10 Best Italian Restaurants in Las Vegas (Local Favorites You’ll Love)
From the Strip to Summerlin, these Italian spots serve up unforgettable pasta, wine, and warmth.
Las Vegas is a city of lights, indulgence and extremes. But tucked between the neon and the novelty lies something profoundly comforting: Italian food that could make even the most discerning Roman nod with approval.
Italian cuisine is about balance between bold and simple, rustic and refined, familiar and surprising. So when I tell you that Las Vegas serves up some of the best Italian dining in the U.S., it’s not because it wants to impress. It’s because, quite simply, it can.
What Makes a Great Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas?
In a city known for world-class entertainment and indulgent dining, the bar is set high for restaurants of any kind. But when it comes to Italian cuisine, expectations rise even further. A great Italian restaurant in Las Vegas doesn’t just serve pasta—it delivers an experience rooted in tradition, elevated by creativity, and executed with genuine warmth. From the Strip to Summerlin, the best spots balance soul, flavor, and finesse.
Authenticity vs. Innovation
The best Italian restaurants in Las Vegas strike a delicate balance between honoring Old World recipes and embracing New World flair. Authenticity is more than importing San Marzano tomatoes or using “00” flour, it’s about preserving the spirit of the cuisine: simplicity, seasonality, and respect for ingredients. Yet in a dynamic food city like Las Vegas, innovation also plays a key role. Creative chefs reimagine traditional dishes—like squid ink bucatini with uni or truffle infused risottos without losing sight of Italian culinary roots. This fusion of past and present is what makes Las Vegas a thrilling place for Italian food lovers.
Pasta, Wine, and Hospitality - What Locals Crave
Ask any local what defines a great Italian restaurant in Las Vegas, and you’ll likely hear three words: pasta, wine, hospitality. Handmade pasta is more than a trend here—it’s a badge of honor. Whether it’s silky tagliatelle at Ciao Vino or pillowy gnocchi downtown, texture and freshness are everything. Pair that with a thoughtfully curated Italian wine list, and you're halfway to heaven. But the secret sauce? Hospitality. The best spots treat you like famiglia, whether you’re sipping Chianti at a cozy Summerlin trattoria or toasting with Lambrusco under the chandeliers of a Strip hotspot.
Why Las Vegas Is a Hidden Gem for Italian Cuisine
While cities like New York and Chicago often steal the spotlight, Las Vegas quietly delivers some of the most diverse and exceptional Italian dining in the country. Thanks to a global influx of talent and ingredients, the culinary scene here is constantly evolving. From legendary chefs with Michelin stars to family owned ristorantes that have stood the test of time, Las Vegas offers every version of Italian you could crave—luxurious, rustic, contemporary, or classic. Add to that the city’s reputation for service excellence, and you’ve got a recipe for unforgettable meals. Whether you’re on the Strip or off it, Las Vegas is a hidden gem for Italian cuisine that’s waiting to be explored.
Top 10 Italian Restaurants in Las Vegas
Here are ten Italian restaurants in Las Vegas where the food is heartfelt, the ambiance is warm, and the pasta is always, always al dente.
1. Ciao Vino – An Intimate Wine & Pasta Experience in Summerlin
Let’s begin off the Strip, where the buzz of slot machines gives way to the soft clink of wine glasses. Ciao Vino is a hidden gem nestled in Summerlin, and it’s the kind of place that values the art of slow dining. House made pastas emerge from the kitchen with reverence - tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, gnocchi so light they nearly levitate.
But the wine... oh, the wine. Ciao Vino’s list reads like a passport through Piedmont, Tuscany, and Veneto. Every bottle is hand-selected, every pour intentional. Pair that with a warm ambiance that feels like your sophisticated uncle’s dinner party in Florence, and you’ll understand why locals whisper about this place like it’s their best-kept secret.
👉 Make a reservation at Ciao Vino 👉 View Ciao Vino's Menu
2. Carbone. Italian-American Glamour at The Cosmopolitan
Walking into Carbone is like stepping into a Sinatra-era film set. It’s theatrical, it’s bold, and yes—it’s delicious. The Spicy Rigatoni Vodka is the dish you’ll remember, but the tableside Caesar salad and the charm of tuxedoed waiters make the meal unforgettable.
This is where nostalgia meets luxury, and it works beautifully.
3. Esther’s Kitchen – Downtown’s Soulful Italian Star
In the Arts District, Esther’s Kitchen feels like the cool younger cousin who studied abroad in Bologna. Their sourdough bread is practically famous, and the rotating seasonal pasta menu showcases what happens when Italian tradition meets Vegas creativity. Expect a full house and a full heart.
4. Cipriani – Venetian Elegance at the Wynn
Sometimes, elegance is effortless. That’s Cipriani. From Bellinis to Beef Carpaccio, this is Italian fine dining with impeccable heritage. It’s the sort of place where the waitstaff seems to float rather than walk, and the Tiramisu arrives like a soft whisper at the end of a grand aria.
5. Ferraro’s Ristorante – Las Vegas Tradition Since 1985
If walls could talk, Ferraro’s would tell tales of family dinners, proposals, and more than a few Negroni-fueled debates. Still family-owned and operated, it’s as classic as it gets. Go for the Osso Buco, stay for the amaro cart, and leave feeling like you’ve been adopted.
6. RPM Italian – Sleek and Chic at Caesars Palace
New to Vegas but seasoned in style, RPM Italian is the brainchild of Giuliana and Bill Rancic. It’s clean, modern, and surprisingly soulful. Their lobster ravioli is a standout, and the cocktail menu knows how to show off without shouting.
7. LAVO – Bold Flavors on the Strip at The Venetian
Yes, it’s a scene. But at LAVO, the food earns its spotlight. Think one-pound meatballs, rooftop brunches, and oversized martinis. A place where Italian-American comfort food gets a Vegas-style glow-up.
8. La Strega – Summerlin’s Modern Italian Muse
Chef Gina Marinelli’s La Strega dazzles with feminine energy and fierce technique. Seasonal ingredients, handmade pasta, and a design-forward space make it a haven for food lovers who appreciate both beauty and boldness.
9. Locale – Bold, Rustic, and Hyperlocal
Locale in Mountain’s Edge brings a sharp focus to locally sourced ingredients. The house-aged meats and inventive pasta dishes speak of a kitchen with purpose. You won’t find white tablecloths here—just honest Italian done extraordinarily well.
10. Nora’s Italian Cuisine – Where the Locals Really Go
Sometimes, you just want the comfort of a red-sauce classic done right. That’s Nora’s. Operating since 1991, this family-run favorite proves that you don’t need truffle oil to impress—just a perfectly balanced chicken parm and a generous pour of red.
Tips for Choosing the Right Italian Restaurant in Vegas
With so many options from classic red-sauce joints to Michelin-starred marvels—choosing the right Italian restaurant in Las Vegas can feel overwhelming. But a little strategy goes a long way. Whether you're looking for a romantic night out, a quick pasta fix, or a memorable group dinner, Las Vegas has an Italian spot that fits. Use these tips to narrow your search based on location, budget, and timing so you can enjoy every bite without second-guessing your choice.
Strip vs. Off the Strip Dining
Italian restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip are often designed to dazzle—with upscale ambiance, celebrity chefs, and jaw-dropping interiors. Spots like Carbone and Cipriani bring Italian glamor to the forefront, perfect for special occasions or visitors who want to feel part of the Vegas energy. Off the Strip, however, is where you’ll find hidden gems like Ciao Vino in Summerlin, beloved by locals for their authentic menus, warm service, and neighborhood charm. If you want an elevated yet relaxed Italian dining experience with fewer crowds, off-the-Strip restaurants often deliver better value and authenticity.
Budget vs. Fine Dining
Las Vegas caters to every budget—from casual, family-friendly trattorias to extravagant fine dining experiences. If you're craving hand-tossed pizzas, traditional pastas, and a generous wine pour without breaking the bank, there are plenty of approachable Italian restaurants offering quality and comfort. For those seeking something more refined—like white tablecloth service, imported ingredients, or sommelier-curated wine pairings—Vegas delivers luxury with style. Understanding your price point helps narrow the list quickly, and many restaurants (including Ciao Vino) offer both approachable entrées and elevated tasting menus to satisfy every palate.
Best Times to Book and What to Avoid
Dinner reservations in Las Vegas on weekends and during conventions can book out fast. For the best experience, aim to reserve a table at least 48–72 hours in advance, particularly for top rated Italian restaurants. Weekday dinners or early evening slots (5–6:30 p.m.) often mean shorter wait times and more attentive service. Avoid booking last-minute during peak hours (7–9 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays), when both Strip and local hotspots are packed. For places like Ciao Vino, calling ahead or using their online reservation system ensures you’re not left waiting or worse, missing out on the night’s handmade specials.
Reserve your table now at Ciao Vino and experience the heart of Italian dining in the desert. Or, visit their Happy Hour to see for yourself.
Explore More Italian Food in Las Vegas
Italian cuisine is about more than food. It’s about community, memory, and a little indulgence. In Las Vegas, a city defined by reinvention these Italian restaurants remind us that tradition can still have a place at the table.
Whether you’re sipping Brunello at Ciao Vino or twirling bucatini at Carbone, one thing is certain: La Dolce Vita is alive and well in Las Vegas.
Looking for more pasta picks, wine pairings, or romantic date spots?
Check out La Dolce Vegas for Old School Italian Restaurant Las Vegas, Famous Italian Restaurant Las Vegas or Oldest Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas.
Italian Restaurant Las Vegas Best Italian Restaurant Las Vegas Italian Restaurant Las Vegas Off Strip Oldest Italian Restaurant in Las Vegas Ciao Vino Italian Restaurant Las Vegas Ciao Vino Happy Hour.