Italian dining in Las Vegas ain’t what it used to be. And that’s a good thing.
The red-sauce-heavy Italian-American classics popular on America’s East Coast (and beloved by the gangsters who founded this town) are no longer the only game in town. Today, you can find various regional Italian styles and dishes scattered throughout the valley, from casual to formal, affordable to pricey. And the off-Strip offerings are just as strong, if not stronger, than those in the big Strip casinos.
There are home-grown old-school classics. James Beard Award nominees playfully push the limits of what we consider Italian food. A local superstar offers two very different styles of Italian, while a Philadelphia import has three exciting interpretations of his own.
Even fine dining Strip veterans get in on the act. Local chefs, F&B professionals, restaurant critics and influencers shared their favorite off-Strip Italian spots with the online restaurant guide Neon Feast. Here’s what they love. (For a list of great Italian restaurants on The Strip, click here.)
Al Solito Posto (Tivoli Village, 430 S. Rampart Blvd.):
After putting The Arts District on the map with Esther’s Kitchen, Chef James Trees decided to create a different style of Italian restaurant for the Summerlin crowd. Al Solito Posto (which means “the usual place” in Italian) proves that the classic red-sauce dishes many of us grew up with, which are so often dismissed as pedestrian by “serious” foodies, are deserving of more respect than they receive at your local pizza place. Expect elevated spins on dishes like chicken parm, lasagna al forno and Sunday gravy. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Amari Kitchen and Wine Shop (UnCommons, 6825 Tom Rodriguez Street):
Every meal at Amari should start with a freshly baked focaccia (made with a 25-year-old ancient grain starter) and one (or all) of the available spreads/sauces. Pizzas boast an equally impressive dough. Chef Alan Mardonovich rounds out his menu with modified Italian classics, including a Shrimp Scampi reimagined as a pasta dish (with long ribbon-shaped mafaldine) and a deconstructed Chicken Cacciatore that’s more of a roast chicken plate than a stew. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Anima by EDO (The Gramercy, 9205 W. Russell Road):
Anima isn’t a fusion restaurant, but it does embrace two culinary traditions. It combines the award-winning Spanish cuisine of Chinatown’s EDO Tapas with Chef Oscar Amador’s spin on Italian. Pastas include Truffle Cavatelli, Ricotta Gnocchi and Short Rib Bucatini in vodka sauce. But avant-garde touches like the cheese espuma on the carpaccio and the tomato powder on the eggplant parmesan raise the place to a new level.
Basilico Ristorante Italiano (6111 S. Buffalo Dr.):
Basilico transcends expectations with cutting-edge technique, unexpected ingredients, and original presentations. Showstoppers include a “cigar” stuffed with duck mousse and served in an oversized ashtray and a tiramisu-inspired preparation of foie gras (Foiemisu). But don’t overlook the beef carpaccio, spaghetti with tomatoes and basil, branzino with artichoke confit, or bar-sized Margherita pizza. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Ciao Vino (Boca Park, 740 S. Rampart Blvd.):
Chef Lupe Avila and his HUKL Hospitality team bring their considerable skills to Boca Park at the modern Italian spot Ciao Vino. The menu offers staples like beef/pork/veal meatballs with crispy ricotta, veal parmesan, and tonnarelli carbonara. Take a walk on the dark side with a buttery squid ink fettuccine laced with nduja (a spicy, spreadable Italian sausage) and Dungeness crab. Or grab a Diavola pizza, topped with spicy salami and garnished with oregano. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Esther’s Kitchen (1131 S. Main St.):
After honing his culinary skills in Los Angeles, native Las Vegas Chef James Trees returned home and took a considerable risk on the still-undeveloped Las Vegas Arts District. By 2024, he had to relocate to this much larger location a few doors down. His California-inspired spin on Italian cuisine includes excellent preparations of Chitarra Caccio e Pepe, Rigatoni with Spring Peas, Prosciutto & Pesto, and Harissa Braised Pork Cheek with Mascarpone Polenta. And don’t overlook amazing house-made sourdough with spreads.
Ferraro’s (4480 Paradise Road):
In business since 1985, this family-owned and operated restaurant still pours its heart and soul into the dining experience nightly, with attention to detail and dishes straight from Italy. The beef is all-natural, and Safe Harbor Certified seafood offers sustainable great taste. Pasta, bread and desserts are made in-house daily, with whole wheat and gluten-free pasta available. Osso Bucco is the house specialty. Cigars are welcome on the outdoor lounge. And the collection of Italian wines is unparalleled in Las Vegas. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Gaetano’s (10271 S. Eastern Ave.):
This second-generation family restaurant has been serving Henderson residents since 2002, and it just keeps getting better. While the menu leans towards Northern Italian cuisine, all regions of Italy are covered. So, expect dishes like Scampi alla Paglia, house-made Butternut Squash Ravioli, and Cannoli made in the Sicilian style, made without cream, with candied orange, limoncello and ricotta. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
La Strega (3555 S. Town Center Dr.):
This restaurant’s name is Italian for “The Witch,” and Chef Gina Marinelli has intentionally infused it with as much feminine energy as possible — from the décor to an all-female leadership team. The former head chef at Scott Conant’s D.O.C.G. took inspiration from Italy’s Amalfi Coast when creating the menu. You’ll find lots of seafood, light pastas and delicious pizzas, along with a few steaks, chops and game meats.
Monzu Italian Oven (6020 W. Flamingo Road):
Chef/owner Giovanni Mauro operates in the same space that once housed his mother’s landmark restaurant, Nora’s Italian Cuisine. But the food here is a bit more adventurous, served in a dining room where you can hear live jazz on the weekends. From approachable Roman-style pizza all pala to Sicilian delicacies such as heirloom pumpkin with chicken gizzards, or a lemon leaf stuffed with meat croquettes, the menu runs the gamut from the familiar to the sublime.
Nora’s Italian Cuisine (5780 W. Flamingo Road):
While Nora’s has been around since 1992, second-generation restaurateur Marcello Mauro brought his family’s restaurant to its current location in 2016. Portions are large. The conversation is loud. And there’s a specific locals-focused energy that can’t be faked. The menu is deep on choices, focusing on traditional favorites like chicken parmesan, grilled branzino and probably more veal dishes than any Italian restaurant in Vegas. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Osteria Fiorella (Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.):
Chef Marc Vetri is a Philadelphia culinary legend who came to offer fine dining at The Palms. But he describes the menu at his Red Rock restaurant as “a little bit more red sauce-y.” That means a menu packed with East Coast Italian-American classics executed at a higher level than we’ve expected of those dishes. Rigatoni with Sausage Ragu, Lasagna al Forno and Bucatini Pomodoro are among the favorites, along with a collection of wood-fired pizzas. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
Piero’s (355 Convention Center Dr.):
Over 40 years old, Piero’s is a local landmark that’s been featured in countless films and TV shows. So you can sit where Sharon Stone sat in “Casino” and enjoy Italian-American classics like Veal Parm or Vodka Pasta. If you want to up the old-Vegas vibe, catch a crooner performing in the Monkey Bar Lounge. The place was sold in Spring 2025, but the new owners have promised that the vibe and the food will remain legendary.
Vetri Cucina (The Palms, 4321 W. Flamingo Road):
Philadelphia culinary legend Marc Vetri has created a sophisticated restaurant celebrating rustic Italian regional cuisines in a gorgeous space atop The Palms, with one of the best views in Las Vegas. This is NOT your neighborhood Italian spot. Typical pasta selections include almond tortellini with truffle, spinach gnocchi with ricotta salata and brown butter or Gemelli with pistachio pesto and orange. Trust us, they’re all worth a try. (Read about their Happy Hour offerings at HappyHourVegas.com.)
