Las Vegas can be a blast with friends, but sometimes you just want to fly solo.
It’s fun to venture out on your own, setting your own schedule and having the flexibility to change them up on a whim.
Dining, though, can sometimes be tricky when you’re alone. The stigma of solo dining is still alive and well, so we thought it might be fun to collect some establishments where solo dining is sheer pleasure.
We asked Gray Cargill, Blogger-in-Chief (probably not her official title) at VegasSolo.com, for her thoughts on what makes for a good solo dining experience.
Cargill says, “I want the staff of a restaurant to be friendly and make me feel as welcome walking into a restaurant alone as they would if I were with a couple or a group. For a comfortable solo dining experience, there should be seating choices that include bartop or counter seating as well as plenty of two-top tables. I also like to have something interesting to look at while I’m eating, whether it’s a show, a window view, a prime spot for people-watching or a TV over the bar. I often bring a book to read ‘just in case,’ but I usually prefer sitting at a bar and chatting with my bartender and whoever is sitting next to me.”
Downtown Las Vegas provides ample options for solo diners, and here are some of our favorites we think meet Cargill’s requirements.
1. American Coney Island at The D Las Vegas
You can access American Coney Island from inside or outside The D’s casino, and you can access some of downtown’s best dogs 24/7. The vibe is casual, and your food is done before you know it.
2. Chicago Brewing Co. at Four Queens
Sit anywhere, order anything, Chicago Brewing Co. at Four Queens offers up hearty food and great prices on drinks. Those playing at the bar can order food, too, making it a fantastic spot for solo dining on Fremont Street.
3. Benny’s Smokin’ BBQ & Brews at Binion’s
Benny’s Smokin’ BBQ & Brews at Binion’s serves up the best barbecue in downtown Las Vegas, hands down, and bar seating makes solo dining a breeze, whether you’re gambling or not. Tip: Your rack comes with a generous variety of sides, but feel free to swap them out if anything catches your eye.
4. The Grille at Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget is bursting at the seams with great places for solo diners to grab a bite. Let’s start with The Grille. It’s a simple menu, but filling and the values are undeniable. Seating is perfectly suited for individuals, and service is quick.
5. Red Sushi at Golden Nugget
Your sushi cravings are handled at this popular restaurant at Golden Nugget. Seating in the bar area is solo dining gold.
6. Chart House at Golden Nugget
Solo diners at the Chart House bar are in for a treat: You’ll have a massive aquarium to keep you entertained! Gray Cargill says of Chart House, “I splurged on Christmas dinner here, alone, while watching colorful fish swimming around in the 75,000 gallon aquarium next to my table. It was very relaxing and a great meal.”
Related: Five Things to Love at Golden Nugget’s Chart House Restaurant
7. Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar at Golden Nugget
Cadillac Mexican Kitchen & Tequila Bar at Golden Nugget has dining at the bar, and the Mexican food is mouth-watering as advertised.
8. Triple 7 Restaurant & Microbrewery at Main Street Station
It’s a couple of blocks off Fremont Street Experience, but Triple 7 Restaurant & Microbrewery is well worth the stroll. Solo diners can feel comfortable dining at the bar, and the microbrewery boasts six kinds of hand-crafted beers. Of the Triple 7 Brew Pub at Main Street, Cargill says, “A casual and comfortable choice for the solo diner, the Triple 7 is a nostalgic favorite of mine. I love their selection of microbrews and good, cheap eats, including a terrific prime rib. The ‘neighborhood bar and grill’ feel reminds me of home.”
9. Du-par’s Restaurant & Bakery at Golden Gate
Du-par’s Restaurant & Bakery has both traditional seating as well as diner-style seating at a long counter. The pancakes are legendary, and Du-par’s even challenges guests to try and eat 10 pancakes in 15 minutes to eat free. See more about the StackZilla Challenge.
10. Lanai Express at Fremont Hotel & Casino
This unassuming restaurant keeps frills and prices to a minimum, affording solo guests a chance to grab a bite while barely missing a beat the slot machines and table games.
That’s our quick list of casino restaurants perfect for dining alone in downtown Las Vegas. Do you have a favorite casino restaurant we overlooked or should try? Let us know!