Las Vegas is home to some of the world’s biggest and flashiest casinos. It’s easy to get swept up in the bright lights, fast pace, and free buffets of Sin City. But outside of New York, L.A., and Vancouver, Vegas has some of the finest restaurants in North America.

It’s well known that celebrity chefs often earn huge bucks by stamping their name on a casino’s high-end eatery. This doesn’t automatically make them into some sort of gourmet version of McDonald’s though; some of these restaurants are quit good. But, there are plenty of good eats to be found on and off the strip.

Or perhaps you’d rather have some campy fun at Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville or another over-the-top theme place. There are plenty in Vegas. They wouldn’t survive anywhere else, but have become part of the landscape, and part of the experience.

ENVY Steakhouse is one of the best off-the-strip restaurants. We’re talking fresh ingredients including Kobe and Black Angus beef prepared with fresh and carefully prepared accompaniments.

Asian and Asian-fusion food is all the rage in Vegas these days. Shanghai Lily and Tao are two fine dining establishments to try the latest eastern creations in the west. Tao doubles as a nightclub that often features live national acts. We’re talking the latest hip-hop and pop. No plastic surgery aficionados singing the same songs they’ve been singing for 50 years here.

Another club worth checking out is 3121, which is inside the Rio Hotel. Prince often plays here on weekends. This is probably the hottest scene in the U.S.

People go to Vegas to gamble. That’s a given. What many are seeing, though, is that the restaurants and nightclubs that sit on the periphery of the casinos are just as big an attraction as the blackjack tables.

Buffets in Las Vegas, NV