Although best known for its casinos, a major part of the Vegas experience is dining out, and for many, the town’s famous buffets are an unmissable element of any trip to Sin City.
However, almost all of Vegas’ buffets were forced to shut down during the covid-19 pandemic, and unfortunately, it looks like many will not be opening up again, even as life almost returns to normal.
That said, some are cautiously welcoming guests back, tempting customers with the customary spread of delectable dishes, delicious cuts of meat, beautifully crafted desserts and more.
So to give you the lowdown on what’s currently available, here’s our guide to the buffets that are already back up and running to help you find the best places to eat.
Vegas Buffets – A Little Background
The Las Vegas buffet as we know it today, or at least as we knew it before covid, has its roots in the 1940s when casinos began to provide food to keep gamblers happy – and to keep them spending money.
The blueprint came from El Rancho’s Buckaroo Buffet, essentially a chuckwagon where gamblers could eat as much as they wanted for no more than a dollar.
From these humble beginnings evolved the modern Vegas buffet, characterized by elegant or outlandish décor, vibrant open kitchens and counters heaving under the weight of juicy cuts of meat, enticing seafood, irresistible desserts and myriad dishes from around the world.
Before the pandemic, buffets existed for all budgets, and often, they were run at a loss by the casinos as a way of enticing gamblers through their doors and onto the betting floors.
In the past, there were up to 70 buffets to choose from, but when the virus came, the concept of eating in a busy dining hall and sharing serving utensils with countless other customers suddenly became highly undesirable.
It also became impractical to manage from a hygiene standpoint, and the Vegas buffets were forced to close.
It’s becoming apparent that many have been lost forever since money is now being invested only where it guarantees a return, but some buffets, especially those in the biggest and most famous casinos, are tentatively opening up again.
Many are running on reduced hours, but at least it’s now possible once again to visit some of the renowned buffets, even if a return to pre-pandemic conditions is still some way off.
So now let’s look at the vanguard of buffets that are already open for business.
Buffets on The Strip
As we move towards a post-pandemic world, the highest concentration of buffets that have reopened is on The Strip, with several of the largest and best-known resorts doing what they can to get things up and running again.
Here are the buffets that have already opened their doors now that covid restrictions are being relaxed.
Bacchanal Buffet, Caesars Palace
When the extravagant Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace first opened in 2012, it was intended to be the buffet to end all buffets, and no expense was spared in its creation.
With the pandemic, Bacchanal’s management took advantage of the enforced closure to give the buffet a $2.4m makeover, and now that it’s back, it’s arguably better than ever.
As before, Bacchanal boasts nine open kitchens and showcases a constantly evolving range of food from around the world, featuring dishes from Mexican, Italian, Chinese and American cuisines among many more.
Opening times and prices
Bacchanal is open for dinner every day and also offers brunch on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Opening times and prices are as follows:
| Mon-Sun dinner: 4pm-10pm | $79.99 |
| Fri-Sun brunch: 9am-10pm | $64.99 |
Bottomless drinks $19.99 per person
Kids over 10 pay full price, kids aged 5-10 are given a reduction of around $20-$35 depending on whether you eat brunch or dinner and whether it’s a weekday or weekend. Kids below 5 eat for free.
Dress code
Dress code is “smart casual”, so in other words, within reason, you can wear what you want.
Reservations
Reservations are available through www.opentable.com. It is possible to get in without a reservation, but booking is advisable. During peak times especially, it can be all but impossible to get a table without a reservation.
Look out for
The roving carts serving a dim sum selection are an exciting addition since the reopening. Also on offer are wagyu hotdogs, grilled baby octopus, crab legs and street tacos, to name but a few.
Other important information
Time at the buffet is limited to 90 minutes – this is less than the two hours usually permitted at most Vegas buffets.
Wicked Spoon, Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan’s Wicked Spoon prides itself on taking the buffet concept and giving it a wicked, creative twist. Expect to find a selection of traditional classics alongside some more original culinary creations and seasonal dishes. This is considered one of the best buffets in Vegas.
Opening times and prices
Wicked Spoon currently only offers breakfast and lunch on weekdays (Monday-Friday) and Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. Opening times and prices are as follows:
| Mon-Fri breakfast: 8am-11am | $38 adults/$19 children (5-10 years old) |
| Mon-Fri lunch: 11am-3pm | $45 adults/$22.50 children (5-10 years old) |
| Sat/Sun brunch: 9am-4pm | $49 adults/$24 children (5-10 years old) |
Bottomless drinks (Mimosas, champagne, Bloody Marys, or Bud Light Drafts) $24 per person – in 2-hour limits.
Children 4 years or younger eat for free.
Dress code
Wicked Spoon doesn’t have a stated dress code, so feel free to wear any comfortable casual attire of your choosing.
Reservations
Currently, Wicked Spoon is accepting walk-in customers only. Reservations are not possible.
Look out for
Wicked Spoon is known for its small plates rather than large troughs of food. Intriguing options include bone marrow, Korean apricot glazed pork belly with kimchi and cashews, gourmet pizzas and one of the best selections of gelato in town.
Also Read: Secret Pizza at Cosmopolitan: Location, Menu, Prices
The Buffet, Bellagio
Bellagio has tried to create a buffet experience unlike any other, with a range of fresh and interesting dishes from world cuisines such as American, Italian, Japanese and Chinese.
You can watch as food is prepared before your eyes in the live cooking stations, and for lovers of dessert, the gelato station will be a particular highlight.
Opening times and prices
Bellagio currently runs a brunch buffet every day, with prices being slightly higher at the weekend. Opening times and prices are as follows:
| Mon-Thur brunch: 8am-3pm | $44.99 |
| Fri-Sun brunch: 8am-3pm | $54.99 |
| Fri-Sun dinner: 5pm- 9 pm | $79.99 |
Bottomless drinks $24.99 per person. It a 2-hour limit with drinks like House wines, draft beers, Mimosas, screwdriver, Margaritas, and Bloody Mary.
Children aged 6-11 pay 50%, children below 6 eat for free.
Dress code
The dress code for this buffet is “resort casual”. Tank tops and swimwear are not permitted.
Reservations
Reservations are possible – call (877) 234-6358/702-693-7111.
Look out for
Bellagio’s eggs benedict is legendary, and the smoked salmon and scallop ceviche is also worth looking out for. There’s also a fun make-your-own pho station.
The Buffet, Wynn
Boasting no fewer than 16 food kitchens serving a wide range of dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner, The Buffet at Wynn is one of Vegas’ premium dining experiences.
Check out the Latin Street Food station, enjoy the fantastic selection of sushi, eat your fill of succulent cuts of meat or make your way to the all-new eggs benedict station – this is a buffet that truly has something for everyone.
Opening times and prices
The buffet is open Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Weekend brunches and dinners are “gourmet” and are slightly more expensive. Breakfast is not served at weekends.
| Mon – Thurs brunch: 8 am-3pm | $46.99 |
| Mon- Thurs dinner: 3pm-9pm | $65.99 |
| Fri, Sat Gourmet Dinner: 3pm-9pm | $70.99 |
| Fir, Sat, Sun Gourmet Brunch: 8am-3pm | $50.99 |
Endless pours package $29.99 per person
Dress code
The dress code is listed as “resort casual attire”.
Reservations
Reservations are not accepted. The buffet tries to keep wait times below 30 minutes as much as possible.
Look out for
Wynn’s buffet offers great fresh sushi along with carne asada tacos, creative juice combinations and a dessert section that includes a chocolate fountain.
MGM Grand Buffet
The MGM Grand Buffet currently offers brunch daily. The prices are surprisingly reasonable, allowing you to sample a huge range of delicious treats along with free-flowing beer, wine and champagne in one of Las Vegas’s most iconic resorts.
Opening times and prices
| Mon-Fri brunch: 8am-3pm | $27.99 |
| Sat, Sun brunch: 8am-3pm | $36.99 |
All you can drink supplement: Basic Package for $18.99 per person (Beers, Wine & Mimosas), and Premium Package for $27.99 per person (Beers, Wine, Mimosas, and Well Liquors)
Children below 5 eat for free.
Dress code
The dress code is listed as “casual”.
Reservations
Reservations are possible on the site (mgmresorts.com) but aren’t required. A skip-the-line pass costs $15 per person.
Look out for
For meat-eaters, the barbecue pork ribs and the New York strip steak are standout specialties to sample. Seafood lovers are spoiled for choice, with the snow crab being highly sought after. If you have a sweet tooth, you’re also sure to love the Bailey’s cheesecake.
The Buffet, Luxor
Luxor’s buffet has opened up again, albeit on reduced hours, and currently offers competitive prices for brunch. They are not yet offering dinner sittings.
Opening times and prices
Luxor’s buffet is currently open for brunch from Wednesday to Sunday. Here are the opening times and prices:
| Mon, Thu Weekday brunch: 8am-3pm | Adults $28.99/children (5-11) $16.99 |
| Fri – Sun Weekend Brunch: 8am-3pm | Adults $31.99/children (5-11) $17.99 |
All you can drink supplement $14.99 per person
Children under 4 eat for free.
Dress code
No dress code is stated, casual attire is acceptable.
Reservations
No reservations are required.
Look out for
A particular highlight is the 30ft salad bar – but the homemade pizza station and carving station are the places to head if you’re not so much into greens and veggies.
Related Read: Best Restaurants in Luxor and Luxor Food Court
The Buffet, Excalibur
Opening times and prices
The Buffet at Excalibur currently serves brunch on several days each week. Here are the details:
| Mon, Thu Weekday brunch: 8am-3pm | Adults $28.99/children (5-11) $16.99 |
| Fri – Sun Weekend Brunch: 8am-3pm | Adults $31.99/children (5-11) $17.99 |
The all-you-can-drink option is currently unavailable but is likely to return soon. Pre-pandemic, prices were in the $10-15 range, depending on the time of day.
Dress code
The dress code is listed as “casual”.
Reservations
Reservations are not required.
Look out for
Highlights at Excalibur include smoked brisket, iced shellfish and beef birria.
A.Y.C.E. Buffet, Palms Casino Resort
Palms Casino Resort is known for having some of the most expensive, luxurious rooms and some of the most exclusive games floors in town, but the Palms A.Y.C.E. Buffet is a surprisingly affordable, great-value all-you-can-eat option.
It has space to seat up to 250 diners and features seven different food stations that promise to take you – and your tastebuds – on a journey around the world.
The different sections include World Pan, Revival, The Greenery, The Roastery, The Hearth, Smoke & Fire and Sweet & Light.
Dishes are grouped by how they are prepared rather than their country of origin, and each station serves a range of lovingly created and beautifully presented dishes representing the best of American and international cuisine.
This buffet may have taken a little longer to return after the covid-enforced closures than some of the others.
However, as of April 2022, it’s open and ready to welcome diners back for weekday breakfasts, weekend brunches and daily dinners, giving you another excellent option for a classic Vegas buffet.
Opening times and prices
The Palms buffet is now open on weekday mornings for breakfast and weekday evenings for dinner. Wednesday dinners are all-you-can-eat lobster nights, Thursday dinners are crab feast nights, and Friday dinners are prime rib nights – so the prices for those days are slightly higher.
On the weekend, a slightly later brunch sitting replaces the breakfast sitting, and dinner is served in the evening.
Children’s rates are for those aged 3-11 – ages 12 and above pay full price. Children below 3 eat for free.
Here are the full listings for times and prices:
| Wednesday Special (Lobster) | $64.99 for Adults $54.99 for Children |
| Wednesday from 2 pm to 9 pm | |
| Thursday Special (Crab Feast) | $58.99 for Adults $48.99 for Children |
| Thursday from 4 pm to 9 pm | |
| Friday Special (Prime Rib) | $42.99 for Adults $29.99 for Children |
| Friday from 4 pm to 9 pm | |
| Breakfast Buffet | $24.99 for Adults $12.99 for Children |
| Monday to Friday from 8 am to 11 am | |
| Brunch Buffet | $32.99 for Adults $19.99 for Children |
| Saturday & Sunday from 9 am to 4 pm | |
| Dinner Buffet | $36.99 for Adults $21.99 for Children |
| Monday & Tuesday from 4 pm to 9 pm | |
| Saturday from 5 pm to 10 pm | |
| Sunday from 5 pm to 9 pm |
Dress code
There’s no particular dress code for this buffet, so within reason, you can wear what you want – dress the way you would to go to any casual restaurant.
Reservations
Reservations are not required – although wait times can be quite long during peak times.
Look out for
On Wednesday nights, lobster is the star of the show while Fridays give you the chance to gorge on juicy prime rib.
The carvery has a wide selection of cuts that will go down well with dedicated meat-eaters, fans of seafood should look out for the piles of delicious shrimp, and those with a sweet tooth will want to head straight for the Sweet & Light area.
But of course, there’s so much more to discover for yourself, which is a big part of the fun!
Circus Buffet, Circus Circus
At the more affordable end of the scale, Circus Circus’ buffet is now open again post-pandemic. Renowned more for its low prices rather than the high quality or wide variety of its fare, this is a good option for those who want to experience a Vegas buffet on a budget.
Opening times and prices
Circus Circus currently offers a breakfast/brunch/lunch sitting and a dinner sitting. The price for the early sitting is the same throughout, so it is just referred to as “brunch”, but the “lunch” food items appear at 11am. Here are the times and prices:
| Mon-Fri brunch: 7am-2pm | Adults $22.99/children (4-10) $17.99 |
| Sat, Sun brunch: 7am-2pm | Adults $30.99/children (4-10) $15.50 |
| Mon-Thu dinner: 4.30pm-10pm | Adults $24.99/children (4-10) $19.99 |
| Fri, Sat, Sun dinner: 4.30pm-10pm | Adults $32.99/children (4-10) $16.50 |
Children below 4 eat for free.
Please note that at the time of writing this, the prices are not yet updated on the Circus Circus Website. Feel free to check in with management for any pricing updates.
Dress code
No dress code is stated.
Reservations
Reservations are not required.
Look out for
The Circus Buffet’s fried chicken always goes down well, as does the fried shrimp – and the extensive range of desserts is widely appreciated too.
Also Read: 8 Best Excalibur Las Vegas Restaurants
Downtown Buffets
At present, only one Downtown buffet has opened post-pandemic, the Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station.
Garden Court Buffet, Main Street Station
Known for its opulent Victorian-style décor, the Garden Court Buffet has reopened and is running on reduced hours. With prices far lower than most buffets on The Strip, this is another great option for those who want to enjoy a Vegas buffet for less.
Opening times and prices
Garden Court Buffet currently offers a daily brunch sitting as well as dinner on Fridays and Saturdays. Here are the details:
| Sat & Sun brunch: 7am-2pm | $26.99 (Emerald and above $22.99) |
| Mon-Fri brunch: 8am-2pm | $23.99 (Emerald and above $20.99) |
| Fri, Sat dinner: 4pm-9pm | $32.99 (Emerald and above $29.99) |
Children 4-10 are half-price, children below 4 eat for free.
Dress code
No dress code is stated.
Reservations
Reservations can be made by calling 800-465-0711 but are not required.
Look out for
The Southwestern food at Garden Court is highly rated, and the rotisserie chicken is always popular.
Off-Strip Buffets
If you don’t mind taking a short taxi or Uber ride away from the main action, there are several decent buffet options a bit out of town that are worth considering. Here are the ones that have reopened post-pandemic.
Garden Buffet, South Point
The Garden Buffet boasts six cooking stations, including Asian, Mexican and Italian, as well as a Mongolian grill. The food is beautifully presented, and the prices are far lower than on The Strip, making this a buffet worth traveling to.
Opening times and prices
Garden Buffet offers different menus at different times and on different days. Here are the details:
| Mon-Fri breakfast: 7am-10am | $16.95 regular/$13.95 club members |
| Mon-Fri lunch: 11am-3pm | $19.95 regular/$17.95 club members |
| Sat, Sun Prime Rib & Champagne Brunch: 8am-3pm | $28.95 regular/$25.95 club members |
| Sat-Thu Prime Rib Dinner: 4pm-9pm | $28.95 regular/$25.95 club members |
| Fri Seafood Night Dinner: 4pm-9pm | $49.95 regular/$44.95 club members |
Children aged 4-8 eat for half-price, below 4 eat for free.
The price for breakfast includes bottomless bloody Marys, Prime Rib & Champagne Brunch includes bottomless mimosas.
Friday Seafood Night Dinner includes two glasses of wine, sangria or draft beer.
To become a member of the Player’s Club and receive a discount on meals, visit the Player’s Club and sign up for free.
Dress code
The dress code is listed as “casual”.
Reservations
Reservations are not required.
Look out for
Make sure you don’t miss the Mongolian grill at the Garden Buffet. The seafood on Fridays is also particularly good.
Market Place Buffet, Rampart Casino
Billing itself as the only buffet in northwest Las Vegas, Rampart Casino’s Market Place Buffet combines affordable prices with a wide range of tasty dishes to sample and – for a small fee – unlimited drinks.
Opening times and prices
Here are the opening times and prices for Market Place Buffet:
| Mon, Thu, Fri Lunch: 11am-2pm | $19.99 ($16.99 with membership) |
| Sat Aloha Dinner: 4pm-8pm | $30.99 ($25.99 with membership) |
| Thu, Fri, Sun Prime Rib Dinner: 4pm-8pm | $30.99 ($25.99 with membership) |
| Sat, Sun Champagne Brunch: 9am-2pm | $31.99 ($26.99 with membership) |
| Monday Deli Dinner: 4 pm – 8 pm | $26.99 ($21.99 with membership) |
All-you-can-drink beer and wine $7.99 supplement.
Children of 12 years old and under $17.99 for brunch and dinner, $12.99 for lunch.
Membership prices are offered to those with a Rampart Plus, Summerlin, Premier or Elite cards.
Dress code
No dress code is listed but the vibe is casual.
Reservations
Reservations are not required.
Look out for
If you go for the Prime Rib Dinner, make sure you eat plenty of prime rib – obviously!
Tips For Making the Most of Your Time in a Buffet
When you go to a Vegas buffet, you need to have the right strategy to make the most of everything that’s on offer to you, especially in the more expensive restaurants. Here are a few suggestions that will help ensure you have the best experience.
- Don’t fill up on rice, bread or potatoes
When making your way around the various kitchens and counters in a buffet, avoid filling up on things like rice, bread, potatoes and pasta, since these foods will quickly kill your appetite. This goes for pizza too.
Instead, prioritize things like meat, seafood and other similar dishes to allow yourself to taste all the most delicious food items.
- Take a little of everything and then go back for more
At a large buffet like Bacchanal, for example, you probably won’t be able to sample all the food that’s on offer, but try to taste a bit of everything you can.
Take a small amount of as many items as possible – and then come back for second helpings of your favorite dishes afterwards.
- Don’t drink too much soda or beer
When you have unlimited drinks, it can be tempting to guzzle down glass after glass. However, this is not a good strategy since all that liquid – not to mention the bubbles – will quickly fill you up.
If you want to drink alcohol, wine is a smarter idea simply because you’ll probably drink less of it in terms of volume. For those who want to drink beer or soda, go easy on the drinks until you’re done eating – and then feel free to drink as much as you like!
- Work up a hunger
If you know you’re going to a buffet later, eat lighter meals earlier in the day – or simply skip them altogether. Make sure you work up a good appetite, and don’t spoil the experience by filling up just a few hours before.
- Be adventurous
When you’re in the buffet, you’ll probably be confronted by many exotic foods, some of which you might not recognize.
However, you should resist the temptation just to fill up on familiar dishes you can order anytime – instead, try to be adventurous and sample some of the things you don’t usually eat.
Also Read:
The Buffet of Buffets
In the past, the “Buffet of Buffets” pass entitled you to visit five buffets during a 24-hour period. The pass was time-stamped, allowing you to eat all you could manage in the five participating restaurants during the allotted time. The buffets included were:
- Flavors Buffet, Harrah’s
- Paradise Garden Buffet, The Flamingo
- Le Village Buffet, Paris
- Spice Market Buffet, Planet Hollywood
- Carnival World Buffet, Rio All-Suites Hotel & Casino
In addition, it was also possible to pay an upgrade fee to gain entrance to Caesars Palace’s Bacchanal Buffet.
However, since none of these buffets is operating at present (with the exception of Bacchanal), the Buffet of Buffets pass is currently unavailable.
Keep a look out in future to find out if and when this deal returns.
Taxes and Tips in Vegas
Note that all the prices quoted in this post are exclusive of taxes and tips. Tax in restaurants in Las Vegas is set at 8.38%, and tips are at the diner’s discretion, with 15-20% being normal.
Final thoughts
As we have seen, at least a handful of the old buffets are trying to open up again, even if most are not quite ready – and others are unlikely ever to return.
The buffet situation in Vegas is still highly fluid, with different establishments experimenting to find out what works best as they all struggle to bounce back from the covid-enforced closures.
In the near future, more buffets are likely to reappear, while prices, opening times and the food offered will continue to change. This means the best advice is to keep your eyes open for the latest information about the current situation during your trip to Vegas.
This is the most comprehensive and current list I have seen and I truly appreciate it. We will be planning a trip this summer and we will be checking this page regularly as we get closer. We would love to see the Buffet of Buffets come back!
As far as buffets coming back it is a wise decision. The majority of people I know frequent casinos that have a buffet. I actually only gamble at casinos with a buffet. It’s a choice I have no reason to change. Thumbs up and many more days of gambling and eating at casinos with buffets as I also bring all visitors to these also.