Maroon By Chef Kwame Onwuachi Now Open at SAHARA

LAS VEGAS (May 6, 2026) – One of the country’s most highly-anticipated new restaurants, Maroon by Chef Kwame Onwuachi has officially opened its doors at SAHARA Las Vegas. As Chef Onwuachi’s first West Coast restaurant, Maroon reimagines the classic American steakhouse through the vibrant flavors, techniques and cultural influences of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora. Designed by New York-based architectural firm Modellus Novus (MN), Maroon is more than a restaurant, it is a vibrant gathering place where food, music and culture converge.
 
At the heart of the kitchen, a custom-built jerk pit infuses signature dishes with layers of smoke, spice and depth, showcasing the richness of Caribbean culinary traditions alongside refined steakhouse classics. Menu highlights include Rum-Aged Steaks from Rosewood Ranch, ranging from New York Strip to Wagyu Tenderloin; Jerk Chicken served half or whole; and Banana Leaf Snapper with tamarind chutney, curried okra and squash. Additional standout dishes include Curried Mussel Toast with Bluebay mussels and shito crunch on hardo bread; Green Mango Salad with crispy okra, tomato choka and herb oil; and Curried Goat Agnolotti finished with a blended velouté, confit pearl onion and chicken jus. Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s inventive take on steakhouse favorites shines through dishes like Shigoku Oysters with tamarind and green seasoning mignonettes and coriander bloom; Barbeque Brussels and Rack of Lamb from the jerk pit; and an Oxtail Wellington layered with jerk beef bacon and black truffle, among others.
 
A vibrant extension of Maroon’s Afro-Caribbean menu, the cocktail program showcases tropical ingredients, warming spices and refined techniques. Signature serves include the Blue Mountain Sour with Appleton Estate Rum, allspice and thyme; the Soursop Margarita with chili salt and the Allspice Spritz made with a house-made Caribbean Pimm’s, lemon, agave, strawberry, mint and sparkling wine.
 
Spirit-forward options include the Hurricane Negroni crafted with gin, passion fruit infused Campari and house-blended Italian vermouth and the Demerara River with bourbon, rum crème de cacao and peach. The program also leans into elevated classics, from the Maroon 50:50 Dirty Martini with blue cheese olives and the Café Cimarón, a decadent blend of tequila or mezcal with espresso and apricot. Maroon’s beverage experience was developed by award-winning mixologist Lu Lopez.
 
Created by Master Sommelier Chris Gaither, Maroon’s wine program is designed to complement the bold, layered flavors of the cuisine. The thoughtfully assembled list highlights producers of color, women and sustainable vineyards, spanning both Old World and New World regions, from Champagne and Burgundy to California, Spain and beyond. With an emphasis on balance, discovery and pairing versatility, the program features everything from vibrant whites and structured reds to rare and collectible bottles.
 
“Maroon is a reflection of my heritage and the stories that have shaped my cooking. We are taking the foundation of a classic steakhouse and reimagining it through the lens of Afro-Caribbean cuisine,” said Chef Kwame Onwuachi. “The menu is a bold and precise story of my journey, designed to leave a lasting impression on guests.”
 
Maroon marks the third collaboration between Modellus Novus (MN) and Chef Kwame Onwuachi, who previously teamed up on the celebrated restaurants Tatiana in New York and Dōgon in Washington, D.C. For Maroon, Chef Kwame Onwuachi’s largest restaurant to date, MN designed a space that unfolds over a series of chapters, shaping unique environments that meet and elevate each distinct facet of the restaurant’s culinary experience. For material choices, color palettes, and lighting designs, MN drew inspiration from the story and legacy of the Maroon people–descendants of Africans who escaped slavery to form sovereign communities in Jamaica’s mountainous interior in the 17th and 18th centuries. To contextualize that legacy within the distinctive environment of Las Vegas, the architects took important cues from the region’s slot canyons, desert skies, and dramatic shifts from brilliant illumination to sultry shadows. Through a bold embrace of extremes, Maroon’s design celebrates and amplifi es the singular story-telling power of Chef Kwame Onwuachi.
 
“Maroon represents the type of forward-thinking, culturally driven concept that continues to shape the future of dining in Las Vegas. We’re proud to partner with Chef Kwame Onwuachi to bring this one-of-a-kind experience to SAHARA Las Vegas,” said Alex Meruelo, Founder, The Meruelo Group.
Maroon is open nightly at 5 p.m., reservations can be made online at www.maroonlasvegas.com. For more information, visit www.maroonlasvegas.com and follow @maroonlasvegas on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
 
ABOUT SAHARA LAS VEGAS
SAHARA Las Vegas is an all-encompassing resort and casino with 1,613 guest rooms and suites in three distinctive towers, more than 80,000 square feet of flexible meeting space, The Pool and a collection of acclaimed restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. The 60,000-square-foot casino features elegant designs and a newly expanded slot floor with approximately 30 of the latest slot machines from the world’s top gaming content creators, bringing the total to more than 650 machines. The casino features more than 30 classic table games, the Infinity High Limit Lounge and a sports book operated by global gaming leader William Hill. An impressive selection of culinary and cocktail offerings includes Maroon, a Caribbean Steakhouse by James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi; Balla Italian Soul by James Beard Award-winning chef Shawn McClain; famed Philadelphia sports bar Chickie’s & Pete’s; The Noodle Den; CASBAR Lounge; Uno Más; Prendi; The Tangier; and Zeffer’s Café. SAHARA Las Vegas is also proud to serve as home to MAGIC MIKE LIVE Las Vegas presented by Channing Tatum. SAHARA Las Vegas players can also enjoy the perks of an Infinity Rewards membership, a joint loyalty program between SAHARA and its sister property Grand Sierra Resort and Casino Reno, which gives players the opportunity to earn and redeem rewards across both destinations. SAHARA Las Vegas is a minority-owned business certified by the Western Regional Minority Supplier Development Council. For more information, please visit saharalasvegas.com and stay connected on Instagram, Facebook and X.
 
ABOUT MAROON
Maroon is a groundbreaking Afro-Caribbean steakhouse located at SAHARA Las Vegas on the iconic Las Vegas Strip, created by James Beard Award-winning chef Kwame Onwuachi. Marking the chef’s first West Coast restaurant, Maroon reimagines the traditional American steakhouse through the vibrant lens of the Afro-Caribbean diaspora, blending premium cuts, fresh seafood and bold, spice-driven flavors with live-fire cooking techniques. At the heart of the experience is a custom-built jerk pit, where signature dishes are infused with smoke, heat and layered seasoning inspired by Caribbean culinary traditions. The menu celebrates a rich cultural narrative rooted in heritage and storytelling, offering a dynamic, flavor-forward approach to fine dining that balances indulgence with authenticity. For more information, please visit www.maroonlasvegas.com and follow @maroonlasvegas on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
 
Media Contact:
Carma Connected
[email protected]