What brought you to Las Vegas the first time? Gambling? A bachelor party? A convention?
Las Vegas used to be known for those things, but these days, people visit for a dozen other reasons. Maybe it’s to watch an F1 race, see a favorite NHL or NFL team, or check out a beloved band during a prolonged residency. Or maybe it’s a food tour.
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Las Vegas is always reinventing itself, and for a while, food has been front and center. Nearly every famous chef you can think of has put down stakes in Las Vegas.
It started with Wolfgang Puck in 1992 but in the decades since, dozens of acclaimed chefs have followed, and now there’s a well-known eatery in practically every major casino.
The city has evolved into a spectacle that blends luxury, entertainment, and an ever-expanding wave of dining experiences unlike anyplace else in the world.
This time, Las Vegas is serving up a dining spectacle right on the Strip, no reservations required.
The latest addition? A brand-new, star-studded food hall at The Venetian that features some of the most beloved restaurants in the U.S. (and Italy) all under one roof.
Image source: George Rose/Getty Images
Via Via, a Las Vegas-style food court
The Via Via food hall, which opened June 9, brings seven top-tier restaurant concepts to the Las Vegas Strip as part of The Venetian’s $1.5 billion property-wide renovation.
“We’ve carefully curated some of the most highly regarded culinary concepts from across the country to create a true sense of discovery for our guests. Imagine strolling through the streets of Italy, discovering incredible street food crafted by award-winning chefs — all in one vibrant neighborhood. That’s the experience we aim to deliver with Via Via,” said Venetian Las Vegas CEO Patrick Nichols in a statement.
Located just off the Grand Colonnade, the stylish new space gives people a place to get a quick bite.
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On the menu is something for every preference:
- All’Antico Vinaio: The legendary Florence, Italy-based sandwich shop brings its truffle-laced Tuscan focaccia sandwiches to Vegas.
- Howlin’ Ray’s: L.A.’s famed Nashville hot chicken spot makes its Strip debut, offering heat levels from mild to “10++.”
- Ivan Ramen: Acclaimed NYC chef Ivan Orkin introduces his globally recognized ramen and izakaya plates to the desert.
- Scarr’s Pizza: A cult New York City pizzeria known for using house-milled flour and Sicilian-style slices.
- Turkey and the Wolf: New Orleans chef Mason Hereford brings bold handhelds like chicken pot pie empanadas and fried bologna sandwiches.
- B.S. Taqueria: L.A.’s taco phenom chef Ray Garcia offers elevated takes on Mexican street food.
- Close Company: A West Coast outpost of the acclaimed cocktail bar from the team behind Death & Co.
It’s a food court concept that could only happen in Las Vegas.
Dining and retail are redefining the Las Vegas Strip
The arrival of this new Las Vegas Strip food hall is part of a larger trend: reinvention through experience-based dining and shopping.
Blvd, the massive new three-story shopping center across from the Waldorf Astoria, just opened. The complex features major retail brands like Adidas, Lululemon, Pandora, and a massive In-N-Out Burger, all topped by a 110,000-square-foot rooftop terrace with Strip views.
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The opening of Via Via also follows other major developments, including:
- 63 CityCenter, a shopping and dining destination next to The Cosmopolitan.
- Area15’s expansion into the “Vegas Immersive District:” includes a 20-acre retail and entertainment space opening this summer.
- The MSG Sphere has ongoing music residencies (the rest of 2025 includes Kenny Chesney, The Eagles, and The Backstreet Boys) plus films like The Wizard of Oz and From the Edge, about extreme sports.
Las Vegas doesn’t just rebuild, it reinvents. From celebrity chef restaurants to immersive shopping and dining hubs, the city is always one step ahead in keeping travelers engaged. The debut of Via Via on the Las Vegas Strip offers a one-of-a-kind food experience that appeals to both tourists and locals looking for quick, quality bites.
With more shopping destinations, entertainment districts, and dining experiences still to come, Las Vegas is proving once again why it’s the ultimate city of reinvention.
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