Las Vegas has long been a playground for culinary spectacle, but the opening of CARBONE RIVIERA at the Bellagio promises to redefine the city’s dining landscape. This latest collaboration between Major Food Group (MFG) co-founders Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, Rich Torrisi, and MGM Resorts International is a masterclass in elevating seafood cuisine, transforming a legendary space into a living tribute to Italian coastal luxury. Positioned in the former home of the iconic Picasso restaurant, CARBONE RIVIERA emerges as the city’s first-ever CARBONE fish concept, blending history, glamour, and culinary artistry.

The restaurant’s design, overseen by the celebrated Martin Brudnizki, transports guests to the golden-age Riviera, evoking the sun-drenched elegance of Lake Como and Capri. Visitors are treated to curated artworks from masters like Miró, Picasso, and Renoir, complemented by an unprecedented Bellagio feature: a deck featuring a rare Riva yacht, offering select guests a one-of-a-kind perspective of the Fountains of Bellagio. It’s a space designed to impress from the moment diners arrive, an atmosphere where the line between art, architecture, and gastronomy blurs seamlessly.

CARBONE RIVIERA’s culinary narrative is built around an ambitious whole-fish program that highlights the finest catches from around the globe. Guests may encounter Sea Bream, Red Snapper, Dover Sole, Branzino, or Turbot, prepared with techniques ranging from Japanese charcoal grilling to al forno roasting and salt-crust baking. Each fish is presented table-side by polished service captains, transforming the meal into a performance where culinary precision and showmanship meet.

The menu also showcases CARBONE’s signature pasta and Italian-American classics, but with a refined, seafood-forward twist. Linguine Vongole Rosso, Cappellini Crab AOP, and Ricotta Gnudi with Caviar are just a few highlights, while a two-pound lobster arrabbiata served with hand-crafted fettuccine stands as a testament to the restaurant’s dedication to indulgence.

Early offerings also feature inventive crudo dishes, like Nantucket Bay Scallops with Brown Butter and Shaved White Truffles, Lightly Grilled Chu Toro with Aceto Balsamic, and Scottish Langoustines in Green Acqua Pazza, alongside playful nods to traditional CARBONE flavors, including Freshly Baked Zeppole topped with Golden Osetra Caviar. Antipasti such as Lobster Polpette Fra Diavolo, Grilled Octopus Peperonata, and “Mario’s Famous di Mare Salad” further underscore the restaurant’s commitment to dynamic, ingredient-driven experiences.

No CARBONE experience would be complete without an exceptional beverage program, and CARBONE RIVIERA does not disappoint. The wine list emphasizes Champagne, White Burgundy, and coastal Italian whites, perfectly suited to the delicate crudo and antipasti selections. Reds from Tuscany, Piedmont, Burgundy, and The Rhone add depth, while the cocktail menu combines perfectly executed classics with inventive new signatures like the Pistachio Colada—made with absinthe, pineapple, pistachio, and amaro—and the Strawberry Pomodoro, a refreshing mix of rum, bergamot, strawberry, and mint. Every sip is curated to complement the Riviera experience, enhancing the meal’s coastal elegance.

Beyond the menu and design, CARBONE RIVIERA embodies Major Food Group’s ethos of timeless glamour paired with uncompromising quality. Mario Carbone himself emphasizes the intention behind the restaurant: to deliver “wow” moments consistently, whether a guest is visiting for the first time or the tenth. The space, with its brighter, more open layout and emphasis on seafood at the highest level, reimagines CARBONE’s DNA while remaining unmistakably true to its Italian-American roots.

CARBONE RIVIERA is more than a restaurant—it’s a destination. It invites diners into a world where every element, from the ocean-fresh ingredients and theatrical presentations to the curated art and panoramic Fountain views, is designed to create a sense of occasion. In a city known for its spectacle, this latest Bellagio venture doesn’t just compete—it sets a new benchmark for luxury dining on the Las Vegas Strip, promising experiences as enduring as the legendary resort that houses it.

With CARBONE RIVIERA, Las Vegas has gained a restaurant that doesn’t just serve seafood; it celebrates it, offering a sumptuous blend of flavor, finesse, and flair that cements the Bellagio as the epicenter of culinary grandeur.

Via MGM Resorts