Las Vegas has already produced three especially compelling restaurant arrivals in 2026: Maroon at SAHARA, Cantina Contramar at Fontainebleau, and Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse at Wynn. Those are the places to start if you want a new destination dinner instead of another lap around the same old casino food court.
The honest answer, though, depends on what you want from the bill. Maroon is the bold special-occasion pick. Cantina Contramar is the choice for a lively Mexican seafood dinner. Sartiano’s is built for diners who want polished Italian cooking and steakhouse energy. For something less formal, The Venetian’s recently opened lineup offers several quick-service alternatives.
That distinction matters in Las Vegas. Back home in the Midwest, “going out for dinner” might mean everybody agrees on the same chain restaurant without holding a family summit. Here, dinner can involve a reservation strategy, resort parking, and a steak priced like a respectable lawn mower. Let’s spend wisely.
The best new Las Vegas restaurants to try now
Maroon at SAHARA Las Vegas
Maroon by chef Kwame Onwuachi opened at SAHARA Las Vegas in May. The restaurant applies an Afro-Caribbean perspective to the classic steakhouse format, drawing particular inspiration from jerk and Jamaican cooking.
This is not simply a standard steakhouse with a tropical garnish added at the end. The point is the combination of live-fire meat, Caribbean flavors, and the kind of full-scale presentation expected from a major Strip restaurant. That gives Maroon a clearer identity than many expensive dining rooms where the main sales pitch is a large piece of beef and a very serious chair.
Best for: A celebration, an adventurous steakhouse dinner, or visitors who want a restaurant that feels specific to this moment in Las Vegas. It is still a Strip splurge, so check the current menu and reservation terms before committing.
Cantina Contramar at Fontainebleau
Chef Gabriela Cámara’s Cantina Contramar debuted at Fontainebleau Las Vegas in late March. The restaurant brings Cámara’s approach to Mexico City dining into a large resort setting, with seafood and Mexican flavors at the center of the experience.
The appeal is straightforward: this is a destination restaurant for diners who want a bright, social meal rather than another dark steakhouse. It works particularly well for a group willing to share, compare dishes, and accept that somebody at the table will eventually claim the final bite was “just sitting there.”
Cantina Contramar is the strongest new choice for a seafood-focused dinner on the north Strip. Because menus and operating hours can change, confirm both through Fontainebleau before heading over.
Best for: Date night, a celebratory group dinner, or Mexican seafood in a polished resort setting.
Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse at Wynn
Sartiano’s Italian Steakhouse combines Italian dining with the familiar pleasures of a Las Vegas steakhouse. Located beside the Zero Bond private club at Wynn Las Vegas, the restaurant overlooks Wynn Golf Club and carries the dressed-up atmosphere that location suggests.
This is the safest pick of the three for a group with mixed appetites. One person can lean into pasta, another can order steak, and nobody has to give a speech about why they are suspicious of seafood. The format is recognizable, but the Wynn setting turns it into a proper night out.
Value here does not mean inexpensive. It means choosing the restaurant when you specifically want formal service, Italian steakhouse cooking, and a room that feels unmistakably Vegas. If all you need is a plate of pasta before a show, there are more practical ways to accomplish that mission.
Best for: Business dinners, anniversaries, and traditional steakhouse diners who want an Italian angle.
Where to eat when you want something more casual
The Venetian’s recently opened restaurant collection gives visitors several lower-commitment options. These are useful when you want something new without turning lunch into a financial planning event.
All’Antico Vinaio
Florentine sandwich shop All’Antico Vinaio specializes in schiacciata sandwiches. It is a practical choice for lunch or a substantial bite between activities, especially for diners who care more about good bread and generous fillings than tablecloths and theatrical lighting.
B.S. Taqueria
B.S. Taqueria brings a contemporary approach to tacos and other Latin-inspired quick bites. This is the move when a group needs something fast and approachable, or when the thought of another two-hour dinner makes everyone look quietly exhausted.
Howlin’ Ray’s
Los Angeles hot-chicken specialist Howlin’ Ray’s is for diners who want crunch, heat, and no ambiguity about the meal’s purpose. Choose your spice level with some humility. Las Vegas already provides enough opportunities to make a reckless decision in public.
These casual choices are not substitutes for Maroon or Cantina Contramar. They solve a different problem, namely how to eat something interesting on the Strip without booking a full-scale occasion.
Which announced openings are still worth watching?
Las Vegas restaurant timelines move around, so an announced opening should not be treated like a place that is already serving dinner. Two projects remain notable for later in 2026, but neither belongs in a confirmed dining itinerary until reservations and operating details are live.
The Corner Store at The Cosmopolitan
The Corner Store is scheduled to open at The Cosmopolitan in late 2026. The New York concept from Catch Hospitality Group is planned for the former Blue Ribbon American Grill & Oyster Bar space. Its American menu is expected to include playful, upscale versions of familiar dishes, along with steaks and a martini-focused beverage program.
It has the potential to become a useful middle ground between a formal steakhouse and a casual bar meal. Until an opening date is announced, however, treat it as one to watch rather than one to book.
STIX ASIA at UnCommons
STIX ASIA is being developed as an approximately 18,000-square-foot Asian food hall at UnCommons in southwest Las Vegas. The project is targeting a fall opening and is intended to bring multiple Asian food vendors together in the former Sundry food hall space.
If it opens as planned, STIX ASIA could be particularly valuable for groups that cannot agree on one cuisine. That is a real public service when six hungry adults have spent 25 minutes saying, “I’m fine with anything,” while rejecting every suggestion.
How to get the best value from a new Vegas restaurant
For the biggest night out, choose Maroon if you want the most distinctive new steakhouse experience, Cantina Contramar for Mexican seafood, or Sartiano’s for polished Italian comfort. Pick one expensive dinner that fits your tastes instead of chasing whichever dining room has the loudest buzz.
Check official menus, hours, dress requirements, and reservation policies on the day you plan to visit. Resort restaurants change details more often than the supper clubs back home, where the Friday fish special has been laminated since 1998.
Most importantly, do not confuse “new” with automatically good value. The restaurants worth your money are the ones that match the occasion. In 2026, Las Vegas has strong choices for a big celebration, a seafood-driven night out, a traditional steakhouse dinner, and a quick meal that does not require a necktie or a small personal loan.
