Supporters of small businesses know local businesses are critical to a thriving community. Vegas is blessed to have several successful local restaurants, and some have managed to expand to multiple locations and even other cities! From donuts and pancakes to seafood boils and coffee shops, there’s a local Vegas alternative to support over corporate chains.
Pinkbox Donuts
With four standalone locations open 24 hours a day, Pinkbox Doughnut’s iconic line of specialty donuts is among the most popular in town, no matter when your sweet tooth strikes. Their massive selection spans mild to wild, with OG classics, donut-croissant hybrids, and specialty donuts in flavors like Mama’s Tres Leches and Holy Cannoli. Grab one for an on-the-go snack or pick up a dozen for the office, and call in favors all week. Make sure to look out for the Doughnut of the Month too!
Babystacks Cafe
This Vegas breakfast staple is up to six locations and counting since 2010. The scratch-made pancakes at Babystacks Cafe are one of the menu stars, available in red velvet, s’mores, white chocolate macadamia nut and more. Adventurous eaters will enjoy trying fusion dishes from the owner’s island background, like Kalua Pig Benedict, Spam Scramble and Adobo Fried Rice.
Brew Tea Bar
You would think the most popular drink spot in Vegas would be a bar, but it might actually be this small chain of milk tea shops. Known for their authentic Taiwanese tea and boba, Brew Tea Bar is committed to quality and consistency. Customize your sweetness and toppings to make your new favorite tea drink, or try something different every time. They also have a secret menu!
Hummus Bowls
Think of it like the Mediterranean Chipotle, your choice of wrap or bowl customized with hummus (of course), carbs, proteins, veggies, toppings and sauces. The menu at Hummus Bowls is able to accommodate nearly any kind of diet, and the large portion sizes make it a great value. The flat-rate price is based on your protein choice, so you can load up your order with everything that looks good from the colorful topping bar. Round out your meal here with Stubborn sugar-free sodas or a locally-made Joy Pop popsicle.
Metro Pizza
The OG valley pizza shop has three generations of experience in hand-stretching dough and winning pizza awards. Serving up a full menu of stuffed pizzas, Sicilian-style squares and classic NY pies, Metro Pizza is equipped to knock out your next pizza craving no matter what style you prefer. They also offer cooking classes and a wine club to help you find the perfect glass to pair with your pizza.
Hot N Juicy Crawfish
A pair of seafood lovers opened their first restaurant in Vegas, with an emphasis on crawfish. The spicy seafood boils here draw quite the crowd, but they also offer poboys and fried seafood baskets. Hot N Juicy Crawfish now have four locations in town, including one on the Strip at Planet Hollywood, with a total of twelve around the country.
Island Flavor
Vegas is known as the 9th Island, so it’s no surprise we have a plethora of places to get your kine grindz. Island Flavor is one of the most popular, with three locations around town serving up true island favorites like loco moco and oxtail soup. Their Hawaiian hospitality and exclusive dessert menu make them stand out among the many other options around town.
SkinnyFATS
It’s always the ultimate question when dining out: do you want to eat what makes you happy or what keeps you healthy? At SkinnyFATS, you don’t have to pick because the menu is split between both options, to mix and match. The creative and fresh menu features shareable appetizers, IG-worthy loaded sandwiches and a mix of tacos, salads and bowls, all made with top-quality ingredients and packed with flavor. This local chain is one of the few to expand to other states and now boasts locations in both Utah and Texas.
CJ’s Italian Ice & Custard
Sweet treats and a unique social media presence: that’s CJ’s in a nutshell. Originally opened featuring small-batch Italian ice and custards, CJ’s has also created viral-sensation desserts like the Boba-lati and Spicy Sandia. Lines are often out the door for these cold, sweet treats during the scorching summer days.
Pancho’s Vegan Tacos
If you don’t eat a plant-based diet, you might not know it, but Vegas has a thriving Vegan restaurant scene. Pancho’s was one of the first to open, with their menu of tacos and Mexican food on the East side of town. As the menu at Pancho’s Vegan Tacos has expanded, so have their locations! They now have two locations in Vegas, along with one in Long Beach, California. The potato taquitos and loaded fries are some of their menu hits, and they also offer daily lunch specials.
