The Best New Restaurants That Opened in Las Vegas in 2021 (So Far)

If you need proof that Las Vegas has recovered from the pandemic, you can look no further than the dozens of restaurants that have opened across the Vegas Valley this past year. From downtown to the Strip to Chinatown and everywhere in between, the Vegas restaurant scene is booming once again.

Our roundup of the best new restaurants of 2021 is far from an exhaustive list, but it features some of the most talked-about new eateries, several of which include creative takes on Asian and Latin American fare.

1. Soulbelly BBQ

1327 S. Main Street
Las Vegas, NV 89104

Soulbelly BBQ is the latest in a slew of new restaurants to open in the trendy Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas. Launched by former Top Chef contestant Bruce Kalman, Soulbelly BBQ serves classic American BBQ favorites such as salt and pepper brisket, pork spare ribs and Carolina pulled pork as well as comfort food favorites with a twist, like the mac n’ cheese with chicharron breadcrumbs and the hatch chile that’s made in house.

Soulbelly BBQ has a unique location—inside a renovated auto garage—and features colorful murals and a stage that hosts live music and other events.

2. ¡Viva!

3000 S Las Vegas Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Located in the newly-opened Resorts World, ¡Viva! serves “Mexican-inspired” dishes created by Los Angeles-based chef Ray Garcia. Some of the most popular dishes include the shrimp cocktail, octopus with chorizo and salsa, and ancho-rubbed lamb ribs.

The restaurant’s ambiance is delightfully whimsical, with wood accents and pops of bright colors woven throughout the interior, an indoor promenade patio, and an outdoor patio with wooden trellis and ornate greenery.

3. Delilah

3131 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV 89109

The portion of Las Vegas Blvd. known as “The Strip” is only four miles long, but when you factor in the numerous escalators and elevated walkways, walking anywhere can easily morph into quite the trek (especially in the desert heat).

Delilah is a “1920s-inspired” lounge and supper club that features both a live jazz band and American fine-dining cuisine. Located at the Wynn, Delilah provides a unique entertainment option for those looking to enjoy some music without the crowds and chaos of the Vegas nightclub scene.

Delilah’s menu offers a twist on the classic American chicken TV dinner (Bobo Farms chicken, peas, carrots, pomme puree, and vin jaune gravy) as well as smoked salmon, Russian Osetra caviar, a strawberry shortcake baked Alaska and more.

4. Night + Market

4455 Paradise Rd
Las Vegas, NV 89169

The popular LA Thai restaurant Night + Market now has a new location at Virgin Hotels in Las Vegas.

The menu features Chef Kris Yenbamroong’s signature dishes, such as crispy rice salad, fried chicken sandwiches, lobster pad Thai, and more. The cuisine at Night + Market is part traditional Thai, part Thai fusion, and part something wholly unique. Chef Yenbamroong’s imaginative culinary creations are what have earned him Food & Wine magazine’s ‘Best New Chef’ title.

Night + Market also flaunts a James Beard-nominated wine program that showcases an extensive variety of natural wines.

5. Angry Chickz

4725 S Maryland Pkwy
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Downtown is extremely pedestrian-friendly. Part of downtown (the tourist district that includes Fremont Street) is

For an off-the-Strip option, there’s the fast-casual restaurant Angry Chickz. Located near the University of Nevada Las Vegas, this popular California import serves Nashville hot chicken with spiciness levels ranging from “no heat” to extra hot.

The extra hot chicken is made with Carolina Reaper peppers, which, according to Angry Chickz’s website, are the “hottest peppers known to man.” Patrons who choose this option are asked to sign a waiver upon ordering.

6. Sayulitas Mexican Food

3999 Las Vegas Boulevard S.
Las Vegas, NV 89119

Sayulitas Mexican Food may be the first Mexican restaurant in Las Vegas to serve Mexican cuisine with a Filipino twist. This fast-casual restaurant, which first opened in San Diego, offers eclectic Mexican-Filipino creations like quesa lumpia burritos, spam and tocino fries, bacon-wrapped burritos, and fried tilapia. Diners can also add hot Cheetos to any burrito order.

Sayulitas Mexican Food’s first Las Vegas location can be found across from the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino.

7. Wolf Down

3853 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102

The Ottawa-based restaurant Wolf Down now has a home in Las Vegas’ Chinatown. Fans of döners (Germany’s take on the Turkish shawarma) will be happy to know that their favorite Berlin street food is now available just off the Strip.

Wolf Down’s döner is made with a sesame-crusted Turkish flatbread and stuffed with veggies, sauces, and a choice of grilled beef, chicken, or tofu.

8. Starlight on 66

3000 S Las Vegas Blvd,
Las Vegas, NV 89109

As the first casino to open on the Strip since 2010, Resorts World has food critics buzzing about the addition of the resort’s 40 new dining options, such as the popular Famous Foods Street Eats and Brezza. While Starlight on 66 is more of a bar than a restaurant, it’s worth including on this list for its breathtaking location alone. As the name suggests, Starlight on 66 is situated on the 66th floor of Resorts World and features wraparound views of the Strip.

In addition to a wide range of cocktails, Starlight’s menu includes a number of scrumptious appetizers, such as the shrimp cocktail, crispy ginger chicken, and summer vegetable crudité with hummus.

9. Bāng Bar

3708 Las Vegas Blvd S,
Las Vegas, NV 89109

The newly opened Bāng Bar can be found on the second floor of the Cosmopolitan Las Vegas. Bāng Bar, which is named after the Korean word for bread, is the brainchild of Chef David Chang.

The menu showcases a number of spit-roasted meats prepared with an Asian twist, the most popular being the griddled flatbread sandwiches.

Bāng Bar provides affordable and flavor-packed wraps and rice bowls ideal for anyone looking for a quick snack or lunch on the go.