Beyond the Buffet: the Best Breakfasts in Vegas

Breakfast at Hash House a Go Go comes with a large knife stuck in it. (Greg Keraghosian)

There may not be a city in the world that demands a hearty breakfast like Las Vegas. Whether it’s the morning after a long night of bottle service, doubling down at the blackjack table, or running a marathon, countless visitors wake up in Sin City with a fierce hunger that can’t wait.

Of course, you could just shuffle over to the nearest generic buffet, but if you’re in Vegas to be daring, why do something so obvious? Some restaurants are hustling to bring a little more to the breakfast table, and we’re going to salute them here.

Whether you’re nursing a hangover, you’re on your way to get married, or you just want to start your big day right, here are five of the baddest breakfasts/brunches in Vegas.

Hash House a Go Go

I found Hash House’s Rio location in an emergency during my most recent trip to Vegas, and if you think you can put away a lot of food, this place will challenge you. It was a late Sunday morning and I was in town to cheer on Yahoo Travel colleague Jo Piazza in the Las Vegas Rock ’n’ Roll Marathon. The city was overrun with carbo-loading runners, and the restaurants were looking like nightclubs — even the buffet in our hotel had a 45-minute wait.

Feeling full, and I wasn’t even halfway through this breakfast. (Jo Piazza)

Only on the advice of an employee at the taxi stand did we hear about Hash House, and we were relieved to find no line, football playing at the bar, and tasty, ginormous portions that I was simply no match for. I could barely finish my corned beef hash before stabbing with futility at the 18-inch flapjacks, as you can see here.

A guy eating next to us, meanwhile, was working on the most violent-looking barbecue-griddled flank steak I’ve ever seen, which had a large knife stuck in it. You can also take your best shot with the massive Andy’s Sage Fried Chicken.

Related: Is It Morning Yet? The Most Delicious Breakfast Restaurants in America

Buddy V’s Ristorante

The ham-carving station (Buddy V’s Ristorante)

This family-style restaurant inside the Palazzo had a big year, winning Best Sunday Brunch in the Silver State Culinary Awards. For $32.95 per person ($14.95 per child), you can gorge yourself on panettone French toast, maple-glazed ham at the carving station, charcuterie, Italian sausage, and lots more, topped with cannoli or red velvet cake for dessert. And if you’re taking the hair-of-the-dog strategy from Saturday night, drink a bottomless bloody Mary or sangria for $14.95.

Simon at Palms Place

Bring Your Own Pajamas. (Courtesy: Simon at Palms Place)

Isn’t everything more civilized in our pajamas? This place seems to agree. While they may be housed in the Palms, they don’t take themselves too seriously — servers wear their finest PJs, and patrons are encouraged to do the same.

Simon serves breakfast, but it’s best known for its weekend brunch, with seasonal and organic ingredients. The brunch costs $39.50 per person, and options include a lobster Havarti Benedict, sushi, and the “white trash” section, with chicken-fried chicken, eggs sunny side up, and pigs in a blanket. You’ll chow down with a sweet view of the Palms Place pool, which is just outside.

Country Club

Brunch, a waterfall, golf, and jazz at one time and place (Courtesy: Country Club)

This Wynn restaurant boasts a Sunday jazz brunch that mixes New Orleans-style Creole cuisine, live music, a waterfall, and a view of the golf course’s 18th hole. The only way to improve on that would be to have Dizzy Gillespie himself there.

Items on the menu include eggs Versailles, shrimp and grits gumbo, a shellfish station including Louisiana crawfish, salumi and cheese, and French-toast bread pudding. Eat big, because this brunch doesn’t come cheap at $65 if you’re there for the live music.

Denny’s on Fremont Street

Get full or get hitched at this Denny’s. (Courtesy: Denny’s)

You heard us — Denny’s. But please don’t compare this Fremont Street version with the breakfast joint in your hometown. Sure, you can still get a Grand Slam breakfast here, but how about topping that off with a wedding? Because there’s an in-house wedding chapel here.

Related: Denny’s Unveils $300 Breakfast in Manhattan — Are They Nuts?!

Or if that’s a little extreme, you can also play with an interactive photo booth. And if you want to order something you can’t get at home, order the Elvis-inspired King Stack, a pancake dish with peanut butter, banana, and bacon. And don’t forget to wash that down with a martini, because you can order cocktails here, too.  

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