & Rig, Jayde Fuzion and Kuma Snow Cream

April 3: Added: Carlo's Bakery; Deleted: Container Park, Lulu's Bread & Breakfast, Sweets Raku

May 1: Added: Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar, DB Brasserie, O Face Doughnuts, Bachi HLK, Truck-U Barbeque, Yusho, 800 Degrees, Hiromaru, Double Barrel Roadhouse; Deleted: Art of Flavors Gelato, B&B Burger & Beer, Bobby's Burger Palace, Buddy V's Ristorante, Crush, Kumi, Settebello Pizzeria, Soho Japanese Restaurant

June 5: Added: F.A.M.E., Giada

July 3: Added: BLT Steak, Carson Kitchen, Japanese Cuisine by Omae, Mercadito; Deleted: é by José Andrés, Hiromaru, MTO Cafe, Pizza Rock, Rose.Rabbit.Lie.

Aug. 7: Added: GameWorks

Sept. 4: Added: Bazaar Meat, Cleo, The Griddle Cafe, Katsuya by Starck, Ku Noodle, Made LV, Umami Burger; Deleted: 800 Degrees Neapolitan Pizzeria, Desnudo Tacos, District One Kitchen, Double Barrel Roadhouse, O Face Doughnuts, F.A.M.E., Gameworks

Oct. 2: Added: David Clawson Restaurant, Lao Sze Chuan, Pantry, The Perch, Pot Liquor CAS; Deleted: Yusho

Nov. 6: Added: El Sombrero, Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar; Deleted Abriya Raku, The Goodwich, The Griddle Cafe, Katsuya by Starck, Ku Noodle, Truck-U Barbeque, Umami Burger

Dec. 4: Added: Border Grill, Buddha Belly Deli, David Clawson Restaurant, Lucky Foo's Restaurant & Bar, Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

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Bazaar Meat

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José Andrés brings more than a steakhouse with Bazaar Meat. Find what the team here is dubbing "the world's longest dining table" as well as open kitchens including the "fire stage" with wood grills and rotisseries and a raw bar with ceviches, carpaccios and tartares. Two private dining rooms await; the Silver Room in all silver and Sam's Room with an open kitchen focused on seafood.

2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-761-7610
702-761-7610

Also featured in:

Border Grill

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No, Border Grill isn't new to Las Vegas, but its location at the Forum Shops at Caesars is. About 40 percent of the menu is different here as well. A new open kitchen at the front of the restaurant offers up hand-rolled tortillas cooking on the comal and guacamole as well as 10 new ceviches.

Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 854-6700
(702) 854-6700

Also featured in:

Buddha Belly Deli

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The hottest new deli to open features the must-order Pho Dip with Chinese five spice Rubbed top sirloin, pickled bean sprouts, red onion and Chinese mustard served on a baguette with a pho au jus. Order some Dragon Breath fries on the side.

50 North Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 545-0840
(702) 545-0840

Carlo's Bakery

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Everybody's favorite baker Buddy Valastro opened his first West Coast bakery right across the hall from Buddy V's. Cannolis, lobster tails and more make the bakery menu here. Expect a wait. The lines here are long, long, long.

3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-607-2356
702-607-2356

Also featured in:

Carson Kitchen

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Kerry Simon's latest restaurant serves up lunch and dinner with most dishes going for less than $20. Find a menu of shared plates, sandwiches, flatbreads baked in the hearthstone oven, garden dishes, entrees and Simon's playful take on desserts. On the drinks side, microbrewed soda brands, such as Virgil's, along with handcrafted cocktails and an array of small-batch brews and global wines.

124 S. Sixth St., Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 473-9523
(702) 473-9523

Also featured in:

Cleo

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Mediterranean fare from Danny Elmaleh cooked up in the wood-burning grill that takes center stage makes the menu at this restaurant at the SLS Las Vegas.

2535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-761-7612
702-761-7612

DB Brasserie

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Daniel Boulud's triumphant return to Vegas brings a mid-level approach to French cuisine. Find everything from steak frites to three of Boulud's delectable burgers make the opening menu. Go here ASAP. Try one of the prix fixe menus at lunch and dinner to get a taste of Boulud.

3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 430-1235
(702) 430-1235

Also featured in:

David Clawson Restaurant

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Henderson's David Clawson Restaurant offers a chef's table where you can watch the action as chefs prepare small plates that can be paired with 2-ounce servings of wines, beers, sake and ciders. Go for the super deluxe "omygodse," where Clawson prepares a omakase dinner of his greatest hits.

Anthem Hinglands Shopping Center, 2840 Bicentennial Parkway, Henderson, NV 89044
702-466-2190
702-466-2190

El Sombrero Cafe

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El Sombrero, once a family-owned restaurant that first started serving Mexican food in 1950, reopened under new ownership. Irma Aguirre of Mundo fame is behind the makeover that includes a new menu focusing on upscale Mexican fare and a black and white color scheme that refreshes the dining room.

807 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
(807) 762-4678
(807) 762-4678

Also featured in:

Giada

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Giada De Laurentiis opened her very first restaurant at The Cromwell with a menu packed with antipasto, pastas, pizzettes and more, all with her signature twist on Italian cuisine with her deft California touches. While the prices may be high, they are matched only by the flavor that is delicate and feminine, never leaving you too full. As Giada says, "Taste a little bit of everything and not a lot of one thing." You can get lunch and breakfast too.

3595 Las Vegas Blvd S, Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 777-3777
(702) 777-3777

Also featured in:

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar

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Love it or loathe it, Guy Fieri’s new restaurant is the hottest ticket in town with lines out the door. Yes, there are Vegas fries. Yes, there is a Triple D burger. Are they good? Up to you. You can get breakfast here too.

3535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800) 351-7400
(800) 351-7400

Also featured in:

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

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Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar brings executive chef Brian Massie's food off the Strip for the first time. Two oversized hearth ovens cook 90 percent of the restaurant's menu, and each wood roasted dish features earthy flavors of the pecan and whisky barrel wood used to fuel the fire.

11011 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 797-7344
(702) 797-7344

Also featured in:

Japanese Cuisine by Omae

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With only 12 seats, this exclusive restaurant serves up a seven-course omakase dinner menu from Michelin-starred Takeshi Omae. Right now, the restaurant offers four different omakase menus. Do make reservations in advance for the dinner with only two seatings nightly.

3650 South Decatur Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89103
702-966-8080
702-966-8080

Also featured in:

Lao Sze Chuan

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Tony Hu, the self-proclaimed Mayor of Chinatown in Chicago, makes his first foray into Las Vegas with Lao Sze Chuan. Find Sze Chuan cuisine as well as Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunan and Shanghai dishes made especially for the Palms location. Get dim sum for lunch, too.

4321 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 990-8888
(702) 990-8888

Also featured in:

Lucky Foo's Restaurant & Bar

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The southeast lands an American izakaya mixes Asian and Mediterranean flavors with American cuisine. Much of the menu is cooked on a robata grill and a traditional Japanese coal called binchotan, which burns at 1,000 degrees. Also of note, a sushi bar.

8955 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-650-0669
702-650-0669

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Made LV

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Power food couple Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla are at it again with Made LV, their second restaurant. The Tivoli Village tavern serves up comfort food with a healthy twist.

450 South Rampart Boulevard, Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, NV 89145
702-722-2000
702-722-2000

Also featured in:

Mercadito

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The Chicago invasion of Vegas continues with the Mexican Mercadito, the first of two planned for Las Vegas. Tacos, guacamoles, salsas all come in shareable sizes, so go with a group. Get brunch on the weekends, too.

11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 979-3609
(702) 979-3609

Also featured in:

Pantry

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This restaurant specializes in breakfast dishes served at all hours. Pancakes, omelets and scrambles, even after traditional breakfast hours make the menu along with a jelly of the day, pancake of the day and bacon of the month.

3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-696-7050
702-696-7050

Also featured in:

The Perch

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The newest restaurant at the Container Park features lunch and dinner as well as brunch on the weekends.

707 Fremont Street, Container Park, Las Vegas, NV 89101
702-854-1418
702-854-1418

Also featured in:

Pot Liquor CAS

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Nab different types of Southern barbecue at this new restaurant at Town Square.

6587 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89119
702-816-4600
702-816-4600

Also featured in:

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

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A second location of Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill, this time in the new Downtown Summerlin. This contemporary version on the classic, American bar and grill serving "approachable" lunch and dinner menus. Look for salads, sandwiches, grilled meats, seafood, handmade pasta, and pizzas from the wood-burning oven

10955 Oval Park Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 202-6300
(702) 202-6300

Also featured in:

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Bazaar Meat

2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

José Andrés brings more than a steakhouse with Bazaar Meat. Find what the team here is dubbing "the world's longest dining table" as well as open kitchens including the "fire stage" with wood grills and rotisseries and a raw bar with ceviches, carpaccios and tartares. Two private dining rooms await; the Silver Room in all silver and Sam's Room with an open kitchen focused on seafood.

2535 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-761-7610
702-761-7610

Border Grill

Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

No, Border Grill isn't new to Las Vegas, but its location at the Forum Shops at Caesars is. About 40 percent of the menu is different here as well. A new open kitchen at the front of the restaurant offers up hand-rolled tortillas cooking on the comal and guacamole as well as 10 new ceviches.

Forum Shops at Caesars, 3500 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 854-6700
(702) 854-6700

Buddha Belly Deli

50 North Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, NV 89074

The hottest new deli to open features the must-order Pho Dip with Chinese five spice Rubbed top sirloin, pickled bean sprouts, red onion and Chinese mustard served on a baguette with a pho au jus. Order some Dragon Breath fries on the side.

50 North Valle Verde Drive, Henderson, NV 89074
(702) 545-0840
(702) 545-0840

Carlo's Bakery

3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

Everybody's favorite baker Buddy Valastro opened his first West Coast bakery right across the hall from Buddy V's. Cannolis, lobster tails and more make the bakery menu here. Expect a wait. The lines here are long, long, long.

3325 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-607-2356
702-607-2356

Carson Kitchen

124 S. Sixth St., Las Vegas, NV 89101

Kerry Simon's latest restaurant serves up lunch and dinner with most dishes going for less than $20. Find a menu of shared plates, sandwiches, flatbreads baked in the hearthstone oven, garden dishes, entrees and Simon's playful take on desserts. On the drinks side, microbrewed soda brands, such as Virgil's, along with handcrafted cocktails and an array of small-batch brews and global wines.

124 S. Sixth St., Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 473-9523
(702) 473-9523

Cleo

2535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Mediterranean fare from Danny Elmaleh cooked up in the wood-burning grill that takes center stage makes the menu at this restaurant at the SLS Las Vegas.

2535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
702-761-7612
702-761-7612

DB Brasserie

3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Daniel Boulud's triumphant return to Vegas brings a mid-level approach to French cuisine. Find everything from steak frites to three of Boulud's delectable burgers make the opening menu. Go here ASAP. Try one of the prix fixe menus at lunch and dinner to get a taste of Boulud.

3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 430-1235
(702) 430-1235

David Clawson Restaurant

Anthem Hinglands Shopping Center, 2840 Bicentennial Parkway, Henderson, NV 89044

Henderson's David Clawson Restaurant offers a chef's table where you can watch the action as chefs prepare small plates that can be paired with 2-ounce servings of wines, beers, sake and ciders. Go for the super deluxe "omygodse," where Clawson prepares a omakase dinner of his greatest hits.

Anthem Hinglands Shopping Center, 2840 Bicentennial Parkway, Henderson, NV 89044
702-466-2190
702-466-2190

El Sombrero Cafe

807 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101

El Sombrero, once a family-owned restaurant that first started serving Mexican food in 1950, reopened under new ownership. Irma Aguirre of Mundo fame is behind the makeover that includes a new menu focusing on upscale Mexican fare and a black and white color scheme that refreshes the dining room.

807 S Main St, Las Vegas, NV 89101
(807) 762-4678
(807) 762-4678

Giada

3595 Las Vegas Blvd S, Vegas, NV 89109

Giada De Laurentiis opened her very first restaurant at The Cromwell with a menu packed with antipasto, pastas, pizzettes and more, all with her signature twist on Italian cuisine with her deft California touches. While the prices may be high, they are matched only by the flavor that is delicate and feminine, never leaving you too full. As Giada says, "Taste a little bit of everything and not a lot of one thing." You can get lunch and breakfast too.

3595 Las Vegas Blvd S, Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 777-3777
(702) 777-3777

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar

3535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109

Love it or loathe it, Guy Fieri’s new restaurant is the hottest ticket in town with lines out the door. Yes, there are Vegas fries. Yes, there is a Triple D burger. Are they good? Up to you. You can get breakfast here too.

3535 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109
(800) 351-7400
(800) 351-7400

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

11011 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar brings executive chef Brian Massie's food off the Strip for the first time. Two oversized hearth ovens cook 90 percent of the restaurant's menu, and each wood roasted dish features earthy flavors of the pecan and whisky barrel wood used to fuel the fire.

11011 W. Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 797-7344
(702) 797-7344

Japanese Cuisine by Omae

3650 South Decatur Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89103

With only 12 seats, this exclusive restaurant serves up a seven-course omakase dinner menu from Michelin-starred Takeshi Omae. Right now, the restaurant offers four different omakase menus. Do make reservations in advance for the dinner with only two seatings nightly.

3650 South Decatur Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89103
702-966-8080
702-966-8080

Lao Sze Chuan

4321 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103

Tony Hu, the self-proclaimed Mayor of Chinatown in Chicago, makes his first foray into Las Vegas with Lao Sze Chuan. Find Sze Chuan cuisine as well as Mandarin, Cantonese, Hunan and Shanghai dishes made especially for the Palms location. Get dim sum for lunch, too.

4321 West Flamingo Road, Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 990-8888
(702) 990-8888

Lucky Foo's Restaurant & Bar

8955 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89123

The southeast lands an American izakaya mixes Asian and Mediterranean flavors with American cuisine. Much of the menu is cooked on a robata grill and a traditional Japanese coal called binchotan, which burns at 1,000 degrees. Also of note, a sushi bar.

8955 South Eastern Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-650-0669
702-650-0669

Related Maps

Made LV

450 South Rampart Boulevard, Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, NV 89145

Power food couple Elizabeth Blau and Kim Canteenwalla are at it again with Made LV, their second restaurant. The Tivoli Village tavern serves up comfort food with a healthy twist.

450 South Rampart Boulevard, Tivoli Village, Las Vegas, NV 89145
702-722-2000
702-722-2000

Mercadito

11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89135

The Chicago invasion of Vegas continues with the Mexican Mercadito, the first of two planned for Las Vegas. Tacos, guacamoles, salsas all come in shareable sizes, so go with a group. Get brunch on the weekends, too.

11011 West Charleston Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89135
(702) 979-3609
(702) 979-3609