Las Vegas is known for being a gathering place for famous chefs. Some of the biggest stars in the culinary arts come to Sin City to offer their specialty dishes, meaning that foods in Las Vegas are noteworthy and unique more often than not. Turns out, it’s not only the lights and entertainers that make the dazzle: you also have to consider the food from Las Vegas.
There are so many special dishes in the Las Vegas food scene that make it a prime destination for any foodie! This city that Nevada is known for has more to offer than just casinos. Make sure you don’t miss out on these famous foods in Las Vegas.
What’s Special About Las Vegas Food?
Everyone knows Las Vegas for its flashy lights, flashy entertainment, and even flashier dining experiences! This is the entertainment capital of the world, and over the years this “entertainment” has grown to include the Las Vegas foods.
While it was originally known for buffet-style meals, the city has expanded to offer cuisines from all around the world. Today, Las Vegas is a prime location for famous chefs from everywhere to put up a restaurant and share their most loved dishes with visitors to the city.
Like most things in the city, the gastronomic scene is over-the-top. However, it is one of the most interesting facts about Vegas for food lovers. If you follow any chefs or have any special cuisines you’d like to try, this is certainly the place to go!
One of the easiest ways to sample the many delicious dishes in the city is the hop on one of the Las Vegas food tours. You get to hit multiple spots at once and enjoy tasty food while learning about the city’s culture, all with other foodies!
Most Famous Food Of Las Vegas
As a popular tourist destination that receives so many visitors every year, the city holds a variety of cuisines and many restaurants. For this reason, “What food is Las Vegas known for?” is a tricky question precisely because every chef has their signature dish on offer.
However, one of the dishes you’ll see everywhere is the shrimp cocktail.
Shrimp Cocktail
Italo Ghelfi introduced Las Vegas to shrimp cocktails in 1959 at the Golden Gate Casino. He priced the dish at 50 cents, and it quickly became a favorite.
This Las Vegas food is a simple dish, consisting of shelled and cooked shrimp, rimming a glass, filled with cocktail sauce. It is a seafood favorite, popular around restaurants and casinos alike for its unique presentation. In fact, many restaurants offer this gem of Las Vegas cuisine 24 hours a day!
If you want to enjoy a shrimp cocktail, the Oyster Bar at Palace Station is a good place to get the classic dish and the casino atmosphere at the same time. Jerry’s Famous Coffee Shop is also an excellent option if you’re willing to venture a little off the main strip. Either way, make sure you check out this famous food from Las Vegas.
Famous Foods From Las Vegas
There are so many famous foods in Las Vegas, we broke them into groups so you can find exactly what you feel like eating. Make sure you enjoy and explore all the Las Vegas cuisine!
Meat-Based Foods In Las Vegas
Belly Of The Beast Burger (Truffles N Bacon)
The Belly of the Beast Burger takes the classic American hamburger to new levels. You better order one of these when you’re hungry; or better yet, when you and a few of your friends are hungry! This burger weighs a full ten pounds, making it one of the most famous foods in Las Vegas.
You can find this beast at Truffles N Bacon, piled high with two 2-pound beef patties, as well as tater tots, sunny side-up eggs, cheese, pork belly, and all sorts of sauces.
If you’re thinking about taking on this monster, make sure you call in advance; the restaurant typically requires a full three days’ notice to prepare this monster masterpiece of Las Vegas food.
Hell’s Kitchen Beef Wellington
If you’ve ever watched Gordon Ramsay on TV, you’ve likely seen the famous Beef Wellington. That said, one of the most prominent foods in Las Vegas is indeed the Hell’s Kitchen Beef Wellington. Those minutes (maybe even hours) of fame on screen certainly helped elevate its status.
Beef Wellington is an English classic, consisting of steak coated in pate and duxelles, wrapped in puff pastry, and baked to cook.
This English classic that Gordon Ramsay is known for is also one of the famous foods in Las Vegas. Whether you’re a fan of the show Hell’s Kitchen or you just want to try one of Ramsay’s famous dishes, it is worth it to book a table at Hell’s Kitchen Las Vegas.
Pastrami Burger (Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar)
The Pastrami Burger is exactly what it sounds like – the classic hamburger, topped with pastrami. Although the Pastrami Burger grew to fame in Utah, there are several notable Pastrami Burgers available in Las Vegas. This indulgent twist turns a typical American food into an even more decadent meal, anyone is sure to enjoy.
If you want to grab a Pastrami Burger, there are a few places famous for this Las Vegas food. One of the most notable is at Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar. Another top spot for this twist on a classic burger is Smmy’s L.A. Pastrami & Burgers.
Seafood And Fish-Based Foods In Las Vegas
Sushi Cupcakes
When considering what food is Las Vegas known for, imaginative creations like Jaburritos’ sushi cupcakes need to be mentioned. Beyond the taste, these dishes reflect the funky and unpredictable aspects of the city.
A crispy wonton-wrapper provides the base with white rice, then the cupcakes come in three varieties: spicy tuna, smoked salmon, and spicy surimi crab.
This fun concept originates from Jaburritos, which is also the originator of the famous sushi burrito. You can grab these little masterpieces in boxes of four on the Vegas strip. As a bonus, these creative creations make for great photos for any social media foodie.
Fish And Chips
While Las Vegas is a long way from England, you can still get some of the best fish & chips in the world in Sin City.
Fish and chips is a classic English dish, which consists of battered and deep-fried fish, served with french fries. Though fish and chips can use any kind of white fish, Gordon Ramsay’s take on this classic uses cod.
This dish is such a popular food from Las Vegas that it has its own restaurant – Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips. Of course, there are other places to appreciate this British dish in Las Vegas. You can also catch this tasty, fried dish at Crown & Anchor, and Smashed Pig Gastropub.
Spicy Shrimp
Seafood is extremely popular in Las Vegas, despite the fact that it is located in the middle of a desert. Spicy shrimp has become a staple in Las Vegas cuisine, perhaps owing to the popularity of the shrimp cocktail. This spicy spin on shrimp is available in lots of different restaurants around the Las Vegas strip.
What spices the dish uses varies depending on where you go – however spicy seafood is on the menu in most places. If you want to get some spicy shrimp for yourself, check out Holy Shrimp or Oyster Bar.
Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass
If you ask for seafood suggestions, you’ll likely hear about the Miso-Glazed Chilean Sea Bass at TAO, one of the famous foods in Las Vegas. This sea bass dish centers on the fish, beautifully seared, with a miso glaze on a bed of traditional vegetables. It has received recognition for combining a slight bite of spice with a bold flavor.
There is no better place to enjoy Pan-Asian cuisine in a ritzy environment than TAO Asian Bistro. While the Chilean Sea Bass is the main draw at TAO, you can also find Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine at this beautiful restaurant. If you like seafood, make sure you try out TAO.
Pasta-Based Foods In Las Vegas
Pasta Stuffed Sandwich
Maybe you’re tired of eating pasta in a bowl and you’d like to try a pasta sandwich? If that’s the case, make your way over to Amano. This place is known for being the carb-lover’s dream, from classic spaghetti and fettuccine alfredo to the pasta stuffed sandwich.
This food from Las Vegas presents a hollowed-out loaf of bread, which is toasted, filled with your choice of pasta, and then covered in cheese. It comes presented in a metal holder, with dipping sauces, so you can enjoy this creation with (minima) mess. Either way, load up on the napkins because this creation, also known as a “Fat Baby,” is a food lover’s dream.
LA Lasagna
You’ve never seen lasagna served like this – stop into the Planet Hollywood restaurant in Caesar’s Palace for a truly unique lasagna experience.
From the crispy coating to the pyramid-like presentation, you would not think it’s lasagna on first glance. It looks more like a sandwich than a classic lasagna, with ricotta and meat sauce in fried pasta tubes. This is all served on a bed of tomato basil sauce and roasted garlic cream.
Las Vegas cuisine offers a different approach to many culinary classics, and LA Lasagna is no different. If you want a different lasagna experience you can only find in Las Vegas, make sure you stop into the Planet Hollywood restaurant.
Carbonara Pasta
Carbonara is a type of pasta, which uses eggs, hard cheese, cured pork, and black pepper to create a savory dish. Despite being a classic, it is not easy to perfect.
This indulgent pasta brings together premium meats and fresh pasta to create an unforgettable experience. Although the dish originated in Italy, it has found a culinary home abroad in Las Vegas.
Casa Di Amore offers all the classic Italian fare, including carbonara. However, there are more adventurous options! If you want to try a combo, check out Buddy V’s Ristorante, which offers one famous Las Vegas food: the Macaroni and Cheese Carbonara.
Truffle Pasta
If you’re looking for decadent pasta, be on the lookout for Truffle Pasta, a staple Las Vegas food. The truffles lend the pasta a rich, earthly flavor, which makes the dish feel extremely special. Shaved truffles are often an option to add to dishes in Las Vegas, especially pasta dishes.
If you’re interested in White Truffle Pasta check out Spago, a Wolfgang Puck restaurant, located in the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Eataly pulls Urbani Truffles onto their menu, with a tagliolino al tartufo bianco.
No matter what you’re looking for, shaved truffles can elevate any pasta dish you find among famous foods in Las Vegas.
Mac n Cheese
Nothing says indulgent Las Vegas cuisine like a bowl piled high with mac n’ cheese. Although mac n cheese is normally a side dish, it has taken on a life of its own in the world of Las Vegas food. There are options for classic mac n cheese, along with more experimental flavors that will leave you wanting more.
There are several places where you even find mac n cheese served as a sandwich or on a burger; if you’re interested in trying a mac-laced sandwich, check out Aces and Ales or Tup’s Specialty Sandwiches.
For a more classic yet delish mac n cheese, there are more than enough options at Rock ‘N’oodles, Firefly, or Carson Kitchen.
Snack Foods In Las Vegas
Street Corn
Grab a Mexican-inspired snack at Dirt Dog! One notable food from Las Vegas hails from Dirt Dog, this is the elote (or Mexican street corn) inspired dish. Dirt Dog loyals begged for a spicy Cheeto-inspired street corn, and they obliged with this interesting creation.
This street corn is a grilled ear of corn, coated in butter, a lime-mayonnaise sauce, cheese, cilantro, and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Peculiar? Yes, but super flavorful as well. If corn isn’t your favorite option, you can also try this style on a hotdog or an order of french fries.
Trash Can Nachos
These loaded nachos are definitely in line with the Las Vegas food scene’s reputation for being excessive. The nachos have so many toppings that they’re actually served in a trash can at Guy Fieri’s Vegas Kitchen & Bar and El Burro Borracho.
The nachos carry all the classics, including (but not limited to) tortilla chips, black beans, cheese, pico de gallo, pickled onions, crema, cilantro, and jalapenos.
While you can find loaded nachos in lots of Vegas restaurants, you can only find Trash Can Nachos at Guy Fieri’s restaurants. This legendary appetizer is one of the foods in Las Vegas that screams decadence and excess.
High Roller (Cafe Hollywood)
If you want a sample of all the delicious appetizers on offer at Cafe Hollywood, try the famous High Roller! This appetizer sampling plate is served on a mini ferris wheel, as a nod to the High Roller Ferris Wheel.
The creative ferris wheel holder carries five different dishes, the Chicken Crunch, Texas Tostadas, Buffalo Wings, Fiver Cheese Dip, and Tempura Jumbo Shrimp.
The fun visuals of this appetizer sampler simply exemplify the Las Vegas food experience. The fanciful presentation, along with the delicious bites, make this a not-to-be-missed experience for Las Vegas snacks.
Desserts And Sweet Treats In Las Vegas
Skillet Cinnamon Roll
Upscale brunch just got better with the Skillet Cinnamon Roll at Sid’s Cafe. The skillet cinnamon roll is one of the famous foods in Las Vegas, sought after by tourists from around the world. This large cinnamon roll arrives at your table, in a skillet, drenched in sweet sauce.
To get the full experience, slice the skillet cinnamon roll like a mini pizza to maximize the sweet topping across every bite. Many visitors regard this as a must-try Las Vegas food. Whether you want a full brunch or just a sweet treat, grab a skillet cinnamon roll at Sid’s Cafe.
Bouchon Pastries
The Bouchon Bakery, located in the Venetian Hotel, will give you an authentic taste of France inside of Las Vegas cuisine. This famed bakery is opened by, none other than, French Laundry Chef Thomas Keller. France is known for their delicious pastries and you know the quality has to be there.
Beyond the French classics, you can also try some Austrian-style breakfast pastries: viennoiserie. No matter what you’re in the mood for, Bouchon Bakery has plenty of sweet options to try.
If you’re not up for traveling the world, check in to the Bouchon Bakery instead while you’re in Las Vegas. It’ll be a taste of Las Vegas (and France), all at the same time. Make sure you stop at the Venetian to grab a little slice of France, which has become a Las Vegas food classic.
Rolled Ice Cream
Rolled Ice Cream turns ice cream from just a sweet treat into an entertainment experience as well. Also known as stir-fried ice cream, it is made using milk, cream, sugar, and other ingredients depending on the flavor.
Although rolled ice cream originated in Thailand, it is widely available to fight the heat in Las Vegas. In fact, Thai dishes, both sweet and savory, are some of the largely popular foods in Nevada.
If you’re looking for a refreshing treat, there are several places that you can go. Check out Ice Land, Flavyours, or Rolled Ice Cream to get your sweet fix. Make sure you get a taste of this famous food in Las Vegas.
24 Layer Chocolate Cake
What food is Las Vegas known for, if not the 24 layer chocolate cake at Strip House? The name already sounds insane but that is exactly what it is!
This chocolate cake is any chocolate lover’s dream with 12 layers of decadent chocolate cake, 11 layers of smooth chocolate filling, and finally a layer of semisweet, French chocolate ganache on the top. In fact, this cake is so legendary it has won the award for the best chocolate dessert in America.
The entire cake weighs upwards of twenty pounds and can serve up to sixteen people! However, if you check out Strip House, you can try a slice of this indulgent cake after a wonderful steak dinner. Either way, you shouldn’t miss out on this sinfully chocolatey food from Las Vegas.
Pinkbox Donuts
You should be able to figure out where Pinkbox donuts locations are by the droves of pink boxes making their way down the street. These donuts are anything but boring; their exuberant flavors and decorations definitely belong amongst the famous foods in Las Vegas.
These donuts aren’t just delicious – they’re also little works of art. One favorite is a vanilla cake donut, topped with buttercream and pink icing, then formed in the shape of a pink, poop emoji. This little mascot, called a “Pooh,” comes in different flavors and colors if you’re not feeling pink.
FAMOUS FOODS IN THE US |
Sampling Famous Foods In Las Vegas
Among all the things Las Vegas is known for, the culinary scene is definitely among them. From impossibly large hamburgers to innovative desserts, you will find plenty of Las Vegas foods to try out. With famous chefs from around the globe, there is no shortage of options to explore; so be sure to bring your appetite.
Like the rest of the city, Las Vegas cuisine is known for being indulgent and over the top, even a little bit of a performance. Make sure you check out all the famous foods in Las Vegas while you’re there visiting!
