Restaurants to Try This Weekend in Las Vegas — July 25

For a celebratory brunch: Delilah.

It’s the most pressing question of the weekend: “Where should I eat?” Here, Eater editors issue tried and true recommendations for places to check out this weekend.

For a cult-favorite without the line: Howlin’ Ray’s

Las Vegas has fully embraced the modern food hall — a new take on the food court model that has replaced buffets with trendy stalls from big-name chefs. The newest, and arguably most exciting, is Via Via inside the Venetian Resort. Among its standout offerings is Howlin’ Ray’s, the cult-favorite Los Angeles spot known for round-the-block lines and Nashville-style hot chicken fried until golden and craggly. Here, the signature chicken sandwich lives up to the hype — juicy fried chicken with heat levels ranging from a mild zing to mouth-scorchingly hot, layered with slaw, cool pickles, and creamy sauce on a roasted bun. Sides like crunchy fries and indulgent thick banana pudding round out the meal. Best of all: Unlike the LA location, the Vegas outpost is still enough of a sleeper hit that there’s no line at all. 3355 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Las Vegas, NV 89109. — Janna Karel, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest

For a celebratory brunch: Delilah 

Delilah is a standout in Vegas nightlife. Dinners here are all glitz and glamour — think beef Wellington, lobster rolls, a live band, and dancers weaving through bronze palm trees. Now, that energy spills into daylight with a newly debuted Saturday brunch that’s just as elaborate. The meal starts with pastries and a platter of fresh fruit for the table, followed by shared plates of chicken tenders and waffles with spicy maple syrup, salad, and artfully arranged smoked salmon with edible flowers, capers, and cream cheese for spreading on bagels. Brunch brings dishes like thick-cut brioche French toast with berries and mascarpone, an omelet topped with caviar and served with a fancy hash brown, or heartier options like a burger or steak and eggs. Live music continues through the 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. seatings, and it all wraps up with a tiered selection of miniature desserts. At $150 per person, it’s a splurge — but one that makes Saturday feel special. 3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas, NV 89109. — Janna Karel, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest

For comforting dumplings: Xiao Long Dumplings

A perfect soup dumpling is the stuff of dreams — soft, pleated dough wrapped around spiced pork and suspended in savory broth. It’s exactly what the aptly named Xiao Long Dumplings does best. Baskets arrive under a shroud of steam, ready for the ritual: poke a hole to let the steam escape, slurp the hot broth, and add a few drops of black vinegar before the final bite. This popular Chinatown spot earns its following, with paper menus so tempting you’ll want to check nearly every box — from crunchy cucumber salad to umami-rich noodle soups and crisp beef-stuffed pancakes. Just be sure to save room for dessert: the sweet, steamy chocolate bao is comfort in its own right. 4275 Spring Mountain Rd #D101, Las Vegas, NV 89102. — Janna Karel, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest