2018 top independent restaurants in Las Vegas
By Restaurant Business Staff on Oct. 16, 2018Las Vegas is home to the top-grossing restaurant in the country, Tao, along with 12 others from our ranking. Newcomer Beauty & Essex opened a Vegas location that mirrors the original in New York City.
Tao Las Vegas
Top 100 Rank: 1
Annual Sales: $43.4M
Average Check: $93.00
The Buzz: Membership in Tao Group's Suite Sixteen club at Madison Square Garden, opening in October 2018, costs $400,000 (Rangers and Knicks tickets included).
Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab
Top 100 Rank: 18
Annual Sales: $21.7M
Average Check: $87.00
The Buzz: A 30-ounce porterhouse is $80, but a cheeseburger can be had at the bar for just $18.95.
Carnevino Italian Steakhouse
Top 100 Rank: 23
Annual Sales: $20.6M
Average Check: $182.00
The Buzz: B&B's three Vegas properties—Carnevino Italian Steakhouse, B&B Ristorante, and Otto Enoteca e Pizzeria—all closed in July 2018.
Bazaar Meat by Jose Andres
Top 100 Rank: 25
Annual Sales: $20.3M
Average Check: $108.00
The Buzz: Jose Andres and his World Central Kitchen spent much of 2017's later months feeding the hungry in Puerto Rico.
SW Steakhouse
Top 100 Rank: 27
Annual Sales: $20.1M
Average Check: $133.00
The Buzz: Chef David Walzog's steakhouse in the Wynn continues to be a local favorite.
Mon Ami Gabi
Top 100 Rank: 44
Annual Sales: $17.7M
Average Check: $69.00
The Buzz: The restaurant opens in Paris Las Vegas each morning at 7 a.m. with a breakfast menu of crepes, eggs Benedict and more.
Aria Cafe
Top 100 Rank: 51
Annual Sales: $16.7M
Average Check: $27.00
The Buzz: The cafe has a new Secret Sushi menu from chef Takashi Takahashi, featuring items such as Hamachi & Salmon Carpaccio and Dynamite Rainbow Rolls.
Prime Steakhouse
Top 100 Rank: 52
Annual Sales: $16.7M
Average Check: $160.00
The Buzz: One of two Jean-Georges Vongerichten steakhouses in Las Vegas (the other is Jean Georges Steakhouse at Aria).
Lavo Italian Restaurant & Lounge
Top 100 Rank: 55
Annual Sales: $16.5M
Average Check: $88.00
The Buzz: Its terrace overlooking the Strip provides an unmatched view for diners and bar patrons.
Top of the World
Top 100 Rank: 60
Annual Sales: $16.2M
Average Check: $99.00
The Buzz: Situated 844 feet above Las Vegas, it rotates 360 degrees every 80 minutes.
Delmonico Steakhouse
Top 100 Rank: 63
Annual Sales: $16.0M
Average Check: $95.00
The Buzz: Emeril Lagasse's Creole steakhouse "brings back a time when lunch was an event, cocktail hour was not to be missed and dinner with friends was a celebration."
Jean-Georges Steakhouse
Top 100 Rank: 75
Annual Sales: $14.6M
Average Check: $112.00
The Buzz: The strikingly modern space at Aria Resort & Casino is divided into a lounge, elevated dining areas and two private dining rooms.
Beauty & Essex (Las Vegas)
Top 100 Rank: 99
Annual Sales: $12.4M
Average Check: $88.00
The Buzz: Opened in May 2016, the Las Vegas version mirrors the New York original, with food by chef Chris Santos and a pawn shop.