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Las Vegas is now known as a world-class dining destination. With gourmet restaurants and top-notch chefs entering the market, there’s no end to the culinary offerings available to residents. From your favorite neighborhood hamburger joint to the latest upscale fine dining, if it tickles your taste buds, you’ll find it in Las Vegas!

Visitors to Paris Las Vegas can enjoy some of the Strip’s most celebrated restaurants, including the Eiffel Tower Restaurant, which sits more than 100 feet above the Strip. Also at Paris Las Vegas is Mon Ami Gabi, a charming bistro and Les Artistes Steakhouse, often called the most beautiful dining room in Las Vegas because of its Impressionist art and opulent décor.

While newcomers to Las Vegas may find that they don’t have enough time or a large enough budget to frequent the high-end restaurants on the Strip, the city and surrounding area offer many tasty alternatives ranging from upscale eateries to bistros and cafés to steakhouses and soul food spots. Like so much that is Las Vegas, there are plenty of choices, many of them reasonably priced. Plus, many eateries are open in keeping with the 24/7 Vegas lifestyle, which provides more flexibility and convenience for customers. Newcomers are also pleased at how appeasing and accommodating the servers are at local restaurants.

“Life in Las Vegas is second to none - especially the access to the incredible number of restaurants in the valley,” notes Jesse Hereda, Branch Manager, GEM Mortgage. “We have some of the most famous chefs in all the world cooking food for us. From Italian and French dining to Moroccan and Ethiopian dining to Asian dining to classic American dining, Las Vegas offers it all. Make sure you regularly dine-out to sample all that the Las Vegas Valley has to offer."

While the buffets that made Las Vegas famous are still around, it’s fun to discover new culinary haunts The city and surrounding area have a flavor to tantalize every taste bud! Las Vegas’ wide variety of cuisine echoes the more than 100 ethnic groups in the area. Reflecting the city’s diverse populations, specialty and ethnic restaurants located around the city can satisfy cravings for just about any cuisine – Guatemalan, Italian, Sicilian, Jewish, Creole, Peruvian, southern barbecue, French, contemporary American, Chinese, Thai, Bulgarian, Greek, Korean, Indian, Scottish, German, English, Japanese and Mexican.

The art of cooking—and enjoying the results—is an area in which Las Vegas truly shines. Use “The ABCs of Dining” to help track down Las Vegas’ culinary treats. A handy list of some popular spots is included to help guide the way.

The ABCs of Dining
The following primer gives a taste of what Las Vegas has to offer, but it’s like an appetizer – just enough to get the meal started.

A – Always open (24/7 dining)
This city never sleeps. In addition to the casinos in town, grocery stores, discount centers and local bars are open 24 hours a day. No matter your lifestyle or your food cravings, Las Vegas is poised to please.

B – Buffets or Bust
In Las Vegas, the question is what kind of buffet experience do you feel like today? The genre is not limited to one cuisine. Here you can choose from Mexican, Chinese, all beef, Indian cuisine, barbecue and all-American fare, to name a few.

C – Cocktails & More
Among the most happening places in Las Vegas are luxurious bars serving exotic cocktails. Depending on your mood, certain places offer dancing, romantic evenings or entertainment – whatever you choose, expect to find lots of beautiful people.

D – Delis and Diners
Thanks to many people who have moved here from New York City, Las Vegas can satisfy your deli craving. Options like corned beef on rye, matzo ball soup and lox and bagels, take diners on a culinary trip to the Big Apple.

E – Elvis Lives!
The King’s spirit lives on throughout the city. If you’ve ever contemplated an Elvis-themed wedding, you can make it happen here. Do you need a special gift for a friend who loves Elvis memorabilia? Check out the Bonanza Gift Shop at the Las Vegas Hilton where the King performed more than 800 sold-out-shows.

F – Fresh and Fast
The Market Grille Café gives diners fresh cuisine in record time. Expect to find a delectable array of specialties from the region, including Greek favorites.

G - Grains, granola, & lots of good stuff
Check out the city’s newest whole grain headquarters – The Great Harvest Bread Co. Enjoy fresh baked bread and sweets in this comfortable bakery. Bring the kids to enjoy the treats and watch the baking process in action.

H – How about a Hamburger?
Greasy hamburgers and piping hot fries are a classic favorite among foodies in Las Vegas.  Hand formed patties, loaded with every ingredient imaginable is what diners are treated to at Las Vegas’ most sought after burger joints. Quality beef is no exception in a city that prides itself on culinary excellence and fresh ingredients.

I – International Fare
What country’s cuisine would you like to try today? Without worrying about a passport, you can try French cuisine on the Strip or Italian at the Venetian. Off the Strip, you can find specialty and ethnic restaurants to suit any cuisine cravings.

J – Java Jitters (Coffee Shops & Caffeine Stops)
More than 20 specialty coffee and tea shops are located throughout the city. As in other major U.S. cities, Las Vegans like to take casual business meetings here, bring their laptops and cruise the Net – a great jumpstart to the day.

K – Keeping it local
Locally owned restaurants are amply represented to feed the more than 6,000 new residents who come to the city each month. How many options are available? In the local Yellow Pages, you’ll find more than 2500 listings in 10 categories!

L – Lunches and Brunches
The power brokers of Las Vegas use lunchtime to make deals and be seen. For dealmakers, time is money so many select lunch locations that are near their offices and pick locales with good service and an accommodating atmosphere.

M – Mexican & Margaritas 
You have a craving for Mexican food – now what to do? Head over to Ricardo’s Mexican restaurant for fresh, inventive Mexican cuisine. For 25 years, Ricardo’s has been a perennial Las Vegas favorite and is only 2 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Ricardo’s serves authentic and creative Mexican foods rich in the flavors of Northern Mexico and the American Southwest. Ricardo’s has been voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” by the Las Vegas Review Journal Reader’s Poll 20 times since 1983!

N – Naturally Delicious
Eating pizza and burgers is healthy at many Las Vegas eateries! Las Vegas restaurants mix fresh produce and preservative free options to create cuisine that is naturally delicious. The health conscious diner will find a plethora of options in the area that serve up heart-healthy and weight conscious entrees.

O – Only in Vegas
Only in Vegas can you eat around the clock, try specialty buffets, get free drinks on the house for your patronage and visit Paris, Venice and New York in one evening! And all this while enjoying some of the most sought after entertainment options in the world!

P – Pizza – Plain or Fancy
No food map is complete without giving pizza a mention. In Las Vegas, you can satisfy your craving for New York-style pizza, thin-crust pizza, deep-dish pizza, wood-fired pizza, designer pizza, specialty pizza or just plain cheese pizza.

Q – Quench Your Thirst at a Local Brew Pub
One way to beat the heat in Las Vegas is a stop at a local brewpub. Nothing quite matches the taste of locally made beer served on tap. The city has a handful of brewpubs located around the city, some that offer food as well.

R – Romantic Dining 
As a world-class city, Las Vegas does not disappoint when it comes to finding that special, quiet spot to pop the question, celebrate an anniversary or just enjoy each other’s company. Whether you prefer a quiet setting, a dynamite view, discreet wait staff or an intimate interior, you’ll find it here.

S – Steaks
What did you have in mind – a Porterhouse, a New York strip, a t-bone or tenderloin? There are many restaurants in Vegas that prepare scrumptious steaks offering only the highest-grade USDA beef.

T – Tee times
Fabulous weather all year around makes finding time for golf a necessity. Stay a little longer and enjoy breakfast or lunch. Two fine golf courses that offer dining are Arroyo Golf Club at Red Rock with its Arroyo Grill serving breakfast and lunch and Siena Golf Club with its Siena Bistro offering breakfast, lunch and Sunday brunch.

U – Under the Stars (Outdoor Dining)
Did you know that in Las Vegas there are more than 50 restaurants in all price categories that offer outdoor dining? From taquerias to truffles, you can find a table al fresco to suit you and your guest’s tastes and budget.

V – Voted – “Best in Vegas” Awards
People who live here take reviews and awards seriously. With so many restaurants vying for customers, garnering a “Best in Vegas” award provides instant fame to the winner. A great example of this instant fame is Origin India Restaurant, which won the “Best of Las Vegas” restaurant by the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2007. Specializing in modern Indian food with a fusion of styles, textures and flavors, the restaurant’s head chef was trained in Northern India, Goan and Bengali techniques.

W – Wine Lists
Las Vegas has become one of the fastest-growing wine destination cities in the nation, thanks to the abundance of five-star chefs in the area. In fact, according to Impact Databank, a monthly wine newsletter, Las Vegas ranks fourth in the country in per-capita consumption of wine.

X – Xtraordinary Chefs
As Fifth Avenue in New York has long represented the address of deluxe brands and high fashion, Las Vegas has become synonymous as the best location for superb food prepared by extraordinary chefs.

Y – Yikes – Hope You’re Not Afraid of Heights!
Yes, the city has it all, including roof top restaurants with expansive views. Dining among the stars is an option that adds to the glamour and sophistication of Vegas.

Z – Zero Calorie Desserts
Just kidding!  The end to a perfect meal is one of the sinful desserts that can be found across the city. As to be expected, the choices are vast (cheesecake, tiramisu, chocolate heaven, to name a few) and serving sizes are impressive, but who can say no? After all, you can always order one serving with two forks.

The following pages provide new and prospective residents a savory sampling of the dining options available throughout Las Vegas.

Dining Hot Spots
Great Harvest Bread Co.
The Great Harvest Bread Co. in Summerlin is the city’s newest whole grain headquarters and features whole grain breads, sweets and in the future, sandwiches. The bakery offers a pleasant atmosphere for area residents to enjoy freshly baked whole grain breads and sweets and watch the baking process in action. Each day, fresh breads, scones, cookies and other sweet treats are baked from 100 percent natural ingredients – no preservatives. The décor is an inviting mix of modern, yet comforting style with inviting earth-tone colors, marble countertops, bamboo cabinets, clever light fixtures, toe-tapping music and the sweet aroma of fresh bread wafting from the oven filling the bakery. Other tasty, unusual breads offered are High Five Fiber, Jalapeno Jack Corn, Pumpkin Chocolate Chip and Spinach Feta. To try the best tasting bread around, owners Kevin and Tina Yancey suggest stopping by their new whole grain headquarters between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Market Grille Café
Owners Joe and Rhonda Pierro have brought passion to their "fast, fresh Mediterranean cafe".  Nestled in the heart of the growing Northwest, in the Centennial Shopping Center, you will find the Pierro clan preparing daily homemade Greek food.  Joe's mom runs the cashier, while son Joey and daughter Mia cook dishes that have been a part of family recipes for over four generations.  In addition to traditional Greek fare, they have created unique Mediterranean dishes, one of which, baklava cheesecake, won them a first place award at the “Bite of Las Vegas” annual show. Enjoy dishes such as papous pasta, mousaka, roasted chicken, gyros, rice pudding and baklava to mention a few. The Pierros believe that the key to running a successful restaurant is consistent food and service. The warmth of the restaurant makes patrons feel like they are dining at home with the Pierros, where everyone is made to feel like family.  The decor and ambience is reminiscent of a cafe in the streets of Greece. Market Grille Cafe will also cater your event and serves Greek and domestic wine and beer. The Pierros certainly have a winning combination at Market Grille Café.

Origin India Restaurant
Origin India serves modern upscale Indian cuisine in one of the city's hottest dining corridors. Specializing in modern Indian food that is a fusion of styles, textures and flavors, the restaurant’s head chef was trained in Northern India, Goan and Bengali techniques. The menu offers a variety of taste options including vegetarian dishes. The cellar list includes well-known European and New World wines. More importantly, it raises the entire city's expectations for an Indian restaurant, while only minimally raising the price.

Ricardo’s Mexican Restaurant
Ricardo’s is a family-owned food service company established in 1979. Ricardo’s has been a perennial Las Vegas favorite for 25 years and is only 2 miles west of the Las Vegas Strip. Ricardo’s serves authentic and creative Mexican foods rich in the flavors of Northern Mexico and the American Southwest. Upon entering through the double doors into the foyer, diners will be enchanted with the authentically Mexican-tiled floors and beautiful mural. Ricardo’s chefs have roots in native Mexico, enabling them to blend authentic recipes with a unique and creative flair. Ricardo’s has been voted “Best Mexican Restaurant” by the Las Vegas Review Journal Reader’s Poll 20 times since 1983!

Dining Trends
Dining has truly become an art form in recent years. Benchmark Hospitality International, which manages 30 award-winning hotels, resorts, conference centers and condominium resorts throughout the United States and in Japan, defines 5 dining trends that are becoming a requirement for menus across the globe.  The top 5 dining trends include:   

• Dessert Downsizing. A Tapas-style dessert menu is becoming increasingly more popular as dining patrons become more health conscious.
• Latin American Cuisine. Latin flavors and the incorporation of fruits, vegetables, meat and fish indigenous to the Caribbean, Central and South America with American sensibility is where cooking is headed.
• Naturally Grown. Today's consumers and restaurants are demanding food that is grown organically and harvested locally.
• Memory Inspired Dishes. Seasonal cooking that reflects the chef’s experiences as a child is a trend that many fine dining establishments are embracing.
• Food and Beverage. The popularity of premium beverages merged with fresh ingredients that might otherwise flavor a meal's starters and entrées - and the specialty drink menu have ushered in a return to the classic days when the cocktail was king.