Raku in Las Vegas’ Chinatown attracts chefs from all over the city for its exacting and flavor-filled food. This small restaurant has made a big impact, appearing on a fair number of travel and food shows. Some of the menu’s stars include pork ear, pork cheek and homemade tofu. Diners will find specialties usually only available in Japan. The food here attracts the most dedicated food lovers with its wide menu of delights, like Steamed Foie Gras Egg Custard, or Kobe beef in several preparations. This Japanese restaurant has expanded, but it’s still a small place, so reservations are a must. Plan on a short cab ride from the Strip.

One of the Strip’s most striking restaurants, Mizumi offers guests a taste of “new Japan” in a garden-like setting. In addition to sushi and sashimi selections, diners can also choose from entrees and robatayaki dishes prepared over authentic Japanese charcoal grill. In addition to the more tradition menu items, Mizumi also offers a 25-ounce ribeye, Wagyu veal cheek, and Japanese Goldeneye snapper. While the menu alone is sure to delight, part of the attraction is the eye-catching décor – Mizumi’s atmosphere is truly magnificent. No matter where you’re seated, you can enjoy a view overlooking gardens that include a koi pond and a 90-foot waterfall. The food and ambiance will transport guests from the desert to the Far East.

Partage describes itself as a modern French dining experience, and its menu and sleek ambiance validate that description. Tasting menus are offered with three, five and seven courses ($60 – $105). An appetizer menu offers plates the table can share, like braised octopus, goat cheese or escargot. A la carte dishes are served in individual portions and include selections like a fresh fish or meat of the day as well as dishes like the Pork Secreto, cooked on a volcano stone and deglazed with soy sauce aged in a whisky barrel. Desserts are made daily. A full selection of wine and unique cocktails is also offered.

You’d expect nothing less than a fabulous steakhouse at Wynn, and SW lives up to that expectation. Overlooking the Lake of Dreams and designed with sleek accents of marble, leather and wood, SW gives diners the perfect ambiance to go along with an elegant meal. Charred steaks are the featured item on the menu, which includes all the regular cuts of beef like bone-in rib eye, New York Strip, filet mignon, bone-in New York and a Porterhouse for two. Authentic Japanese Wagyu comes in tenderloin, New York Strip, rib eye and rib cap cuts. A Pepper Crusted Chateaubriand is also served. If steak alone isn’t enough, add an accompaniment like Maine Lobster Tail, Peppercorn Shrimp Scampi or Smoked Bacon & Shallots to your meal. Other menu items include seafood, lamb and veal.

Esther’s Kitchen is a modern, farm-to-table style Italian restaurant that has gained a loyal following for its flavor-filled dishes. Fans of seasonal, artisanal fare will find a lot to like at this popular downtown spot, which enjoys consistent acclaim because of its well-crafted and delicious dishes. Describing their food as “seasonal Italian soul food,” Esther’s Kitchen delivers a menu full of house-made pastas–spaghetti, chitarra, rigatoni, bucatini, you name it–house-made bread, an unrivaled meat and cheese board, pizzas and hearty entrees. Esther’s Kitchen is named after the woman who taught the chef to cook, and Esther’s home-style touch is apparent in every part of the restaurant, from the food to the inviting atmosphere.

Sparrow + Wolf’s menu takes inspiration from the chef’s travels, his training and his Midwestern upbringing. Seasonal ingredients, great drinks, and a welcoming neighborhood vibe come together here. The changing menu features a variety of dishes inspired by the seasons. Shareable plates might include dishes like oysters on the half shell, grass fed beef tartare, a house charcuterie board or Hamachi crudo. The Chef’s Tasting Menu is a steal at $135 per person but you’ll find a la carte selections as well. The drink menu includes wine, beer and a selection of unique cocktails like the Death Star with El Tesoro Blanco, Lemon Hart Spiced Rum, lime, Ume syrup, Velvet Falernum, orgeat, OJ and Angostura bitters.

The small, charming Carson Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas was among the first restaurants to take root in the on-going efforts to transform the downtown area in a chic, trendy place to hang out. So far, those efforts have been very successful. Carson Kitchen’s quiet ambiance is wonderful for a meal when you’d like to have a conversation and a glass of great wine. In addition to an indoor seating area, Carson Kitchen also has an outdoor rooftop bar area and a courtyard, both excellent spots for enjoying a cocktail and a meal. Popular “Social Plates” include “Devil’s” Eggs, topped with crispy pancetta and caviar, or veal meatballs with sherry foie gras cream. The drink menu includes a wide selection of wines and beers, along with a selection of finely crafted cocktails.

Lotus of Siam has enjoyed a long history of culinary acclaim in Las Vegas. Regarded by many as one of the best Thai restaurants in the United States, Lotus of Siam has earned a place on many serious foodies’ bucket lists. The location on Flamingo opened in 2017, and the new restaurant is closer to the Strip, making it easier for visitors to find out why this small, family-owned restaurant is so well-regarded. Noted dishes include the sa-tay, their prawns (in any style they serve), stuffed chicken wings, and Thai jerky. Their signature Northern Thai style is what sets them apart from other Thai restaurants. If you’ve never ventured beyond Pad Thai, this is the place to try something new.

Noted Chef Guy Savoy (pronounced Ghee Sav-wah) has his only United States restaurant in Las Vegas, the eponymous Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace. Recipient of several culinary awards and accolades, the chef’s Las Vegas restaurant is a must-do destination for many food enthusiasts. Epicurean indulgences here include the chef’s signature artichoke and black truffle soup, available on all menus and as an a la carte offering. Look for exquisitely prepared fish, lobster and beef, with menu selections varying throughout the year. Restaurant Guy Savoy also has a Krug Chef’s Table, a two-to-six-person experience that provides an intimate view of the kitchen while serving a menu created to pair with Krug’s Champagnes.

Jose Andres’ Bazaar Meat offers meat in more forms than the average person might even be able to think of. Tartares, carpaccios, cured meats, steak, lamb and pork fill the menu in a profusion of delicious dishes. Dishes include Chateaubriand, roasted Jidori chicken, Burifarra Spiral (with Catalan-style pork sausage) and rack of lamb from New Zealand. This is also the place to try dishes like blood sausage and braised lamb neck. Before you dig into the meat of your meal, enjoy a raw bar, oysters or caviar flights. A selection of specialty cocktails rounds out the menu, giving diners a choice of finely crafted beverages to go along with the food.