In the two years since our inaugural issue of the Top 100 Restaurants in Las Vegas, the city — already a food and drink destination — has seen its culinary stature soar.
Witness the awards ceremonies for World’s 50 Best Restaurants and North America’s 50 Best Restaurants, the return of the Michelin Guide, and a record-breaking 14 semifinalists for the James Beard Awards this year, including the first winner from Vegas in 15 years. 2026 has also brought national media attention for everything from Hawaiian food to steakhouses to the recent debut of a Strip restaurant by one of the most lauded young chefs of his generation.
You can taste it: Vegas possesses a culinary energy, scope and ambition like never before.
We know from experience, having eaten at hundreds of establishments over the years. (We pay our own way and arrive unannounced to avoid receiving attention or service that might not be extended to other diners.)
Compiling this year’s Top 100 Restaurants has underscored some salient dining trends.
Asian and Pacific Island foods flourish in Vegas beyond ubiquitous hot pot, Korean barbecue and Hawaiian chains.
Winning steakhouses are more numerous than ever and found in more places than ever, not just in Strip casinos.
Italian food remains a stalwart, with top-drawer options across the valley.
Indian cuisine has moved beyond tikka clichés to the ranks of fine dining.
Spanish restaurants offer some of the most intricate cooking in the city.
International traditions, from Eastern European to Persian to the Mediterranean, add to the richness Vegas offers.
Mexican and Latin American restaurants showcase menus that range from classic dishes to modern takes on tradition.
Neighborhood French food proves a worthy partner to the haute cuisine temples that have long commanded the Strip.
Several cocktail bars and wine bars, some with a culinary component, receive separate recognition on this year’s list, an acknowledgment of the important part they play in Vegas hospitality.
American restaurants require an ecumenical approach, a recognition that casual places and seasonal fine dining (and everything in between) significantly contribute to what makes up American food.
Our Hall of Fame returns this year — 10 restaurants whose enduring excellence makes them true icons — and enshrines a new member, a flagship among independent places.
In addition to the print magazine, the Top 100 exists as an online resource searchable by restaurant name, cuisine or area at neon.reviewjournal.com, where the first two editions can also be found.
As always, places you might not have tried mingle with spots that reward a return visit. The Top 100 is your guide to what’s most flavorful in Vegas.