By Brett McGinness, Reno Gazette Journal
The USA TODAY Network has unveiled its Restaurants of the Year for 2026, and among them is Esther’s Kitchen in Las Vegas’ Arts District.
But it was difficult to pick just one spot out of the entire state. While Las Vegas hosts an abundance of world-class restaurants, great flavors can be found in every city and town in Nevada.
Among other noteworthy spots are a legendary Basque restaurant, a brewery deep in the heart of the state, a vegan Vegas favorite and a Chinese bistro in downtown Reno.
Here are five other Nevada restaurants we think you should try in 2026.
Chef Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum
5570 W. Flamingo Road, Las Vegas
Beef, chicken, duck, eel and shrimp are all on the menu — or at least the flavors are. Located just a few blocks west of the Las Vegas Strip, Chef Kenny’s Vegan Dim Sum offers 100% vegan fare in a variety of dishes, not just dim sum. Odds are quite good that you’ll be able to chat with the hands-on proprietor, Kenny Chye.
For vegans who eschew meat substitutes, the menu offers classic dishes like turnip cakes, mixed mushroom dumplings and traditional sesame balls for dessert. For vegan-curious carnivores in the party, there’s Cantonese pan-fried fish, beef with snow peas and the must-try vegan fried chicken.
Khoury’s Mediterranean Restaurant
9340 W. Sahara Ave., No. 106, Las Vegas
A favorite among Las Vegas locals for two decades, this family-run Lebanese restaurant is nestled among residences on the west side of town. That makes it a decent half-hour drive from the Strip. But for visitors to Sin City, it’s worth the trip.
Everything from the lamb chops to the feta fries are prepared in-house, and the fresh pita bread might be the best you’ve ever tasted. If you’re in a group, try the farooj whole chicken meal with vegetables, salad and the famous pita bread.
Kwok’s Bistro
275 West St., Reno
This restaurant in a tiny building in the shadow of downtown casinos has one of the longest waitlists in Reno. It can take weeks to snag a table, but it’s worth the wait.
Longtime Reno restaurateur Kwok Chen has built an extensive menu of traditional soups and clay pot dishes, stir-fries and congee (savory rice porridge with meat, seafood or egg). The must-try menu item? Pork belly sliders wrapped in fried lotus leaf buns.
The Star Hotel & Bar
246 Silver St., Elko
Nevada’s windswept mountain ranges have been the home of Basque sheepherders since the 1800s. On the rare occasions they could gather together, it was as close to a homecoming as possible on the other side of the globe.
The Star has been one of those gathering spots since 1910. On the menu are baked lamb, pork chops and Cantabrian seafood favorites. From the family-style seating to the all-encompassing mene, the restaurant reflects the diversity and crossroads of the Basque experience.
Tonopah Brewing Co.
315 S. Main St., Tonopah
This decade-old restaurant and brewery quickly has become a favorite of locals in this central Nevada town, as well as a welcome stopping point for travelers on US-95 between Reno and Las Vegas. Look for the giant pickaxe out front (a nod to the town’s gold and silver mining history).
The menu is everything you’d expect from a brewpub: bratwurst on pretzel buns, burgers slathered in barbecue sauce, and beer-battered onion rings. The beer menu is notably wide-ranging; favorites include the Cherry 51, a Belgian wit brewed with cherries; and the bold, hoppy UnWilling double IPA.
Brett McGinness is the engagement editor for the Reno Gazette Journal. He’s also the writer of The Reno Memo — a free newsletter about news in the Biggest Little City. Subscribe to the newsletter right here. Consider supporting the Reno Gazette Journal, too.
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