Casa Playa
Restaurant in Nevada, United States
Casa Playa
The lounge bar at Casa Playa
Map
Interactive map of Casa Playa
Restaurant information
Established2021 (2021)
Location3131 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Clark County, Nevada, Nevada, 89109, United States
Coordinates36°07′44″N 115°09′57″W / 36.1290°N 115.1659°W / 36.1290; -115.1659
Websitewww.wynnlasvegas.com/dining/fine-dining/casa-playa

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

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

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

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

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ "Sarah Thompson Executive Chef Casa Playa at the Wynn". vegasfoodandwine.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  3. ^ "Sarah Thompson". Cherry Bombe. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  4. ^ Wright, Johnathan L. (2025-04-02). "Trio from Strip properties named James Beard Award finalists". Neon. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  5. ^ a b George, Hannah. "10 Best Mexican Restaurants in Las Vegas". Modern Luxury. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  6. ^ a b Nast, Condé. "Casa Playa — Restaurant Review". Condé Nast Traveler. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  7. ^ "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.
  8. ^ "Wynn Las Vegas' Casa Playa skillfully elevates a favorite cuisine - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2021-11-11. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  9. ^ "The top 100 restaurants in Las Vegas 2025". Neon. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  10. ^ "Best Something Different: Casa Playa - Las Vegas Weekly". lasvegasweekly.com. 2022-06-16. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  11. ^ "Chef Sarah Thompson brings spectacular Mexican cuisine to Las Vegas strip - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2025-09-03.
  • Official website
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