The top four
1. Raku, Spring Mountain Road — Japanese robata, the standard by which every serious Vegas eater judges everything else, reservations two weeks out. 2. Lotus of Siam, East Sahara — regional northern Thai, James Beard-recognised, and worth the strip mall exterior. 3. Esther's Kitchen, Arts District — sourdough and pasta from Nevada wheat, brunch line by 10am on Saturdays. 4. Monta Ramen, Chinatown — 12 seats, tonkotsu that ruins you for airport ramen for years.
Five through eight
5. Yui Edomae Sushi, Chinatown — omakase at half what the Strip charges for the same fish. 6. Weera Thai on Sahara — the boat noodles and the crispy pork belly krapow. 7. Le Thai, Fremont East — pad see ew and the short rib fried rice, patio if it's not July. 8. La Comida, downtown — Mexican small plates, the strongest mezcal list downtown. Skip any off-Strip restaurant that shows up on Strip taxi driver recommendations; those are kickback lists.
Good to know
How far is Chinatown from the Strip?+
Spring Mountain Road starts about a mile west of the Strip at Wynn. A rideshare runs $12-18 each way; the Deuce bus doesn’t cover it well.
Do any of these take walk-ins?+
Monta Ramen and Le Thai reliably; expect 20-40 minutes at peak. Raku, Lotus of Siam, and Yui need reservations.