The fountains at Bellagio have a new front-row act — and this time, it’s not a headliner in sequins, but a seafood temple with Riviera swagger.
CARBONE RIVIERA
Welcome to CARBONE RIVIERA, the newest creation from the culinary dream team behind Major Food Group (Mario Carbone, Jeff Zalaznick, and Rich Torrisi). It’s their first-ever fish concept, and it has opened in perhaps the most hallowed dining room in Las Vegas — the former home of Picasso at Bellagio.
🌊 A Riviera Dream on the Strip
The moment you step into CARBONE RIVIERA, it’s clear this isn’t just another restaurant launch — it’s a cultural event. With design by the world-renowned Martin Brudnizki, the space channels the golden age of Lake Como and Capri: terracotta hues, soft blues, Murano glass chandeliers, and that unmistakable sparkle of Bellagio’s fountains just beyond the terrace.
Speaking of the terrace — the restaurant now boasts its own Riva yacht, Fortuna, a handcrafted 33-foot stunner from Italy that offers lucky guests the chance to sip Champagne while floating just feet from the iconic water show. Only 18 of these yachts exist in the world, and Bellagio’s is now part of the dining experience. Yes, you read that right.
🍽️ The Menu: Where the Sea Meets the Strip
Chef Mario Carbone calls it “a new chapter — same DNA, completely fresh expression.” Translation: all the flair you expect from CARBONE, now through the lens of Italian coastal luxury.
Start with the crudo bar, a rotating gallery of ultra-luxe bites like Nantucket Bay Scallops with brown butter and white truffles or Langoustines in a green acqua pazza. Even the Zeppole get a twist — topped with Golden Osetra Caviar, naturally.
Pastas remain a centerpiece: Linguine Vongole Rosso, Cappellini Crab AOP, and a jaw-dropping two-pound Lobster Arrabbiata served tableside with handcrafted fettuccine. And yes, fans of the original CARBONE can still find Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and Caesar alla ZZ on the menu — because some classics should never die.
The showstopper, though, is the whole-fish program: gleaming Dover sole, branzino, sea bream, and red snapper presented table-side and cooked over Japanese charcoal, roasted al forno, or baked in salt crust. It’s ceremony, theater, and seafood perfection — all under one roof.
🍸 Sips, Sparkles, and Sunsets
CARBONE RIVIERA’s beverage program is as refined as its menu. Expect Champagne and White Burgundy galore, plus coastal Italian whites perfectly paired for seafood. For cocktails, highlights include the Pistachio Colada (with absinthe and amaro) and the Strawberry Pomodoro — a bright, basil-kissed creation that screams summer on the Amalfi coast.
🎨 A Masterpiece Reimagined
Taking over Picasso’s legendary space was no small task. But MFG and MGM Resorts have managed something extraordinary — preserving the soul of a landmark while giving it new life. The art, the palette, the layout — every inch is a love letter to Mediterranean glamour.
Ari Kastrati, MGM Resorts’ Chief Content, Hospitality & Development Officer, puts it best:
“Together, we’ve created a world-class seafood dining experience that will redefine Las Vegas luxury.”
And redefine it, it does.
CARBONE RIVIERA
📍 Bellagio, Las Vegas
🕔 Open nightly, 5–11 p.m.
📞 Reservations via Bellagio.com or call (702) 693-6705
CARBONE RIVIERA is now open at Bellagio, alongside the resort's iconic Fountains. Photo Credit: Douglas Friedman