With over 2,500 restaurants in Las Vegas, a restaurant has to go to serious lengths to stand out amongst the crowd. Having great service, stellar food, and a stand-out atmosphere isn’t enough. No matter what type of food you’re craving in Las Vegas, you can find many exceptional fine-dining restaurants to explore, from Japanese cuisine at Nobu to French cuisine at Restaurant Guy Savoy.
However, until Gymkhana opened at ARIA Resort & Casino just a few months ago, Las Vegas didn’t have a truly upscale Indian restaurant—which, if you ask me, is a true shame, because I’d want my last meal on earth to be Indian cuisine. Just months after its first-ever U.S. location debut, I gave two Michelin-starred Gymkhana Las Vegas a try to see if it lived up to the hype.
Recreating London’s two Michelin star restaurant in Vegas
Once you enter through Gymkhana’s signature green doors, you’re immediately transported into an atmosphere inspired by historic Indian “gymkhana” clubs (traditional social clubs) and Indian private residences. Throughout the space I noticed the signature rich jade green, dark wood, and brass accents that makes the space feel elevated compared to your typical Indian restaurant. The entryway also includes a bar and lounge space for those who want to extend the night.
As I headed to my table and passed by dozens of tables filled with eye-catching menu items, I noticed one dish in particular on almost every table. I later found out that this large, table-side presentation menu-item was the Venison Biryani (something I took upon myself to order without hesitating).
Gymkhana Las Vegas tasting menu
Dining at Gymkhana Las Vegas gives you a ton of flexibility to create a meal experience based on your preferences. Guests can choose to order a la carte or opt for the tasting menu, a sampling menu comprising fan-favorite dishes. Throughout the menu, I noticed dishes rooted in tradition with modern, unique twists that made me even more curious to see how they’d come out.
Everything on the tasting menu is served family-style, so I recommend each person in your group trying something different so you can get the chance to try more unique flavors. I should warn you though — don’t eat lunch before you order the Gymkhana tasting menu. Portions are big, flavors are bold, and you’re going to want to be hungry for this.
After trying the first course of pappadum and Gol Gapas (a popular Indian street food), I knew I needed to pace myself if I wanted to leave room to enjoy every course of the Gymkhana tasting menu.
If you’re not used to spicy Indian food, this food could throw you for a loop — so be sure to ask your waiter for recommendations of more mild selections. For those who do love a good spicy Indian meal, prepare to be amazed and to experience a different type of Indian cuisine that’s unlike anything you’ve tried before.
My personal favorite of the selection was the Goat Methi Keema, a minced meat dish served with buttered buns, fenugreek, and potato straws. If you’re an Indian food lover that tends only to order the basics like Butter Chicken or Chicken Tikka Masala, I urge you to give goat a try (and if you’re dining in a place like Gymkhana, there’s no better place to do it). A vegetarian tasting menu is also available for those who prefer.
Beyond the food
Like I mentioned in the beginning of this story, having great food and solid service isn’t enough for a Las Vegas restaurant to truly be memorable. Guests dining at a place like Gymkhana demand every part of the meal to be true perfection — right down to the drinks and desserts to the presentation of items (yes, they need to be social-media worthy). Gymkhana certainly delivers on that front, with a variety of cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages inspired by Indian classics, like this Alphonso Mango Lassi, a creamy yogurt drink made with India’s prized mangoes and finished with pistachio.
Delhi Dalgona
If you are a coffee lover like I am, don’t miss trying the “Delhi Dalgona”, a coffee cocktail with an Indian twist on the popular Dalgona Coffee, made with vodka, rum, coconut milk, whipped espresso, and topped with 24k gold salt. This fun beverage was a highlight of the night, which is almost like a “reverse” espresso martini, inspired by theatrical coffee carts of Delhi.
An Indian food lover’s paradise
Whether you love Indian food as much as I do or you’ve never tried this delectable cuisine before, there’s a home for you at Gymkhana Las Vegas. If you prefer to play it safe when visiting a place like Las Vegas, stick with the same old, same old Italian restaurants and steakhouses (no hate here). But if you’re feeling a bit daring and want to step outside of your comfort zone for an unforgettable meal, make the reservation at Gymkhana Las Vegas. It does, in fact, live up to the hype.
