clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

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

Here's where you should be eating right now.

View as Map

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

Read More
If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Bazaar Meat

Copy Link

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.

Border Grill

Copy Link

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.

Buddha Belly Deli

Copy Link

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.

Carlo's Bakery

Copy Link

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.

Carson Kitchen

Copy Link

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.

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.

DB Brasserie

Copy Link

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.

David Clawson Restaurant

Copy Link

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.

El Sombrero Cafe

Copy Link

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.

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.

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar

Copy Link

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.

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

Copy Link

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.

Japanese Cuisine by Omae

Copy Link

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.

Lao Sze Chuan

Copy Link

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.

Lucky Foo's Restaurant & Bar

Copy Link

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.

Made LV

Copy Link

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.

Mercadito

Copy Link

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.

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.

The Perch

Copy Link

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

Pot Liquor CAS

Copy Link

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

Wolfgang Puck Bar & Grill

Copy Link

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

Loading comments...

Bazaar Meat

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.

Border Grill

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.

Buddha Belly Deli

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.

Carlo's Bakery

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.

Carson Kitchen

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.

Cleo

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.

DB Brasserie

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.

David Clawson Restaurant

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.

El Sombrero Cafe

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.

Giada

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.

Guy Fieri's Vegas Kitchen & Bar

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.

Hearthstone Kitchen & Cellar

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.

Japanese Cuisine by Omae

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.

Lao Sze Chuan

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.

Lucky Foo's Restaurant & Bar

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.

Related Maps

Made LV

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.

Mercadito

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.