I’ll be going to LV in October for a convention. I’ll only be there for 2 days and 2 nights. I’d love to hear your favorite places to eat, within the following criteria:
Cost - it doesn’t have to be dirt cheap, but I won’t be going to any high-roller, top of the food chain places either. Figure on roughly $10-20 for breakfast, $15 - 20 for lunch, and $40 - $60 for dinner (not counting cocktails.)
Location - I’d prefer to stay somewhat near the Mirage, where I’ll be staying. I don’t mind a good long walk, but I’d rather not get into a taxi if I don’t need to. I figure there’s more than enough options within walking distance.
Cuisine - I eat pretty much anything, but love ethnic food, so would lean towards Mexican, Caribbean, Asian, etc.
There is a buffet in the Mirage that contains many different cultural varieties of food. The Lux cafe in the venetian (across the street from the Mirage) is a great place for lunch. I’ve never been, but I have heard people rave about Peppermill for breakfast.
Breakfast - 2 places - Across the street and down a block is Margaritaville. The place is a zoo at night, but they serve a dynamite breakfast. Try the “French Quarter” omelet, which has andouille sausage and a wonderful jambalaya sauce. Or, you could head up the Strip a couple of blocks (take a cab) to Peppermill. Come hungry. the portions are huge. Or you could head off-Strip to the Hash House a Go Go, on Sahara at Rainbow. Excellent food.
Lunch/Dinner - too many to mention. If you can’t find someplace to eat in Vegas, you aren’t trying. Try Mesa Grill at Caesar’s.
As Silenus mentioned, there are lots of places within walking distance of Mirage. Treasure Island has a couple - Canter’s Deli (a famous LA landmark with a restaurant here) and Kahunaville are both excellent, with large portions for a decent price.
It’s more than a walk from The Mirage, but it’s well worth the taxi ride if you like Thai food at all. Lotus of Siam.
The best Thai food I’ve ever had, and very reasonably priced. I’m not alone in that judgment… Jonathan Gold called it “the single best Thai restaurant in North America.”
Don’t be scared when you pull into the parking lot… it doesn’t look like much from the outside. It’s in a crappy, run-down stripmall, and is surrounded by pool halls and massage parlors. But the food is amazing.
If you have your heart set on a buffet, head down to Planet Hollywood or across the street to Wynn.
Seredipity 3 outside Caesars has pretty good food. For late-night snacking, head up to the third floor of the Imperial Palace and hit their burger joint. Open late, for when you just have to eat something!
Make sure you get the sweet sticky rice with mango and coconut ice cream for dessert. Good lord, I’m literally drooling as I type that… man, I really need to get back to Vegas soon…
There was a great italian place just down the road between the Paris and the Flamingo when I was there a couple years ago. I can’t tell you if it’s still there, but if it is, it’s great food.
Avoiding buffets? I just got back from Vegas and we were mighty impressed by the buffet at The Wynn. It’s not too expensive for lunch ($20ish?) but it has a bunch of well-made dishes from around the world, and some pretty incredible desserts.
I live in Vegas, and word in the hotels doing convention/trade shows, so I have had lots of occasion to try places out.
As others have said, Lotus of Siam is a place that cannot be beat. You would want to take a cab there, but trust us, it’s worth it.
California Pizza Kitchen in the Mirage has a good lunch menu and is within your price range.
There’s a bunch of decent restaurants in the Forum Shops at Caesar’s as well as at the Venetian.
Battista’s is still a great place, and yes, the Peppermill is good for any meal.
If you want the best sammich of your life, try the Bobby at Capriotti’s. They are farther than you would want to walk from the Mirage, but the one at Sahara & the Strip will deliver to there.
Vegas doesn’t really lack for good food. Just stay out of anyplace where the food is artfully arranged on the plate, or where people are wearing ties, and you should enjoy yourself.
But really, take the cab to Lotus. If it isn’t some of the best Thai food you’ve ever had, lemme know and I’ll send you a check for the cost of the cab. (I never lose this bet!)
A third for Battista’s, which should tell you something. Great Italian food, huge entrees, and wine and cappuccino are included with the meal. We had our after-wedding dinner there, and we’re going back in three weeks; it’s something we look forward to on every Vegas trip. Awesome place.
Great. Lotus of Siam is on the list. I love Thai. I only have two days ( 6 or 7 meals if I push it…) but you guys have given me some good ones so far. Still hoping for a good mexican recommendation.
Lotus is ok. But there’s a place in the same complex I like better called Komol Kitchen Restaurant. I’d recommend them over Lotus any day for Thai food.
Mexican is easy here. Ricardo’s has great food and a handful of locations, tho you’d need a cab ride.
I don’t care for the food (that I’ve had), but many people rave about Lindo Mihoacan on Desert Inn. Another quick cab ride, but as I say, many people love it and consider it the best “authentic” Mex place in town. (To be fair, I really can’t eat anything there. I’m a veg, and everything they make is made with lard, not veg oil. Even the tortillas.)