Translation result.
Las Vegas has changed. Once all about casinos and shows, it’s become a city people will fly to purely for the food. Three new openings prove the point.
Gymkhana
In early January, Gymkhana opened at ARIA Resort & Casino. It’s the first U.S. outpost of the Indian restaurant that held two Michelin stars for more than a decade in Mayfair, London. The room that once housed Julian Serrano Tapas has been completely reinvented.
The restaurant takes its name from the 19th-century Indian social clubs known as gymkhanas, and the interior channels that spirit. Deep jade hues, dark wood, polished marble, and brass accents come together for a decidedly luxe vibe.
If Indian food is new to you, don’t worry. Gymkhana celebrates spices while finely tuning each ingredient’s natural flavor. The tandoori masala lamb chops are juicy and free of any gamey taste, with spices that penetrate the meat—one bite explains its global renown. The butter chicken is equally approachable and broadly appealing.
The Las Vegas menu also includes exclusive dishes you won’t find in London: wagyu keema naan and a Goan lobster curry. The spicy, umami-rich beef short rib pepper fry is another standout that will satisfy diners who love bold flavors.
Finish with cardamom-basmati rice kheer, a fragrant Indian dessert that soothes the palate. At the bar, the Maharaja Margarita adds a playful, regal touch.
Gymkhana marries Las Vegas’s appetite for dramatic glamour with serious cooking. From the moment you walk through the grand arched doorway into a mirror-filled foyer, the meal feels like a journey. Demand is high, so make reservations in advance to fit it into your itinerary.
Pinky’s by Vanderpump
If you want to keep the night going, head to Pinky’s by Vanderpump. Opened in November 2024, Pinky’s is a cocktail garden and lounge from reality TV star and restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump, named after her nickname.
The space is a show in itself: Art Deco glam in Lisa Vanderpump’s signature pink and gold. Sparkling chandeliers and velvet seating catch your eye, and a terrace looks out over the Strip. The design feels like a fresh, modern take on the Flamingo Hotel’s iconic history.
The menu is as showy as the décor. Start with the lobster guacamole—generous chunks of fresh lobster make it as pretty as it is tasty. Truffle mac and cheese and mini lobster rolls are lighter, upscale picks if you’re sharing.
On cocktails, try The Pink Flamingo for its rosy hue or the Pump & Bump, served with caviar for a playful luxe moment. Vanderpump reportedly oversaw everything from the flavors to the glassware and even the lighting.
Located in the heart of the Strip, Pinky’s is easy to get to. Step inside and the city noise falls away, replaced by an elegant vibe that’s especially popular with women travelers and couples celebrating special occasions.
Washing Potato
A new dim sum house has opened in Las Vegas inside Fontainebleau Las Vegas. When the property launched in December 2023, Washing Potato took a spot inside. The notable credit behind it is Alan Yau, the internationally known restaurateur who founded Hakkasan and Yauatcha in London. That pedigree gives food lovers a reason to seek it out: Cantonese cooking reimagined for Western palates. If you expect the usual, the elegant interiors and precise techniques will surprise you.
Steaming, frying, and sautéing dim sum here is a performance. An open kitchen at the center of the dining room puts chefs on full display. The black-and-gold interior shuts out the Strip’s bustle and directs all attention to the food. Lighting and music are tuned with care; the vibe is set to welcome both diners in their 20s and those in their 40s, turning a meal into a social event.
Two must-order dishes: Crispy Cheeks Dim Sum and Black Truffle Har Gau. The thin, translucent wrapper lets the shrimp’s springy texture and the truffle’s aroma sing together. The char siu bao is essential too—the crisp exterior and tender, savory filling put it leagues above typical chain versions. The kitchen uses only same-day ingredients and crafts even its sauces from original recipes.
The dumplings may look familiar, but fillings and presentation point in a new direction. As one of Fontainebleau’s standout dining destinations, a meal here naturally leads into a stroll to view the property’s art installations.
Las Vegas — Hyo-jung Kwon, Travel+ reporter
Most Commented