In the early 1930s, thousands of workers poured into the desert to build Boulder Dam, and they all needed somewhere to eat. Las Vegas was still a small railroad town, and the famous Strip did not exist yet.
Some of the buildings and businesses from that era are still standing, and you can grab a meal in them today. Here are five spots where history and a good plate of food share the same address.
1. Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore, Boulder City, NV
Few coffee shops can say their building came first in an entire town. The Browder Building, dating to 1931, is known as the first building constructed on federal land for the roughly 5,000 workers who built Hoover Dam.
Today it holds Dam Roast House & Browder Bookstore at 554 Nevada Way. The space is full of natural light and plants, which suits its mix of coffee bar and bookshop.
The menu leans toward breakfast and brunch, with toast and waffles that can be made with gluten-free bread. Plant-based milks are available, and there is a full vegan and vegetarian menu.
Drinks are the real draw here. A s’mores latte and a hibiscus coconut iced tea stand out, and there is even a secret menu for curious regulars.
Hours run 6 AM to 5 PM every day. Saturday mornings get busy, so a weekday visit is the calmer choice if you want to settle in with a laptop or a new book.
2. Hawaiian Restaurant 1933, Boulder City, NV
The name tells you the year, and the year tells you the story. Hawaiian Restaurant 1933 sits inside the Boulder Dam Hotel, built in 1933 while the dam was still going up.
The hotel hosted project officials and visitors who came to see the massive construction effort. It is often called the oldest building in Boulder City, and that history gives every meal a little extra charm.
The kitchen serves Hawaiian-inspired dishes alongside quality steaks. Its signature coffee cake is the item to remember, especially at breakfast.
Breakfast and lunch run daily from 8 AM to 3 PM. On Fridays and Saturdays, the doors stay open until 8 PM for dinner.
Families will find a kids’ menu and high chairs, and reservations are accepted. Parking is free and usually easy to find.
3. Iron Rail Cafe, Henderson, NV
Boulder City was a dry town during dam construction, so workers who wanted a little more freedom headed up the road. Railroad Pass opened on August 1, 1931, to serve them, and it still welcomes hungry travelers today.
Iron Rail Cafe is the property’s around-the-clock diner. It never closes, which makes it handy for early road trips or late drives back from Lake Mead.
Expect classic comfort food and hearty breakfast plates. Ribeye and T-bone steaks show up on the menu, and portions run generous.
The best-known deal is the prime rib special after 9 PM. Prices stay friendly, with most meals landing in the $10 to $20 range.
The room has a retro look that fits its long history. There is counter service as well as table seating, plus a kids’ menu.
4. DeSimone’s Steakhouse, Henderson, NV
Same historic property, very different evening. DeSimone’s Steakhouse brings an old Vegas dining style to Railroad Pass, the 1931 stop that served dam workers decades before the Strip appeared.
This is the dressier side of the visit. The room is quiet and classy, with attentive staff and a romantic mood.
Premium steaks and fresh seafood lead the menu. Steak Oscar, prime rib, and salmon are favorites, and the onion soup makes a solid starter.
Portions are big and prices are reasonable for a steakhouse, around $20 to $30 per person. Live music adds to some evenings.
Plan ahead, since DeSimone’s is closed Monday and Tuesday. It opens Wednesday through Sunday from 4 to 10 PM, and dinner reservations are recommended.
5. Pioneer Saloon, Goodsprings, NV
Open since 1913, Pioneer Saloon was already a familiar stop when dam crews arrived in Southern Nevada. It is often called the oldest bar in the region.
Goodsprings is a small historic mining settlement about a short drive southwest of Las Vegas. The building looks the part, and it has even served as a Hollywood film set.
The menu goes well beyond its name. Burgers, pizza, BBQ, milkshakes, and a pulled pork sandwich all appear, with a Texas twist and a full vegan menu too.
Inside, a fireplace and live music keep things lively. A gift shop lets you take home a souvenir.
Weekends open early at 9 AM, and weekday hours start at 11 AM. Saturday and Sunday afternoons fill up, so arrive early for a seat.
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