Caramella Italian Restaurant & Lounge, nestled within the iconic Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino, isn’t just another dining spot—it’s a portal to the sultry glamour of 1970s Italy, reimagined for the high-rollers and hedonists of Sin City. Opened in late 2024 as a collaboration between Caesars Entertainment and the powerhouse Tao Group Hospitality, Caramella replaces the former Koi Restaurant and Lounge, transforming a once-sleek Japanese fusion space into a velvet-draped haven of pasta, passion, and panoramic Strip views. For Las Vegas enthusiasts chasing the perfect blend of entertainment, indulgence, and unforgettable nights, Caramella delivers a feast that’s as much about the vibe as the vitello tonnato.
Picture this: You’re weaving through the electric chaos of Planet Hollywood’s casino floor, past the clamor of slots and the scent of high-stakes ambition, when you ascend to the mezzanine level. There, adjacent to the Criss Angel Theater—where mind-bending illusions still captivate nightly crowds—lies Caramella. The name itself, Italian for “candy,” whispers of sweetness and seduction, a nod to the playful candy shop that serves as its whimsical entrance. Stocked with artisanal Italian treats like chocolate-dipped candied oranges and nougat-stuffed torrone, this confectionery gateway sets the tone: Expect delight, in every form. As you step inside, the world shifts. Murano glass chandeliers drip like molten gold from the ceiling, casting a warm, amber glow over plush velvet banquettes and marble-topped tables. The design, masterminded by the acclaimed London-based firm Fettle, channels the opulent excess of 1970s Italy—the era of Fellini films, disco decadence, and la dolce vita on steroids. Think La Dolce Vita meets Saturday Night Fever, but with a Vegas twist: an expansive terrace overlooking the Bellagio fountains, where the water ballet syncs perfectly with your spritz.
What elevates Caramella beyond mere aesthetics is its seamless integration into Planet Hollywood’s entertainment ecosystem. This isn’t a standalone eatery; it’s a scene-setter for the resort’s broader allure. Planet Hollywood, after all, has long been the Strip’s love letter to pop culture, from its Wonder Woman-inspired Brunette Lounge to the thunderous bass of the Heart Bar. Caramella fits like a glove, offering pre- or post-show sustenance for theatergoers or a sultry lounge escape after hitting the slots. In a city that reinvents itself nightly, Caramella feels like a timeless import—fresh yet familiar, luxurious yet approachable. It’s the kind of place where you might spot a celebrity slipping in for a discreet carbonara, or a bachelorette party toasting with limoncello shots under the stars. As of October 2025, with Las Vegas tourism rebounding to pre-pandemic highs (over 40 million visitors annually), spots like this are the secret sauce keeping the Strip’s culinary pulse racing.
The Legacy of Planet Hollywood: From Aladdin to Entertainment Epicenter
To truly appreciate Caramella’s arrival, one must rewind through Planet Hollywood‘s storied past—a narrative as layered as a perfect lasagna. The resort’s origins trace back to 1976, when it debuted as the Aladdin Hotel & Casino, a Middle Eastern-themed oasis on the Strip’s midsection. Inspired by the fairy-tale allure of Aladdin, it featured a massive theater for stars like Wayne Newton and a casino buzzing with Arabian Nights motifs. But financial woes plagued the property; by the early 2000s, after multiple ownership changes and a $1.4 billion expansion that ballooned costs due to design tweaks and overruns, the Aladdin filed for bankruptcy.
Enter Planet Hollywood International, the themed restaurant chain synonymous with ’90s celebrity glamour. Founded in 1991 by British entrepreneur Robert Earl alongside A-list backers like Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, the brand exploded with outposts worldwide, showcasing movie memorabilia amid burgers and brews. Its highest-grossing location? A 1994 Strip debut at Caesars Palace’s Forum Shops, drawing crowds with props from Terminator and Die Hard. By 2007, Earl’s vision scaled up: A $635 million acquisition and rebranding of the bankrupt Aladdin birthed Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The transformation stripped away most Arabian elements, replacing them with Hollywood razzle-dazzle—64,000 square feet of casino floor, 2,500 rooms, and the Miracle Mile Shops, a 475,000-square-foot mall with 170 tenants.
Today, under Caesars Entertainment’s stewardship since 2010, Planet Hollywood thrives as a mid-Strip powerhouse. Its 2,494 rooms range from sleek standards to Panorama Suites with 1,800-square-foot Strip vistas. Entertainment reigns supreme: The Bakkt Theater hosts residencies like Justin Timberlake’s 2024 run, drawing 4,500 fans per show. Nightlife pulses at the Privé Lounge, while the pool deck transforms into a daytime party haven. And the dining scene? It’s a constellation of stars, from the playful Pink’s Hot Dogs (a 2005 import) to the fusion flair of Gordon Ramsay’s Pub. Caramella slots in as the latest gem, enhancing a lineup that balances celebrity chef gravitas with accessible indulgence. In 2025, with renovations like the upcoming Omnia Dayclub expansion at nearby Caesars Palace, Planet Hollywood remains a nexus of Vegas energy—where history meets hype, and every meal feels like a movie premiere.
The Masterminds Behind the Magic: Tao Group and Chef Ralph Scamardella
Caramella’s inception is a tale of hospitality titans teaming up. Caesars Entertainment, the Strip’s undisputed overlord with properties like the Colosseum at Caesars Palace, partnered with Tao Group Hospitality—a New York-based juggernaut known for high-octane venues like Omnia Nightclub and Lavo Italian Restaurant. This isn’t their first Vegas rodeo; Tao’s fingerprints grace Stanton Social Prime at Caesars Palace, blending social media-worthy bites with nightclub vibes. For Caramella, the brief was clear: Craft an Italian escape that’s equal parts restaurant, lounge, and spectacle, replacing Koi’s minimalist sushi with something bolder, sexier.
At the helm is Ralph Scamardella, Tao’s Chief Culinary Officer and a culinary rockstar with over three decades in the game. Born in Brooklyn to Sicilian immigrants, Scamardella’s journey reads like a Scorsese script: He cut his teeth at the legendary Four Seasons in New York, rising to executive chef by 1992. There, he modernized American classics, earning four stars from The New York Times and a spot on Gourmet magazine’s “Best New Chefs” list. In 2000, he jumped to Tao’s mothership, Tao Restaurant in Manhattan, where his pan-Asian fusion turned a Vegas import into a global empire. Under his watch, Tao Group ballooned to 80+ venues, from Miami’s STORY nightclub to Dubai’s White Truffle Lounge.
Scamardella’s philosophy? “Food is theater—bold, unapologetic, and utterly delicious.” For Caramella, he drew from Italy’s regional soul, infusing Tuscan heft with Vegas flair. No stranger to Italian roots (his family hailed from Palermo), he spent months sourcing heirloom ingredients—San Marzano tomatoes from Campania, aged balsamic from Modena—and collaborating with Fettle on the space. “The ’70s were Italy’s golden hour of cinema and cuisine,” Scamardella says in a 2025 interview with Eater Vegas. “We wanted that romance: velvet nights, endless pasta, and a hidden lounge where secrets unfold.” His menu reflects this—regional twists like mafaldine with blue crab (a nod to Amalfi Coast seafood) meet indulgent staples like Tuscan-style bistecca alla fiorentina. It’s not fusion for fusion’s sake; it’s elevation, where every plate tells a story. Scamardella’s accolades—James Beard nominations, a 2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand nod for Lavo—ensure Caramella isn’t just hype; it’s heirloom-quality hospitality in a city that devours trends.
(Note: While Fabio Viviani, the “Top Chef” fan favorite from Florence, has made waves in Vegas with Ai Pazzi at JW Marriott Summerlin in 2025, he is not affiliated with Caramella. His empire of 40+ spots, from Siena Tavern in Chicago to Portico in New York’s del Lago Resort, embodies similar Italian fire, but Scamardella’s vision reigns here.)
A Feast for the Senses: The Menu at Caramella
Caramella’s menu is a love letter to Italy’s diverse larder, curated by Scamardella to balance comfort and craveability. Dinner kicks off at 4 p.m. daily (closed Mondays and Tuesdays), with brunch weekends drawing crowds for its all-you-can-eat format. Prices skew premium—entrees $28-$98—but portions are generous, and the $49.99 three-course prix-fixe on Wednesdays and Thursdays makes it accessible for date nights. Start with small plates that set the stage: The garlic cheese bread, a fluffy focaccia slathered in housemade herb butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano, vanishes faster than chips at a poker table. One Yelp reviewer in 2025 raved, “It’s the kind of bread that makes you forget you’re in a casino—pure, pillowy bliss.” Or dive into the vitello tonnato, silky veal in tuna-caper sauce, a Piedmontese classic that’s light yet luxurious, perfect with a crisp Falanghina.
Pasta steals the show, handmade daily in the open kitchen. The blue crab mafaldine—ribbon pasta tossed with sweet Dungeness crab, lemon zest, and chili flakes—evokes Sorrento’s coast, bright and briny at $32. For heartier souls, the spicy tomato penne delivers al dente tubes in a San Marzano ragu spiked with Calabrian chiles and sausage, a fiery homage to southern Italy ($28). Vegetarians rejoice: The eggplant parmigiana stacks caramelized slices with burrata and basil pesto, gluten-free adaptable. Brunch elevates with bottomless mimosas and family-style feasts—think ricotta-stuffed French toast and short-rib eggs Benedict with a truffle twist. Sides like truffle fries or Tuscan kale salad ($12-$16) round out the table, à la carte for mix-and-match magic.
Meat lovers, behold the Tuscan-style grill: The bistecca alla fiorentina, a dry-aged porterhouse for two ($98), arrives tableside, seared rare with rosemary and sea salt, paired with decadent sides like bone marrow butter or roasted bone marrow potatoes. Chops and steaks channel Florence’s markets—wagyu filet with balsamic reduction, anyone? Seafood shines too: Lobster fra diavolo, a spicy tomato stew over linguine ($52), nods to Napoli’s waterfront trattorias. Desserts? The signature Caramella tart—dark chocolate custard in salted caramel pastry ($16)—lives up to the name, a decadent finale with espresso gelato. Vegan and gluten-free options abound, from sorbets to quinoa-stuffed zucchini, ensuring no one feels sidelined.
The cocktail list is equally seductive: The Caramella Spritz ($18), with Aperol, prosecco, and candied orange, fizzles like Roman sunshine. Non-alcoholic Lyre’s Italian Spritz keeps it inclusive. Wines hail from Scamardella’s Italian-heavy cellar—$12-$25 glasses, with bold Barolos for the bistecca. In a 2025 Tripadvisor review, a guest gushed, “The ragu was soul-warming; the views, magical. Vegas Italian done right.” Portions justify the spend—expect family-style sharing that turns strangers into amici.
Ambiance and the Hidden Allure: Dining as Performance Art
Caramella isn’t dined in; it’s experienced. The 12,000-square-foot space divides into acts: The main dining room, with its velvet vestibule and mosaic-tiled floors, hums with intimate energy—booths for couples, communal tables for groups. Golden hour on the 2,000-square-foot terrace? Unrivaled. Perched above the Strip, it frames the Bellagio’s fountains like a private screening, with cabanas and fire pits for cooler evenings. “Patio dining doesn’t get better,” proclaimed Las Vegas Magazine in May 2025, praising the “fun and relaxing poolside atmosphere” spillover from Planet Hollywood’s decks.
Then, the plot twist: Beyond the candy shop lies the Hidden Lounge, open Thursdays through Sundays from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. A mosaic DJ booth spins vinyl soul and Italian disco, while velvet curtains conceal VIP nooks. Signature drinks like the Salted Raspberry Chamomile ($18) flow amid low-light luxury—perfect for post-dinner transitions into nightlife. Fettle’s design weaves in ’70s nods: Brass accents, leather-bound menus, even a nod to Satyricon in the sprawling murals. Capacity tops 300, but it feels exclusive, with reservations via OpenTable essential (walk-ins wait-listed on weekends). Soundtrack? A curated playlist of Morricone scores fading into modern electronica, volume just right for whispers and laughter.
Guest Raves and Real Talk: What Diners Are Saying in 2025
By October 2025, Caramella boasts 520+ OpenTable reviews averaging 4.5 stars, with Yelp at 4.2 from 177 posts. Highs: “Easily the best Italian in Planet Hollywood—sorry, Giada!” one anniversary celebrant wrote, citing “spectacular patio views” and “superb service.” The brunch draws families for its value, with unlimited pasta and Bloody Marys. X (formerly Twitter) buzzes: @VegasTopPicks hailed it a “retro Italian gem” in September 2024, while @iAmMarcoMurillo’s January 2025 video tour amassed 92K views, showcasing the terrace’s “must-try” allure.
“Easily the best Italian in Planet Hollywood—sorry, Giada!”
Caramella Dining Guest
Lows exist—Tripadvisor’s 3.0 aggregate flags “overpriced” entrees and occasional service hiccups, like a vegan diner’s lament over limited plant-based options (though Scamardella’s team adapts capably). One X post griped about “mushy cavatelli,” but countered with praise for the casarecce’s texture. Overall, it’s a 90% approval club: Clean plates, Instagram floods, and repeat visits. As @realpeteyb123 tweeted in February 2025, “Homemade biscotti to go? Una faccia, una razza.”
Beyond the Plate: Caramella in the Vegas Entertainment Tapestry
Caramella thrives in symbiosis with Planet Hollywood’s calendar. Pair dinner with Criss Angel’s Mindfreak (tickets $75+), or time brunch for the Bakkt Theater’s matinees. Nearby, the Miracle Mile’s 200+ shops beckon for post-meal prowls—think Louis Vuitton hauls or Sephora splurges. For groups, the $50 resort fee includes Wi-Fi and pool access; valets whisk you in for $20. Dress code? Elevated casual—jeans with flair, no flip-flops in the lounge.
In a Strip saturated with steakhouses and sushi, Caramella carves a niche: Romantic for duos (terrace sunset proposals spike 30% yearly), lively for crews (lounge DJ sets draw 100+ nightly). It’s also inclusive—kids’ menu with mini pastas, vegan tweaks, and gluten-free pastas. As Vegas evolves toward experiential dining (think immersive Supper’s Ready at Luxor), Caramella leads, blending Tao’s nightlife DNA with Italian soul.
Savor the Sweetness: Why Caramella is Your Next Vegas Obsession
Caramella isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a seduction—a candy-coated escape where 1970s Italy crashes into 2025 Vegas like a perfect Negroni. From Scamardella’s masterful menu to the terrace’s fountain symphony, it captures the Strip’s essence: Bold, beautiful, boundless. In a city of 3,500+ eateries, this one’s a standout—affordable luxury amid extravagance, where every bite and beat feels scripted for stardom. Book a table for tonight and let Caramella unwrap your next Sin City memory. After all, in Vegas, the house always wins—but here, so do you.
