Carbone Riviera Arrives at the Bellagio With a Yacht and Front&Row Fountain Views

For the first time in Bellagio’s history, visitors will be able to board a yacht and glide across the lake where its famed fountains have become a symbol of the Las Vegas Strip. Bellagio will launch the new powerboat experience near Carbone Riviera, a new restaurant from one of New York’s most influential dining groups, opening this fall in the storied Picasso space.

Carbone — created by Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick — first arrived in Las Vegas a decade ago with a location at Aria. It quickly became one of the city’s toughest reservations, known as much for its spicy rigatoni vodka and veal Parmesan as for its throwback glamour and celebrity appeal.

Carbone Riviera marks a new chapter for the brand, one with a sharper focus on seafood. Developed in partnership between Major Food Group and MGM Resorts International, the restaurant will feature a centerpiece display showcasing Dungeness and king crab, oysters, langoustines, ricci di mare sea urchins, and razor clams sprawled over ice. Daily flown-in seafood will support whole-fish preparations like salt-baked branzino and grilled Dover sole. Signature Carbone dishes — including spicy lobster meatballs and spicy rigatoni vodka — will also appear on the menu, along with a decadent two-pound lobster pasta.

Carbone Riviera is moving into Picasso, chef Julian Serrano’s legendary restaurant that overlooked the Fountains of Bellagio for 25 years before closing in May of 2024. The dining room was celebrated for its lush design and valanced windows, refined French cooking, and walls adorned with paintings by the namesake artist. Part of the redesign includes the luxury Riva mini yacht. The 33-foot-long open powerboat will board near the restaurant and offer diners an entirely new way to experience the fountains — up close, on the water. A representative for the group says there will be a hospitality element to the cruise, though it’s still unclear whether that will include dining on board.

Carbone Riviera  will join other big-name talent that borders the lake, with neighbors like Wolfgang Puck’s Spago, Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s Prime Steakhouse, Julian Serrano’s Lago, and fellow New York darling, Le Cirque. It’s also the fourth Vegas restaurant for Major Food Group, joining Parm at Aria and Sadelle’s at Bellagio.

It’s one thing to watch the Fountains at Bellagio from the table. It’s another to sail past them on your way to it.