Las Vegas knows good food. Ask any of us locals, and we’ll share a story and a list of favorites. Ask our visitors, many of whom come to town just for the food. We’ve all known this for decades. Admittedly, we tend to be loyal.
So there’s something especially satisfying about seeing that excellence recognized on a national stage—particularly by the James Beard Foundation Awards, often called the Oscars of the food world.
For 2026, three Las Vegas finalists are stepping into that spotlight, and it feels like a celebration of what we’ve known all along: this city isn’t just a dining destination — it’s a culinary force.
Best Chef: Southwest
In the Best Chef: Southwest category, two of the city’s most compelling culinary voices are getting their moment—and neither is new to the Beard radar. This isn’t a breakthrough, it’s a buildup.
On the Strip, at Casa Playa in Wynn Las Vegas, Sarah Thompson brings a breezy, bold take on coastal Mexican cuisine that’s as refined as it is vibrant. A previous James Beard Nominee (2025), she’s been building toward this with quiet confidence—and now it’s hitting a national stage that finally matches the work. Her aguachile is a standout—citrusy, chili-kissed, and beautifully balanced, a dish that feels both transportive and unmistakably Vegas.
Thompson shares the honor with her colleagues. “I’m so honored to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation for the second year in a row. As a chef on The Strip, and especially as a woman chef, it has been an incredible experience to build Casa Playa alongside such a passionate and talented team.”
Over at Sparrow + Wolf, located off The Strip, in Las Vegas’s Chinatown neighborhood, Brian Howard continues to craft food that’s fearless, flavorful, and just a little bit funky in the best way. Also a returning Beard-recognized chef (semifinalist 2024), this finalist placement feels like a definitive statement. His duck Bánh cuốn is something of a signature—deep flavors, dark richness playing with bright, fresh accompaniments, and deliciously complex — the kind of dish that lingers long after the last bite.
Says Howard, “I’m feeling so blessed right now to be standing where I am today. 20 years ago, this was a goal of mine. So it feels a bit surreal that it’s coming to fruition at a really great time of my life. I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to have a seat at the same table as so many I admire and aspire to share a similar impact on our industry, while representing the community and city that helped shape my career.”
He talks about living in the moment. “You know, I try not to look forward to much anymore. That will ensure I enjoy this moment just a bit longer.”
Best New Restaurant
Then there’s Tamba, located in the Town Square shopping and business complex, south of The Strip, earning a finalist spot for Best New Restaurant with a menu that’s polished, progressive, and packed with personality. Its modern Indian approach leans into both tradition and technique, drawing on influences from neighboring communities and extensive travels, with dishes like butter chicken served with black truffle naan, which are luxurious without losing their roots, indulgent yet intentional.
Tamba has a long Las Vegas history, having closed a smaller, more traditional restaurant many years ago, previously located in the long-built-over Hawaiian Marketplace on the Las Vegas Strip. Sunny Dhillon, the son of the owners of the original space, assembled a team of culinary heavy hitters with decades of entrenched Las Vegas hospitality experience to reimagine a family idea in a whole new voice.
Managing Partner Olivier Morowati says he is excited. “We had to work harder, I think, opening and celebrating a small, family-owned, hospitality-driven project with deep-rooted food traditions. This acknowledgment humbles us, validates our passion and our mission, and is a driving force behind what we are doing.”
Setting the Pace
Together, these nominations paint a picture of a city that’s confident in its cuisine. Not chasing validation but setting the pace and letting the rest of the country catch up.
Because Las Vegas isn’t new to great food—it’s been delivering it, night after night, to anyone paying attention. Now it’s just getting louder about it. A whole lot of culinary clout and a little well-earned Vegas swagger.
And this year, the rest of the country is celebrating right along with it.
Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago on Monday, June 15.
