From Las Vegas to Reno and Mequite, golfers know Nevada offers top-notch dining

Nevada is famous for a plethora of things. Of course there's the casinos that have high-rollers from around the U.S. and the world making the trip to one of Nevada's famed gambling cities like Las Vegas or Reno. There's also golf, skiing, water sports and much more that makes Nevada a great vacation destination.

But one thing about Nevada that's often overlooked is the incredible dining opportunities. For a state that's small in population, you'll find more great restaurants throughout Nevada than you can count. And whether you're heading to Las Vegas, Mesquite or Reno and Tahoe, finding a gourmet meal is as easy as pie.

Las Vegas dining

If there's one thing that frequent Las Vegas visitors know, it's that they'll eat remarkably well in Sin City. Sure, this is the home of the $4.99 prime rib and more all-you-can-eat buffets than you can imagine, but there is much more to the Las Vegas dining scene than prime rib, shrimp cocktail and cheap buffets.

In fact, nearly any type of food from every culture is represented one way or another in Las Vegas. Looking for a great steak? Look no further than Delmonico Steakhouse, which has a reputation of having the best beef in all of Sin City. Hungry for seafood and pasta? Head over to Bartolotta Ristorante di Mare on the Strip, which gives you stellar ambiance to go along with its top-notch menu. Have a hankering for sushi? Shintaro in the Bellagio will take care of you with fresh fish and other Asian delights. Cili Restaurant & Bar at Bali Hai Golf Club boasts contemporary American Cuisine with Asian influences.

To be honest, Las Vegas is a city where good eating is almost always right around the corner, if not down the hallway. Every major hotel/casino has their own stellar restaurant, and usually several. It's almost as if you can't avoid eating well in Sin City.

Of course, if buffets are your thing, there are plenty of those as well, where you can eat as much as you want for a low price. But spending a little more generally brings even more quality. A good choice of buffets that delights both locals and visitors is the buffet at the Golden Nugget, which is not to be missed if you are a buffet fan.

Mesquite dining

Obviously, Mesquite doesn't have the quantity of world-class restaurants as a town the size of Las Vegas, but that doesn't mean you'll go hungry after you attack such Mesquite golf courses as Falcon Ridge and Wolf Run.

The Casablanca Hotel Casino not only features an 18-hole golf course, but also has several delectable dining options, including the elegant Purple Fez Bistro. Also, the casino's buffet draws raves for its fresh and tasty fare. Not to be outdone, the Eureka Casino Hotel has a beef bonanza with Gregory's Steak House. Try the Sunday Brunch at Gregory's for great steak and fixin's.

And if you're looking for a taste of the Orient, look no further than Panda Garden, which gives stellar service to go along with fantastic Chinese food. All told, Mesquite may come off as a quiet, little gambling town, but when it comes to dining, it's a city that can stand on its own.

Reno/Tahoe Dining

Reno and Tahoe are Northern Nevada standouts, and have long drawn visitors interested in gambling, water sports and other exciting activities. Somewhat overlooked is the fact that you'll have dining options that will blow your mind in this belt-loosening region.

First of all, you'll have more options for remarkable buffets than you can shake a fork at. From Flavors! The Buffet at the Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno to the unbelievable Forest Buffet at Harrahs in Tahoe, fans of all-you-can-eat fare will think they've found heaven in this stretch of the High Sierras.

But even if buffets aren't your thing, Reno and Tahoe are two places where you can find your favorite foods. There are great steakhouses like Cassidy's at Boomtown Casino and Hotel in Reno, or the Sage Room at Harvey's in Lake Tahoe. In fact, you can find the best of all culinary worlds, from Asian to Italian to German to barbecue in Reno and Tahoe.

Or heck, even if all you want is a hamburger, you can find the best there is in Reno at one of the city's famed In-N-Out franchises, or you can go whole hog at Archie's Giant Hamburgers. All and all, Reno and Tahoe are the perfect place for those looking to combine great eats with gaming and golfing.