The Las Vegas hospitality sector’s propensity for invention – and more importantly, reinvention – certainly helps to drive about 40 million annual visitors to the city.  And the cutthroat competition on the Strip not only ensures a nonstop parade of new and upgraded accommodations, shows, and attractions; but it has also turned Sin City into a world-class culinary destination. 

So while pricey restaurants helmed by celebrity chefs get most of the notice, some more affordable culinary options have popped up to fill the niche between fast food and fine dining.  Las Vegas’ recent, upscale food-hall evolution is yet one more example of the casino resorts’ ability to convert underperforming venues into profit-making enterprises.  Here’s a roundup of the best food-hall options in the city right now, along with a don’t-miss dish at each.

Photo: Cosmopolitan

Block 16 Urban Food Hall (The Cosmopolitan)
The Cosmopolitan’s recent acquisition by MGM Resorts International was a deft move by one of the two largest casino-resort operators in Vegas, and the Cosmo’s Block 16 Urban Food Hall dovetails nicely with the property’s hip ethos by bringing together some of the country’s trendiest regional specialties in a convivial space.  Hattie B’s Hot Chicken features Nashville’s iconic fried chicken sandwich in a variety of heat levels – from Mild to Shut the Cluck Up, while Portland chef Rick Gencarelli’s pork sandwiches grace the menu at Lardo.  The Tekka Bar’s handrolls and sake do justice to those respective Japanese favorites, and District: Donuts. Sliders. Brew bakes a killer Cinnamon Roll that can induce sugar shock.  But my don’t-miss dish comes courtesy of Bang Bar, where famed chef David Chang (of Momofuku) rolls up spit-roasted pork with Gochujang sauce into a flatbread flavor sensation called The U Wrap – for $14.

Forum Food Hall (Caesars Palace)
Iconic Caesars Palace