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Step into the new Amaya Modern Mexican at the Cosmopolitan and the transformation is instant.
You feel a little looser, a little more relaxed as you enter a space that channels the energy and sophistication of Tulum, where tropical foliage mingles with dramatic lighting and intimate nooks, creating an immediate sense of escape. This isn’t just another Mexican restaurant—it’s a portal to a coastal scene with pulsating beats from DJs and other types of entertainment, including fire dancers, as the night progresses. Here, you definitely should be holding a margarita in your hand.
“Vegas offers a lot of different concepts, and we wanted something that takes you away,” says Jason McLeod, the Michelin star executive chef who has crafted a menu that marries coastal Mexican flavors with Vegas flair.
The chef’s classical French culinary background adds unexpected sophistication to dishes like oysters Oaxacafeller ($28), where briny bivalves meet poblano peppers and cotija cheese in a clever south-of-the-border spin on a classic.
But first, that drink. The cocktail program demands immediate attention, offering an impressive selection of aged tequilas and smoky mezcals. Start your journey with the Agua de Vida ($19), a tropical blend of 818 Tequila Blanco, Cointreau, passionfruit syrup and lime juice, or embrace the heat with the Diablo’s Michelada ($19), a Blood Mary mix elevated by house-made guajillo marinade and fresh cucumber. There’s a great selection of beer and wine, too.
Pair those cocktails with appetizers that pucker lips and whet appetites. Mariscos al fuego ($28) steals the show—four individual shell servings of Mexican shrimp and scallops with bagna cauda butter, served around a dancing flame that will turn your neighbors’ heads. The sea bass ceviche ($26) offers a bright, citrusy contrast, while the charred octopus ($35), with chorizo and guajillo, could convince you you’re dining seaside in Baja.
For McLeod, authentic Mexican flavors get a creative take in dishes like the quesabirria ($24), which transforms his favorite street food into an elevated experience. “I lived in San Diego for many years and spent a lot of time in Tijuana and Ensenada,” he says. “Taking that very food down in the Baja coast and bringing it to Las Vegas and into this design-focused restaurant was very cool.” The short ribs are braised until they’re fall-off-the-bone tender, while Monterrey and Oaxaca cheeses create a crispy crust inside the tortillas.
The seafood offerings continue to impress with fire roasted shrimp tacos ($25) and build-your-own lobster tacos ($38), but it’s the Angry Fish ($56) that commands attention. This whole grilled masterpiece, enhanced by fermented Calabrian chilies and fiery garlic sauce, becomes a table-wide adventure that continues until the last morsel is scooped up by the accompanying tortillas.
When you finally make your way to the dessert menu, check out the classic churro ($18), reimagined as an ice cream sandwich. But it’s really the Golden Goddess ($28) you want for the table, another smoking showstopper that will become your new favorite chocolate dessert. Trust us on this one.
While tourists will inevitably add Amaya to their list of new must-visit Vegas hot spots, locals have something even better: our very own slice of Mexican paradise, available without a passport, any night of the week (and brunch, too!). Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply need a Tuesday night escape, the restaurant delivers that vacation feeling, from the first sip of tequila to the last bite of dessert.
AMAYA MODERN MEXICAN Cosmopolitan, 702-698-7940, amayamexican.com. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Friday, 1-11 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
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English (US) ·