Dining and Winning: How New Restaurants and James Beard Awards are Elevating the Las Vegas Casinos Experience

Just as players often face a streak of bad luck while visiting Las Vegas casinos, the city’s culinary scene experienced a dry spell at this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards. Despite the high stakes and the presence of several finalists from the Las Vegas Strip, none managed to hit the jackpot at the prestigious Chicago ceremony, leaving the desert oasis without a win in the world of fine dining.

The Strip showcased remarkable talent with finalists including:

• Sarah Thompson from Encore’s Casa Playa
• Eleazar Villanueva from MGM Grand’s Restaurant de Joël Robuchon
• Cristie Normal from the Wynn’s Delilah, nominated for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Unfortunately, their names did not appear in the list of winners, highlighting a challenging year for Las Vegas dining at the awards.

Last year’s only recipient was the Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, which earned honors in the America’s Classics category. Interestingly, prior to this, Las Vegas has not won in the awards since 2018, when Bryan Howard from The Cosmopolitan snagged the Best Bar Program award.

Dining Highlights

In more uplifting news, several new culinary spots are set to make waves in Las Vegas:

• L.A. Brisket, known for its Texas-style BBQ, is heading to the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian. Originating in 2015, this popular joint also has outlets in California and Oahu.
• A new steakhouse led by James Trees will replace Voodoo Steak at Rio, appropriately named High Steaks. Voodoo Steak will close its doors on July 5.
• Leticia’s Cocina and Cantina—the renowned restaurant led by chef Leticia Mitchell—will soon launch its second location within a Stations Casino, replacing the shuttered Guadalajara.
• A host of fresh dining options will debut at the Rampart Casino in Summerlin, including Ai Pazzi Pizza, For the Win, Nom Wah, Pearls Oyster Bar, Wineaux, and the Tijuana-style Tacos 1986.
• Long-awaited, The Hat, a pastrami institution from Southern California since 1951, has finally announced plans to open a new location, aiming for a spring 2026 launch.
• Smash-burger joint With Love, Always, will open a second off-Strip restaurant at Spring Valley by the end of this year, following the success of its first location.

With these developments, Las Vegas continues to solidify its status as a dining paradise, despite the setbacks at the James Beard Awards. The city now boasts a vibrant and diverse food scene that draws culinary enthusiasts from all over.