Market Grille Cafe — Restaurant in Las Vegas

From the lovely new hostess and our helpful waiter, to the AMAZINGLY crafted food, it is clear why this grand-mom and grand-pop- turned-mom-and- pop is a Centennial Hills standout!

The ambience is lovely, the restaurant itself is roomy, and yet everything feels so homey and warm that it was no surprise to see lots and lots of families of all different ages and generation spans enjoying their meals here.

My husband and I had a VERY DIFFICULT TIME deciding what to order, because everything on the menu reads and clearly (by the looks of everyone's dishes around us) is delicious.

Most all dishes come with an optional add-on Greek salad for an extra $5... and we both agreed, the salads were WELL worth it and perfectly loaded with all the goodies.

I decided to go with my litmus test of all Greek restaurants-- moussaka. This is a TOUGH test, Market Grille, I'm an obsessive, and It is one of my favorite dishes ever. So sorry from the onset, my grading system is tough. Market Grille's definitely tasted homemade. I'm going to give it a 4/5... not bad at all, though not the best I've ever had. I do recommend it if you have an itch for moussaka, though I think there's probably tastier dishes on the menu, and I look forward to returning and tasting them all. This moussaka was probably "better for me" than the oily fried eggplant-y ones that I've had (numnumnum) and it was "dry"-- no tomato sauce on this one-- I don't NEED tomato sauce, I'm simply mentioning. The bechamel was not as creamy/ custard-y as I like, it was more eggy-dough-y. When it comes to moussaka, I'm not seeking "better for me" though... so the oozier and creamier the better (to make a 5/5 in my book).

My husband's dish was the standout, he ordered the Mama Mia's Chicken with all the pistachio-sundried tomato-goat cheese-and balsamic reduction magic that truly inspires me to try recreating this on my own at home.

And try as I might, I'll never ever be able to make lemon herb roasted potatoes as good as Greek restaurants do-- WHAT IS THE SECRET?!? Market Grille's are no exception... 5/5 for Mama Mia's Chicken and those amazing potatoes.

We decided not to order an appetizer, because I had my eye on the cheesecakes from my Yelp research photo findings... oh holy night did those Evil Harpies of mythological Greek lore beckon.

Of course we had to try the Tiramisu Cheesecake (ohhhh soooooo soooo good!! 100/5.... seriously, blew us away! The cheesecake was delightfully egg-y and the tiramisu was... oh those Harpies!... killing me with their sweet Tiramisu Cheesecake song! DO NOT MISS THIS DESSERT.

Those Harpies, I tell ya... I had to ALSO try the Aprhodite Cheesecake... I mean-- a Baklava crust?!? Are you KIDDING ME?!?

Unfortunately, the Aphrodite was the only disappointment of the evening... don't worry I ATE MY FAIR SHARE OF COURSE.. but I feel like Market Grille missed a huge mark on this one. You see, I was so hoping for a REAL baklava crust experience-- you know, the honey, the pistachios, the rose water syrup... and honestly, it was... filo dough. Like, bland, nothing else there. And the cheesecake actually didn't taste as good as the Tiramisu's cheesecake (I did a cheesecake-only tasting... they were clearly different batches... as I'd mentioned, the Tiramisu cheesecake was delightfully egg-y, the Aphrodite cheesecake was creamy and had the perfect baked texture, but needed some oomph that a little lemon rind, honey, or (better yet) rosewater syrup could've provided. I'm going to give it a 3/5. Aphrodite's love was a bit lukewarm last night. And I KNOW she can love us up better-- the concept is soooo spot on... the execution needs to be too.

I'm coming down hard on Market Grille, I know... and it is ONLY because it is a GREAT restaurant and I WILL be back, and I want it to thrive and thrive. I'm a toughie... but it's tough love....

Market Grille Cafe: My Go-To Spot for Greek Comfort Food

We’ve been to Market Grille Cafe more times than I can count, but we finally remembered to take pictures this time. As someone who’s half Greek and grew up with a lot of homemade Greek food, I can honestly say the dishes here feel like home.

The Pastitsio and Mousaka are just like my mother’s recipe and I don’t say that lightly. I even brought her here while she was in town, and she agreed. She and the owner ended up speaking Greek together at the table, and she was absolutely overjoyed.

There’s usually live music which adds to the charm. It’s casual, welcoming, and never overdone - just a great vibe all around.

What We Tried This Time: • Fire Grilled Lamb Chops – So good. Juicy, tender, and seasoned perfectly. They were cooked just right and honestly, we picked them clean. The garlic mashed potatoes were super creamy and the sautéed spinach surprisingly stood out - rare for spinach, but they nailed it.

• Mamma Mia’s Chicken – This dish is loaded with flavor. The combo of fig preserved goat cheese, crushed pistachios, sun-dried tomatoes, and balsamic glaze all work together so well. The chicken was juicy and a great base for all those bold toppings. Definitely get the lemon herb roasted potatoes on the side. They reminded me exactly of my mom’s.

• The Greek salad that you can order on the side of your entree is so worth it. I don’t know what their dressing recipe is but their Greek salad is a great, fresh start to the meal.

Dessert Time: • Yia Yia Cookies – Their take on Kourabiedes. I grew up eating these during every holiday, and while these were okay, I think some of their other desserts shine more.

• Baklava Cheesecake (from a previous visit) - A tasty classic with a cool modern twist. The creamy cheesecake balances nicely with the flaky, crunchy baklava base.

• Lukas Lucious Lemoncake (this visit) – If you like lemon, this is the dessert to get. A Greek lemon butter cake topped with house-made raspberry sauce and whipped cream. It’s not too sweet or too lemony - just a light, citrusy, moist cake that pairs perfectly with the sauce.

Bonus Mention: If you’re in the mood for Italian, I highly recommend the Pasta Angelo. It’s fusilli pasta with spinach, mushrooms, and fresh tarragon in a lemon butter cream sauce. I like adding chicken to it. Just a great, flavorful dish that hits every time.

Final Thoughts: If you love Greek food, this is my top pick in Vegas. It’s not flashy, overpriced, or trying too hard - just solid, homemade food in a cozy, unpretentious setting. Highly recommend giving it a try if you...

This restaurant is absolutely amazing! The food is always delicious and so fresh, the atmosphere is both quaint and welcoming, and the staff makes you feel like a part of their family. It is also so nice when the owner,Joe stops by your table to make sure you are enjoying everything you ordered. Linda is so much more than a waitress, she makes your experience so wonderful. She is attentive, no matter how busy it gets and she remembers her regular customers by name and order. I also appreciate how she makes suggestions for me to try and they are always fabulous! This restaurant is great for a date night or lunch with friends. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this restaurant. Stop by, you too will become a regular customer. BTW: If there is a wait, don't leave. It is well worth the wait!!!

I am actually adding to my previous review of this amazing restaurant. In spite of everything our city and local businesses have gone through since the pandemic, this restaurant is still my favorite. Joey and his wife Christine are continuing the legacy of excellence. Every selection I have tried is fresh, flavorful, the portions are generous, and beautifully prepared. While most restaurants in our city have cut back on portion sizes and made substitutes for quality ingredients , Market Grill Cafe still maintains their standard of delicious food, kind welcoming staff, and an atmosphere that allows you to both relax and celebrate. Whether you dine in or get an order to go, the presentation is that of a 5 star restaurant. It is a family business, but all who dine here and work here are treated like family. It is wonderful to experience .There is a delightful array of healthy choices that are so delicious you almost feel guilty☺️. Thank you Joey Pierro (owner), Linda ( waitress who makes everyone smile and gives the best recommendations when you want to try something new), Lizette and Tessa ( to go order specialists who greet you warmly and make sure your order is perfection before you leave) for continuing to make each dining experience so special. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the North Durango location! You will not be disappointed with anything you try. My personal favorites are the chicken wraps, Greek salad with grilled chicken, and the savory spaghetti and meatballs.

Pierro Family, the blackberry jasmine iced tea needs to be marketed to the masses by...