Las Vegas restaurants

Most people write off Vegas cuisine as a load of buffets, but it actually has a thriving restaurant scene, with celeb chefs in abundance (they like the glitz here). The top restaurants here are as good as any in New York or London - and people are finally beginning to realise it, with 10 Vegas chefs being nominated for prestigious James Beard Awards this summer.

Unfortunately, outstanding as the quality can be, there's not as vast a range of cuisines as in Europe or New York. Steaks and burgers predominate (I feel like I've come to be a meat expert living out here, so the ones I've mentioned really are the best), followed by Mexican restaurants, and sushi is also popular. Having said that, there are other options! You just have to look a little harder. 

But probably the best thing about the restaurant scene in Vegas is that, since it's purely a tourist town, it's always possible to make last minute reservations at top restaurants. Where it might take weeks to book a table at another branch of Nobu, for instance, you can walk in off the street to the branch here. At the very least, if you want to be safe, or book a specific table, you can reserve a couple of days ahead, but it's not often that it's required. And that's wonderful!

One more thing - it's always worth checking with the restaurant whether they have any set menus or deals. Restaurant Week runs every Autumn (this year it was August 30-September 5) and most local restaurants whip up set course menus that are not only phenomenally good value, but benefit charity, too. Some restaurants run special early dining deals (such as the Eiffel Tower's prix fixe, pre theatre menu) or work in conjunction with certain shows, to get you dinner and entertainment in a package (most of the restaurants at the Palazzo, for instance, run a deal with Blue Man Group). So it's always worth calling before you get there. 

Oh and if you do want to experience a buffet, my favourite by a mile is the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood. The Middle Eastern section is phenomenal, as is the build-your-own-burger station.

One of the most enjoyable things about moving to America is seeing how often the locals eat out, so I've spent much of the past year eating my way around Las Vegas. I've tried to include a variety here, from fast food joints and sandwich bars when you're on the go, to full on, expensive dinners - as well as one of a kind, "only in Vegas" experiences such as the gorgeous Fountains Brunch at Jasmine on a Sunday. Steak and burgers predominate slightly, but that's because they do on the Strip - and those places that I've included really are the best of the bunch. 

If you're feeling adventurous, you'll be rewarded - because some of my favourite restaurants, which are popular with locals but rarely see tourists, are off the Strip. Even if you have to cab it, the ones that I've included will be more than worth it.