With COVID-19’s influence reaching an all-time high, Vegas’s normally vibrant dining scene has slowed to a snail’s place. With many of our favorite restaurants being forced to shut down or limited to takeout and delivery, heavy restrictions in place on restaurant operations have made eating out safely difficult and rare.

Despite that, recently-opened restaurants following social distancing guidelines are still gaining popularity, succeeding despite the pandemic.  Whether due to hype built up by previous announcements for chain’s expansions into Las Vegas or because of their attractive restaurant ideas, here are five new places to try that you’re sure to enjoy.

1. SomiSomi

One of the latest editions to Chinatown’s Shanghai Plaza, SomiSomi has become a huge hit on social media and to foodies alike for their visually appealing soft-serve ice cream and their other Asian dessert pairings. The Korean Ah-Boong, a sweet, fish-shaped waffle cone, was substituted for the standard ice cream cone and has become a huge factor in the store’s success. When paired with other toppings such as fresh ube, dainty macarons, creamy horchata, or even rich black sesame, a variety of stunning and graphic combinations can be made can improve the desserts even more.

Address: 4284 Spring Mountain Road #D104;       Serving From: 12:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

2. Sul & Beans

Sul & Beans is yet another addition to the growing roster of dessert-specialized cafes opening up in Las Vegas, focusing more on the traditional Bingsu. Dating as early as the 1390s, this dessert consists of freshly crushed ice and various other toppings such as sweet red bean, sweetly acidic strawberries, condensed milk, or fruity syrups. Sul & Beans is a prime example of one of the more beloved larger chains expanding to Vegas, this time coming from Los Angeles’ Koreatown.

Known for their impressively tall dishes and popular toast creations, Sul & Beans has a huge menu variety, including a vast range of drink flavors including everything from the sweet and earthy Sweet-Potato Latte to the citrus-y seasonal Pomegranate Mint and the traditional, rich Sweet Rich Punch.

Address: Spring Mountain Road #D103;       Serving from: 12:00 p.m. – 10.00 p.m.

3. The Legends Oyster Bar & Grill

Caesars Entertainment Executive Chef Jack Jarukasem has begun his dream establishment with a menu heavily focused on seafood served in a classy, subaquatic dining room with an emphasis on its raw bar. . Although dishes such as fresh oysters and chilled shellfish were the original intent and focus of the bar, piping hot foods such as the Surf and Turf Skewers and the delectable Crab & Lobster Pan Roast have taken the hearts of the customers. New inspirations meet old classics in a flavorful and brilliant way, such as the spicy and rich Deconstructed Gumbo, or the titular The Legends Seafood Platter with heaps of prawn, mussels, and other delicious treats along a side of acidic mignonette sauce. 

Address: 3220 S Durango Dr 89117;       Serving from: 11:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

4. La Strega

La Strega means “The Witch” in Italian. This name is so fitting for dishes that are so enticing and beautifully simple, yet rich and full-bodied, that they perfectly emphasize the various regions of Italy with a coastal twist. Filled with fresh seasonal ingredients meant to provide the best quality, the restaurant allows its customers to dine in a brightly lit and modern dining room with a full view of the kitchen and all of its cooking processes. All the sauces are house-made, from the lemony notes in the rich linguini to the salty, meaty mussels. Fresh greens and earthy dandelions grace the featured salads and pesto bucatini, and the pizzas have a light yet full taste that showcase exquisite flavor with simpler ingredients and a subtle sweetness akin to honey can be found in the special flatbread crust.

Address: 3555 S Town Center Dr Ste 105;      Serves from: 5:00 p.m – 10:00 p.m.

5. Shanghai Taste

While on the topic of well-established chefs advancing into newer territories, Jimmy Lin, the proud owner of Niu Gu, began a larger restaurant in the Shanghai Plaza. With the signature Xiao Long Bao taking the front page, this new establishment focuses more on homegrown recipes and, the featured chef’s favorite childhood dish has quickly become a foodie destination. The soup dumpling, filled with a mixture of rich pork and the salty yet almost sweet crab, was sold at over 2,000 pieces a day before the pandemic hit. Another of its specialties, Sheng Jian, has become an incredibly popular dish, especially when paired with the spicy and savory beef curry soup. 

Address: 4266 W Spring Mountain Rd;       Serving from: 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Make sure to check out these new places- we’re sure you’ll like them!