Frequently Asked Questions
Nevada is best known for its Las Vegas celebrity chef restaurants, Basque family-style dining in Reno (a tradition dating back to the 1800s), legendary shrimp cocktails, prime rib specials, and casino buffets. Beyond the casino floor, Nevada has a growing craft brewery scene, excellent Korean and Asian cuisine along Las Vegas's Spring Mountain Road, and Lake Tahoe mountain cuisine featuring elk, trout, and local produce.
Basque cuisine comes from the Basque people of Spain and France who immigrated to Nevada as sheepherders in the 1800s. Reno is the American capital of Basque dining. Restaurants like Louis' Basque Corner and the Santa Fe Hotel serve multi-course family-style meals: picon punch, soup, salad, beans, bread, a meat entree (lamb, oxtail, or sweetbreads), and dessert — all for one price at communal tables. It's one of Nevada's most unique food experiences.
Las Vegas is the undisputed dining capital with more celebrity chef restaurants than any city on earth — from Joel Robuchon to Gordon Ramsay. Reno offers uniquely Basque dining found nowhere else in the country. Lake Tahoe has upscale mountain cuisine with stunning views. Henderson and Summerlin have excellent local restaurants without Strip prices. Virginia City's historic saloons serve authentic Old West fare.
The top-tier buffets absolutely are. Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan serve restaurant-quality food across hundreds of stations — sushi, crab legs, prime rib, made-to-order pasta, and elaborate desserts. Expect to pay $40-80 depending on the meal and day. Weekend brunch buffets with bottomless champagne are the best value. Budget buffets on Fremont Street offer lower prices but lower quality.
A picon punch is Nevada's signature cocktail — a mix of Amer Picon (a bitter French orange liqueur), grenadine, soda water, and a brandy float. Basque shepherds brought it to Nevada, and it's now served at Basque restaurants and many bars across Reno and northern Nevada. It's sweet, bitter, and stronger than it tastes. Order one at Louis' Basque Corner in Reno for the authentic experience.
Casino buffets: $30-80. Prime rib specials: $15-35. Casual dining: $15-30 per person. Mid-range restaurants: $30-60 per person. Celebrity chef fine dining on the Strip: $150-500 for tasting menus. Off-Strip and Henderson restaurants are 30-50% cheaper than Strip prices for comparable quality. A daily food budget of $40-70 covers three solid meals comfortably if you eat off-Strip.