Seasonal Italian$$$arts-district
Esther's Kitchen in Las Vegas is James Trees's seasonal Italian dining room in the Arts District, named USA Today Restaurant of the Year 2026 and the anchor.
Signature: House-made pasta, Wood-roasted vegetables, Chocolate budino
Order: Whatever house-made pasta is on the daily menu; the dough is rolled in the open kitchen.
Tip: Book at least two weeks ahead for a Friday or Saturday; the wine room runs a deeper Italian list than the floor.
Northern Thai$$east-sahara
Lotus of Siam on Sahara is Saipin Chutima's original Northern Thai room, reopened May 2026 at its Commercial Center home five years after a roof collapse.
Signature: Khao soi, Crispy duck on drunken noodles, Nam khao tod
Order: The khao soi: coconut curry, egg noodles, crispy noodle nest on top. Saipin Chutima's signature plate.
Tip: The original Sahara room reopened May 8 2026 with a limited dinner menu Wed to Sun; the Flamingo branch covers the full menu.
Japanese Izakaya and Robata$$$spring-mountain-chinatown
Raku in Las Vegas is Mitsuo Endo's Chinatown izakaya since 2008, a binchotan-charcoal robata room that drew chefs from the Strip on their nights off.
Signature: Robata skewers, Agedashi tofu, Foie gras with caramelised onion
Order: The agedashi tofu, made in-house daily, and a run of robata skewers picked at the counter.
Tip: Booking is essential; the room is small and the line cooks slow when the counter fills. After-hours kitchen runs to 03:00.
Modern American With Asian Influences$$$spring-mountain-chinatown
Sparrow + Wolf in Las Vegas is Brian Howard's Chinatown dining room since 2017, a James Beard Best Chef Southwest 2026 finalist serving cross-continent.
Signature: Charcuterie board, Tofu noodles, Wagyu beef cheek
Order: The Hong Kong-style wagyu beef cheek over noodles; the dish has been on the menu since opening.
Tip: The chef's counter sits four; ask at booking. Brian Howard usually works the line on Friday and Saturday.
Japanese Seafood and Sushi$$$west-saharaDaily 17:00-22:00
Other Mama in Las Vegas is Daniel Krohmer's seafood-driven sushi room since 2015, a Morimoto Philadelphia alum's industry hangout off West Sahara.
Signature: Hamachi crudo, Crispy whole fish, Uni toast
Order: The crispy whole fish with chili-lime sauce; daily catch from the sushi case.
Tip: Happy hour 5 to 6:30pm runs a half-price oyster and crudo list at the bar; it is the cheapest way into the kitchen.
Edomae Omakase Sushi$$$$spring-mountain-chinatown
Yui Edomae Sushi in Las Vegas is chef Gen Mizoguchi's Arville Plaza omakase room, seven seats at the bar, fish flown from Toyosu Market daily and tasting.
Signature: Edomae omakase, A5 Kagoshima wagyu, Daily fish from Toyosu
Order: The full omakase at the bar; book the latest seating and skip lunch beforehand.
Tip: Seven counter seats and three booths only; reservations open 30 days out and fill within hours.