It’s time again for the Year in Eater — where we look back at the last twelve months of Las Vegas’s restaurant scene. We reached out to Vegas’s finest food writers, reporters, and bloggers to get their takes on local trends, recent standouts, and notable newcomers. Here, they weigh in on the celebrity-owned restaurants that were most worth visiting in 2024.
Love the new design at [chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s] Prime Steakhouse, an absolute classic that has stood the test of time.
— Melinda Sheckells, editor of the Town Magazine and writer for Hollywood Reporter and more
When it comes to celebrity restaurants, it’s hard to beat the selection at the Caesars Entertainment properties. Gordon Ramsay, Bobby Flay, Giada — they have them all. However, the newest restaurant, Pinky’s by Vanderpump, is a feast for the eyes. Its maximalist decor matches the historic identity of the Flamingo better than the hotel itself.
— Emmy Kasten, freelance writer for Eater, the Infatuation, and more
Emmitt’s Vegas. The NFL all-time leading rusher and Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith stops in about once a month, but the actual star is chef Antwan Ellis. Chef Antwan is putting his experience in high-volume steakhouses to good use and is implementing a varied menu with something for everyone, like melt-in-your-mouth Chilean seabass, Creole shrimp (one of Emmitt’s favorites) with Cajun spices and a sauce so good chef Antwan recommends saving it for your steak. Trottole pasta has a prominent flavor of truffle butter and shaved truffle along with browned butter and parmesan, Emmitt’s butter cake with vanilla bean ice cream and bourbon-salted caramel sauce is made from NFL Hall of Famer Charles Woodson’s bourbon whiskey, and an extremely flavorful 14-ounce New York Strip American Wagyu is sourced from Rosewood Farms in Ennis, Texas. It’s also worth mentioning that the prices are quite reasonable, especially for its Fashion Show Mall location on the Vegas Strip, and they still offer free parking.
— Bob Barnes, freelance writer for Vegas Prime Magazine, Eater Vegas, Gayot, and more
On most occasions that I find myself at the Venetian Resort — even if I was there for dinner — I will stop at chef Eyal Shani’s Miznon on the way out for a pita sandwich and a bag of beans. The $11 bag of cold, lightly seasoned green beans makes for an unexpectedly perfect late-night snack. And Caesars Palace is really concentrating celebrity talent these days. Bobby Flay’s Amalfi is one of my favorite seafood restaurants in town and Dominique Ansel’s bakery is worth a trip to the Strip for pastries, alone.
— Janna Karel, Editor at Eater Vegas
Bazaar Mar and BBQ Mexicana
— Louiie Victa, freelance photographer for Eater and more
Dominique Ansel
— Jen Avison Smith, freelance writer for Eater Vegas, Desert Companion, and more
Don’t write off the “Cronut” as a mere gimmick. Dominique Ansel is the real deal. His new spot at the Paris (Dominique Ansel Marché) has great pastries, as expected, while expanding the menu for savory dishes too. I also like what Esther Choi is doing with Mokbar, giving the Strip a much-needed option for Korean food at Caesars Palace.
— Rob Kachelriess, Hey Las Vegas Editor at City Cast Las Vegas
