Las Vegas has evolved into a world-class culinary destination. The best restaurants offer much more than just fuel for your next gambling session.
When I gifted my husband this whirlwind 48-hour trip to Vegas for Christmas, it was so he could attend the Nas residency. It was truly a dream come true for him! But he surprised me by planning our entire food adventure in return.
We’ve always bonded over our mutual love for exceptional food. We knew the Vegas dining scene would be as exciting as the concert. My husband took charge of all restaurant reservations. He made sure our trip included meals that would rival Nas’s performance! From elegant French cuisine with fountain views to innovative Asian fusion, the Vegas food scene delivered.
Related: Luxury Travel in Las Vegas: A Weekend Escape for Parents Who Don’t Gamble
Le Cirque (Bellagio) – Elegant French Dining with a View
Our Vegas culinary journey began at Le Cirque in the Bellagio, where we had dinner on our first night. After landing at 7:45 PM, my husband had reservations at 8:30 PM. This is what I love about him—while I focused on the concert tickets and hotel, he meticulously researched and booked all our dining experiences. Of course, I asked him to push the reservation back because we needed time to check into the Four Seasons and freshen up. Thankfully, the restaurant graciously accommodated us.
A Special Las Vegas Fine Dining Experience
What made the experience special wasn’t just the fine dining in Vegas but the perfect combination of ambiance, service, and extraordinary food. Our table offered stunning views of the Strip and the famous Bellagio fountains—a romantic setting for our anniversary celebration.
The staff deserves special mention. I loved their diverse backgrounds; one server was Greek and used to live in Astoria, Queens (hello, fellow New Yorker!), while another was Moroccan. If you’ve followed my blog from the beginning, you know Morocco holds a special place in our hearts as one of our favorite travel destinations.
Le Cirque’s Culinary Masterpieces: The Best Fine Dining in Las Vegas
Now, let’s talk about the food—simply AMAZING! We opted for the four-course experience at $255 per person, which began with a delightful amuse-bouche. For my first course, I savored Kusshi oysters and Lobster Salad, while my husband chose the Saint-Jacques Salad with pan-seared scallop, sweet gem lettuce, lemon vinaigrette, and truffle croutons (an extra $35).
For our second course, we couldn’t resist the Black truffle risotto with parmesan foam, comté cheese, and black truffle butter. It was worth every penny of the additional $65 each. My main course was the Brittany Loup De Mer prepared in a “papillote” with fondue of leeks and sauce vin rouge. My husband opted for the Wagyu Filet Mignon with peppercorn crust, pomme purée, and café de Paris sauce (an extra $65).
Dessert was equally impressive: I enjoyed the Mille-Feuille with caramelized puff pastry, vanilla ganache, raspberries, and balsamic glaze, while my husband chose the Le Fruit Du Dragon with raspberry and lychee sorbet, vegan yogurt, and fresh dragon fruit. The restaurant also surprised us with an extra dessert for our anniversary.
For drinks, I had a Vieux Carre (though not the best I’ve tasted), and we shared a half bottle of red wine. My husband also indulged in one of their signature cocktails. We joked with our sommelier that he should pace himself with the alcohol—we still had the rest of Vegas to enjoy!
Pro tip: While the dress code states “Business Elegance” (elegant and dressy for ladies, collared shirts or polos for gentlemen), we found ourselves slightly overdressed compared to other diners. Still, I’d rather be overdressed than underdressed for such an exquisite Vegas food experience.
Momofuku (The Cosmopolitan) – Creative Asian Fusion Worth the Hype
I’ve long wanted to dine at one of David Chang’s Momofuku locations in New York City, so I was excited it was in our itinerary. My husband scheduled dinner here before heading to the Encore at Wynn for the Nas residency concert.
What makes Momofuku special is its ever-changing menu, which showcases seasonal ingredients and creative combinations. For starters, I had the Kanpachi Crudo with chili jam, lime caviar, and fish sauce. My husband and I shared the Shrimp Buns with spicy mayo, pickled onion, and iceberg lettuce.
For my main course, I chose the Mushroom Ramen with bean sprouts, scallion, and shiitake XO and added spicy shrimp—absolute umami perfection! My husband went with the 12oz Wagyu Ribeye served with oyster mushrooms and green peppercorn.
I sipped on a Tamari Old Fashioned (Old Forester bourbon, black sugar, Momofuku tamari, and bitters), while my husband stuck with water and ginger ale.
A slight mishap turned into a pleasant surprise when a waiter accidentally stepped on my foot. Despite my assurance that it was okay, he later came to our table with complimentary glasses of sake—a thoughtful gesture that enhanced our experience.
Our corner table by the window offered an intimate setting with views of the Strip, perfect for people-watching while enjoying our meal. We couldn’t finish everything (the portions are generous), so we packed our leftovers—which turned out to be a blessing when JetBlue canceled our flight and late-night hunger struck!
Veranda at Four Seasons – A Peaceful Breakfast Oasis
While Vegas offers countless breakfast options, the $75 daily breakfast credit from my AMEX Platinum Fine Hotels and Resorts (FHR) benefit made the Veranda at Four Seasons an obvious choice. Located away from the noisy casino floors, this restaurant provides a serene start to your day.
They offer both buffet and à la carte options. Though the buffet looked and smelled enticing, I typically don’t eat enough to justify it. I ordered the Crab Cake Benedict with Maryland Blue Crab, Potato Galette, and Hollandaise on our first morning. My husband enjoyed the Mushroom Omelet with Chanterelle Mushroom, Wilted Lollipop Kale, and Gournay Sauce.
We surrendered to our sweet tooth on the second day and ordered the Banana Foster French Toast. Yummy brioche topped with banana, pecan sauce, and powdered sugar. Paired with mimosas, it was the perfect way to end our trip.
Press Cocktail Lounge – Elevated Bar Food and Creative Cocktails
For a relaxed lunch experience, we stopped at the Press Cocktail Lounge. The cocktail menu here is impressive; I selected from their Old Fashioned menu. I tried the Rum Baby Rum. It was made with Santa Teresa Rum, Banana Whiskey, Balvenie Single Malt Scotch Whiskey, Amaro, Walnut Bitters, and a yummy Banana Brûlée garnish.
My husband opted for the Lucid Dream, which includes Gran Patron Burdeos Anejo Tequila, Grand Marnier, Strawberry, and St. Germain Elderflower Liqueur.
Food-wise, I enjoyed the Tuna Crudo with Citrus Ponzu Sauce, Sriracha Aioli, and Yuzu Pearls. My husband went classic with a Shrimp Cocktail served with Sin City Cocktail Sauce and lemon.
Centurion Lounge (Harry Reid International Airport) – Pre-Flight Relaxation
Our final stop was the Centurion Lounge at Harry Reid International Airport. While we didn’t eat here (the food options weren’t pescatarian-friendly that day), I enjoyed a glass of brut while my husband rested after having been up since 3:00 AM.
The lounge provides a comfortable space to unwind before your flight, away from the chaotic terminal environment. This is yet another perk of AMEX Platinum that enhanced our Vegas experience.
My Top Recommendations for Your Vegas Culinary Adventure
Based on our whirlwind foodie tour, here are my suggestions for different dining scenarios:
- For Couples: Le Cirque is perfect for a romantic splurge. I’ve also heard excellent things about Bourbon Steak at Four Seasons, though we didn’t get to try it this time.
- For Groups: Momofuku’s shareable plates and vibrant atmosphere make it ideal for friend gatherings.
- For Solo Travelers: Both Momofuku and the restaurants at Four Seasons (Veranda and Press) have comfortable bar seating and attentive service that makes dining alone a pleasure.
Reservation Tips:
- Momofuku was bustling when we visited; definitely book in advance, especially for peak dinner hours.
- Le Cirque was surprisingly accommodating and not overly crowded, but reservations are still recommended.
- Don’t miss the Truffle Risotto at Le Cirque, the Tuna Crudo at Press, or the Ramen at Momofuku—these were standout dishes worth every calorie!
Beyond the Buffet: Vegas as a Culinary Destination
Our 48-hour trip—initially planned as a Christmas gift for my husband to see Nas—reinforced that Las Vegas has transformed into a legitimate culinary destination that can stand alongside cities like New York and San Francisco. I may have gifted the trip, but my husband’s restaurant selections were his gift to me, showing how well he knows my taste. The days of Vegas being synonymous with all-you-can-eat buffets are long gone (though those still have their place!).
For this New York foodie, Vegas delivered experiences that will have me coming back for more. The only problem? My list of restaurants to try next time has grown even longer!
What’s your favorite Vegas restaurant? Share your recommendations in the comments below!