2025-10-24T15:24:02Z
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I had dinner at Cake Boss Buddy Valastro’s Las Vegas restaurant, Buddy V’s Ristorante.
The restaurant is located in The Venetian Las Vegas, and has both a regular and a prix fixe menu.
My $80 meal, which included bread service, three courses, and a mocktail, was absolutely delicious.
While hunting for interesting spots to visit on a recent trip to Las Vegas, I stumbled upon Buddy V’s Ristorante, an Italian-American restaurant helmed by the Cake Boss himself, Buddy Valastro.
Valastro made a name (and earned a nickname) for himself on the TLC series “Cake Boss,” which followed him and his family as they ran Carlo’s Bakery, a long-standing New Jersey-based dessert shop.
The series ran for over a decade, and there are now Carlo’s Bakery locations — and cake-dispensing vending machines — throughout the world.
However, Buddy V’s is Valastro’s first restaurant venture, and it’s been open since 2013. Curious how the famous baker tackles savory food, I headed there for dinner.
Buddy V’s Ristorante is inside The Venetian.
The Venetian is huge, but signs made Buddy V’s easy to locate.
Terri Peters
Located on the Strip, The Venetian Las Vegas is massive — it’s home to hotel rooms, a casino, restaurants, shops, a convention center, canals complete with gondola rides, and more.
It can feel overwhelming to navigate, but I was glad to see plenty of helpful signage throughout the property directing me to Buddy V’s.
I found the restaurant with no trouble at all.
The Venetian Las Vegas is famous for its gondola rides.
Terri Peters
Buddy V’s Ristorante is located in the Grand Canal Shops, a retail area inside the Venetian. Perhaps unsurprisingly, it’s also across from a Carlo’s Bakery location.
Buddy V’s felt like the perfect mix of Vegas chic and cozy Italian restaurant.
Buddy V’s felt like a mix of a restaurant in Vegas and one in an Italian neighborhood.
Terri Peters
As I approached the restaurant, I noticed the adorable “outdoor” seating area beneath an awning along the Venetian’s indoor walkways.
Immediately, I felt like I was in an old Italian neighborhood, walking up to a quaint eatery.
The restaurant’s bar and other dining areas seemed to lean into that Old World charm with its dark wood finishes and colored glass windows.
Still, the space felt distinctly Las Vegas with its dramatic light fixtures, opulent leather chairs, and neon sign.
As a non-drinker, I was also wowed by the alcohol-free options.
I appreciated having the option to drink a fancy mocktail rather than sipping on a diet soda at Buddy V’s.
Terri Peters
As someone who has been living an alcohol-free lifestyle for almost two years, I’m fine with ordering sparkling water or a Diet Coke when I go out to dinner.
Still, it’s always a special treat when a restaurant serves high-end mocktails and zero-proof cocktails to its sober guests.
I appreciated that Buddy V’s menu offered both mocktails, such as a strawberry-lime spritz, and zero-proof cocktails.
I chose a $14 Sinless Spritz, a take on Italian spritz made with non-alcoholic prosecco and a non-alcoholic aperitif. It was a delicious drink that made me feel like I was sipping my way through Italy.
Dinner started with a complimentary bread service.
I was given a complimentary hunk of bread at Buddy V’s.
Terri Peters
After I ordered, I was presented with a warm, herby piece of bread and a flavorful mix of olive oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping.
The bread was quite good, but I only took a few bites so I could save room for the pre-fixe feast I knew was coming my way.
My meatball appetizer was served in the most delicious red sauce I’ve had at a restaurant.
Buddy V’s meatballs are made from a blend of beef, veal, and pork.
Terri Peters
My appetizer consisted of three meatballs made from a mixture of beef, veal, and pork, served with a tangy tomato sauce and topped with Parmesan and fresh herbs.
The meatballs were tender and full of flavor, but the real star of the dish was the tomato sauce they’d been served in. The marinara was perfectly tangy and delicious — it was the best red sauce I’ve had at an Italian restaurant.
It was so delicious, in fact, that I found myself dragging each bite of meatball through the sauce, trying to soak up every drop.
The chicken Parmesan came in a huge portion size and was really, really good.
I was glad Buddy V’s chicken Parmesan had more of the tasty marinara.
Terri Peters
Buddy V’s chicken Parmesan was a heaping plate of breaded chicken topped with mozzarella and more of that delicious red sauce.
The golden-brown chicken breasts came with a side of spaghetti, also tossed in marinara and topped with Parmesan. I savored each bite of crispy chicken, flavorful red sauce, and fresh mozzarella.
I actually felt sad when I was full, as I’d have loved to keep nibbling at the delicious Italian dish all night.
I ended my dinner with a delicious cannoli.
Choosing between tiramisu and cannoli for my dessert was tough, but I was thrilled with my choice.
Terri Peters
The sugar-dusted cannoli shell was stuffed with sweet, creamy ricotta and had one end dipped in chocolate chips, the other in crushed pistachios.
It was delicious enough on its own, but the warm, melted chocolate dipping sauce served with it really took the flavors to the next level.
My $80 meal was well worth it, and I’d definitely return to Buddy V’s next time I’m in Sin City.
Buddy V’s really impressed me during my trip to Las Vegas.
Terri Peters
My meal at Buddy V’s was fantastic, with dishes that tasted like they’d been lovingly simmered in an Italian grandmother’s kitchen all afternoon.
For $80, I got bread service, an appetizer, a pasta entrée, dessert, and a mocktail. It wasn’t cheap, but the prices were on par with what I spent eating out in Las Vegas during my trip — most of my dinners cost between $75 and $100.
What set this restaurant apart for me, however, were the Vegas-chic-meets-Italian-kitchen vibes, the delicious food, and the impressive menu of non-alcoholic drinks.
All in all, the Cake Boss’ restaurant was a true highlight of my time in Las Vegas. I’d definitely return the next time I’m on the Strip to order plenty more dishes that involve that incredible tomato sauce.
Dining and Cooking