Dining at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino

Because it is located away from most of the mainstream hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino has to be able to stand on its own. As such, the dining options at the resort are plentiful, ranging from hip Mexican cuisine to around-the-clock cafes.

Rare 120

A classic steakhouse with a new age twist, Rare 120 offers contemporary steakhouse cuisine and cocktails in a restaurant noted for its modern flair. Ingredients are fresh and organic and meats are farm-raised where possible. Meals aren’t meant to leave patrons feeling heavy and overly full. The light, innovative ala carte menu allows guests to create their own steakhouse dining experience; that is, meat is prepared precisely as each customer orders it along with a the desired side dish. Though first and foremost a steakhouse, Rare 120 also offers an array of seafood and veggie-based entrees for those who prefer their meal meat-free.

Rare 120’s dining room is open Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 6:00 p.m.-midnight. The lounge is open Sunday and Tuesday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m.-1:00 a.m. Rare 120 is closed on Mondays.

AGO

Noted among foodies the world over, AGO is a modern Italian restaurant offering a variety of classic dishes, wood-fired pizzas and fine cuts of steak and salmon. Guests hoping to sample the menu can visit AGO’s lounge, which serves up cocktails and small dining plates. The restaurant also offers a prix frixe menu for $12.99, which includes a glass of wine, bread basket, soup or house salad, and a choice of pasta entree.

AGO’s dining room is open seven days a week from 5:30 p.m.-11:00 p.m. The lounge is open Sunday through Thursday from 5:00 p.m.-midnight and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-1:00 a.m.

Nobu

Restaurant owner and chef Nobu Matsuhisa is the mastermind behind Hard Rock Hotel and Casino’s innovative Japanese cuisine. Menu offerings include sushi and a variety of seafood, all served in a dining room featuring bamboo pillars, birch trees and a seaweed wall. If the food isn’t enough to entice visitors, the attention to detail and unique decor is.

Nobu is open from 6:00-11:00 p.m. daily.

Pink Taco

Pink Taco is a fun and hip Mexican restaurant with a Southern California twist. Food is fresh, and the desserts are known for their authenticity. The high-energy cantina is splashed with Mexican handicrafts; music pumps throughout the dining room. An outdoor dining area is available for those who desire a quieter dining area.

The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-midnight. Take advantage of happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Johnny Smalls

Not sure what you want to eat? Look no further than Johnny Smalls, which serves up a variety of dishes without the hassle. With a menu featuring more than 50 small, share-size dishes ranging from Spanish tapas and American classics to Mediterranean fare and spicy skewers, everyone can have a little bit of everything. Plates are priced $6.00-$12.00, so don’t worry if you drop a few bucks on a tasty cocktail while you relax as well.

Johnny Smalls is open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:00 p.m.-midnight. The bar is open until midnight on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and until 1:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. Take advantage of 2-for-1 cocktail specials and discounts on select appetizers during happy hour, which takes place Wednesday through Sunday from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Mr. Lucky’s 24/7

Looking for basic American fare? Your search stops at Mr. Lucky’s 24/7, a family-friendly joint that offers the classics—burgers, fries, sandwiches, pizza and even chocolate sundaes. The diner is outfitted in rock-and-roll memorabilia and is conveniently (though not surprisingly) open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Though the prices at Mr. Lucky’s are cheap anyway, stop by Monday through Thursday from 1:00 a.m.-5:00 a.m. for bone yard specials starting at $3.95. Another favorite is Mr. Lucky’s all-you-can-eat prime rib, available for $9.99 daily from 4:00 p.m.-4:00 a.m.

Espumoso Caffe

If you’re in need of a pick-me-up, stop by Espumoso Caffe for an espresso drink, loose leaf tea or blended smoothie. In addition to beverages, Espumoso Caffe offers quick meals on the go including paninis, empanadas, desserts and gelatos.

Open Sunday through Thursday from 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m.

Juice Bar

Grab a beverage on the run at Juice Bar, which offers an array of coffees, espresso and smoothies. Add protein, vitamin or alcoholic mixers to any hot or cold beverage.

Open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. and Sunday from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

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Photo credit: Another Pint Please… (steak), mrtwism (sushi), terriseesthings (smoothie)