Updated January 2022
One thing that Vegas hotels have been famous for are the all-you-can-eat buffets.
Up until the closure of the Vegas hotels in 2020 due to the pandemic, just about every casino hotel on the strip had one.
Many buffets have never opened post pandemic and some have closed for good. At the time of writing, only eight buffets are open in strip hotels. They are:
- Bacchanal Buffet (at Caesars Palace)
- The Buffet (at the Bellagio)
- Wicked Spoon (at Cosmopolitan)
- The Buffet (at the Wynn)
- MGM Grand Buffet
- The Buffet (at Excalibur)
- Circus Circus Buffet
- The Buffet (at Luxor)
The original Vegas buffets tended to be places where the food was very much quantity over quality. They were cheap and the price tended to be reflected in the quality of the food.
They really are all-you-can-eat and there’s usually no limit to the time you can spend there. All food and soft drinks are included in the price and it’s serve yourself with dishes either served canteen-style in large trays or individual portions. Drinks are usually ordered from a waiter/waitress, but in some of the cheaper buffets you now help yourself from self-service drinks machines. As with everywhere remember to tip your waiting staff before you leave, a couple of dollars each is about average.
On one of my earliest trips I remember going to the Sahara buffet and finding the food served in large trays sitting under heat lamps, very much like a school canteen, just without the dinner ladies to scoop it onto your plate!
Things have certainly changed. The higher end casinos now compete to serve restaurant quality food, still in plentiful supply, but much fresher and served in much improved surroundings. The Buffet at Bellagio is one of the first I visited where you could find sushi, crabs legs and prime rib steak in addition to fresh salads, pizza, Chinese food and a large array of hot and cold deserts.
Most buffets have timed slots for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, each with a different price. At weekends brunch often includes unlimited champagne, mimosa (buck’s fizz) or bloody mary’s, either in the price or for a few dollars more.
The entry time determines the price you pay, breakfast being the cheapest and dinner the most expensive. Once you are in the buffet you can stay as long as you like and often, if the next meal starts, the food will just start to switch over. So if you fancy some breakfast and lunch items at a cheap price, turn up just before the lunch time starts and pay the breakfast price and just keep on eating through!
I think my favourite time to visit is for breakfast or brunch. When it’s unlimited it can be difficult not to over indulge, so at least that gives you a chance to work off the food for the rest of the day!
Here’s a list of some of the buffets I’ve been to most recently:
The Buffet (at the Bellagio)
The Buffet at the Bellagio was one of the first up-market style buffets I’ve visited and was firmly on the list for a visit on every trip. It tended to be very busy with a queue to get in. However, I think, for similar money, I now tend to go to The Wicked Spoon at the Cosmopolitan instead. An interesting fact is that it was the first buffet to have toilets in the dining area!
The Buffet (at the Wynn)
I’ve visited for all three mealtimes at the Wynn. Despite it being on the pricier side, the food was excellent and one of the first I’ve seen to feature a lot of vegan items alongside, veggie and meat options. They also have a particularly good desert bar.
The Wicked Spoon (at the Cosmopolitan)
Last visited: March 2018
A great choice if you are after one of the more upmarket buffet experiences. Lots of options with many served in small individual portions. I’ve often had the buffet included in my Virgin Holiday price when staying at the Cosmopolitan, so have been a frequent visitor. Loads of delicious hot items, American, Chinese and Italian. A great salad bar and lots of deserts, including a gelato station. Worth the money even if you are paying on the day.
Paradise Garden Buffet (at the Flamingo)
Last visited: December 2019, currently closed
This is a lovely location with large windows looking out over the flamingo gardens and the flamingo habitat. Great if you can get table with a window view. I was pleasantly surprised by the large variety of food options, including a large salad bar, Mexican station (with do-it-yourself tacos and nachos) and fresh doughnuts. Drinks are service yourself with many hot and cold options.
Le Village Buffet (at Paris Las Vegas)
Last visited: April 2019, currently closed
The Paris buffet has really nice surroundings. Despite being in the middle of the building, it’s been designed to have a village feel with separate buildings each with separate dining rooms which make it feel quite cosy. The food’s pretty standard with a French slant (eg French onion soup!) and they have a great crepe station, where crepes are made and filled to order.
The Buffet (at ARIA)
Last visited: October 2017, currently closed
I’ve only done the Aria buffet for dinner. I had a resort credit as part of our package so used it for the buffet. It was pretty standard fare, but also included an Indian station with fresh baked naan breads. However, it felt a little high priced for the variety and quality of the food.
Bayside Buffet (at Mandalay Bay)
Currently closed
This used to be my go to buffet for a Sunday brunch. It is in a pleasant location with plenty of windows out to the poolside area and lots of light. It always included champagne in the brunch price, which was the main attraction! I haven’t been for some years now, but maybe it’s time for a revisit soon.
Links:
The Buffet (at Bellagio)
Cravings (at the Mirage)
The Buffet (at the Wynn)
Paradise Garden Buffet (at the Flamingo)
The Wicked Spoon (at the Cosmopolitan)
The Buffet at ARIA
Bayside Buffet (at Mandalay Bay)
Viva LON Vegas 