Top 5 breakfasts on the Las Vegas Strip

By E.C. Gladstone

Breakfast is typically a meal of last resort in Las Vegas: It’s café, buffet or Starbucks, right? Those may be acceptable to many, but foodies and business travelers should be thrilled to know there are now several options whose menus, service and ambiance offer an exceptional way to start the day, or seal a serious morning deal, in rare style.

5) Payard Bistro, Caesars Palace :

In a small dining room hidden at one end of his Patisserie, French chef Francois Payard (who also has boites in NYC, Japan and Brazil) offers classic Gallic petit dejeuner made in a central cooking station, including large fluffy omelettes (with field greens), quiches, croque monsieurs and madames — but also decadent chocolate waffles with Nutella and caramelized bananas. Only a few dollars more than the average café, and well worth it just for the intimacy.

4) DJT, Trump International :

Designed just for this meal, DJT’s secluded, classically elegant breakfast room (think ’40s New York/Hollywood) offers upholstered arm chairs, fresh flowers and excellent service. Creative takes like banana French toast,wild mushroom omelettes, Mr. Trump’s own favorite home fries (with peppers and onions) and a juice of berries and root vegetables are the standouts on the menu by Donald’s former personal chef.

3) Bouchon, The Venetian :

French Laundry chef Thomas Keller‘s recreation of a high-ceilinged European café overlooks the Venezia tower’s secluded pool. Sit on the outdoor terrace and you’ll have an impossible time believing you’re in the American desert. The menu is dominated by decadence like oeufs au gratin, boudin blanc, omelettes and quiche, so the berries, granola and yoghurt in a mason jar might be the healthiest option to accompany the complimentary pastries (chocolate croissant, almond brioche) and robust coffee.

2) Verandah, Four Seasons:

Set on a shaded, verdant patio adjacent to the hotel’s secluded pool, Verandah mixes old world finery (Villeroy & Boch table settings) with new age palates. Alongside classics like cheese blintzes and eggs benedict (with an addictive, almost-foamy, hollandaise sauce) are menu options like egg-white frittatas, chicken and herb sausage, and vegetarian hash. But the real stars here are the cinnamon raisin French toast (in a brandied banana sauce), huevos rancheros, and a corned beef and pastrami hash that’s as tender as tartare (my poached eggs on top were textbook perfect). Utterly bucolic.

1) Tableau, WYNN :

Located off the Spa Tower reception, Tableau serves breakfast in a airy, elegant rotunda (or on a patio overlooking the pool) with soft linens, exotic flowers and five-star service. Gourmet takes on the classics include Kobe short ribs with eggs, smoked salmon with mascarpone cheese (as well as the usual trimmings) and a lobster benedict special that is out of this world (and not nearly as heavy as it sounds). Sides such as spiced beignets (silver dollar size, served piping hot with 3 sauces) and Nueske bacon ("the Kobe of bacon") are musts. Beverages include a wasabi bloody mary, bellinis, or on the soft side, fresh juices such as carrot and watermelon. Not just the best breakfast in Las Vegas, but possibly one of the best breakfasts you’ll ever have. Pricey, but worth it.

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E.C. Gladstone is a former editor for AOLVegas, and interviews top Strip entertainers, restauranteurs, moguls and behind-the-scenes players for VEGAS Magazine. Like many Las Vegans, he sleeps only when absolutely necessary.

Tagged: Las Vegas