Top 3 Must-Try Restaurants in Las Vegas: Experience Gymkhana, Pinky’s by Vanderpump, and Washing Potato

Las Vegas is changing. Once all about casinos and oversized shows, it’s fast becoming a serious food destination. These three new restaurants are proof that the city’s dining scene has arrived.

Gymkhana, the acclaimed Indian restaurant, opened at ARIA Resort & Casino in early January. This is the London Mayfair original’s first U.S. outpost after more than a decade as a two-Michelin-star standout. The former Julian Serrano Tapas space has been totally reimagined — step through a grand arched doorway into a mirrored entry and you’ll feel transported.

Named after the 19th-century Indian social club, the restaurant channels that era’s refined sociality in its design. Deep jade tones, dark woods, polished marble and brass details combine to give the dining room a truly luxe feel.

If Indian food feels unfamiliar, don’t worry — Gymkhana keeps it approachable. Spices are celebrated but never overpower the core ingredients. The tandoori masala lamb chops arrive juicy and free of any off-notes, with deep layers of flavor that explain the restaurant’s global reputation. And yes, the butter chicken is a comforting, crowd-pleasing choice.

The Las Vegas menu includes exclusive dishes you won’t find in London: wagyu keema naan and Goan lobster curry are both Vegas-only. Also standout is a spicy, deeply savory beef short rib pepper fry — perfect for anyone who loves bold, punchy flavors.

Finish with cardamom-scented basmati rice kheer, a classic Indian dessert that soothes the palate with gentle, fragrant sweetness. At the bar, the Maharaja Margarita livens the vibe.

Because the spot is in high demand, book a table in advance to make sure it fits into your itinerary.

If you want to keep the night going, head to Pinky’s by Vanderpump on the Flamingo’s first floor. Opened in November 2024, Pinky’s is a cocktail garden and lounge from reality star-turned-restaurateur Lisa Vanderpump — named, of course, after her nickname.

The space itself is a show-stopper. Vanderpump’s signature pink and gold inform an Art Deco-inspired design. Glamorous chandeliers and plush velvet seating catch your eye immediately, and a terrace with Strip views adds a cinematic touch. The venue feels like a fresh, modern take on the Flamingo’s storied past.

The menu is as playful as the decor. Start with the lobster guacamole — a generous, Instagram-ready scoop of fresh lobster atop creamy guac. Truffle mac and cheese and mini lobster rolls strike a balance between indulgent and approachable.

From the cocktail list, try The Pink Flamingo for its rosy hue or the Pump & Bump, which arrives with caviar. Vanderpump is said to have overseen everything from flavors to glassware and lighting to get the mood just right.

Sitting in the heart of the Strip, it’s easy to reach. Step inside and the noise fades — what’s left is an elegant, celebratory space that’s especially popular with groups, couples marking an occasion, and anyone after a glamorous night out.

Dim Sum House Washing Potato opened in December 2023 with the debut of Fontainebleau Las Vegas. The restaurant also carries the stamp of Alan Yau, the influential restaurateur behind London’s Hakkasan and Yauatcha.

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What makes this place worth seeking out is its Cantonese cooking reinterpreted for Western diners. If you come in expecting familiar, chain-style dim sum, the sleek interior and exacting techniques will quickly surprise you. Steaming, frying and tossing dim sum here all feel like performance art, and an open kitchen in the center of the dining room puts the chefs on full display.

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The moody red-and-black dining room shuts the Strip’s chaos out and makes it easy to focus solely on the food. Lighting and music are dialed in to complement the cooking.

There are must-order items. The Crispy Cheeks Dim Sum and the Black Truffle Har Gau are essential — the translucent wrappers let the shrimp’s springy texture and the truffle aroma sing in balance. The Char Siu Bao is another can’t-miss: crispy outside, tender and savory inside, it outclasses anything you’d find at a typical chain. The kitchen uses only same-day ingredients and crafts its sauces from proprietary recipes.

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As one of the Fontainebleau’s standout restaurants, it’s worth taking a post-dinner stroll around the hotel’s art installations to digest and soak in the surroundings.

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Text and photos / Las Vegas — Kwon Hyo-jeong, Travel+ reporter