Date indicates the most recent update of the restaurants listed
Bold indicates my recommendations; others come from what I consider to be good sources

Boulder City

The Restaurant–1305 Arizona St. (American) Open 7 am to 2 pm (closed Mon & Tue). Basic American food that seems to be more elevated than most. Pot pie, battered fish, and corned beef hash are particularly recommended. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Carson City

Basil–311 N. Carson St. (Thai) Closed Sat lunch & Sun (closed 2:30 to 4 pm). Good ratings, but some reviewers say the food is sweet (it would be a good idea to ask for any orders to be “Thai style” so it would be less sweet). Map (Dining room is open 9-1-21)

La Santaneca–316 E. Winnie Ln. (Salvadoran) Open Daily. Good food at good prices according to reviews. Map (Dining room is open 9-1-21)

Pho Country–2495 N. Carson St. (Vietnamese) Open Daily. Some reviewers say it compares to restaurants in large cities. I do not believe it is quite this good because reviewers say the fish sauce is very weak and Americanized and that they do not have chopsticks for customers (I guess you have to bring your own). The pho is said to have good flavor, though. Map (Dining room is open 11-34-21)

The Lady Tamales–933 Woodside Dr. (Mexican) Open 10 am to 7 pm (closed Sun & Mon). Authentic Mexican food that (from the photos) looks like it has the full flavor of Mexican chiles and ingredients. Map (Dining room is open 9-1-21)

Villa Basque Deli–730 Basque Way (Basque) Open Tue-Sat (breakfast & lunch only). This is a deli–more casual and less expensive than the Basque dinner and all-you-can-eat restaurants. Chorizo is recommended. Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Elko

Blue Moon–1430 Idaho St. (Sushi) Open daily 11 am to 9:30 pm. Has Japanese, Thai, Korean and other Asian cuisines. Based on photos and reviews I think it probably has a few items that would have enough of an Asian taste for me, and seems to be better than other alternatives in Elko (China Garden in Spring Creek has good reviews but it is 5 miles outside of town and right now is takeout only). Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Odeh’s Mediterranean–282 11th St. (Middle Eastern) Open 11 am to 9 pm (closed Sun). The reason I am including this is the number of comments on Yelp that say items were “the best I have ever had” (not just item, but many). Map (Dining room is open 9-14-21)

Star Hotel–246 Silver St. (Basque) Closed Sun (and closed from 2 to 5 pm but the bar stays open in these hours). Some like it, and some say go to Martin Hotel in Winnemucca (that is, if you are planning to travel to Winnemucca). The main item people recommend here is the steak (may or may not be Basque style but they say it is excellent). 6 course appetizer here is good. Map (Dining room is open 9-14-21)

Fallon

The Courtyard–55 E. Williams Ave. (American) Open 7:30 am to 2:30 pm (closed Sun). Said to have fresh and flavorful food. Probably the best feature is the variety you can get: salads, steak sandwich, chicken verde soup, variety of breakfast items, etc. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

VN Pho–2183 W. Williams Ave. (Vietnamese) Closed Sun. Good reviews. Has pho and vermicelli bowls. Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Gardnerville

J T Basque Bar–1426 US 395 N (Basque) Closed Sun. Some say this is the best in NV, but I think it is not for everybody ($$$ for one entree and all the side dishes you can eat, and includes a bottle of wine). Some describe it as a “multi-course family style meal.” Steak or steak sandwich is the entree most often recommended. Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Henderson

Hellas Bakery Cafe–72 W. Horizon Ridge Pkwy. (Greek) Closed Sun evening & Mon. Has plate dinners (souvlaki, mousakas, lemon chicken, etc.). Many reviewers like the breakfast. Variety of desserts available. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Las Vegas

Aracely’s Sazon Colombian Rest–3650 S. Jones Blvd. (Colombian) Open daily 10 am to 7 pm (6 pm on Sun). Down home non-tourist restaurant with good reviews. There are several Colombian restaurants in town and this is the favorite of many people. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Beijing Noodle No. 9–3570 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (Chinese) Open Daily. Located in Caesar’s Palace Hotel. Has authentic hand-pulled noodles. I think the menu runs from fairly simple dishes (dumplings, etc) to upscale ones, and the great majority of people say they are excellent. Food is meant to be family style so it is expensive for one person who wants to try more than one thing. Beijing chicken and mushroom noodles and soup dumplings are said to be very good. One reviewer says the beef noodle soup is like the ones in Taiwan. Map (Dining room is open 7-17-21)

Capital Seafood–4215 W. Spring Mtn. Rd. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 9 pm. Google Maps said it had Cambodian food–I don’t see any on their menu but it looks like a very authentic Hong Kong style restaurant including salty fish, salt & pepper tofu, and porridge. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Chengdu Taste–3950 Schiff Dr. (Chinese) Open daily (closed from 2:30 to 5 pm). Some (I think reliable sources) say this sets the standard for Sichuan food in Las Vegas. Everybody has their own idea of the best dishes here. Some suggestions are dan dan mian, Szechuan boiled fish, and toothpick lamb (said to be the restaurant’s specialty). Map (Dining room is 11-24-21)

China Mama–3420 S. Jones Blvd. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 10 pm. Said to be the best place in LV for soup dumplings (xiao long bao). Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Dong Ting Chun–4850 W. Flamingo Rd. (Chinese) Open daily (open until 9 pm). Authentic Hunan style. One of the specialties is steamed fish with spicy red chiles. Spicy wild mushroom hot pot is very good. Some dishes are very oily (as is common with authentic Sichuan/Hunan food). Map (Dining room is open 11-24-21)

Food Express–2003 S. Decatur Blvd. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 9:30 pm. Authentic Cantonese style. A favorite with locals for everyday food at good prices. Map (Dining room is open 11-24-21)

John Mull’s Meats and Road Kill Grill–3730 Thom Blvd. (BBQ) Open 11 am to 6 pm (Closed Sun). Some good sources say this is the best BBQ in Nevada, with some popular items being burnt ends, beef ribs, pulled pork, cornbread, coleslaw, and mac & cheese. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Kapuso Kapamilya–4300 Spring Mountain Rd. (Filipino) Dinner only (open late night). This is a decidedly local and non-touristy Filipino restaurant. Has karaoke (and is open late). Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Laos Thai Street Food–860 E. Twain Ave. (Lao) Open daily noon to 8:30 pm (closed from 3 to 5 pm). Looks like authentic Lao food located in an off-the-beaten-path location that only locals would find. Those who have found it, though, give it good ratings. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Lindo Michoacan–2655 E. Desert Inn Rd. (Mexican) Open Daily 10 am to late night. One of Gil’s highest rated gourmet Mexican restaurants in the U.S. Carnitas a la Coca Cola, chuletas estilo Amador Castillo, ceviche de camaron, novillo al cognac. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Lotus of Siam–620 E. Flamingo Rd. (Thai) Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner daily. One of the best Thai rests. in the U.S. (by almost unanimous opinion). Specializes in Isan (northeast) Thai food. Nam kao tod (sausage with rice) is the most recommended dish. Restaurant is so famous it has its own Internet abbreviation “LOS.” Note: The Sahara Rd. location is temporarily closed and the one on Flamingo is open. Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Mary’s Hash House–2605 S. Decatur Blvd. (American) Open daily 8 am to 2 pm. Recommended by Roadfood, saying that they make almost everything in house including the sausage, hash browns, and jellies. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Momofuku–3708 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (Japanese & Korean) Open daily(closed from 3 to 5 pm). Good reviews for a well regarded restaurant. It looks expensive for a normal meal, but not so much that it prohibits most people from going. Many say this is some of the best food they have ever eaten. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Omelet House–2160 W. Charleston Blvd. (American) Open daily 7 am to 3 pm. Old school greasy spoon type of breakfast place that is popular for such things as the chile verde omelet. Banana and pumpkin bread is said to be something not to miss. Map (Dining room is open 11-24-21)

Osaka–4205 W. Sahara Ave. (Japanese) Open Daily (open late night). This is some of the best Japanese food I have had anywhere, and the sushi is comparable to Seattle. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Pho Kim Long–4023 W. Spring Mtn. Rd. (Vietnamese) Open daily 8 am to 2:30 am (open to 4:30 pm on weekends). The most popular and well known Vietnamese restaurant (not necessarily the best for every dish but has a lot of options, including clay pot). Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Settebello–9350 W. Sahara Ave. (Italian) Open daily noon to 9 pm (10 pm on weekends). Authentic Italian style margherita pizza. VPN certified. Also in Henderson. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Shang Artisan Noodle–4983 W. Flamingo Rd. (Chinese) Open daily 11 am to 10 pm. Hand pulled noodles are the reason many come here, but overall it is known as one of the top Chinese restaurants in the city. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Weera Thai–3839 W. Sahara Ave. (Thai) Open daily 11 am to 10 pm. Restaurant with excellent reviews and locations in Thailand and Paris. Has an extensive menu with items I have not seen in any Thai restaurant (many of them are Isan style, which is the specialty of the restaurant). Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Yardbird–3355 Las Vegas Blvd. S. (Southern) Open Daily. Reviewers say you get the same kind of food you would find in Atlanta or Charleston. Fried chicken is the most recommended dish. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Yum Cha–4945 W. Tropicana Ave. (Chinese) Lunch only (dinner on Fri & Sat). Specialty is dim sum, and many say it is the best dim sum in town. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Laughlin

Bruce’s Taste of Chicago–1955 W. Casino Dr. (Sandwiches) Open 11 am to 7 pm (closed Mon). Specializes in Chicago style sandwiches. Italian beef if the most recommended one. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Minato Japanese & Korean–2311 S. Casino Dr. (Korean & Sushi) Open daily 11:30 am to 8:30 pm. Very good reviews. Sushi is said to be very fresh. Korean BBQ and Korean tofu soup are recommended. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Mesquite

Rain Thai Sushi–12 W. Mesquite Blvd. (Thai) Closed Sun (and closed from 2:30 to 4 pm). Looks good to me because they have some dishes that I find to be reliably good in Thai restaurants such as Thai basil stir-fry and fresh ginger stir-fry. Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Middlegate

Middlegate Station–42500 Austin Hwy. (Burgers). Reviewers say it has excellent burgers, including veggie burgers. Part of the attraction is the setting, located on the “loneliest highway in America” (US 50) about 50 mi. e. of Fallon. Also has a motel, tent camping, and RV hookups. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

North Las Vegas

Narong’s Thai–4889 E. Craig Rd. (Thai) Closed Sun. Good reviews. Has both Thai & Lao food. Curry is said to be especially good (as I have found in Lao restaurants). Map (Dining room is open 12-22-21)

Pahrump

Chat Thai–421 S. Frontage Rd. (Thai) Open noon to 8 pm (closed Sun & Mon). Reviewers say the food is authentic, and I think they should know (being in proximity to Las Vegas). They also say the atmosphere here is very good and it is a comfortable restaurant. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

My Thai–5020 Pahrump Valley Blvd. (Thai) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sun & Mon). Seems to be the one of the top restaurants in Pahrump. Reviewers say if you want food Thai style, ask for it to be more spicy and less sweet then the menu version. Some say it takes a long time before their order comes out. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Terrible Herbst’s–5780 Homestead Rd. (American) Open 24 hours. I am putting this on the list because I have eaten here, but I do not know if there are other restaurants that are equally good. Located inside a casino, I think it was mainly known for their insanely cheap prices for good food in order to make it likely customers will frequent the casino (I’m not sure if it is still cheap, though). Web sites say the menu changes to breakfast at 11 pm. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Reno

101 Taiwanese–400 W. 5th St. (Taiwanese) Closed Tue. One of the authentic Chinese rests. in Reno. Food is Taiwanese style. Spicy beef noodle soup seems to be the most popular item. Map (Dining room is open 11-3-21)

Bazaar European Deli–3652 S. Virginia St. (Russian) Open daily (closing times vary). This is a Russian grocery store with a deli inside where you can get sandwiches and other typical everyday Russian food. Blinchiki (crepes), Russian potato salad, borscht, and salami sandwich are among the most popular items (and of course most people order the desserts). Map (Store is open 11-12-21)

Crawfish Asian Cuisine–1296 E. Plumb Ln. (Chinese) Closed Mon. To me the food looks too upscale (Chinese banquet style), but it is authentic and has a lot of good possibilities such as serving Chinese New Year dinner. Yelp says garlic noodles are popular (so probably not everything is upscale). Google Maps reviewers give it a perfect five star rating, so they must be doing something right. Map (Dining room is open 9-1-21)

Jia’s Wok–477 E. Plumb Ln. (Chinese) Closed Tue. Spicy food (Sichuan style). Food seems good and authentic, but Yelp has more than the normal number of bad reviews (some say it used to be great but not any more). Google maps says it is hit or miss (but has a lot of hits). Map (Dining room is open 9-1-21)

Louis’ Basque Corner–301 E. 4th St. (Basque) Dinner daily; lunch Tue-Sat. Recommended by Condé Nast as possibly the best place for a typical Basque family style meal with leg of lamb or lamb chops. (Other sources say this restaurant does not specialize in steak as much as some other restaurants). The price looks reasonable and depends on what entree you order (side dishes come with it). Condé Nast also recommends the picon punch. Map (Dining room is open 8-25-22)

Moo Dang–1565 S. Virginia St. (Thai) Closed Sun lunch & Mon. Has papaya salad. Has good reviews, and seems to specialize in northern Thai food. There is no MSG in the food. Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Thali–148 West St. (Indian) Open 5 pm to 9 pm (closed Mon). There are two restaurants here in the same space. Thali is open in the evening and serves northern Indian/Himalayan/Nepalese food. Maya’s is open for lunch and serves south Indian food (and is also closed Mon.). Both are said to be very good. Thali is said to be organic northern Indian food. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Sparks

Carillos Cocina–415 S. Rock Blvd. (Mexican) Breakfast & lunch only (closed Sun). Very high ratings for its basic home style Mexican food (tacos, burritos, etc.). Chile relleno is said to be very good. Apparently it is all counter seating except for a couple of small tables. Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Sawasdee Thai–2855 N. McCarran Blvd. (Thai) Closed Sun. Said to be authentic food with good flavors (pays attention to using the correct Thai herbs and ingredients). Map (Dining room is open 11-12-21)

Spring Creek

China Garden–263 Spring Valley Pkwy. (Chinese) Closed Mon. Chinese food is American style, but it is still has good flavor and low prices for those who prefer this style of food. (Located 5 mi. SE of Elko). Map (Takeout only 11-12-21)

Wells

Taqueria El Compa–1092 6th St. (Mexican) Open 10 am to 8 pm (closed Sat & Sun). One of two food trucks parked next door to each other that have five star ratings (this is the green one). Serves tacos and burritos–carne asada taco is recommended. Also serves burgers and quesadillas. Map (Takeout only 9-14-21)

Taqueria El Jaguar–970 6th St. (Mexican) Open 11 am to 8 pm (closed Sat & Sun). Food truck with tacos and burritos that visually look very good (this is the yellow truck). Menu looks very much the same as the green truck. Tacos al pastor are recommended here (but the other truck has “marinated” tacos which I think are the same thing). Map (Takeout only 9-14-21)

Winnemucca

Bakarra Basque Bistro–180 Melarkey St. (Basque) Closed Sun & Mon. Has excellent reviews. Family style meals with beans and cabbage soup are popular (and reviewers seem to be as impressed with the side dishes as they are with the steak or lamb main dishes). Possibly the appetizer plate is a good choice if you don’t want the normal steak dinner. Map (Dining room is open 9-14-21)

Martin Hotel–94 W. Railroad St. (Basque) Closed Sat lunch & Sun. Lamb chops, split pea soup, Basque style beans. Steaks and lamb look pricey but it would be less so if you want to skip the main dish and get side dishes and a sandwich (chorizo sandwich is available on the lunch menu). Map (Dining room is open 10-1-22)

Sid’s–1195 W. Winnemucca Blvd. (American) Open daily 5:30 am to 9 pm. For those who have fond memories of this 1960’s style coffee house (as I do), there is at least one that is still open in Winnemucca that still has the same good food as before (at least for breakfast, according to reviewers). Map (Dining room is open 9-14-21)

The Griddle–460 W. Winnemucca Blvd. (American) Open 6 am to 2 pm (closed Tue & Wed). Diner with good reviews (especially for breakfast). Map (Dining room is open 9-14-21)

For additional explanation of this list see Index
Please feel free to leave your own comments or suggestions.

Note About “50 States, 50 Dishes” (Condé Nast)

Condé Nast published an article on Jul. 3, 2018 using various sources to compile a “list of the dishes that capture the hearts, souls, and (oh, yes) stomachs of these 50 states (plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico), and where you should order them.” For Nevada it was Basque lamb and picon punch. Basque cuisine is generally served family style with salad, oxtail stew, beans , french fries, and meat–lamb is usually the star attraction.

They recommend Louis’ Basque Corner in Reno for a slow roasted leg of lamb or lamb chops cooked to order on a char-broil grill. They also say to ask for some picon punch: a cocktail made with Amaro liqueur, soda water, grenadine, lemon juice, and brandy.

Note About “50 States, 50 Cuisines” (Condé Nast)

Condé Nast published an article on Sep. 14, 2020 explaining how they set out to go beyond a previous article that had identified the signature dish for each state, and to find food that goes beyond the classics and “to highlight a cuisine worth traveling to each state for, much of which you truly can’t get anywhere else.” For Nevada they had two cuisines, with the first being the Isan area of Thailand, where the cuisine is heavy on sticky rice, barbecued meats, and salads (like papaya salad)–flavored with chiles, fresh herbs, and fermented fish. The second is Basque cuisine centered in northern Nevada.

Isan Thai is available at Lotus of Siam in Las Vegas, with a James Beard Award winning chef who also cooks dishes from throughout Thailand. Some Isan standouts include catfish larb, koi soi (beef tartare), and sai krok (fermented pork sausage). Weera Thai offers an entire menu section dedicated to Isan dishes.such as tom zap (pork rib soup) and dad deaw (sun-dried beef jerky).

For Basque cuisine they suggest Star Hotel in Elko, which has been around for more than a century.