Best family-friendly restaurants, including some run by world famous chefs
Las Vegas’ reputation for world-class entertainment gives the city the ability to attract world famous chefs, who create amazing culinary experiences. But whether you’re looking for the latest offering from your favorite reality show celebrity or just a laid-back spot to enjoy a meal with your kids, you’ll find that Vegas has something for everyone.
1. Umami Burger
2535 S. Las Vegas Blvd., SLS Casino
Located in SLS Casino, Umami Burger is a kid-friendly oasis in an otherwise nightclub-feeling property. Billed as a “sports book,” where you can place bets and then watch the contest on TV, the venue is masculine with beefy brick walls and lots of athletic décor. The fare here is an elevated guilty pleasure that will tempt even the most diligent carb counter. Sporting names like Manly, Throwback, and Hatch, the burger menu will attract you out of pure curiosity. It was the Truffle Burger that got me through the door. Made with a triple threat of truffle aioli, house-made truffle cheese, and topped with a truffle glaze, the only way this meal can get more decadent is to pair it with truffle fries. Can I plead the Fifth on that? I will fully admit to having started with the truffle beet salad and to enjoying a frosty beverage in the über kid-friendly beer garden, overlooking The Strip. I’m calling it, “research.” $$
KidTripster Tip: The SLS Casino anchors the north end of the Vegas Monorail, making it easily accessible from the Convention Center or even points farther south on The Strip.
2. Pizza Rock
201 N. 3rd St., Old Town
If the thought of another slice of greasy pepperoni pizza makes your stomach turn, then do yourself and your family a favor and head to Pizza Rock. Located in the Old Town Fremont Street neighborhood, it’s got an edgy, hipster vibe that’s different from what you’ll find on The Strip. Cozy brick walls enclose a venue large enough to accommodate a full-sized semi truck that doubles as a DJ booth. Our waiter was intimately familiar with every craft beer on the menu and very helpful in suggesting meals that the kids would enjoy. The roasted asparagus wrapped in prosciutto was a surprise hit with our teenagers. Pizzas are served in 12-inch portions, made for splitting, and feature varieties of cheese and sausage that you’ve likely never heard of, let alone know how to pronounce! Don’t forget to save room for dessert; the mud pie is to die for! $$
KidTripster Tip: Ask your server about the tiny, kid-sized pizzas available for toddlers, who may balk at the more gourmet pies being enjoyed by the adults.
3. Brooklyn Bowl
3545 S. Las Vegas Blvd., The LINQ
Offering 32 lanes of bowling, luxury leather sofas, and upscale comfort food, Brooklyn Bowl has something for everyone. Oh, and if you time it right, you can even catch some live music! Start with an order of pork sliders; then move on to feed the crowd with one of the Blue Ribbon fried chicken platters. Or stay veggie with a starter of humus, followed by the portobello mushroom burger. And don’t forget the beverages; the place has some nice surprises, including three flavors of malted milk and Veuve Clicquot by the bottle. $$
KidTripster Tip: Arrive early to enjoy a local cover band. Brooklyn Bowl is 21 and over only after 8 p.m., but the music starts at 7 p.m. on weeknights.
KidTripster Tip: Combine your meal at the Brooklyn Bowl with a visit to the High Roller ferris wheel attraction, located just steps away.
4. Hexx
3655 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Paris
Hexx marks the spot, where you can get a healthy, delicious meal any time of the day or night. Seriously. Open 24 hours a day, it serves sustainably-sourced meats and seafood in entrées prepared from scratch, even late at night. Think comfort food, like pork rinds and smothered fries, offered alongside more sophisticated fare, like crispy broccolini and tagliatelle scampi. And by all means, save room for one of Hexx’s chocolate desserts! With plenty of tables, it’s no problem to walk in without a reservation. And it’s outdoor patio offers a great view of the Bellagio Fountains across the street. Plus, you can take a tour of the on-site chocolate factory for free! $$
KidTripster Tip: Mon Ami Gabi is another great spot to enjoy the Bellagio Fountains, but it doesn’t take reservations for the patio. Hint: a $20 tip to the hostess is usually enough to get a table. Shhhh.
5. Hell’s Kitchen
3570 S Las Vegas Blvd.
If your teenager has ever shouted the words “You donkey!” at anyone in your kitchen, then you need to add a helping of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay to your next Las Vegas dining experience. There are several spots to choose from, but the newest and arguably poshest, has to be Hell’s Kitchen, located just outside Caesar’s Palace. The fact that it’s a freestanding building located outside the casino makes the space feel more special and less “mall-like,” in my opinion. And the prices are comparable to the more causal Gordon Ramsay Pub, located inside. We visited Hell’s Kitchen for lunch, where I carb-splurged on the braised short rib grilled cheese, and my 17-year-old enjoyed the standard burger. Both sandwiches are priced at $19 and include a side of potatoes (which is a deal compared to the $23 that the pub charges). We sat next to the open kitchen and loved watching the chefs perform. Our waiter was happy to take a photo of us with the gorgeous, tiled HK logo, and we had fun snapping selfies with the interactive chef video that shouts insults at you in the lobby. But the most memorable part of the visit was the dessert that our waiter suggested. Sticky toffee pudding actually isn’t a pudding at all but more of a sponge cake with a mixture of caramel, chocolate, and coffee flavors. It’s seriously delicious. We loved it so much that I found the recipe online and made it for our next family birthday. So save room for dessert, you donkey!
KidTripster Tip: Visit Hell’s Kitchen at lunch when the menu includes teen-friendly options like burgers, pizza, and all-day breakfast for under $20.
KidTripster Tip: If $20 for a burger still seems steep, or to quote Gordon Ramsay, #$@%ing ridiculous, then consider visiting Gordon Ramsay Fish & Chips, where the classic combination will set you back just $14.99. Even better, the restaurant is located in an area called The LINQ. One of my favorite areas on The Strip, it’s modeled after Bourbon Street in New Orleans and has that laid-back charm that you’d expect in the South.
KidTripster Tip: If you and your teenagers are looking for an off-the-strip dining experience (and have access to a car), check out the Pioneer Saloon. Located 30 minutes south of Vegas in Goodsprings, it was established at the height of the Gold Rush in 1913, and it still has some of the bullet holes to prove it!
6. Sante Fe Station
4949 N. Rancho Dr., Off The Strip
No trip to Vegas would be complete without a visit to one of the buffets. But beware: not all all-you-can-eat options are created equal! Some demand prices of $80 or more and make you wait in amusement park-style turnstile lines. For the best all-around, bang-for-your-buffet-buck, check out Sante Fe Station. My teenaged step-son heads straight to the hot soup bar and cautions newcomers to “save room for dessert.” Light eaters can stick to the house specialty fajita station or sample the fresh-made sushi bar. Bigger eaters will want to try the smoked pulled pork and spare ribs, then hit the dedicated chili and salsa bar. Or try all of the above! It’s all-you-can-eat for around $10/person; kids (under 2) eat free. $
KidTripster Tip: Try to avoid the hour between 10 and 11 a.m. Breakfast is served from 8 to 11 a.m., but there’s usually a little downtime as the buffet switches over to lunch.
KidTripster Tip: Make it a date night, while the kids play on their own! Part of the Station Casino group, the Sante Fe Station complex features on-site daycare plus a bowling alley and arcade.
7. Joe’s Crab Shack
1991 N. Rainbow Blvd., Off The Strip
Seafood in the desert? Why not! The relaxed beach vibe at Joe’s Crab Shack feels right at home in the Vegas heat. Treat yourself to one of the steampots featuring crab, smoked sausage, and a whole Maine lobster. With all that food, it’s meant to be shared, family-style. But don’t neglect the kids’ menu. Recognized by the national restaurant association’s Kids LiveWell program, it’s surprisingly healthy with options like grilled shrimp and a steamed snow crab alongside more familiar fare like pizza and burgers. But don’t expect kids to stay at the table too long. A colorful outdoor play structure will lure them away before the grownups’ second round of drinks arrive. $$
KidTripster Tip: Located a bit off the beaten path, combine your trip to Joe’s with a visit to the Las Vegas Mini Grand Prix racetrack! Teens and tweens can race, while littles enjoy kiddie rides with no lines, often riding by themselves!
8. Señor Frog’s
3300 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Treasure Island
Located inside Treasure Island, Señor Frog’s has one of the best outdoor patios on The Strip. The atmosphere is lively, so noisy toddlers are no problem. The fare is basic bar food with a good variety. In addition to the nachos and fajitas that you’d expect, I was happy to find fish and chips and a variety of sandwiches. Our waiter even brought out crayons and covered sippy cups for the kiddos. The big hit for my 4-year-old was the balloon artist, who roams the restaurant creating gorgeous headpieces for free! $$
KidTripster Tip: Arrive in late afternoon to enjoy sunset and cooler temperatures on the outdoor patio. But don’t stay too late, as the drinking crowd does move in.
9. Osaka Japanese Bistro
4205 W. Sahara Ave., Off The Strip
Located on a side street just north and west of Las Vegas Boulevard, Osaka Japanese Bistro feels like a hole-in-the-wall. The neon signs and banners on the facade only add to that feeling. But don’t let the appearances scare you away! Inside is a family-run eatery named as one of the 50 best Japanese restaurants in the world, the only one outside of Japan to earn that honor! Believe me, the food is impeccable; the sushi is divine. What makes it fun for kids is the lively teppanyaki grill show, where families have front row seats as their meals are prepared with equal parts flair and steely precision. Seafood is certainly a favorite, but more kid-friendly options like chicken are readily available. And the steaming onion ring volcano is always a favorite! $$$
10. Todd English’s Olives
3600 S. Las Vegas Blvd., Bellagio Las Vegas Hotel and Casino
If you’re a fan of celebrity chefs, then Las Vegas is your town. There are many eateries bearing names that you’ll recognize. I like Todd English’s Olives, because the dress code is casual, and it has a kid-friendly patio overlooking the Bellagio Fountains. It can be hot, but there are misters, and the outdoor lunch crowd is totally accepting of children. The gourmet flatbreads easily pass as “pizza” for kids, and Olives serves my personal favorite, truffle fries. $$
KidTripster Tip: Skip dessert at the restaurant in favor of a frozen treat from Café Gelato. Enjoy as you stroll through the hotel’s seasonal botanical gardens.
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Corinna Allen is a Emmy award-wining journalist, living in Las Vegas, Nevada. She spent her junior year of high school as an exchange student in Finland, and she’s been traveling ever since. These days, she travels with her husband and two young girls. You can read more of her adventures on her blog.
This writer received some complimentary meals for the purpose of this review. However, all opinions expressed are solely her own.
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