Vegas Fine Dining Finds Its Riviera Glow: Carbone Riviera Opens November 7 at Bellagio
A New Era for Italian Dining on the Strip
Few restaurant openings in recent memory have generated as much anticipation as Carbone Riviera, set to open November 7 inside the Bellagio Las Vegas. Taking over the storied space once home to Picasso, this new concept from Major Food Group promises to redefine what Italian fine dining looks — and feels — like in the desert.
As someone who has followed Major Food Group’s evolution from New York to Miami to Vegas, I can tell you this: every opening from Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick lands somewhere between cultural event and culinary spectacle. Carbone Riviera aims to push that blend even further — bringing the light, seafood-driven flavors of the Amalfi Coast to the Strip’s most glamorous address.
A Coastal Vision Comes to Bellagio
The concept is clear: Italian Riviera elegance meets Vegas theater. The menu will highlight whole fish prepared tableside, house-made pasta, and classic Carbone signatures — all with a coastal twist.
According to Major Food Group, diners can expect dishes such as salt-baked branzino, lobster fettuccine, and a refined take on the brand’s beloved spicy rigatoni vodka. The restaurant will feature a raw bar and an extensive selection of Champagne and Italian wines curated to match the menu’s maritime focus.
Chef Mario Carbone described it as a “love letter to the Italian coast,” noting that the goal was to merge simplicity with spectacle:
“The Bellagio is a stage,
and this space deserves a performance.
Carbone Riviera is our love letter to the Italian coast, from Amalfi to Portofino.”
Design That Marries Glamour and Restraint
Bellagio’s Picasso space — long considered one of the Strip’s most iconic dining rooms — has been completely reimagined for Carbone Riviera. The design channels the hues of the Mediterranean: pale blues, marble whites, and warm metallics, complemented by panoramic views of the fountains just beyond the windows.
The effect is immersive without being overstated. It’s unmistakably Bellagio, but lighter, airier, and more relaxed — designed for lingering over long lunches and late-night dinners.
From the first renderings, it’s clear that Carbone Riviera will balance its signature mid-century glamour with a Riviera-inspired freshness. Think linen over velvet, coastal breeze over city heat.
A Major Food Group Moment in Las Vegas
Carbone Riviera isn’t just another addition to the Major Food Group portfolio — it’s a statement of scale. The team already operates Carbone, Sadelle’s, and Zuma-adjacent partnerships in Las Vegas, but this project signals the brand’s deepening investment in the city’s luxury dining scene.
It also continues the Bellagio’s repositioning as one of the Strip’s most serious culinary addresses. With Le Cirque’s legacy, Spago’s lakeside energy, and now Carbone Riviera’s modern Italian flair, Bellagio is reaffirming its place at the top of the fine dining hierarchy.
And in the broader context of Las Vegas Fine Dining, the timing feels poetic: while new names like Cote Las Vegas and BOA Steakhouse bring fresh competition, Carbone Riviera is here to remind everyone how timeless excellence looks.
What Diners Can Expect on November 7
Reservations are already in high demand ahead of the opening. The restaurant will offer both à la carte and tasting-menu options, with service orchestrated in the polished, detail-oriented style that has become Carbone’s signature.
Expect tableside presentations, personalized wine pairings, and what one Bellagio insider described as
“a new benchmark for experiential Italian dining.”
It’s also designed to be approachable — elegant enough for a special occasion, but energetic enough to feel like part of the Strip’s nightly rhythm.
FAQ: Carbone Riviera at Bellagio Las Vegas
Q: When does Carbone Riviera open?
A: November 7, 2025, inside the Bellagio Las Vegas, in the former Picasso space overlooking the fountains.
Q: What’s on the menu?
A: Expect seafood-focused Italian dishes including whole fish, lobster fettuccine, salt-baked branzino, and the signature spicy rigatoni vodka.
Q: Who’s behind the restaurant?
A: The team from Major Food Group — Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi, and Jeff Zalaznick.
Defines modern Las Vegas dining
Standing by the Bellagio fountains, watching the lights reflect against the marble and glass, it’s easy to see why this space demanded a restaurant with presence.
Carbone Riviera promises exactly that — a blend of coastal beauty, culinary precision, and the kind of charisma that defines modern Las Vegas dining. When the doors open on November 7, it won’t just be another restaurant launch. It’ll be a moment — the start of a new Italian era on the Strip.
