Top 5 Neighborhood Italian Restaurants
You can’t roll a meatball down the Strip without hitting one of the Italian restaurants found in every resort. But for those visitors who like getting away from the tourist corridors and exploring the neighborhood spots loved by locals for decades, here are five of our favorites.
Nora’s
Tucked into an unassuming shopping center is one of the city’s most beloved family restaurants. Nora’s has been serving classic Italian cuisine since 1991. The place opened with just 12 tables and has been expanded multiple times over the years, but you may still have to wait without a reservation. Specialties include pastas in meat or marinara sauce, Frutti Di Mare (a blend of clams, shrimp, mussels and calamari in red sauce over linguine) and the Crazy Alfredo (fettucine Alfredo with chicken, sausage, jumbo shrimp, mushrooms, bell peppers and tomatoes).
6020 West Flamingo Ste. 10
Las Vegas, NV 8910
702-873-8990
Mon-Thu: 11AM-10PM; Fri: 11AM-midnight; Sat: 4PM-midnight; Sun: 4PM-9PM
Bootlegger
When the Bootlegger first opened in 1949, Las Vegas was still a sleepy little desert town. Hundreds of Italian restaurants have opened since then, but Chef Maria’s family recipes have kept a loyal clientele coming back to the Bootlegger for more than 60 years. The menu boasts an impressive selection of chicken and veal dishes, but there are diners who have frequented the Bootlegger for decades, and still haven’t ordered anything besides their classic spaghetti and meatballs.
7700 Las Vegas Blvd. S.
Las Vegas, NV 89123
702-736-4939
Open 24/7
Annie’s Gourmet Italian
A frequent winner of the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper’s annual “Best of Vegas” poll, Annie’s is a quiet neighborhood spot with ample patio seating, that welcomes both diners and their pets. However, they may be moving soon so call first to double-check the location. In addition to an impressive range of pasta, veal and chicken dishes (you can’t go wrong with any of them), Annie’s also offers special Gluten-free menus, senior specials, and even an entrée for your dog (meatballs or chicken-balls with a frozen yogurt dessert).
1716 W. Horizon Ridge Parkway
Henderson, NV 89012
702-254-3663
Tue-Thu, Sun: 4PM-9PM; Fri-Sat: 4PM-10PM
Casa Di Amore
The specialty here is rustic, old school cuisine, featuring such favorites as Cioppino and Veal Osso Bucco. The surroundings are bright and festive, and there’s video poker in the bar in case you’d like to try and win back the cost of your check. For those who wish to arrive in style, Casa Di Amore offers a complimentary limousine pickup from your hotel.
2850 E. Tropicana Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
702-433-4967
Wed-Mon: 5PM-5AM
Bambini’s
A favorite haunt of residents in Las Vegas’s Summerlin community, Bambini’s is best known for its huge pizzas and its delectable garlic knots. It’s not fancy but the food is worth the drive. If you’re lucky, you might arrive during one of their car shows. Classic roadsters, vintage vehicles and muscle cars fill the parking lot out front, while their owners dine on thin-crust, deep dish or stuffed pizza, stromboli and calzones.
4090 W. Craig Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89032
702-631-3555
11AM-10PM daily