1. Diablo's Cantina
I have to admit that I struggled with what to put first on this list. For me, the restaurants in the second, third, and fourth spots would actually be my first choices but all of them are located off The Strip and are not exactly what you'd call cheap. Diablo's Cantina on the other hand has a fantastic location right on The Strip at Monte Carlo, fantastic and incredibly affordable Mexican meals, a terrific waitstaff, and a lively atmosphere that includes an outdoor nightclub overlooking Las Vegas Boulevard. It's hard to imagine a more perfect combination and so I'm throwing the gold to Diablo's as the Best Restaurant in Las Vegas. Watch for a full review of Diablo's in the weekly column soon! 2. Hash House A Go Go
The twisted farm food food served here is a wacky delight, with pancakes the size of large pizzas, waffles the size of a chess board, and signature hashes that will make you never want to eat at a breakfast buffet again. The portions at Hash House are enormous, the prices are reasonable for the amount of food you get, and the fresh and finely prepared meals are memorable. Worth the drive. 3. Hannah's
Another one you have to go out of your way to get to, but once you do you'll wonder why you were spending so much time on The Strip anyway. The Asian fusion cuisine at Hannah's is a knockout with a menu that takes days to read, much less pick something from the tempting array. Fantastic service, an whimsically inspired decor, and a cocktail menu that beats most in town turn this neighborhood joint into a must-visit destination. 4. Austins
The best steaks in town, period, end of story. Don't argue with me - your pleadings will fall on deaf ears. Over the years I have sent hundreds of people to Austins through recommendations on this site and every single one of them has come away raving about the finely prepared cuts of beef, the service, and the prices, which are not cheap but are significantly lower than what you'll pay for a similar, inferior meal on The Strip. If you like steak, you owe it to yourself to visit Austins. 5. M&M Soul Food
Awhile back I took a road trip through the American south and experienced some of the best barbecue and down-home cooking in the world. M&M brings that magic touch to the Vegas desert and serves soul food that speaks for itself without needing the fancy decor that most restaurants spend their money on. Cholesterol be damned - go for the gravy smothered fried chicken. Your doctor may not like it, but you will! 6. Company American Bistro
Restaurants created by celebrities make me itch, generally speaking, but Company American Bistro at Luxor does a fantastic job of creating a hip and upscale dining experience without being all snobbish about the whole thing. The menu is American diner delightful, with everything from fine steaks and seafood to chicken and waffles or schnitzel, all done with a flair that makes eating here a special experience. Watch for a full review of Company American Bistro coming soon. 7. The Cupcakery
Yes, yes... technically this is supposed to be a list of the best restaurants and since The Cupcakery only serves cupcakes, I'm stretching the definition of "restaurant" but one bite of the remarkably moist cakes topped with the delectable buttercream frostings will tempt you to skip the main courses elsewhere and go straight for the dessert. 8. Capriotti's
Forget Subway and Quizno’s and head to this local Las Vegas institution, a wonderful Italian deli with sandwiches that will knock your proverbial (or literal) socks off. I have a friend who actually makes me stop at Capriotti's to pick one up for her before I come back to Los Angeles. It’s that good. Throw in the fact that you can get a sandwich big enough for two meals for about $10 and I don’t know what you’re waiting for. 9. Fellini's
Before visiting Fellini's, I always thought that Las Vegas was not very good at doing Italian food. One taste of their remarkable pastas changed my mind about all that and turned this classic, old-world experience into one of my favorites in town. 10. Chocolate Swan
See my note above regarding the definition of restaurants and then go eat some chocolate at The Swan. But not just any chocolate - finely constructed creations that I would place high on the list of the best chocolate in the world. | 