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The 38 Essential Las Vegas Restaurants, Jan. 2013

by Susan Stapleton Jan 8, 2013, 2:00am PST

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by Susan Stapleton Jan 8, 2013, 2:00am PST

10 comments / new

It's time to update the Eater 38, your answer and ours to any question that begins, “Can you recommend a restaurant?” This highly elite group covers the entire city, spans myriad cuisines and price points and collectively satisfies all of your restaurant needs from where to go for a reliable quick bite to where to go when you want to blow half a paycheck on dinner. Every couple of months, we'll be adding pertinent restaurants that were omitted, have newly become eligible (restaurants must be open at least six months) or have stepped up their game.

For those of you readying the pitchforks because your favorite restaurant isn't on the list, wouldn't it just be more productive to leave your thoughts in the comments? State your cases for (or against) restaurants in the comments or in the tipline.

Additions and Subtractions:
· July 2012: Piero's Italian Cusine, Bar + Bistro, Origin India dropped; Old Homestead Steakhouse, Le Thai, Metro Pizza added

· Oct. 2012: Los Antojos Mexicana dropped; Marche Bacchus French Bistro & Wine Shop added

· Jan. 2013: Old Homestead, Holstein's Shakes & Buns and Society Cafe dropped; Kabuto, Spago and Mizumi added

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process. If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Abriya Raku

Every chef in town stops by Mitsuo Endo’s tiny 48-seater that serves up Japanese robataki dishes, small portions cooked over a charcoal grill, that can change your life.

5030 W. Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146

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American Fish

Michael Mina’s newest Vegas restaurant takes its inspiration from the great outdoors in the look and the cuisine. Salt baking, wood grilling, cast-iron griddling and ocean-water poaching techniques are used in this restaurant that looks like a 19th century lodge.

3730 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89158

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BarMasa

Despite a cold but modern interior, BarMasa still serves up some of the best sushi in Las Vegas. Fish caught with 24 hours in Tokyo Bay make their way to this pricey restaurant from Masa Takayama. To experience this best, have an expense account and order omakase, a chef’s choice, multi-course meal.

Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare

Paul Bartolotta’s namesake restaurant at Wynn is a homage to the chef’s love for Italian cooking. Two and a half tons of seafood is flown in from the Mediterranean weekly and simply, but expertly prepared. The Sardinia-esque room and overlooks an idyllic lagoon lined with cabanas. For the uninitiated stick with the tasting menus to get a true feel for what they are going for, a traditionally fashioned Italian seafood meal.

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Bouchon Bistro

Put together the cuisine of Thomas Keller with a La Belle Epoque setting and you have the perfect recipe for French cuisine. Breakfast here are a treat with flaky croissants and more. Keller sources his ingredients from boutique purveyors.

3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Carnevino

Mario Batali’s outpost at the Palazzo dry ages steaks for six to eight months, bringing out the flavors of these pieces of beef you can order by the inch. The pastas and Italian dishes are some of the best in town.

3225 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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China Poblano

Go for Chinese or Mexican at this cheeky restaurant from José Andrés. Chef Shirley Chung makes her noodles in a showcase kitchen at the front of the restaurant. But feel free to order a little from each side of the menu with a group of friends.

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Comme Ça

Chef Brian Howard has shown he’s willing to take risks with his Bistronomy menu that takes diners on a French culinary journey. Charcuterie made in-house and locally purveyed foods highlight this fun menu.

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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CUT By Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck’s best restaurant in Las Vegas serves up a mean bone marrow flan. Critics consider this one of the best steakhouses in town.

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

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Due Forni Pizza & Wine

Two ovens here cook up Roman and Neapolitan pizzas with an ingredient list featuring the best products from Italy. A mozzarella bar is a must-order, while other dishes from chef Carlos Buscaglia use those same ovens to conjure up imaginative entrees.

3555 S Town Center Dr, Las Vegas, NV 89135

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DW Bistro

Dalton Wilson takes his Jamaican roots and combines them with his New Mexican upbringing for some spicy dishes. Brunch here is a must.

6115 S. Fort Apache Road, Las Vegas, NV 89148

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First Food & Bar

Chef Sammy DeMarco has a lot of fun with the foods he dishes up. Look for a comfort menu and junk food classics.

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3327 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Fuku Burger

hese Japanese-inspired burgers are worth tracking down this mobile food truck. Check the schedule online for locations, but they make regular appearances on Friday at the Downtown 3rd Farmers Market.

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201 N. Third St., Las Vegas, NV 89101

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Hot N Juicy Crawfish

Chefs love the seafood served up in a bag with a choice of seasonings and spice levels.

3863 W Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89102

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In-N-Out Burger

Ask a tourist one of the first places they stop after landing and many will say they truck over to In-N-Out for a double double. Sure, it’s a chain with nine locations in Vegas, but the burgers stand up.

4888 S. Dean Martin Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89103

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Jaleo

José Andrés finally brought his divine tapas and paellas to Vegas, but it’s é Bar inside that gets all the buzz. Try to nab a seat at this exclusive multi-course meal that has foodies buzzing.

3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Joël Robuchon

Yes, you may be dining next to Chuck Norris as celebrity pics seriously line the opulently decorated space that is a cross between the inside of a Faberge egg and the boudoir of Marie Antoinette. The exquisitely crafted fare from the “chef of the century” does however in fact stand up to the room’s décor. It’s French grandiosity meets Asian refinement. Be sure to request a complimentary pick up and a MGM limo will be dispatched to deliver to the private entrance.

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3799 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Julian Serrano Tapas

Perhaps Las Vegas’ best tapas restaurant comes at the hands of Julian Serrano, the Spaniard whose name adorns the restaurant. He brings his native dishes to life.

3730 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89158

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Kabuto

By far some of the freshest sushi you can find in Las Vegas, and it won’t break the bank. The 10-piece nigiri goes for $40. Here, it’s more a matter of whether you can land a table in this tiny 18-seater.

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5040 W. Spring Mountain Road, Las Vegas, NV 89146

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L'Atelier De Joël Robuchon

Watch the artistry of executive chef Steve Benjamin and his team when you pull up a seat at the bar overlooking the kitchen of the Joël Robuchon’s more casual approach to dining that is still through the stratosphere. Tapas, a tasting menu and wines from around the world highlight the menu here.

3799 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Le Cirque

Go for classic and contemporary French cuisine from the Maccioni family replete with a circus tent designed by Adam Tihany. Executive chef Gregory Pugin pushes the food to over-the-big-top status.

3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Le Thai

Dan Coughlin’s tiny Thai restaurant in Downtown Las Vegas has amazing noodles, magnificent curries at all spice levels and a packed room. Get there early to beat the crowds.

523 Fremont St, Las Vegas, NV

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Marché Bacchus

After struggling with different chefs over the years, Marche Bacchus seems to have found the perfect fit with Dave Middleton, a protege of Alex Stratta, the consulting chef here. Look for dishes such as steak tartare, torchon of foie gras and handmade pastas such as red and green tagliatelle with lobster, sea urchin and roe. The wine shop at the front, where guests can pick up bottles to accompany dinner for a $10 corkage fee, features selections from France, Spain, Italy and California. The 120 seats here overlook Lake Jacqueline on the terrace.

2620 Regatta Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89128

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Lotus of Siam

Arguably the best Thai food in Vegas. Saipin Chutima specializes in Northern and Eastern Thai food. Pair your meal, where you can request a degree of hotness, with the excellent list of Reislings, a perfect balance to the spice.

953 E Sahara Ave., Las Vegas, NV 89104

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Metro Pizza

Would you miss Metro Pizza if it was gone? Yes, you would. This pizza chain from founders John Arena and Sam Facchini has been making damn fine pies for 32 years. With six locations across Las Vegas, Metro Pizza represents a place where you can always find good pizzas and dish over a slice.

1420 W Horizon Ridge Pkwy., Henderson, NV 89012

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Michael Mina

Executive Chef Benjamin Jenkins helms this, the original restaurant of its namesake, and brings to life the creative visions Michael Mina has. Look for a fusion of flavors and indulge on the caviar cart if you can afford it.

3600 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV

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Mizumi

The hottest new Japanese restaurant on the Strip features Devin Hashimoto’s take on traditional dishes. A 72-hour braised American Wagyu short rib “kakuni” with creamy satsuma potatoes, fava bean and shitaake ragout and red wine miso sauce is not to be missed.

3131 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Monta Japanese Noodle House

Monta serves up Kurume-style ramen in a pork broth on its 10-item menu. Critics call it the Raku of noodle joints in town.

5030 Spring Mountain Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89146

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Nove Italiano

Chef Geno Bernardo taught himself to cook, so his approach to Italian dining lets his creativity shine. Find ingredients from his farm in Pahrump, crudos to die for and some of the best pizzas in the city.

4321 W Flamingo Rd, Las Vegas, NV 89103

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Picasso

This is one of the few restaurants in the world where you can dine with an original Picasso hanging next to your table. Julian Serrano marries French and Spanish cuisines at this gem that also sports 1,500 varieties of wine in the cellar.

3600 Las Vegas Blvd. S, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Restaurant Guy Savoy

Though the aesthetic is more modern and there is a kitschy view of the Eiffel Tour (you can’t actually see the real one from the rue Troyon in Paris), the cuisine is identical. The most traditional presentations of all the city’s bastions of French cooking are found here and their cellar contains more wine then rest of the hotel combined.

3570 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, NV 89109

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Sage

Shawn McClain serves up imaginative fare with inventive twists in an Art Deco dining room. Belly up to the bar for a cocktail in a speakeasy setting.

3730 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas, NV 819158

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Settebello Pizzeria: Henderson

Pizzas cooked in wood-fired brick ovens with a crisp crust that you have to tear apart by hand bring in families from all over the valley.

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140 S Green Valley Pkwy., Henderson, NV 89012

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Spago By Wolfgang Puck

Wolfgang Puck's original Las Vegas restaurant ushered in an era of celebrity chefs in Sin City. The seared duck breast and smoked salmon pizza are must-orders.