// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did Casa Playa say to the beach? "House" rules apply.
| Casa Playa | |
|---|---|
 The lounge bar at Casa Playa | |
 Interactive map of Casa Playa | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 2021 |
| Location | 3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, Nevada, 89109, United States |
| Coordinates | 36°07′44″N 115°09′57″W / 36.1290°N 115.1659°W |
| Website | www |
Casa Playa is a coastal Mexican restaurant located within Encore Las Vegas. It is located near Encore Beach Club. It is led by James Beard–finalist executive chef Sarah Thompson.
History
[edit]Casa Playa opened in 2021 in the former Elio space.[1] Chef Sarah Thompson has served as executive chef since opening. She previously served as chef de cuisine at Elio. Prior to Wynn, chef Thompson worked at the Michelin-starred Marea as well as serving as executive sous chef at the upscale Mexican restaurant Cosme.[2][3]
Chef Thompson was named a James Beard finalist in 2025.[4] Chef Thompson describes her method as "my goal is to take the best of the country’s cuisine and then elevate it."[5]
Condé Nast describes the architecture as "a contemporary take on preclassical Mexican aesthetics, and alive with people enjoying themselves".[6]
Cuisine
[edit]Condé Nast describes the menu as "highlighting faultlessly fresh ingredients" and "targeted toward in-the-know gourmand". It highlights dishes such as "slightly sweet squash tamal appetizer with mole verde and Thai basil, beautifully charred octopus a la plancha with coloradito mole, and a melty American Wagyu short rib suadero".[6]
Casa Playa has a unique in-house masa program, using nine types of corn grown mostly by small farmers in Oaxaca. From these sources, Casa Playa mills and treats 50-75 kilograms of corn per day, which it then uses to create hand-pressed tortillas and other dishes.[7]
Reception
[edit]Las Vegas Weekly's opening review called it "one of the most refined Mexican restaurants the Strip has ever seen".[8]
Casa Playa was named one of the top 100 restaurants in Las Vegas in 2025,[9] as well as among the best Mexican restaurants in Las Vegas,[5] and the best "something different" on the Strip.[10] CBS News described the cuisine as "spectacular".[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ↑ Stapleton, Susan (2021-08-31). "Encore reveals a playful coastal Mexican restaurant opening in September on the Las Vegas Strip". Eater Vegas. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Sarah Thompson Executive Chef Casa Playa at the Wynn". vegasfoodandwine.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Sarah Thompson". Cherry Bombe. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ Wright, Johnathan L. (2025-04-02). "Trio from Strip properties named James Beard Award finalists". Neon. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- 1 2 George, Hannah. "10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Las Vegas". Modern Luxury. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- 1 2 Nast, Condé. "Casa Playa — Restaurant Review". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Casa Playa's in-house masa program sets the standard in Las Vegas - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Wynn Las Vegas' Casa Playa skillfully elevates a favorite cuisine - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "The top 100 restaurants in Las Vegas 2025". Neon. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Best Something Different: Casa Playa - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
- ↑ "Chef Sarah Thompson brings spectacular Mexican cuisine to Las Vegas strip - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.