Tarantino’s Vegan

The first all-vegan Italian restaurant in Las Vegas — Tarantino’s Vegan — is definitely meeting a need the city didn’t even know it had if you look at its crowds and league of loyal customer only a few weeks in to its soft opening.

Tarantino’s Vegan is a fast-casual restaurant with memorable and picture-worthy Italian favorites … veganized. Husband and wife team, Mike and Sarah Tarantino are the masterminds behind the new establishment. With more than two decades of experience in the food and beverage industry, the vegan couple have taken their tasty family recipes and created a menu full of classic, hearty Italian dishes.

Comprised of fresh ingredients, plant-based meats and cheeses largely made in-house and noteworthy desserts (we’re looking at you, flakey, gorgeous Napolean), you’ll be coming back a second (and third) time to try them all and, if you’re anything like the diners who have been coming, you’ll brave the lines just to have their dishes. The dishes are well portioned, and you’re going to want to try a few different ones at once. Pro tip: come hungry.

Leave room for an appetizer or 10. With options like  garlic bread (flatbread style), breaded zucchini sticks with marinara, and portobello mushrooms stuffed with housemade sausage, sun dried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, and parmesan, it’s truly hard to narrow it down to one. The list continues with a bruschetta trio and an antipasti platter with grilled vegetables, olives, assorted deli meats and cheese. And if you can’t decide, order the sampler which comes packed with bruschetta a stuffed portobello ‘shroom, zucchini sticks and meatballs.

Don’t skimp on soup or salad, either. The Caesar Salad already seems to be a favorite with guests, and for good reason. Like most of the menu, the creamy and delicious dressing is made in-house. Other options include minestrone, Wedding Soup and caprese salad.

And then, there’s the pasta.

Tarantino’s pasta menu lets you choose your perfect ingredient combination. Spaghetti, angel hair, rigatoni, bow tie, and fettuccine — bring it on! If you’re looking for a gluten-free option, the restaurant has you covered with gluten-free spaghetti, penne, and zucchini noodles.

For sauce, you’ve got way more to choose from than white or red. Lemon garlic butter, alfredo, and bolognese compliment the familiar (but oh-so-good) marinara, pomodoro, spicy tomato and pesto. Top it off with spicy or sweet Italian sausage that’s made in-house (ugh, love!), meatballs, or shrimp(!). Then, add some veggies and you’re good to go!

As if that’s not enough, Taraninto’s also serves up non-pasta entrees. With chick’n or eggplant parmesan and lasagna on the menu, how can you go wrong?! The parmesans are pan-fried with a crispy crust and topped with mozzarella, marinara and basil. Each is served with a generous helping of angel hair pasta, grilled crostini and a choice of side salad or steamed veggies.

If you’ve been looking for a tasty vegan lasagna, Tarantino’s will become your new go-to. It’s layered with beef crumbles, housemade almond ricotta that tastes like the real deal, spinach, marinara, basil and parmesan. Oh, and it’s gluten-free. 

No Italian joint is complete without a flatbread or two. Build your own with Classic or Garlic White sauces and decorate it with plant-based meats and classic toppings such as mushrooms, peppers, onions and more.

The menu also includes a couple options for those craving something they can wrap their hands around. Choose from a classic burger, meatball on ciabatta, or the Italian deli which features plant-based meats from Las Vegas’ vegan butcher, NoButcher. All sandwiches are served with the option of a side.

Whatever you do, save room for dessert.

The first spot in Vegas to offer vegan cannolis, these make our vegan hearts happy. There’s also tiramisu, Italian “nice” cream and a rotating assortment of Italian cookies and cakes (like a gluten-free chocolate one) that are all exclusively supplied by a bonafide pastry chef. 

7960 S. Rainbow, 89139, 725-777-3888, Monday – Thursday: 11 a.m – 8 p.m.; Friday – Saturday: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.