LAS VEGAS (Mar 3, 2026) — On the heels of a 2026 James Beard semifinalist nomination for Best Chef: Southwest, James Trees’ first independent restaurant, Esther’s Kitchen, has been named one of USA TODAY’s Best Restaurants of 2026.
Opened in 2018 in what was then a low-traffic neighborhood without any other restaurants, Esther’s Kitchen has become a cornerstone of the now-booming Arts District in downtown Las Vegas. In 2026 The Arts District is an artsy, bustling neighborhood that is accurately described by Food & Wine as “The city’s most exciting place to eat.”
“It’s incredible to see how far Esther’s has come in the last eight years,” says Trees. “The Las Vegas community and everyone who has ever walked through those doors has shown up for us with support, praise and, most of all, their trust. It’s an honor to have them as our guests and offer an experience they won’t have anywhere else.”
In 2024, Esther’s expanded to a larger space on Main Street, just around the corner from its original location, allowing the restaurant to accommodate more guests who had been clamoring for reservations weeks in advance.
(L-R Esther’s interior seating, sourdough bread and sampling. Courtesy Esther’s Kitchen / Jose Salinas)
About James Trees & Esther’s Kitchen
Fresh, Seasonal, Local, Simple. These ideas shouldn’t be uncommon in the restaurant world, but are far too often overlooked. For Chef James Trees, after scaling some of the most impressive heights in the restaurant business with a who’s-who of celebrity chefs (from Michael Mina to Gordon Ramsay, Eric Ripert and many others), no ambition was calling him more than bringing it all back home. Esther’s Kitchen, named for the Great Aunt who was Chef James’ first mentor, is nothing more–and nothing less–than a local restaurant inspired by its Las Vegas Arts District neighborhood to elevate the simple, and simplify elegance. Grounded in the ingredient-driven cuisine of Italy, pastas, breads and nearly everything possible are made in-house; produce and proteins come from the best local sources available; wines are chosen for intrigue and value; cocktails are mixed to please you, not a bartender’s ego. It’s a restaurant you’ll want to call home.
Esther’s Kitchen has been fortunate to receive a number of accolades since opening including Gayot top 10 new restaurants in the US, 2018; 10 Best Las Vegas Restaurants and #1 Best Italian (USA Today). Best Italian in Las Vegas nods from Gayot.com, Thrillist and Desert Companion magazine; and “Best New Neighborhood Mindblower” from Las Vegas Weekly. TripAdvisor named it a worldwide Travelers Choice in 2020 and #15 “Hidden Gems” in the US in 2022. Yelp selected Esther’s pizza as one of the Top 100 in the US, 2023. Thrillist has also tapped it as one of the best Italian restaurants in the country.
Chef James Trees has been recognized as “Chef of the Year” by the Nevada Restaurant Association “Executive Chef of the Year” by the Silver State Awards, “Chef of the Moment” by VEGAS magazine and “Chef of the Year” for the Desert Companion Restaurant Awards. Trees has also been recognized twice in the James Beard Awards’ Best Chef Southwest category: First as a Finalist in 2020 and again as a semifinalist in 2026.
1131 S Main St., Las Vegas, NV 89104
Guest Services: (702) 570-7864 info@estherslv.com
Instagram/Facebook/TikTok @EsthersKitchenLV
