Just south of the Strip on Las Vegas Blvd is local favorite, Bootlegger Italian Bistro. This family-owned restaurant has deep roots in the Vegas community, serving up tasty dishes since the days of Liberace and the Rat Pack. Recently, thanks to the owner’s daughter, Bootlegger has added vegan options to their menu and now we can hit up the swanky throwback restaurant. We’re so excited Las Vegas’ Bootlegger now has vegan options.
Hands off the bread, vegans. Unfortunately, the bread nor the red sauce brought out by your server is vegan. Bootlegger’s dinner menu, however, does have clearly marked vegan-friendly items scattered throughout, including fresh tomato and basil or eggplant bruschetta, Insalata di Casa, and vegetables. And if you want to hold out for just your main dish, you’ll still leave stuffed. Bootlegger’s portions are on the larger side.
There aren’t just vegan items noted in the menu, there’s an entire vegan section featured.
Craving pasta? The Chef’s Choice Vegan Ravioli Del Giorno is a large plate of ravioli (we tried both the cheese and mushroom filled pasta) topped with spring mix, pine nuts, then finished with a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar. We are all about the ravioli as is, but if you’re looking for a red sauce, this dish can also be ordered pomodoro style.
Bootlegger’s vegan options include the Pizza Margherita topped with fresh tomato, basil, and vegan mozzarella deliciously melted on a family recipe for pizza crust created by Chef Maria, who just turned 102 in 2019.
Finally, there’s the Vegan Chopped Steak. Unlike other “vegan steaks”, this one isn’t made of cauliflower or mushrooms; it’s made with Beyond Meat. The steak is sautéed, then topped with fresh mushrooms and onions. This hearty steak is served with roasted potatoes, red peppers, caramelized onions, and broccoli.
While there are three entrees currently in the vegan section, the restaurant plans on expanding its options in the future.
Did we mention it makes a fantastic vegan date night option in Las Vegas, too?
Not only does Bootlegger have live music in the dining room, The Copa Club is the place to be every Monday and Friday night. Adjacent to the restaurant, The Copa Club is a cabaret-style bar with a stage overflowing with talented musicians twice a week starting at 7:30 p.m.. Santa Fe & The Fat City Horns rock the stage with a 14-piece band and multiple singers to perform originals as well as hits by Earth, Wind, & Fire, Tower of Power, and other horn band classics. Plus, some Strip entertainers and their bands have been known to grace the stage from time-to-time. There’s a cover to attend, but it’s worth it. Contact Bootlegger for reservations.
7700 Las Vegas Blvd., 89123, 702-736-4349, Open 24/7
Kathryn Hartwig is a senior writer for Vegans, Baby. She decided to go vegan almost eight years ago while searching for the perfect diet to compliment her role as a professional dancer. After experimenting with multitudes of fads, she finally found a lifestyle that turned out to be so much more than just a diet. She settled in Vegas with her husband/photographer Daniel, and puppy, Layla, after traveling the world on cruise ships and living in New York City. The family recently welcomed the birth of their first child, a true vegan baby.
