Question of the Day - 31 August 2022

Magnolias

You already hit most on my short list. I'd add.... Hugo's Cellar, Top of the World, and while not fine dining, or on anyone's best list, Batista's Hole in the wall is a Vegas must do

Hugo’s Cellar and Batista’s are the ‘spirit’ of Las Vegas. I have been going to both for nearly 50 yrs!

Magnolias down on Fremont Street is pretty good, but for my family and I, we like Marilyn's Cafe at the Tuscany better.  Just wish they were 24 hours like before the Pandemic. 

Trevi in Caesars & Strip House in Planet H.

99% of Vegas dining experiences can be duplicated elsewhere, so I'd recommend something iconic. A buffet is an obvious choice, and the Bacchanal and South Point (at opposite ends of the price spectrum) come to mind. Then...an old-school Vegas steakhouse. Cornerstone at the Gold Coast is still my favorite.

Ellis Island BBQ (Ribs). Ellis Island Village Pub (Steak Special). South Point Garden Buffet. Big B's Texas BBQ. Texas Roadhouse.

Golden Steer, Bootlegger, Bob Taylors, Flaming Fajitas and if you're a life long west coaster, White Castle.

Hugo’s Cellar if they are downtown.  

You had a few of mine listed, so all I can add is THE Steakhouse at Circus Circus.

is The Steakhouse at Circus still good?  it was iconic years ago.  but then again so was their 99-cent breakfast, which was something to do once, just to learn from the experience.

wow alohafri I think we hit the submit at the same time - great minds think alike

Bugsy & Myers, Flamingo. 

Three not inexpensive places come to mind first--Lago at the Bellagio and Bouchon and Estiatorio Milos at the Venetian.  Add to that the EI coffee shop, Secret Pizza, Ping Pang Pong, Hugo's Cellar, the Peppermill, Eat (downtown breakfast-lunch place near El Cortez), and Big Al's Oyster Bar (Orleans).

the only one I've been to: the Dim Sum is outstanding, the hot-and-sour soup is unbelievable, and the Night Market Fried Rice is enough to take home for breakfast and maybe even lunch the next day. The downside is that sometimes there's quite a line to get in.
I was surprised to see Tacos El Gordo there. I thought it had more of a "fast-food" reputation; but I'll put it on my to-do list. It has the additional advantage of being right across the street from Resorts World, so it's an alternative if you're staying there and experiencing "sticker shock."
Bon Appetit.

When you do the poll, include the price range. We also want 1st time visitors to be shocked if they try the "must go's". As Kevin pointed out, Caesar's and South Point are 2 very different buffets. Also differentiate the type of eatery (Dinner, breakfast, late night, coffee shop, etc.)

Prime with a fountain view, The Buffet at Wynn, Dona Maria's Tamales (either location), hot dog at South Point, Del Mar Deli at South Point, 

Don’t forget the $1.00 hot dog at the Stage Door 🤣

Big Al's Oyster Bar (Orleans)and Saginaws's Deli (Circa)

Ellis Island, Cafe and BBQ
Herbs & Rye
Southpoint and Rampart buffets
Battistas (not the best, but a great experience)
Top of the World

The Coffee Cup in Boulder City.  Then check out the sheep and view of Lake Mead from Hemenway Park.

Steak & Lobster dinner @ Emerald Island on Friday nights for about $20. Tender steak, tasty lobster, shrimp cocktail and cake for desert. A really good deal made unbelievable by using the LVA coupon!

Every meal I've ever had there was fantastic.

Since the question asks for restaurant recommendations for first time visitors "to gain a true Las Vegas dining experience" I would suggest any location with a view, the best being Top Of The World at the Stratosphere. Dining with a view of the Bellagio fountains is another plus so the patio at Prime is a good choice as well though it requires a bit of a wait. Mon Ami Gabi at Paris is good but the Eiffel Tower Restaurant is better.

Always make a stop at Big Al’s Oyster Bar at the Orleans for the Clam Chowder and one of their linguini entrees.

I would agree with Peppermill, Ellis Island, Bacchanal Buffet, South Point buffet. Having recently written a magazine article about things to do in Vegas, I would also include The Egg and I on Sahara, any of the Blueberry Hill locations, and (for those on the East Coast) In and Out Burger. Magnolia's at the 4 Queens is retro, good and not expensive. The Eataly food court at Park MGM is quite the experience! Having come to Vegas twice a year over the past 20 years, I still miss all the great, inexpensive buffets!

Binion's Steakhouse, Hugo's and Magnolia's have all been mentioned. Also downtown have enjoyed some excellent meals at Eureka and Sushi Ichiban.

Have your first meal at the Circus Circus buffet.  Every other meal the rest of your trip will taste gourmet (even if you eat McDonalds)

Mon Ami Gabi, especially for breakfast.

Ferraro's is the best Italian restaurant in town; how can this not be on the list?  

Definitely the Peppermill and El Gordos if they can stand the wait, and any restaurant with a view of the Bellagio fountains. I think it's called Yellowtail at the edge of the lake in the Bellagio, that is always a very nice experience. I personally crave sushi A LOT, so I would recommend 2 AYCE places, although they aren't necessarily convenient to most tourists. The 2 Oyshi restaurants way off strip, and Sakana, which is next to the Target store at Flamingo and Maryland Parkway. Thinking of booking a trip right now, just so I can get some sushi!

Just an additional comment on sushi in LV. The price is very resonable, and all of it at these restaurants is made to order and unlimited. Sakana allows a few sashimi orders, while Oyshi doesn't, but neither really police you very hard if you order nigiri and just eat the fish. And Oyshi has a lot of hot food available as well, teryaki and their sizzling platters, beef, shrimp, bacon wrapped asparagus, lots of options. It's totally different from what most people experience in any other city when they think of AYCE sushi.

I agree with others on Hugo's Cellar, especially if it's a first time visit for couples.

Big Al's Oyster Bar at Orleans, Javier's at Aria and Giada's at Cromwell. 

 1. Golden Steer 2) Michael Gourmet Room, 3) Bouchon 4) Italian American Club 5) Battista's Hole in the Wall 6) Peppermill

Cheap Eats List: 1) Emerald Isle Coffee Shop 2) SP Garden Buffet  3) SP Prime Rib Loft  4) Siegal's 1941.  5) Pizza Rock  

I enjoy eating  at Top of Binion’s Steakhouse, downtown Vegas. I have eaten there several times and the food is excellent with views from the 24th floor.

Batistas Hole in the wall

Du-Par's Restaurant and Bakery is worth a side trip for pancakes.  I don't do it as often since they moved to the Suncoast, but I've never been disappointed with making the effort.

I think we need to distinguish between (1) restaurants that simply have good food, vs. (2) restaurants that are a Vegas experience, and pick one or the other. I think we should lean toward the latter. From that angle, most suggestions on this forum would not qualify. The Old Vegas atmosphere, especially with photos of people & places from the 1940s/1950s/1960s, should be prime. The Golden Steer would top the list; maybe Battista's would be 2nd.
IN-N-OUT and EATALY are So. CA eateries; their Vegas outlets are just satellites, not local Vegas joints. IN-N-OUT would not impress East Coast folks (it doesn't even impress me). EATALY is gourmet, but it's not "Vegas-y". WHITE CASTLE is an EAST Coast chain, not a West Coast one, with tiny unimpressive burgers (IN-N-OUT's aren't much bigger). HUGO'S CELLAR: be careful; someone has reported being bait-&-switched on meat, 2 of 3 visits. 4Queens' MAGNOLIA'S & El Cortez's SIEGEL'S 1941 aren't special or cheap. My nomination: LUV-IT FROZEN CUSTARD.

Bouchon
Bazaar Meat
Picasso
Hofbrauhaus
Joel Robuchon

A trip to a strip club near the Strip is very Vegasy. I have heard some have food. There used to be a place across Paradise from the Hard Rock that had free gourmet burgers during Monday Nite Football. The good old days.

Piero's, Mon Ami Gabi, Feraro's, Peppermill, Bagelmania

.... too bad you missed iL Mulino!

We were there this weekend and had phenomenal dinners at Brezza (Italian at Resorts World), Delilah (Wynn) and our old favorite, Lawry's the Prime Rib.   Last month, we went off-strip to Italuan American Club on E Sahara, Joe's Prime at Caesar's Forum Shoppes, and Bouchon at Venetian.    I had buffet at Caesar's Bacchanal in June, and it was mediocre at best, and at Wynn this past weekend and it was very good, though they NO LONGER have Prime Rib on the buffet, which was a downer for me.   I usually don't miss a meal on my Vegas visits, and eat well, win or lose.

Nora’s Italian Cuisine, they are truly excellent. Very busy, I think from locals.