The Fremont East neighborhood in Downtown Las Vegas goes beyond the tourist traps of the Fremont Street Experience and serves up serious flavor with a younger attitude. The area is saturated with incredible spots that are quickly becoming institutions. So head east during your next Downtown visit, and discover eclectic restaurants, hip cocktail bars, and creative kitchens that locals can’t get enough of.
All of the restaurants on this list were recommended to the Neon Feast restaurant guide by locals who know the area well. You can read more about them, and some of the people who recommended them, in their Neon Feast listings (links included below).
7th & Carson (616 E. Carson Ave.)
7th & Carson blends comforting dishes with creative flair in a casual, community-focused space that features a lush backyard patio, a welcoming dining room, and sidewalk seating. Highlights include spicy chicken and waffles on a kimchi base with gochujang syrup, as well as a chickpea veggie burger topped with feta, avocado and arugula. And in a move that’s becoming very rare in Las Vegas, they validate parking for the first hour. (Park on 7th Street between Fremont & Bridger OR Carson Avenue between 6th St. & 8th Street, and provide them with your license plate number when you arrive.)
Atomic Liquors (917 Fremont Street)
Atomic Liquors holds the distinction of being Las Vegas’ oldest freestanding bar, opening in 1952. While patrons once watched atomic blasts from the rooftop, it’s now a destination for beer lovers, offering a rotating selection that includes more than 500 unique craft pours since reopening in 2012. You’ll find tart sour beers alongside regional standouts and local brews like Atomic Light and Rye’d Along IPA. And hungry guests can grab bar snacks or pan pizzas with a Vegas twist from the adjoining kitchen.
Broken Yolk Café (201 Las Vegas Blvd. South)
The Broken Yolk Café opens daily at 7 a.m. in the historic downtown Post Office building, offering a sprawling breakfast and lunch menu to early risers and daytime diners alike. The interior design channels a retro Vegas vibe with mid-century modern touches, reflecting the vision of local developer J Dapper to recreate the classic casino coffee shop experience. Menu highlights include savory Benedicts, indulgent pancakes, lunchtime burgers, and a full bar. It’s a go-to for courthouse regulars and tourists alike.
Carson Kitchen (124 S. 6th Street)
Carson Kitchen was among the first restaurants to significantly elevate the profile of the modern Fremont East dining scene, and it remains a staple for upscale comfort food with a distinctly downtown edge. It was also the final Las Vegas restaurant opened by the late chef Kerry Simon, whose rock ‘n’ roll persona helped shape the city’s culinary identity. Photos of Simon still line the walls, while longtime partner Cory Harwell has preserved signature dishes like the famed Iron Chef-winning burger. But Carson Kitchen’s staying power is about more than nostalgia — its inventive small plates, bustling location, and rooftop lounge still draw a loyal crowd.
Evel Pie (508 E. Fremont Street)
Evel Pie delivers classic New York-style slices in an East Fremont pizzeria decked out in Evel Knievel memorabilia, including pinball machines and nods to his Snake River stunt. The decor is gritty and unapologetically punk, setting the stage for late-night crowds and occasional back patio concerts. Surprisingly, the pizza stands strong on its own, making it a solid takeout choice when you’re not in the mood for the rowdy scene. Still, the eclectic mix of hipsters, punks, and tipsy tourists makes for some of the best people-watching in the neighborhood.
Le Thai (523 Fremont Street)
Le Thai helped spark the Fremont East dining scene when it opened in 2011, introducing bold Thai flavors to a fast-evolving neighborhood. Chef Dan Coughlin draws inspiration from his Thai heritage, and his signature sauces bring depth to dishes across the menu. House favorites include short rib fried rice, the Waterfall Beef with sticky rice, and the 3-Color Curry, which blends red, yellow, and green sauces. All three curries, along with stir-fried options like pad prik king and spicy eggplant, can be paired with a choice of five proteins.
Mothership Coffee Roaster (1028 Fremont Street)
Mothership Coffee Roaster is renowned for its thoughtfully sourced brews, ranging from standard espresso drinks to single-origin pour-overs. Their cafes also pour cocktails and local draft beers from breweries like Tenaya Creek and Able Baker. On the food side, expect an eclectic mix of savory options, including jackfruit empanadas and ham pillows, as well as sweets such as matcha croissants and ice cream tacos. As a roaster first, Mothership constantly rotates its whole-bean lineup with blends like Rwanda Mwito and El Salvador’s El Naranjito.
Oak & Ivy (Downtown Container Park)
Oak & Ivy proves the Downtown Container Park is more than a tourist stop, serving elevated cocktails from inside a cozy converted shipping container. While the indoor bar is compact, extra seating spills onto the rooftop and adjacent patio, providing more room to unwind. The seasonally changing menu features house-made syrups and ginger beer. Cocktail staples include the Apple Pie Harvest — a bourbon-based riff on a classic dessert. Expect a solid whiskey list, a happy hour with $10 highballs, and light snacks — or head to other Container Park spots for a bite.
Publicus (1126 E. Fremont St.)
On the far eastern edge of Fremont East, Publicus offers a funky, canteen-style coffeehouse with a globally inspired, neighborhood-friendly feel. Communal tables and wall-lined bookshelves set the tone for a casual hangout, while the coffee program includes slow-drip Kyoto-style brews and fragrant tea blends. Breakfast ranges from steak and eggs to garden-fresh veggie combos with hollandaise, or the Mahalo Special, featuring Spam, sausage, rice, and pickles.
The Parlour (616 E. Carson Ave.)
The Parlour transforms breakfast and brunch into a full-on indulgence, offering a menu that blends classic morning dishes with unexpected twists. Signature coffee offerings include the spice-kissed Mexican espresso and the Syphons Coffee, brewed in a dramatic, old-school display. Favorites range from the Italian chili breakfast sandwich to sweet options like waffles or the MC Sami — a maple pancake sandwich with sausage and egg. It all plays out in a quirky space of red velour, retro tables, and eye-catching vintage decor.
