Key Highlights:
- Type: Chef-driven New American restaurant blending wood-fired hearth cooking with global flavors.
- Location: Spring Mountain Center plaza in Chinatown, about two miles west of the Strip.
- Known for: Chinatown Clams Casino, beef cheek and bone marrow dumplings, and a rotating chef’s tasting menu.
- Price: À la carte dinner for two runs $140–$210; tasting menu runs $140–$160 per person.
- Worth it: Yes — Strip-caliber cooking in a relaxed neighbourhood setting.
- Best for: Adventurous foodies, cocktail lovers, and couples wanting a memorable dinner off the tourist path.
Sparrow + Wolf opened in Chinatown in 2017, before the neighborhood was the restaurant destination it’s become, and it’s still one of the names locals mention first. Chef Brian Howard, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest, built the menu around wood-fired hearth cooking, layering his Midwestern background with Asian, Mediterranean, and Latin American technique.
The restaurant runs on whole-animal butchery, in-house charcuterie, and open-flame cooking over white oak, and the menu shifts with the seasons rather than staying fixed. Behind an unremarkable strip-mall storefront, the dining room feels more like crashing a dinner party than eating at a themed restaurant — a mix of regulars in jeans and dressed-up visitors, all sharing plates across the table.
About Sparrow + Wolf
History & concept
Howard spent years in high-profile Strip kitchens, including time with Thomas Keller and Kerry Simon, before opening his own restaurant. The name reflects a balance between hospitality and hunger: comfort on one side, bold technique on the other.
Atmosphere & design
A moody, mid-century industrial dining room with exposed brick, dark leather booths, and stacked firewood along the walls sets the tone. The open hearth fills the room with wood smoke, and the soundtrack ranges freely, from Ray Charles to punk rock, without ever feeling like a themed restaurant.
Location
Sparrow + Wolf sits in the Spring Mountain Center plaza, a short rideshare from the Strip.
- Address: 4480 Spring Mountain Rd, Suite 100, Las Vegas, NV 89102
- Nearby: Las Vegas Chinatown Plaza, Shanghai Plaza, The Golden Tiki
- Nearby hotels: Palms Casino Resort, Rio, Bellagio, Caesars Palace
Menu
The menu rotates seasonally, but several dishes have stayed as fixtures since the restaurant opened.
Signature dishes:
- Chinatown Clams Casino — baked with lap cheong sausage, shiitake, and uni hollandaise
- Beef cheek & bone marrow dumplings — handmade, finished with citrus and scallions
- The “Full Monty” charcuterie board — house-cured meats, pâté, and pickles
- Charred Spanish octopus — wood-hearth cooked, with chorizo oil
Mains: Wood-roasted heritage pork chop, dry-aged Wagyu ribeye with black garlic reduction, and a rotating handmade pasta of the day.
Tasting menu: A multi-course chef’s tasting menu, typically $140–$160 per person, walks through off-menu creations and seasonal courses, with optional wine pairings.
Prices
| Category | Price range |
|---|---|
| Charcuterie & spreads | $16–$34 |
| Hearth starters & raw bar | $18–$28 |
| Handmade pastas & dumplings | $24–$36 |
| Wood-fired entrées & steaks | $45–$95+ |
| Chef’s tasting menu | $140–$160 per person |
| Craft cocktails | $16–$22 |
An à la carte dinner for two, sharing bread, an appetizer, two mains, dessert, and cocktails, typically runs $140–$210 before tax and tip.
Reservations
Weekend dinner slots between 6:30 and 8:30 PM go quickly.
- How to book: OpenTable or the restaurant’s website, ideally two to three weeks ahead.
- Walk-ins: The front bar takes walk-ins at open, first-come, first-served, with the full menu available.
- Tasting menu cutoff: Last call for the tasting menu typically runs around 9:30 PM, so book earlier if that’s the plan.
Dress code
The dress code is smart casual. Nice denim, button-downs, and cocktail dresses all fit the room; athletic wear and beachwear are the only real things to avoid.
Hours
Open daily, 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM.
Dining experience
Pros: The fusion of wood smoke, Asian umami, and French technique creates dishes that don’t taste like anywhere else in the city, the cocktail program uses genuinely thoughtful house-made syrups and infusions, and parking in the strip-mall lot is free and easy.
Cons: Because the menu rotates seasonally, a specific dish seen online may not be available on your visit, and it’s a five-to-ten-minute rideshare from the central Strip.
Is it worth visiting?
Yes. Sparrow + Wolf has held its reputation for close to a decade by staying genuinely creative rather than resting on its early buzz. It’s a strong choice for adventurous eaters, cocktail lovers, and couples wanting a memorable dinner away from the casino corridor. Diners who want straightforward steakhouse cooking, or who prefer not to leave their resort, may be better served elsewhere.
Tips before you go
- Order the Chinatown Clams Casino — it’s the dish most associated with the restaurant’s early reputation.
- Ask for counter seats overlooking the hearth to watch the kitchen work.
- Continue the night in Chinatown — The Golden Tiki is a two-minute rideshare away.
FAQs
Who’s the chef?
Brian Howard, a James Beard semifinalist for Best Chef Southwest, who opened the restaurant in 2017.
Where exactly is it?
4480 Spring Mountain Road, Suite 100, in the Spring Mountain Center plaza.
Is there a tasting menu?
Yes, a rotating multi-course chef’s tasting menu alongside the standard à la carte options.
Is parking free?
Yes, the strip-mall plaza has ample free surface parking.
Do I need a reservation?
Recommended for the dining room; the bar takes walk-ins first-come, first-served.
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