Buddy V's Ristorante

Buddy V's Ristorante is Cake Boss Buddy Valastro's Italian restaurant at The Venetian, which sounds like it could be a gimmicky disaster but somehow isn't. This is his family's old-school Italian-American recipes scaled up for Vegas—big portions, classic red sauce dishes, and desserts that make you understand why the man has a baking empire. The happy hour lets you experience it without the full Italian feast pricing.

The Happy Hour Lowdown

Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3pm-6pm in the bar area, and they're surprisingly generous with the deals. You're getting $6 draft beers, $8 select wines, $9 cocktails, and $8-12 appetizers including meatballs, calamari, bruschetta, and arancini. The portions are family-style generous—these aren't precious small plates, they're Jersey Italian-American portions that expect you to share and fill up.

Why You're Actually Here

For Italian-American comfort food done the way someone's grandmother would make it, if that grandmother had a TV show and a Vegas restaurant. The meatballs are stupid good—massive, properly seasoned, swimming in marinara. The arancini are crispy and cheesy in all the right ways. And if you've got any room left, the desserts (even off happy hour menu) are worth it because that's literally what Buddy's famous for. It's nostalgia food done well, and sometimes that's exactly what you need.

The Vibe Check

Family-friendly Italian-American restaurant vibes. The crowd during happy hour is a mix of Venetian guests, families, and people who watched Cake Boss and wanted to check it out. It's warm, welcoming, and unpretentious despite being on the Venetian's restaurant row. The staff is friendly and attentive without being overbearing. There are photos of Buddy with celebrities on the walls, but it's more endearing than egotistical. It feels like a neighborhood Italian spot that happens to be in a mega-resort.

Real Talk

This is celebrity chef territory, but Buddy's brand is built on accessible Italian-American food, not haute cuisine. Don't expect molecular gastronomy or modern interpretations—you're getting the classics done the traditional way. The happy hour prices are good for Venetian, which still means you're paying Strip premiums. Portions are big enough that two people can share appetizers and be satisfied. The bar area can get busy with families because this is a kid-friendly spot.

Pro Tips

Order the meatballs—they're the signature item and with good reason. The arancini are great for sharing and hit that fried-and-cheesy craving perfectly. If you're doing happy hour with kids, this is one of the more family-friendly upscale options on the Strip. Save room (and budget) for dessert even if it's not on happy hour; the cannoli and tiramisu are what Buddy built his reputation on. Come earlier in the happy hour window (3-4pm) if you want a quieter scene; closer to 6pm it transitions to dinner rush.