WINEAUX

Wineaux, a bright and modern space with white and beige decor, marble accents and natural light, is a gem of the UnCommons project. Retail sales are a large portion of the business, but welcoming tables lining a wall of windows lure wine lovers of all experience levels to open a bottle in the store or sample a glass. Chef Shawn McClain (Balla Italian Soul, Libertine Social) has created a beautiful menu of shareable seafood, flatbreads, spreads and gourmet snacks. 6887 Helen Toland St., Las Vegas; 702.527.6009; wineauxlv.com. $$

American

HONEY SALT

Proof that you can find stellar dining off the Strip lies in Honey Salt’s creative menus of upscale American fare, packed with options you won’t find in most neighborhood restaurants. They include cast-iron branzino with shaved fennel, bacon-wrapped farmhouse meatloaf with tomato jam and the mighty kale salad. The brunch menu is also loaded with hits. Get a brookie (a combination brownie and cookie) for dessert. 1031 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.445.6100; honeysalt.com. $$

MAIN ST. PROVISIONS

As the Arts District has evolved into a top dining destination, Kim Owens (a former executive at the Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse chain) has built Main St. Provisions into one of its most exciting restaurants. This is a neighborhood spot where the menu is warm and welcoming, the staff knows all the regulars by name, and even first-time guests feel at home. The eclectic menu offers upscale comfort foods, such as crudo, Navajo fry bread, risotto, duck, and specials created by their new executive chef, Ellie Parker. But you’ll always find an excellent selection of carefully sourced steaks to round it out. 1214 S. Main St., Las Vegas; 702.457.0111; mainstprovisions.com. $$

Asian

NENE CONTEMPORARY JAPANESE BISTRO

Fine Japanese food in casually elegant surroundings comes to the suburbs. This palace of sushi, sashimi, robata dishes, bento bowls, soups, salads, entrees and vegan selections is a standout dining destination. Bluefin tuna, Scottish salmon, branzino and San Diego uni (sea urchin) are among the sushi items offered. The chef ventures beyond traditional Asian rice dishes with a variety of risottos. 4165 S. Grand Canyon Dr.; 702.463.2700; nenesushilv.com. $$

BBQ

SOULBELLY BBQ

A centerpiece of the Las Vegas Arts District, Soulbelly offers some of the valley’s best BBQ in a honky-tonk setting, with live music and a great bar. It’s the creation of celebrity chef Bruce Kalman (“Top Chef: Colorado,” “BBQ Brawl,” “Chopped,” “Hell’s Kitchen”), best known for his Italian cooking before relocating to Las Vegas. Soulbelly is his first restaurant to focus on the regional barbecue recipes he developed with his rock star buddy Dave Grohl, offering meats smoked directly in front of the Main Street restaurant, along with a great collection of sides. 1327 S. Main St., Las Vegas; 702.482.4404; soulbellybbq.com. $$

Café/Deli

BRONZE CAFE

Fast-casual meets healthy cuisine at Bronze Café, where the salads, sandwiches and sweets have secured a loyal following among locals throughout the valley. Focusing on “fit-friendly” eats, the menu features a sizable vegan section. Carnivores are not ignored here, with options like the Bacon Chicken Chop salad and the What What sandwich, made with turkey, pepperoni, Arcadia greens, basil aioli, oregano vinaigrette, tomato and red onion. There’s an entire pastry case of all-vegan sweets, many of which are gluten-free. 2380 N. Buffalo Dr.; 702.852.2830. $

Eclectic

EAT YOUR HEART OUT FOOD HALL

The Durango Hotel and Casino’s Eat Your Heart Out food hall blends quick and casual counters with full-service, sit-down mini-restaurants. The former includes new-to-market concepts like Irv’s Burgers, Uncle Paulie’s sub-style sandwiches from Los Angeles and New York’s Prince Street Pizza. Among the larger spaces, Philadelphia’s Marc Vetri offers his most casual Las Vegas concept with Fiorella Pasta Bar. At the same time, native Gene Villiatora provides a fresh take on Hawaiian street food at Ai Pono Cafe. Shang Artisan Noodle, Yu-Or-Mi Sushi, Vesta Coffee and one of Station’s beloved Oyster Bars are also highlights. Durango Resort, 6915 S. Durango Dr., Las Vegas; 702.767.7777; durangoresort.com. $$

Indian

TAMBA

One of the most original fine-dining menus in Las Vegas can be found in Town Square, nestled between a P.F. Chang’s and an Apple Store. Tamba offers modern Indian cuisine that draws influences from Japan, China, Thailand and beyond. The exciting food is complemented by a visually stunning dining room that is warm, simple, and effortlessly chic. Service is impeccable, with a staff hand-picked by a team of fine-dining veterans from Strip. Town Square, 6671 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Suite A117; 702.798.7889; tambalasvegas.com; $$

Italian

AL SOLITO POSTO

Chef James Trees’ Tivoli Village Italian spot differs from his Arts District restaurant, Esther’s Kitchen, in one main way: its focus. Where Esther’s has a West Coast energy, Al Solito Posto (which means “the usual place” in Italian) is a tribute to East Coast Italian cuisine that dominated Las Vegas during the Rat Pack’s heyday. Here, Trees and his team prove that the classic red sauce dishes many grew up with—think chicken parm—deserve more respect than they get at a corner pizza place. Tivoli Village, 430 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.463.6788; alsolito.com. $$

AMARI

Amari is much more than the resident Italian restaurant at UnCommons in the southwest valley. The focaccia bread and pizzas are made with the same exquisite dough, using a 25-year-old ancient grain starter that adds depth of flavor and texture. The menu features updated pasta classics, including a shrimp scampi appetizer reimagined with sea urchin butter and Bolognese sauce topped with nutmeg ricotta. It all pairs well with wine, cocktails and the restaurant’s standout amaro selection. UnCommons, 6825 Tom Rodriguez St., Las Vegas; amarilv.com. $$

ANIMA BY EDO

Anima is the second restaurant from the team behind the award-winning Spanish concept EDO, including repeat James Beard Award nominee Chef Oscar Amador. While a few dishes cross over, Anima’s menu leans more into Italian and Mediterranean influences. Prices deliver solid value for the caliber. Like EDO, Anima offers tasting menus, and the kitchen is accommodating with allergies and preferences. The Gramercy, 9205 W. Russell Road; 702.202.4291; animabyedo.com. $$$

BASILICO

Located within the southwest’s Evora community, Basilico draws locals who appreciate the blend of a modern dining room, an inviting patio and a bold vision of Italian cuisine. The menu transcends expectations with avant-garde technique, unexpected ingredients and creative presentations, but also remains grounded with crowd-pleasing pizzas and pasta. Standouts include a duck mousse “cigar” served in an ashtray with sesame-truffle “ash.” For something more traditional, oysters are $1 each on Wednesdays. 6111 S. Buffalo Dr.; 702.534.7716; basilicolv.com. $$

LA STREGA

Chef Gina Marinelli earned her reputation on the Strip leading Scott Conant’s D.O.C.G. at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Afterward, she traveled to Italy’s Amalfi Coast, which inspired La Strega. There’s no chicken parm here. Instead, the menu features seafood, light pastas, pizzas, steaks, chops and game meats. Fun fact: La Strega means “the witch” in Italian. 3555 S. Town Center Dr.; 702.722.2099; lastregalv.com. $$

MONZÚ ITALIAN OVEN

Chef Giovanni Mauro operates Monzú in the former home of his mother’s landmark, Nora’s Italian Cuisine. His approach is more adventurous, inspired by his travels through Italy. Rectangular Roman “pizza alla pala” is offered alongside unique takes on Sicilian classics such as heirloom pumpkin with chicken gizzards, lemon leaf stuffed with croquettes and milk-poached whipped salt cod with caviar. Live music is featured on weekends. 6020 W. Flamingo Rd.; 702.749.5959; monzulv.com. $$

OSTERIA FIORELLA

Philadelphia chef Marc Vetri runs a fine-dining destination atop the Palms. Osteria Fiorella is the approachable counterpart—what he calls “a little more red sauce-y.” Expect lasagna al forno, rigatoni with sausage ragù, bucatini pomodoro, pizzas and more adventurous pastas like Swiss chard tortelli with sage brown butter. Vetri’s devotion to ingredients and technique is consistent across his restaurants. Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.797.7777; redrockresort.com. $$

Mediterranean

PAYMON’S FRESH KITCHEN AND LOUNGE

Paymon Raouf opened the first incarnation of Paymon’s in the early 1980s as a small deli near UNLV, featuring a table, two chairs and to-go food for students. Today, the Westside location is a favorite for Greek, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, with dishes from Italy and Iran, plus plenty of vegan and vegetarian options. In the evening, the lounge transforms into a nightlife spot with hookah and a full bar. 8380 W. Sahara Ave.; 702.804.0293; paymons.com. $

STEPHANO’S

This fast-casual Greek restaurant has three valley locations, plus a ghost kitchen for deliveries. Favorites include filet mignon or chicken skewers, creamy tzatziki and lentil rice, hailed as one of Vegas’ best sides. Gyros, falafel and baklava are also highlights. Multiple locations, including 6115 S. Ft. Apache Road; 702.795.8444; stephanoslv.com. $

Mexican

BBQ MEXICANA

A casual sister concept to Border Grill at Mandalay Bay, celebrity chefs Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken’s BBQ Mexicana infuses U.S. barbecue with Mexican spice in a quick-service setting. After years at T-Mobile Arena, Allegiant Stadium and the Las Vegas Ballpark, it now serves burritos, bowls, tacos and salads on Sunset Road. The smoked brisket “Burnt Ends Burrito” is a local favorite. 8480 W. Sunset Rd. Ste. 200; 702.552.0111; bbqmexicana.com. $

EL DORADO CANTINA

At El Dorado Cantina’s Tivoli Village location, candles, roses and plush red couches set the stage. The vibe complements a health-conscious menu of organic, non-GMO regional Mexican fare with no seed oils. Specials include mahi, chile rellenos, cedar plank salmon, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, queso fundido and more. Tivoli Village, 430 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.333.1212; eldoradocantina.com. $$

Pizza

DOM DEMARCO’S PIZZERIA & WINE BAR

Descended from Brooklyn’s Di Fara Pizza, Dom DeMarco’s brings New York pedigree to its Sicilian and Brooklyn-style pies. Eggplant pizzettes, garlic knots, and pasta dishes round out the menu. The covered, heated patio offers year-round al fresco dining. 9785 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.570.7000; domdemarcos.com.

OLD SCHOOL PIZZERIA

Chef Giovanni Mauro, known for upscale Roman pies at Monzú, goes casual here with classic rounds made from a 300-year-old Neapolitan sourdough starter, fermented five days. Toppings and sides are premium, and “monster-sized” slices with sides are $8.99. 1930 Rock Springs Dr.; 702.847.5774; pizzaoldschool.com. $

Seafood

THE LEGENDS OYSTER BAR

This aquatic-themed Strip mall spot offers oysters, roasts, steamers, boils and standout chowder. Chef Jack Jarukasem, formerly of the Rio’s seafood buffet, serves one of Vegas’ best raw bars alongside fried favorites like calamari and a deconstructed Louisiana gumbo. 3220 S. Durango Dr.; 702.476.8887; thelegendsoysterbar.com. $$

Steak

ECHO & RIG

Chef Sam Marvin’s Tivoli Village restaurant doubles as a butcher shop and steakhouse. Downstairs offers a bar, lounge and glass-walled meat vault. Upstairs showcases small plates and steaks like tri-tip, hanger, ribeye cap, Wagyu tenderloin, skirt steak and Spencer steak. Prices are kept accessible by serving reasonable portions. Tivoli Village, 440 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.489.3525; echoandrig.com. $$$

HARLØ STEAKHOUSE & BAR

Harlø brings Strip-style indulgence to Downtown Summerlin, courtesy of Chef Gina Marinelli. Expect premium cuts, seafood, pastas and a caviar presentation weighed on a triple-beam scale. Downtown Summerlin, 1720 Festival Plaza Dr.; 702.333.0402; harlosteak.com. $$$$

HAWTHORN GRILL

At the JW Marriott, Hawthorn Grill is as appealing to locals as it is to visitors. The lounge is ideal for pre-dinner drinks, and the patio is lush and serene. Chef Eric Lhuillier (formerly of Peter Luger) crafts a menu combining steakhouse classics with French flair. JW Marriott, 221 N. Rampart Blvd.; 702.507.5995; hawthorngrilllv.com. $$$

SCOTCH 80 PRIME

The crown jewel of the Palms, Scotch 80 Prime delivers elegance, sophistication and excellent steak. Chef Marty Lopez sources beef from Nebraska, Kansas, Australia and Japan, alongside chicken, pork and duck. Social Hour offers 30% off 18 items Monday through Thursday evenings. 4321 W. Flamingo Rd.; 866.942.7780; palms.com. $$$

T-BONES CHOPHOUSE

This modern chophouse serves USDA Prime, wagyu, bison and seafood like king crab, branzino and Bigeye tuna, with sides such as cream corn, French fries and mac and cheese. Happy hour is a highlight. Red Rock Resort, 11011 W. Charleston Blvd.; 702.797.7777; redrockresort.com. $$$

Wine Bars

ADA’S FOOD & WINE

Recently recognized for having the Most Original Wine List in the world at The World’s Best Wine Lists awards in London, it’s worth a visit just to have “wine goddess” Kat Thomas pour you something new and interesting. But Ada’s is also a fantastic restaurant and the most experimental of chef and restaurateur James Trees’ local spots. Executive Chef Jackson Stamper appears to be having fun with the eclectic menu, mixing things up with offerings that range from mussels in coconut broth and shrimp with garlic and chili to lamb ribs, a 40-day-aged steak, and a fantastic smash burger. Tivoli Village, 410 S. Rampart Blvd.; 702.462.2795. $$