Kwame Onwuachi to Open Las Vegas Strip’s First Black Chef-Led Restaurant, Honoring the Spirit of the Maroons

Celebrity chef Kwame Onwuachi is heading to Las Vegas with big plans and even bigger heart. His newest restaurant, Maroon, will open at the Sahara Las Vegas and mark a powerful first — it will be the first Black chef-led restaurant on the Las Vegas Strip.

The James Beard Award-winning chef is known for weaving culture and storytelling into every dish. This time, Onwuachi is bringing bold Caribbean flavors to one of the world’s busiest entertainment spots while honoring the history and resilience of the Maroons of Jamaica.

A New Culinary Experience on the Las Vegas Strip

The restaurant, named Maroon, will offer a menu inspired by Onwuachi’s West African, Jamaican, and Creole roots. Diners can look forward to flavorful jerk rubs, dry-aged steaks, grilled seafood, and sauces infused with scotch bonnet peppers.

But this restaurant is about much more than great food. It’s about sharing the untold stories of people who fought for freedom and built new communities against all odds. “The Maroons didn’t just run. They thrived. They created something new, something powerful out of pain and resistance,” Onwuachi said in a statement to Travel + Leisure.

Honoring the Legacy of the Maroons of Jamaica

The Maroons were Africans who escaped slavery and found refuge in Jamaica’s rugged Blue Mountains. Their strength and survival inspired generations, and Onwuachi wants his restaurant to carry that same spirit. From the ingredients to the name on the door, Maroon will celebrate resilience, resistance, and culture.

“It’s not just about food,” Onwuachi added. “It’s about telling the stories that haven’t been told. It’s history. It’s resilience. It’s a testament to those who came before us.”

A Historic First for the Las Vegas Dining Scene

While the Las Vegas Strip is home to many high-end restaurants, Maroon will be the first to be led by a Black chef. This milestone is significant in a city where few kitchens at this level have been Black-owned or operated.

Yet, for Onwuachi, the importance lies in what comes next. “It’s not just about being the first,” he explained. “It’s about making sure we’re not the last. It’s about opening the door and holding it open for others.”

A Growing Legacy of Culinary Excellence

This latest venture follows Onwuachi’s success with Tatiana by Kwame Onwuachi in New York City, which was named the city’s best restaurant by The New York Times. He also opened Dōgon, an Afro-Caribbean restaurant in Washington, D.C., in 2024.

Now, with Maroon set to debut on the Strip, Onwuachi continues to build a culinary empire rooted in culture, flavor, and fearless storytelling..