Some of the best places to eat in Las Vegas are hidden off The Strip and many tourists miss out on trying them. The same goes for secret speakeasies, fun activities, and even some hidden art installations. If you want to do Vegas “right,” you need to head to where the locals go. Luckily, the staff at Taste Buzz are incredibly excited to share these secrets with you. Why? Because we love this city and want you to love it too!
So we’ve rounded up our favorite hidden gems in Las Vegas for you to check out below. Keep reading to learn how to experience our town like a local.
# 1 Go Chocolate Tasting At The Ethel M Botanical Garden
You read that right. Ethel M Chocolates combines two of our favorite things – chocolate and desert flowers! The cactus botanical garden is the biggest in Nevada and has over 300 different kinds of plants to check out. After walking the grounds, stop in for a box of chocolates or even go on a chocolate-tasting experience! This is one of our favorite places to bring our nature-loving friends and anyone who loves chocolate.
# 2 Try New Foods At Vegas Test Kitchen
One of the best ways to try delicious foods crafted by local chefs is to check out the Vegas Test Kitchen in Downtown Las Vegas. Each week, they celebrate the Las Vegas culinary scene by giving chefs a space to be creative and try out new concepts. This is the place to go if you are looking for the best places to eat in Las Vegas before they hit the scene.
# 3 Check Out The Seven Magic Mountains Art Installation
Just a short drive south from the city and you will catch a glimpse of a vibrantly painted art installation. With the desert as its background, Ugo Rondino’s Seven Magic Mountains is where the natural world meets the artificial in a colorful display. This free exhibit is easy to get to. All you have to do is take the 15 South to Sloan Rd. Then, make a left turn to Las Vegas Boulevard. Continue south for about 7 miles and keep an eye out for the artwork on your left. This is a great spot to take photos or have a picnic. Just make sure to take out what you carry in so we can keep the exhibit enjoyable for all!
# 4 Cool Off With Ice Cream At Dig It!
One of our newest favorite spots is Dig It! Coffee Co. On top of being one of the best places to eat in Las Vegas, they are also doing a lot of good in the community. This coffee shop employs adults of all different abilities so that everyone can make a competitive wage in the area. We love this place because their pastries are delicious and they care about making the neighborhood a better place for everyone to enjoy. As locals ourselves, we are always looking for ways to support our town. Grabbing an ice cream or coffee from Dig It! is one of them.
# 5 Enjoy Locally Brewed Beer At Banger Brewing
If you like craft beers, you’re going to love Banger Brewing. This Las Vegas gem is known for infusing its ales with creative flavors. From fruity to hoppy, they have a beer for everyone in your group (that is over 21, of course). If you are lucky enough to go when their pineapple cider is on tap, then we highly suggest you try it out.
# 6 Chow Down At Le Thai Restaurant On Fremont
A great part of living in Las Vegas is that you have access to cuisine inspired from all over the world. For Thai food, one of the best places to eat in las vegas is Le Thai by Chef Dan Coughlin. Inspired by his mom and grandmother, Chef Coughlin has put together a menu that ranges from traditional to creative.
If your group wants to go somewhere that is fresh, tasty, and sure to fill you up, then this is the place for you. For a truly Thai experience, don’t forget to order a Chang beer to go along with your meal!
# 7 Stroll Through Downtown Container Park
When you are on a budget in Las Vegas, it is good to know where the free activities are. One way to have fun while exploring the city is to walk through the Downtown Container Park. This is an open air shopping center with a bunch of neat shops, cafes, and restaurants to check out.
They even have a fun playground treehouse with slides perfect for people visiting Las Vegas with kids. Another fun activity at the park is the Mantis show complete with fire, music, and other festivities!
# 8 Stop In For Happy Hour At Makers & Finders
Makers & Finders is a hip, local spot to grab a quick coffee or stop in for some insanely good Latin food. If you’ve never tried arepas or empanadas, this is the place to start. Their menu is approachable and their staff is more than happy to help you pick out the perfect meal to start your foodie adventure.
Additionally, if you’re looking for the best places to eat in Las Vegas that won’t break the bank, then Makers & Finders has you covered. They have a great happy hour from 4-6 pm and $2 empanadas on Wednesdays!
# 9 Travel Back In Time At The Underground Speakeasy
Las Vegas was the place to be during the Roaring Twenties. You can experience the magic for yourself at The Underground Speakeasy located in the Mob Museum. We suggest going through the museum itself because it’s pretty cool to learn about the famous mobsters that helped build Vegas. If you want to skip it though, you can head straight to the bar. You just need the weekly password from their website first.
Once you’re inside, you’ll get to try authentic cocktails and dishes from the prohibition era. You might even get lucky and go on a night with live music!
# 10 Appreciate The Seasons At The Bellagio Conservatory
Each season of the year, The Bellagio gathers its expert team to design and create a spectacular display of flowers and plants. This is a wonderful place to take a date and enjoy a romantic stroll through the garden. Or, if you have any current or future scientists in your group, it is a fun place to use the Seek app to take photos of and identify the different plants in the displays!
# 11 Embrace The Aloha Spirit In The University District
If you find yourself in the University District, there are a few places you should check out. Our top three just happen to all be Hawaiian or Pacific Islander foodie spots. First up is 2 Scoops of Aloha which has hearty plate lunches that will keep you full all day. Next, there is Poke Heaven great for fresh fish bowls. Finally, if you love lumpia, you’re going to want to check out Aloha Kitchen UNLV. All three spots are fresh, delicious, and friendly!
# 12 Enjoy A Laid Back Breakfast At The Omelet House
The Omelet House is one of those unassuming places where you end up getting one of the best meals of your life. As far as breakfast goes, it is one of the best places to eat in Las Vegas. This place has good, honest, comfort-food, perfect for fueling up for a day of sightseeing. They have a few locations in Las Vegas but our favorite continues to be the original one on Charleston Blvd.
# 13 Pick Up Something Sweet From Gäbi Coffee & Bakery
Gäbi Coffee & Bakery is truly one of the most beautiful spaces in Las Vegas. The ornate decor draws on a blend of traditional Korean culture mixed with Western culture from the early 1900s. Not only is it a gorgeous place to gather, but they also have some amazing pastries and insanely good coffee.
# 14 Indulge In A Box Of Macarons At Sweet Sin
Located in the LINQ, Sweet Sin is a decedent shop where you can taste desserts with origins all around the world. Whether you want a cold gelato or a crunchy macaron, you will find your perfect treat for yourself here.
# 15 Murals In Arts District
One of our favorite things to do in Las Vegas is to check out what murals are up in the Arts District. These murals are a great way to explore Las Vegas through a local’s eyes and are a testament to the community itself. The vibrant colors, fun fonts, and larger-than-life designs also make this the perfect place to snap a photo.
Let Us Show You Around Our Town
Each tour guide at Taste Buzz lives locally and would love to share their favorite places to go with you! When you take a tour with us, you can rest assured that we are locally run and owned. That means you’ll get the best insights while helping our community grow!
On our tours, we take you to try food from the best places to eat in Las Vegas while learning about the neighborhood you are in. If you want to experience Vegas like a true local, we suggest taking our Arts District tour or our Fremont Street Experience. Both tours get you off the beaten path and into some of the most unique places in Las Vegas!
