When you live in Las Vegas, the decision of where to go out to eat can sometimes feel overwhelming. There are just so many truly excellent choices! After living in Vegas for 14 years, I’ve watched as the city has made a name for itself as one of the top foodie metropolises in the country, rivaling the dining scenes of more established restaurant destinations like New York City. This is in part due to the wide variety of cuisine options and how accessible it is, especially if you venture off the Strip, given that so many restaurants in Vegas have free parking, ample seating, and few long lines or waitlists. In fact, the results of a survey from WalletHub rank Las Vegas in the top 10 “Best Food Cities in America,” ahead of both Los Angeles and New York.
If you’re looking to get off the Strip and go somewhere less touristy, the following five restaurants are some of the most popular restaurants frequented by locals. With the exception of Herbs & Rye, which is located less than 3 miles west of the Strip, all of the restaurants on this list can be found within popular neighborhoods that are destinations unto themselves, making it possible to sightsee, shop, or bar hop before or after your meal.
Esther’s Kitchen
If you only went by the humble description on Esther’s Kitchen’s website, you might assume that this “seasonal Italian neighborhood restaurant” is just the Arts District’s version of your typical spaghetti-and-breadstick Vegas Italian restaurant. But Esther’s Kitchen is far from typical. It’s won multiple awards and accolades, including a spot on USA TODAY’s list of the “Best Restaurants in the U.S.,” and it’s also one of the most popular restaurants north of the Strip.
Esther’s Kitchen is located in the heart of the Las Vegas Arts District, which is one of the five best walkable Las Vegas neighborhoods to visit, according to locals, and a popular place to go if you want to bar hop, gallery hop, or enjoy some delicious and creative takes on traditional cuisine. When Esther’s Kitchen opened in 2018, it gave hole-in-the-wall vibes, as the original Arts District location was much smaller and only sat a maximum of 68 people. After becoming popular with locals, the restaurant relocated to a bigger space around the corner, but it still maintains the same unpretentious aesthetic. Chef James Trees, a Las Vegas native, is known to come out to chat with diners, and the ambiance is relaxed and informal. If you go, be sure to try the delicious Pan Roasted Mary’s Chicken and the Basil Ricotta sourdough bread, which is made in-house.
Grape Street Cafe
Located in Downtown Summerlin, one of the best neighborhoods in Las Vegas, which has its own ballpark, pro hockey rink, and ample outdoor space, Grape Street Cafe has long been a locals’ favorite. A staple of the Vegas Valley for 26 years, they moved to their new location in Downtown Summerlin 12 years ago. With soft candlelight, white-linen tablecloths, and an interior that was reportedly designed to resemble a wine cellar, Grape Street Cafe is well-known among locals as a place to take a first date or celebrate a romantic anniversary. But the California bistro-style restaurant’s large, breezy patio also makes it an ideal place to go for an after-work drink…