4 Best Restaurants in Las Vegas, Nevada

Noodles are the house specialty at this intimate restaurant in the Fremont East district of Downtown. Although most of the dishes are Thai (try the Awesome Noodles; the name isn't hyperbole), others lean more toward Chinese and Japanese influences. Also worth trying: the three-color curry, and the decadent Short Rib Fried Rice. Whatever you order, request "spicy" dishes at your own risk; chefs here spice things up the way they'd like to eat them, not the way you'd like to eat them. The restaurant itself is truly tiny, with only a handful of tables and seating at the bar, but a large patio with pergola covering is complete with misters for summer and heaters for winter. The patio hosts a DJ and serves a late-night menu Thursday through Sunday. (Le Thai's success led to Chef Dan Coughlin opening a sister restaurant, 8 East, inside the new Circa Resort & Casino.)

This simple Thai restaurant has attained near-fanatical cult status, leaving some to wonder what all the fuss is about. It's simply that everything is so very good: Don't miss the starter of garlic prawns, sautéed with shells on; for a main course, try dishes like charbroiled beef liver mixed with green onion and chile, or the chicken and vegetables with Issan-style red curry. Be warned—several plates here can be some of the spiciest food you'll ever try. But another of Lotus's surprises is the phenomenal wine list of 300-plus choices, on which you might find a vintage to cool your palate. The original Commercial Center location at 953 E. Sahara Ave. was undergoing extensive renovations in early 2023 with plans to return, and a third location opened in Red Rock Resort in early 2023.

Fans of Thai food flock here for spot-on exceptional chow with few surprises—just expertly prepared curries, tom yum soups, fish cakes, and pad Thais. In particular, the shrimp "ginger ginger ginger" (or you can choose it with meat or tofu) has drawn raves; yes, it really is that gingery. Locals rank Archi's among the best Thai restaurants in town. Reasonably priced three-course lunch specials are served from 11 am to 3 pm weekdays. This original location has been a locals' favorite for more than 20 years, but there are three other branches at 6345 S. Rainbow Boulevard, 9350 W. Sahara Avenue, and a fast-casual spot at 9310 S. Eastern Avenue.

Bank Atcharawan, who started out as the sommelier at Lotus of Siam, is known to Las Vegas foodies for his wine pairings. He developed a following with his bygone restaurant Chada, and is now back in business in Chinatown. The wine racks behind the register and the multi-page wine list set this restaurant apart from some of its noisy neighbors, along with a romantic, jazz-music vibe (after sunset, the view of the rear of the neighboring Macy's home store fades away). The menu is smaller and more creative than the standard Thai eatery as well, with crisp-fried meats—Panang Crispy Duck, Pla Crispy Beef—as the focus of several dishes. There's another location in Henderson ( 2645 St. Rose Pkwy., Suite 150).