Maybe it’s the delicious pasta that’s good for soaking up the night’s booze, but Vegas has a long-standing love affair with indulgent Italian fare. Here are the best.
Bartolotta
Photo Courtesy of Wynn Resorts
This seafood emporium at Wynn by legendary Paul Bartolotta brings fish fresh from the Mediterranean straight to your table – literally. That day’s catch is shown to you with a flourish via a rolling cart; choose your own fish and langostines. In true Italian style, the frutti di mare is cooked simply with the freshest ingredients. The spectacular space has just been renovated, too. Enter down a dramatic staircase, under an elaborate chandelier, and into the bright dining room that’s decked out in shades of coral. 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd. (702) 770-3298 wynnlasvegas.com
Carnevino
The Palazzo hot spot is known for its steaks, but it’s not Mario Batali without a mouthwatering antipasti and pasta menu. Start with a plate of house-cured salumi, duck egg guanciale, and Stracciatella with artichoke, pine nuts and currants. The crudo is impressive and features BBL beef, steak tartare and big eye tuna. And the pasta! Hope you saved room for inky spaghetti nero with mussels, anolini with lobster, or orecchiette with sweet sausage. 3325 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 789-4141 carnevino.com
Giada
Food Network goddess Giada De Laurentiis opened her first restaurant in early summer, and reservations are still booked out weeks in advance. In a bright corner of The Cromwell boutique hotel and boasting a prime, Strip-center location, Giada has scored raves for its Italian cuisine with California influences. Be prepared to try several of her antipasti dishes, such as the lobster arancini and a mushroom pizette. Share a few pastas to start (faves include the risotto with crab and scallops), and order a separate entrée—just don’t forget her lemon ricotta cookies, too. 3595 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 777-3777 thecromwell.com
Rao’s
Photo credit: Courtesy of Caesars Entertainment
Scarpetta
Planning date night? Head to Scarpetta, located in a cozy back corner of the Cosmopolitan. Chef Scott Conant is famous for his “perfect” homemade spaghetti and Sicilian-spiced duck breast. Scarpetta serves Italian comfort food favorites such as creamy polenta and butternut squash soup, plus an over-the-top fettucine with lamb ragu, broccoli rabe and pecorino. 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 698-7960 cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Sinatra
Wynn Encore’s ultra-romantic answer to Italian fare is a nod to ol’ Blue Eyes himself. Sinatra is a night to remember. Kick off a meal here with the Polpettine appetizer, which includes both housemade meatballs and polenta fries, or Frank’s personal favorite, clams in tomato and garlic sauce (which is also served over pasta). Then dig into rich pastas, whole fish, and every traditional Italian meat entrée you can think of. The Gnocchetti fontina cheese gratin is topped with truffle essence; order one for the table. 3131 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 770-5320 wynnlasvegas.com
D.O.C.G.
Scarpetta’s more casual cousin, D.O.C.G. offers a relaxed setting to nosh on pizzas like its signature pie with truffles and a fried egg. Locals come by the Cosmopolitan favorite to split a bottle of If You See Kay wine, then linger long enough to take down a few dishes, like oxtail raviolini and braised short rib. 3708 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 698-7920 cosmopolitanlasvegas.com
Andiamo
Photo Courtesy of Gensler – Ryan Gobuty
Head to this downtown gem inside the D for some of the tastiest Italian in town, and in one of the coziest settings (the oversized round booths are practically private dining rooms unto themselves). Start with the meatballs – trust us, these enormous morsels are big enough to share. Then dig into yummy pastas like hearty veal ragu and lobster risotto, or the osso bucco. Andiamo is famous for its meat, so its osso bucco is to die for. 301 Fremont St, (702) 388-2220 thed.com
Ferraro’s
An off-Strip locals favorite in a new-ish location closer to the Strip, Ferraro’s offers old-fashioned Italian appeal. Two generations of southern Italian cooking has perfected dishes like pappardelle with lobster, sage and truffle, and gnocchi Bolognese. Located on Paradise behind the Hard Rock Hotel, Ferraro’s also serves as a power lunch spot Monday-Friday. 4480 Paradise Rd, (702) 364-5300 ferraroslasvegas.com
Trevi
This underrated gem inside Forum Shops is a fun, casual way to take in some delicious Italian. They’ve got a great happy hour (including some light, shareable dishes) from 2 to 6 pm, so pop in after a long day of shopping. For dinner, you’re going to have a hard time choosing from the extensive menu, which includes everything from fun appetizers and wood-fired pizzas to pastas like ravioli with vodka sauce and entrees like salmon picatta. Ending your meal with gelato is an absolute must – it is handmade at the crack of dawn every single morning, often in fun seasonal flavors like champagne around the holidays. 3500 S Las Vegas Blvd, (702) 735-4663 trevi-italian.com
