Las Vegas, the city of lights, is a veritable onslaught for the senses. It’s not just about the casinos and the shows; it’s also a gastronomic playground – in a way that could be described as scintillating or soul-destroying, depending on your outlook. True to form, the city is home to a whole host of restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs, each one promising a unique culinary experience and the perfect way to part with your winnings or drown your sorrows.
But with so many restaurants to choose from in this city of excess and greed, it can be hard to know which menus are genuinely worthy of your ever-shrinking attention. Aiming to field the question “Where are some of the best celebrity chef restaurants in Vegas”, here we get really, really full finding out…
Giada, The Cromwell
First on our list is from chef Giada De Laurentiis, and her eponymous restaurant, Giada, at The Cromwell. This Italian eatery offers a fresh, Californian take on traditional Italian cuisine. The menu is filled with light, flavourful, refined dishes like Lemon Spaghetti and Veal Chop Saltimbocca. The restaurant’s warm, inviting atmosphere and stunning Strip views make it a delightful dining experience. Is it worth the hype? Yes, indeed. Giada’s is a refreshing change from the heavy, meat-centric Vegas bro-food.
Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, Caesars Palace
Next, we have the fiery, frenetic Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen. Located at Caesars Palace, this restaurant is a real-life incarnation of the hit TV show. The menu is packed with Ramsay’s signature dishes like Beef Wellington and Sticky Toffee Pudding. The atmosphere is electric, and the food is, quite simply, divine (in a satisfying, satiating, carry me out of here on a stretcher kinda way).
With dishes and decor inspired by the show – hey, perhaps you can even get a chef to come and belittle you as you dine – it’s not just a meal; it’s a theatrical experience.
The restaurant is such a Vegas institution, in fact, that Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen has recently been immortalised as a video slot which hopes to capture some of the intensity of the show and restaurant, riding the wave of the popularity of online casinos that seek to bottle Vegas magic for the home market.
Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House, MGM Grand
Emeril Lagasse brings a taste of the Big Easy to the desert with Emeril’s New Orleans Fish House at the MGM Grand. The menu is a seafood lover’s dream, with dishes like Creole Boiled Blue Crab Legs and New Orleans BBQ Shrimp. The restaurant’s casual, laid-back atmosphere is a refreshing change from the typical Vegas glitz, glamour and gaudiness.
Interestingly, The MGM Grand, where Emeril’s is housed, was voted as one of the most popular gambling spots in Las Vegas, receiving a near-perfect score of 9.3 out of 10 for game quality, atmosphere and dealer etiquette from online commentators.
Hakkasan, MGM Grand
Michelin-starred Hakkasan brings its brand of modern Cantonese cuisine to the MGM Grand with all the dramatic flair Vegas demands. This isn’t your neighborhood Chinese takeout – think Roasted Silver Cod with Champagne and Chinese Honey, or Crispy Duck Salad that costs more than your plane ticket here. The restaurant’s dark, moody interior with its intricate wooden screens and blue lighting creates an atmosphere that’s part upscale dining, part nightclub – which makes sense, considering there’s an actual Hakkasan nightclub downstairs.
The dim sum selection is exceptional (if you’re willing to pay $18 for four dumplings), and the Hakka Rib Eye with jasmine tea smoke is a carnivore’s fever dream. Is it worth the astronomical prices? If you’ve just won big at the tables, absolutely. If not, well, there’s always the food court. But for those seeking elevated Chinese cuisine in a setting that screams “I’m in Vegas and I don’t care about my credit card bill,” Hakkasan delivers in spades.
Nobu, Caesars Palace
Master Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s restaurant, Nobu, is a haven for sushi lovers. Located in Caesars Palace, Nobu offers an innovative fusion of traditional Japanese cuisine with South American flavours. The world-famous Black Cod with Miso is a standout, and the sushi is some of the best you’ll find in Vegas. Though, considering you’re dining in the desert, the bar might be quite low.
Restaurant Guy Savoy, Caesars Palace
Another hugely famous Vegas celebrity chef restaurant is the eponymous Restaurant Guy Savoy at Caesars Palace. This Michelin star-worthy casino restaurant offers a French culinary experience like no other, with a menu that is testament to Savoy’s culinary genius, featuring several of his iconic dishes, including Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup and Crispy Sea Bass. The service is impeccable, and the wine list is extensive. Is it worth the hype? Absolutely. It’s a splurge, but one that’s well worth it for a special occasion.
Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Bellagio
Phew; I thought we’d be stuck dining in Ceasar’s Palace forever, like some gluttonous, gastro-gloating nightmare…
…But move on we do, to Spago. Wolfgang Puck, the chef who arguably started the whole celebrity chef trend, has his flagship restaurant, Spago, located in the Bellagio. Known for its modern American cuisine, Spago offers a menu that changes with the seasons, ensuring fresh and innovative dishes.
The Smoked Salmon Pizza is a classic favourite. With its patio overlooking the Bellagio fountains, Spago offers not just a meal, but a complete dining experience. Is it worth a visit? Most definitely. Spago is a classic that continues to impress.
José Andrés’ Bazaar Meat, SLS Las Vegas
Spanish chef José Andrés brings his culinary magic to Vegas with Bazaar Meat at SLS Las Vegas. This is not your typical steakhouse. Bazaar Meat offers a variety of unique meat dishes, from suckling pig to wild boar sausage. The Foie Gras Cotton Candy is a must-try. Is it worth a visit? Absolutely. Bazaar Meat offers a carnivorous adventure that’s hard to match. In fact, the food here is genuinely excellent.
Read: 11 of the world’s most luxurious foods and how to recreate them at home for less
Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak, MGM Grand
Top Chef’s Tom Colicchio brings his farm-to-table philosophy to Vegas with Craftsteak at the MGM Grand. The restaurant specialises in high-quality steaks and a selection of fine, organic ingredients. Aside from big slabs of medium-rare meat, the Lobster Bisque and Braised Short Ribs are also standout dishes. Well, this is a decadent city to dine when you’re on a roll…
L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon, MGM Grand
We end at the celebrity chef’s celebrity chef restaurant, L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand. Though chef Robuchon is sadly no longer with us, his memory lives on in this once 3 Michelin-starred restaurant (the Las Vegas edition of the guide only existed for two years, in 2008 and 2009, before being shelved), which offers a unique, interactive dining experience. Diners sit at a counter overlooking the kitchen, watching as the chefs prepare their meal. The menu features Robuchon’s innovative takes on French cuisine, with dishes like Le Caviar and La Caille.
The Bottom Line
The celebrity chef restaurants in Vegas are not just about star power; they deliver on their promise of a memorable dining experience. Each restaurant offers a unique culinary journey, making them well worth a visit. So, next time you’re in Vegas, why not treat your taste buds to a celebrity chef experience? You won’t be disappointed.
