Casa Playa
Mexican restaurant · South Las Vegas ·
Inventive Mexican dishes & agave drinks in a bright dining room
Inventive Mexican dishes & agave drinks in a bright dining room
"Elevated coastal Mexican cuisine shines here with flawless ingredients and a menu that works as well family‑style as it does for solo ordering; I start with the slightly sweet squash tamal with mole verde and Thai basil, then move to beautifully charred octopus a la plancha with coloradito and a melty American Wagyu short rib suadero. For table‑side drama, there’s whole snapper tempura with mole amarillo, pork belly al pastor, and a massive surf‑and‑turf spread of Wagyu carne asada, lobster, jumbo shrimp, short rib, pork belly, and serrano, all with warm house‑made tortillas and refined salsas." - Andrea Bennett
"Make a reservation at Casa Playa when you want to sip margaritas at a group dinner that goes full glam. The whole place feels like a level from Tomb Raider, but with better graphics—the entrance is guarded by a massive Olmec head and tons of marigolds hang from the dining room ceiling. They even have a delicious mezcal cocktail called Temple of Doom, which you can get as a pitcher. Bring friends so you can share the massive pork belly al pastor served on a vertical rotisserie skewer that comes topped with pineapple. It looks simultaneously gorgeous and intimidating—just like the restaurant’s typical clientele of people hot enough to end up in the PR photos for a Las Vegas pool party." - emmy kasten, andrew ryce
"A Las Vegas restaurant that had Sarah Thompson named as a finalist for Best Chef: Southwest at the 2025 James Beard Awards, making it part of the city’s notable showing among nominees." - Matthew Kang
"Chef Sarah Thompson at Casa Playa serves food that’s meant to be shared family-style. Tear your attention away from a stunning yellow and orange dining room to order pork belly al pastor and whole snapper tempura. Start with an order of steamed mussels, squash tamal, or Hokkaido scallops for the table. And if margaritas aren’t your thing, get a specialty cocktail." - Janna Karel
"The entryway to Casa Playa is transportative. Amber-colored marigolds frame the entryway, an effect that is at once soothing, exciting, and inviting as a backdrop for selfies. The restaurant beyond carries the visual theme — marigolds suspended from the ceiling, melding with the soft glow of paper lamps and cool tans of the furnishings to lend the entire space a warm and beachy feel. It all sets the stage for dishes from chef Sarah Thompson, a finalist for this year’s James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest. Dining with a group of at least three or four people means ordering roasted carnitas for the table. The platter arrives with handmade tortillas, poised for topping with roasted meat and flavorful crispy skin, smoked agave syrup, chipotle slaw, chile toreado, and charred cucumber salsa. Octopus is deftly grilled on a hot metal plate, seared until tender with just the right amount of char, and plated with sweet and earthy Coloradito mole,and pickled escabeche potatoes. —Janna Karel, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Best for: Big groups who want to try a little of everything" - Matthew Kang