The Las Vegas Strip is getting its first-ever Caribbean restaurant, and it’s being led by one of the most exciting chefs in North America, Kwame Onwuachi.
I first discovered him on Volume 7 of Netflix’s Chef’s Table, where his rise in the NYC food scene, his Afro-Caribbean culinary style, and his dedication to honouring diverse cultures through food.
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While I haven’t been actively promoting U.S. travel lately, this opening feels bigger than borders, it’s a meaningful moment for Caribbean representation.
Chef Onwuachi is opening MAROON this week (April 24, 2026) at the SAHARA Resort in Las Vegas and as mentioned in the title, this marks the first time a Caribbean restaurant will be located on the strip and I believe this is definitely worth celebrating.
From the website:
Maroon marks Chef Onwuachi’s first West Coast restaurant and introduces a bold new culinary concept to the Las Vegas Strip, blending the traditions of the classic American steakhouse with the vibrant flavors and techniques of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. From the moment guests step inside, they are immersed in an energetic, transportive environment featuring island-influenced design elements, the aromas of live-fire cooking and the glow of the restaurant’s custom jerk pit at the heart of the restaurant. Maroon will celebrate the culture, heritage and fire-driven cooking of the Caribbean through a menu rooted in bold regional flavors, the menu will feature premium steaks, fresh seafood and vibrant sides complemented by signature spice blends, jerk techniques and live-fire preparation.
SAHARA Resort in Las Vegas
Located along the historic north end of the Strip, MAROON sits within a property that has been carefully reimagined for a more modern traveller. The resort delivers a boutique-style casino experience, updated rooms, and a curated dining scene, all without the scale and intensity of the larger mega-resorts.
Here are a few other standout features of the property:
- Historic Location: Opened in 1952 as the seventh resort on the Strip, it is a key piece of Las Vegas history, formerly known as SLS Las Vegas before returning to the Sahara name.
- Intimate Casino: The nearly 60,000-square-foot casino offers a more intimate, stylish, and less crowded experience compared to larger mega-resorts.
- Dining and Nightlife: Known for high-quality dining, including Balla Italian Soul (Italian), Nighthawk Breakfast & Bar, and Chickie’s & Pete’s (sports bar).
- Entertainment and Pool: Features the distinctive Alexandria Pool with a massive 240-foot screen, frequently hosting parties, along with various bars and lounges.
- Modern Accommodations: Following a significant 2023 renovation, the property features updated, stylish rooms, including the Alexandria and Marra Towers.
- Value-Focused Amenities: The Sahara is known for offering free valet and self-parking for all guests, a rarity on the Strip.
If his name sounds familiar, it should! MAROON marks the chef’s eighth restaurant, and his career continues to gain momentum.
Other notable things about him and his accomplishments:
- Top Chef Season 13: Came in sixth place.
- Top Chef Judge: Served as a guest judge on Season 18.
- Awards: Named Food & Wine Best New Chef, Esquire Magazine’s 2019 Chef of the Year, and a James Beard Award winner.
- Restaurants: Founder of Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi in NYC, which was named the #1 restaurant in NYC by The New York Times in 2023. Dōgon earned Esquire’s Best New Restaurant in America in 2025.
- Culinary Experience: Trained at the Culinary Institute of America and formerly executive chef of Afro-Caribbean restaurant Kith/Kin.
- Author: Onwuachi is also a celebrated author of Notes from a Young Black Chef and frequently hosts high-profile culinary events, including at the James Beard Foundation.
Openings like this don’t happen often on the Strip. MAROON isn’t just another restaurant, it’s a cultural milestone, and one that’s well worth planning a reservation around the next time you’re in Las Vegas.
From a travel advisor perspective, this is exactly the kind of experience I look to recommend, something that is both culturally meaningful and genuinely memorable on the ground. I’d position MAROON as an ideal fit for couples and corporate groups, especially for clients who gravitate toward bold flavours and culturally rich dining experiences. Coming from Toronto, that describes a large portion of my clientele.
MAROON opens April 24, 2026
Follow the journey on Instagram: @chefkwameonwuachi/
Looking to experience Maroon or any of Chef Onwuachi’s other restaurants, reach out to me to curate a culinary experience!
Jasmin Linton
Certified Travel Advisor & proud Virtuoso member
Schedule a call with me here: calendly.com/theurbantraveler/15min
