Buffets are big business in America, and nowhere more so than in Vegas, where pretty much every hotel and resort offers their own take on the foodie format – particularly at breakfast, when tables buckle under the weight of maple syrup-drizzled pancakes, griddled bacon and other carb-heavy goodies. While the buffets remain, the scene has shifted in recent years from gluttonous spreads to more refined dining; it is at resort restaurants that celebrity chefs rake in the big bucks, and they’ve continued to open at great pace. And it’s not only fine-dining to be found here, either; Vegas makes fast food fab and casual cool with a range of cheaper, quicker and quirkier options for those with kids, a budget, and the know-how.
Within the famed faux City of Lights, Paris Las Vegas, is Le Village Buffet. This spot has quickly become a firm favorite among quality-appreciating locals: traditional dishes from five provinces of France are whipped up in front of your very eyes courtesy of live demonstrations, and all for a check that won’t bring a tear to the eye. On warm days, the outdoor patio is the place to be, but on cold desert mornings, the indoor fireplace draws the biggest crowd. On Sundays, there’s a Champagne brunch, too – the perfect way to wrap up the week.
2. Yard House
Rough around the edges, Yard House has become the go-to spot for those seeking decent beer and decent music – without a Kardashian sister in sight. Just two miles south of Mandalay Bay, Town Square is off the radar for most tourists, but it’s the new hotspot for insiders. A haven for lovers of the gorgeous golden stuff, this subterranean joint has the city’s largest selection of draft beer – not to mention great pub eats, flat-screen televisions for sports screenings and classic rock. And it’s less of a meat-market than its upstairs neighbor, Blue Martini.
3. Coyote Ugly
The movie comes to life at the Las Vegas version of the raucous, upmarket dive bar. As you’d imagine, locals love it for its no-frills fixtures and fittings – flea market decorations on the walls, weathered floor underfoot – and beer-servers with razor-sharp tongues (order water at your peril). The ladies who serve are called “coyotes,” and they’ll cut off your tie if you’re foolish enough to wear one. It’s a wild place to cut loose and let down your hair. Women who dare can dance atop the bar and donate their bra to the décor.
4. Tao
Many have tried – and failed – to steal the crown from Tao, Sin City’s reigning queen of the night. But she’s still standing strong in her 10,000-square-foot space at The Venetian, where all-out Buddha style rules the roost and many levels cater to the long line of partygoers that jostle to get in on any given night. Flashing lights, thumping bass and notoriously taut velvet ropes makes this a dance floor worth talking your way onto. And if all else fails, tip the bouncer a buck or two.
5. BLT Burger
This edgy young burger joint is a haven for carnivores: bloody, beautiful seven-ounce slabs of beef are wedged between deliciously thick buns. The milkshakes, including the Nutella-ish Nut Job and the sassy Grandma’s Treat (spiked with Maker’s Mark), will rock your world. But it’s the fried pickles – wonderfully light, crispy and salty – that are the surprise star of this culinary show. Attracting both the lunchtime crowds and the post-clubbing set from Jet, BLT Burger likes to keep things deliciously tongue-in-cheek with T-shirts on its waitstaff that read ‘tip waiters, not cows’. Quick to eat and easy on the wallet.
Better known for its outpost in Miami, Joe’s Stone Crab has finally washed up on the artificial shores of Las Vegas and flown in a chunk of fishy Florida. Expect the restaurant’s signature stone crab – flown in daily (eco warriors, turn away) – and accompaniments like mash and spinach whipped into a creamed frenzy. It’s all Mad Men-style interiors, with plenty of dark wood and deep booths, and there’s a clubby atmosphere that’ll have you lounging late into the night.
