More of 2025’s Best Bets in Las Vegas Dining, Hotels, Shows, and More
by David Yeskel
Photo: Shutterstock.com
Notwithstanding this past summer’s concerning dip in tourism numbers, hospitality products in Las Vegas continued to outperform those in other resort destinations by displaying their typical innovation and creativity while applying an unmatched level of sheer talent. Here are more of Vegas’ Best Bets in 2025. (See Part I at 2025’s Best Bets in Las Vegas Dining, Hotels, Shows and More)
Best Gourmet Meal Under $30 – Roast Beef at Dominique Ansel Marché (Paris Las Vegas)

Evidently, man cannot live by Cronut alone. So, when Caesars Entertainment expanded French master pastry chef Dominique Ansel’s Las Vegas footprint to – where else? – Paris Las Vegas, the larger space allowed for the introduction of a rotisserie, roasted meats, and other items not available at the original, space-constrained Caesars Palace location. And the chef’s Roast Beef, featuring two thick, medium-rare slices of garlic-roasted ribeye, served with herb-roasted potatoes and vegetables, is a gourmet value in a casual venue that can’t be beaten anywhere on the Strip.
Best New Attraction – The Magician’s Room (The LINQ Promenade)

Although magic acts have historically played a significant role in Las Vegas’ entertainment landscape, there hasn’t been a venue dedicated to the magical arts on the Strip since Caesars Magical Empire closed in 2002. Thankfully, that changed this fall. Patrons entering The Magician’s Room first pass through a hidden door behind an innocuous looking, brightly lit claw-machine arcade on the LINQ Promenade. The intimate showroom, which seats no more than 200, ensures that every seat is close to the stage. On a recent night, magician David Goldrake amazed the crowd with a finely honed, smoothly executed and beautiful act, culminating in his finale, “The Water Tank Escape.” TMR observed the rapt audience seemingly holding their breath in unison – along with Goldrake – until he escaped from his shackles and watery prison an agonizing three minutes later.
Best Grab ‘n Go Item – Cubano at The Chef Truck (Park MGM)

In a nod to the 2014 film, “Chef” starring Jon Favreau as a food truck chef/operator, real-life chef Roy Choi (of L.A.’s iconic Kogi BBQ Taco Truck) has crafted a street food menu served out of a food truck conveniently parked inside the casino at Park MGM. Although “That Famous Grilled Cheese” on buttered sourdough is a gooey delight, Choi’s authentic “The Chef Truck Cubano” is easily the best item on the menu. With the just-right combination of roasted mojo pork, ham, cheese, pickles, mustard, and a touch of salsa verde on a pressed, buttered roll, this taste of Havana is best enjoyed while sitting on the truck-adjacent, faux patio.
Best Off-Strip Chinese Restaurant – Taste of Asia (Suncoast Hotel & Casino)

Despite the prevalence of gourmet Chinese eateries based at casino-resorts up and down the Las Vegas Strip, one of the area’s best – and most affordable – options lies just 20 minutes away at the Suncoast Hotel & Casino. Longtime Vegas restaurateur Karrie Hung’s talented Hong Kong chef turns out an excellent, authentic array of dim sum, soups, roasted meats, noodle and seafood dishes and more – all at prices significantly below the competition back along the resort corridor. And Taste of Asia’s specialty dessert, the Sweet Golden Lava Bun – with a warm custard filling – is the perfect sweet ending.
Best Sandwiches on the Strip – All’Antico Vinaio (The Venetian)

There are great sandwiches, and then there are the Italian works of art by All’Antico Vinaio, which rise above the competition. The Florence, Italy-based chain is now making its way into select U.S. cities, and the outlet’s prime location fronting the Venetian’s new Via Via Food Hall is an apropos entry for the company’s Las Vegas Strip presence. The restaurant’s concept is deceptively simple: fresh, sliced-to-order, high-quality meats, tomatoes and cheeses, augmented by homemade spreads layered on authentic Italian schiacciata bread. However, it’s the quality ingredients and construction that move the end product into gourmet territory. In particular, La Paradiso, with mortadella, stracciatella, pistachio cream and pistachio, is a rich delight that takes sandwich fare to another level.
Best Tribute Show – King of Diamonds (Alexis Park All-Suite Resort)

Due to Nevada’s lax parody and tribute laws, innumerable tribute (previously “impersonator”) acts are ubiquitous in Las Vegas, which explains why Elvis has never actually left the building. And while Elvis – in his many shapes and sizes – is feted all over the city, Rob Garrett’s “King of Diamonds” show faithfully brings the legendary Neil Diamond’s music to life in an intimate showroom at the off-Strip Alexis Park All-Suite Resort. Garrett not only delivers an uncannily precise facsimile of the artist’s look and sound, he’s also Diamond’s biggest fan, enchanting the audience with a gusto for the factoids and fables that clearly demonstrate his reverence for the man, the artist, and the icon.
Best Tableside Preparation – Bazaar Meat (The Palazzo at The Venetian)

When noted Spanish chef and humanitarian José Andrés moved his long-established Bazaar Meat steakhouse from the Sahara to the Palazzo earlier this year, guest-favorite menu items and veteran staff naturally came along for the ride. But the Palazzo iteration features some new twists on the menu, and the A5 Wagyu tableside presentation is the most impressive of all. Although A5 Wagyu is typically considered to be the world’s best beef, few restaurants pay tribute to its Japanese roots. Now, at the Palazzo, the delicacy’s heritage gets the appropriate respect. Via a tableside cart, a server deftly grills the prized beef on an authentic Binchotan charcoal grill, then delicately serves it with a salad of mustard frills, Nasturtium leaves and sesame seeds, all tossed in a rice vinegar, sesame oil dressing. Three sauces, including the house special Seven Happiness Sauce, are also provided, along with freshly grated wasabi and chopsticks to complete the elegant ode to what is arguably Japan’s greatest culinary gift to the world.





