Las Vegas has really amazing restaurants and bars. There are so many choices for any budget or occasion. It’s really hard to choose all my favorites but these are the ones I made sure to visit before I moved away. Some are on or near the strip and others are more local spots.
This is my absolute favorite restaurant in all of Las Vegas so I am putting it at the very top of my list. It is a little off the strip but not far. Firefly is a Spanish tapas restaurant. They have a large menu with so many amazing options. I have never had anything bad here. They have a gluten free and vegetarian menu as well and they take it seriously. My favorite dishes are the Apple & Manchego salad and Bacon Wrapped Dates. And before I found out about celiac, the Calamari and the Manchego Mac & Cheese were my favorites too. Everything is good though, so it’s hard to list all my faves. They also have fantastic drinks and an amazing happy hour with pitchers of sangria and flavored mojitos. Also try their special Infused Vodka, it’s dangerous. We had dinner here our last night and not going to lie, I cried. I started going to Firefly back in early 2007, soon after moving to Vegas. It was the spot where I, along with so many of my friends gathered for birthdays, dates, celebrations, girls nights, so many Happy Hours and one of my friends even had her wedding reception there. It was the one place I always took people when they visited. It was such a special place to me.
Wineries in Pahrump
So weird as it sounds, there are wineries outside Vegas. I had never been and yet they were so close to me so me and my friend Val did a little journey out to Pahrump Valley Winery and did some wine tastings and had a beautiful lunch and then went to Artesian Cellars for another tasting and wine slushies. Pahrump Valley WInery is currently closed and is going to reopen under a new name.
Stonewise Mead and Cider in Pahrump
I wish I would have learned about this place sooner. They make their own mead and cider and it is AMAZING! We only got to visit twice before we moved away. They always have new and exciting flavors. I love their creativity. The owners are also very cool. It is definitely worth the 30 minute drive if you like mead or cider. If you go, tell them I said hi!
The Underground- Mob Museum Speakeasy
We wanted to do the whole museum but we never had time but we did make it to the speakeasy. It’s like a real speakeasy. The door is hidden and you need to know the password to get in. (It’s on the website) When you walk in, it feels like you are transported back to the Prohibition era. There was a jazz band playing and all the staff were dressed the part as well. Drinks are recreations of popular cocktails from back then and some are even served in a flask placed in a hollowed out book.
This is a super popular steakhouse and they get busy so make a reservation. They also have a great happy hour with 50% off steaks. They have really creative drinks. The vibe is very dark and cool. I had wanted to go for a long time and had never gotten around to it, so we finally went before Pajama Party BINGO. It was wonderful. They offer many gluten free options.
Coronado Cafe at Southpoint Late Night Breakfast
Do you ever hear people say “back in the olden days, you could get a full meal in vegas for really cheap”? Well, you still can, you just have to know where to look. The Coronado Cafe has a great late night breakfast menu. It’s from Midnight to 6am and you can get steak and eggs for around 6.99 (I’m not sure what the current price is, it used to be 4.99 but it goes up a little at a time.) We used to go there a lot after going to the original Stoney’s (country bar, used to be nearby but then it moved to Town Square.) They have gluten free bread available and it’s really good.
The food at Giada is good but I really love the Sangria. Just stop in at the bar and get a red Sangria. Trust me. They also have an incredible view of the Bellagio fountains but its an extra charge for one of those tables.
Ok this one isn’t necessarily about the food or drinks, it’s all ok and they have good margaritas. We had this on our Bucket List because it’s another place that holds a special place in my heart. This is where Karl and I met back in 2007. We would go back there every June 29th, the anniversary of where we met. And in 2018, it’s where he proposed. So it’s clearly very special to us. We made our last day in Vegas June 29th so we could go one last time. They actually do have some gluten free options including fries, which aren’t always easy to get gluten free due to cross-contamination.
Arts District Bars and Breweries
The Arts District became my favorite place to hang out in Vegas over my last few years there. It has such a different, chill vibe. It doesn’t feel like Las Vegas, which incidentally my sister pointed out that maybe it was because I no longer loved living in Vegas. But anyways, there are a lot of cool restaurants, bars and breweries. All of the breweries always have at least a couple cider options. Able Baker, SerVehZah, and Neon Desert were some of my favorites. For food, Casa Don Juan has really good Mexican food, Makers and Finders has delicious Latin food, and Esther’s Kitchen is a Vegas favorite. If you want some vegan food, there is Tacotarian, a quick service, plant based taco shop. There are cool bars in the Arts District too; ReBar, Velveteen Rabbit, Jammyland Cocktail Bar & Reggae Kitchen, and The Garden which is a really great LGBTQ+ bar. In addition to all the food and drink offerings there is a lot to see and do. There are art galleries, antique and vintage shops and tons of painted murals. Wander through the streets and alleys and you will find art at every turn.
Ok I know this isn’t Vegas exclusive but they do have the best burgers and they are always safe with Gluten Free. My favorite is the Southern Charm without the onions and add a fried egg. Best burger ever!
This is off the strip in the Southwest. It’s a cute little Korean restaurant with really good Bibimbap.
This is also in the Southwest. There are a lot of really good sushi restaurants in Vegas, especially AYCE ones. This one is really good. They have really cool specialty rolls. The walls are painted with cool anime murals. Make a reservation, it gets pretty busy.
OK this is a Vegas staple. They are everywhere and they are the same thing. Rumor has it that the couple got a divorce and split up the restaurants and changed some of the names but I don’t know if that’s true. Its like Starbucks, there is one on every corner in Vegas. This is a 24 hour, quick service, Mexican restaurant with a drive through. You can go at any hour of the day or night and there will be people there. Its quick, cheap, and so delicious at 4am after clubbing all night. My favorite thing to order was a carnitas taco and a bacon breakfast burrito without the tortilla.
What are your favorite restaurants and bars in Vegas? I know I left so many incredible places out but there are just so many options and new places open all the time. I’m sure next time I go back to visit there will be all new options to try.
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