5 Best New Restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada that Locals Swear By

Las Vegas is constantly reinventing itself, and its dining scene might be the best example of that.

Beyond the long‑standing celebrity chef temples and buffets, a newer wave of intimate, creative, and often off‑Strip spots has emerged. These five restaurants show off a fresher side of Vegas dining.

1. Esther’s Kitchen

Located in the Arts District, Esther’s Kitchen has become one of the city’s most talked‑about modern Italian spots. The room is stylish but comfortable, with an open kitchen and a neighborhood feel far from the glitz of the Strip. House‑made pastas are the main draw, often featuring seasonal produce, rich ragùs, and clever flavor combinations. Naturally leavened bread, small plates like marinated vegetables and crudos, and a thoughtful wine list round out the menu. It feels like the kind of place locals claim as their own.

2. Sparrow + Wolf

Sparrow + Wolf brings a globally inspired, chef‑driven menu to Chinatown, an area that has become one of Vegas’s true food hotbeds. The atmosphere is warm and bustling, with an open kitchen and a smart cocktail bar up front. The menu changes often but centers on wood‑fired and grilled dishes, creative small plates, and bold flavors—think charred vegetables with umami‑rich sauces, inventive raw dishes, and meats cooked over flame. Cocktails and a well‑curated wine list are designed to play well with the food’s punchy character.

3. Partage

Partage is a modern French restaurant in Chinatown offering multi‑course tasting menus at a more approachable price than many Strip fine‑dining rooms. The space is sleek and understated, putting the focus on the food. Diners choose from several tasting options, with dishes that might include intricate seafood presentations, carefully prepared meats, and desserts that feel equal parts art and pastry. Technique, balance, and presentation are the priorities, and the service team walks you confidently through it all.

4. Anima by EDO

Anima by EDO, from the team behind popular tapas spot EDO Gastro Tapas & Wine, blends Spanish influences with broader Mediterranean and modern techniques. The room is moody and stylish, ideal for lingering over shared plates and wine. Expect elevated tapas, crudos, and small plates—razor clams, jamón, octopus, foie gras preparations—alongside more substantial mains. The wine and cocktail programs are strong, with an emphasis on pairings that enhance the range of flavors on the table.

5. The Black Sheep

The Black Sheep, set away from the Strip in the southwest valley, showcases modern Vietnamese‑American cuisine in a polished but relaxed setting. It feels like the kind of restaurant you’d visit weekly if you lived nearby. The menu might feature crispy spring rolls with refined fillings, fish sauce caramel wings, creative takes on bun or rice dishes, and mains like braised short rib or seared fish with Vietnamese herbs and sauces. Craft cocktails and a tight but interesting wine list complete the experience.