Las Vegas and buffets go together like peas and carrots, Simon and Garfunkel, Bert and Ernie – You get the idea.
Buffets have been a staple of the Las Vegas culinary scene for decades, and although fewer are open now than before the pandemic, plenty of options remain that span the price/quality spectrum.
As I’ve personally eaten at every buffet in Las Vegas, I thought it would be fun to highlight the best of the best.
Now, it’s important to note that the best buffets in Las Vegas usually come with a hefty price tag. You can expect to pay anywhere from $50 – $70 depending on the meal, day of the week, etc.
By no means is this a breakdown of the cheapest buffets in Vegas. If you’re looking for budget-friendly, you’re in the wrong place.
While that cash outlay is no joke, rest assured, you’re paying for quality. These buffets are a FAR cry from the troughs of goop you saw on “Vegas Vacation”.
Instead of vats of institutional mashed potatoes and gravy, these high-end buffets serve unique, high-quality items like squid ink pasta, wild boar, salmon with seared tomato creme, and even bone marrow.
While my breakdown of the best buffets on the Strip and nearby in Las Vegas will include pictures from my visit, MANY more photos can be seen by clicking through to my full review of each buffet.
Best Buffets On The Strip
4. The Buffet at Bellagio
Bellagio is known for luxurious amenities, and that quality extends to their buffet, which is open for brunch daily, and dinner on select days of the week (see up-to-date Bellagio Buffet hours & pricing).
My last visit was during brunch and I was impressed by the wide-ranging breakfast and lunch items available.
On the breakfast side of the house were items like French toast, waffles (branded with Bellagio’s logo), apple crepes, a yogurt bar, fresh fruit, biscuits and gravy, and eggs benedict in addition to traditional breakfast fare.
Among the more popular draws for breakfast was the buffet’s live-action omelet station which allowed guests to select their preferred meats, veggies, and cheese.
My favorite item was a massive “Uncle Buck Style” pancake that was then cut up into square pieces for guests to take.
On the lunch/dinner side of the menu was an impressive selection of seafood options like mussels in garlic white wine sauce, smoked salmon, poached shrimp, Alaskan king crab, scallop ceviche, clams, and shrimp shu mai.
Pizza, pasta, Asian-inspired dishes, and fried chicken were also ready for consumption.
Prime rib was also served at the carving station, which is notable because it’s disappearing at lower tier buffets across Vegas. Other meats offered at the station include marinated flank steak, rotisserie chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs.
My favorite lunch items were the single-serve bacon mac & cheese and the mini gyro pictured below.
As you’d expect from an upscale buffet, Bellagio keeps their dessert counter stocked with items that are as visually appealing as they are delicious.
See my full Bellagio Buffet review, here.
3. The Buffet at Wynn
When you think Wynn, you think upscale, and the Buffet at Wynn is no exception.
Open daily for breakfast, brunch, and dinner, I’d strongly suggest making reservations to expedite your visit.
Inside, you’ll find 16 separate culinary stations and 90+ food items that are the brainchild of Executive Chef Jason Duarte with influences from around the world.
At the carving station, you’ll find some of the best prime rib available at a buffet alongside a collection of other meat items that include rotisserie chicken, brisket, and various sausage varieties.
Seafood options were wide-ranging and included both hot & cold crab legs, shrimp, mussels, crab claws, and clams.
A couple of other items that really resonated with me were Wynn’s dry-rubbed rotisserie chicken and the sushi tray. Although I was full, I couldn’t stop consuming the California rolls…
Wynn’s Thai chicken wings were also among my favorite items and offered amazing flavor that was complimented by a spicy kick.
Of course, Wynn’s dessert table is also a thing of dreams.
See my full Wynn Buffet review, along with more images.
1b. Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace
After dining at every buffet in Las Vegas, I’ve come to the conclusion both the Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace and Wicked Spoon at Cosmo (ranked 1a, below) are hopelessly tied for the title of the best buffet on the Strip, and honestly, in all of Las Vegas.
I wouldn’t be able to choose one over the other, and am thrilled to dine at either. First, lets dive into Bacchanal:
Fresh off of a multi-million dollar renovation project, Bacchanal is back and better than ever. Comprised of 9 separate kitchens, culinary influences include Asian, Mediterranian, American, and more.
Uniquely, Bacchanal is offering more plant-based options than ever with new menu items that include quinoa-stuffed baby sweet potatoes with fried kale, tomato tartar, and coconut-carrot gazpacho.
Some of my personal favorite items at the upscale buffet included bone marrow, prime rib, the live-action taco station, and crab legs.
I have never had fatter, meatier, more undamaged crab legs in my life. Perfection.
Here are a few food pictures:
Like Wicked Spoon, tied for the title of best Vegas buffet below, most food items are served in single servings, giving the experience a more upscale feel.
Like others on this rundown, the dessert table is a thing of beauty.
As one of the best buffets in Las Vegas, Bacchanal is absurdly popular. You’ll want to make reservations in advance, here so that you can avoid the line.
See my full Bacchanal Buffet Review, with a lot more pictures.
1a. Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan
Tied for the title of best buffet on the Las Vegas Strip, Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan is easily worth the price of admission.
Open only for breakfast and lunch (brunch on the weekends), Wicked Spoon serves things like made-to-order omelets, eggs benedict, and breakfast pizza in addition to a fruit and yogurt bar for breakfast.
Over lunch and brunch, Wicked Spoon boasts a number of stations that serve various types of food.
Their Asian station specializes in items like hot pot, sushi, Korean peppered beef, chicken egg rolls, steamed snow crab, dim sum, and a ramen bar.
At the international station, you’ll find menu items like gyros, chorizo huevos rancheros, steak & eggs, carnitas tacos, and more.
My personal favorite is their grill station which serves fried chicken, beef tri tip, applewood smoked bacon, beer can chicken, prime rib, and the best buffet bone marrow I’ve experienced.
Items I was especially fond of included the angry mac & cheese, four truffle mac & cheese, and the shrimp & grits with bacon, chives, and beer blanc.
As one would expect from the best buffet on the Strip, the dessert table also dazzled.
See my full Wicked Spoon Buffet Review along with more images.
A “Best Buffet in Vegas” Honorable Mention
Although this article focused on the best buffets directly on the Strip, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention AYCE at Palms, which I recently experienced.
Palms is a cheap $10-$15 Uber from the Strip and offers one of the more compelling buffet products in town.
While not the “best buffet in Vegas” per se, I’d go out on a limb and declare AYCE at Palms to be the “best buffet value in Vegas” by a healthy margin.
Palms is priced similarly to mid-tier buffets on the Strip like MGM Grand, Luxor, or Excalibur, but blows them out of the water with what you get for your money.
The quality is a hair shy of what you get at the best Strip buffets discussed above, but at a more palatable price point (25%-35% less) – See current pricing on Palms’ website.
When I stopped in for weekend brunch recently, I was delighted to find out bottomless mimosas and champagne were included in the price of admission (they’re an upcharge during other meals).
In addition to libations, AYCE offered piles of shrimp, supple crab legs, and trays of sushi.
The carving station offered brisket, round steak, sausage, and honey-glazed ham. Absent was prime rib, unfortunately. They do offer a prime rib dinner on Fridays, however.
Lunch and breakfast cuisine options from around the world were offered, and I was genuinely impressed with the quality.
While Palms is located slightly off the Strip, I’d recommend visiting if you want a great experience at a less shocking price point.
The resort outside of the buffet space is also worth a visit. The beneficiary of a recent $690 million renovation, the casino floor has an upscale, swanky vibe that I found to be an enjoyable escape from the crowds on the Strip.
See my full Palms AYCE Buffet review, along with more pictures!
Ultimately, if you’re looking for a great buffet experience, you can’t go wrong with any of the above options. If you have yet to visit an upscale buffet like the ones above, I think you’ll be thrilled with the level of quality, creative food items, and overall experience.
If the best buffet in Las Vegas is what you seek, make time for Bacchanal at Caesars Palace, or Wicked Spoon at Cosmopolitan. Both are spectacular and are sure to leave you satisfied with your dining experience. I know I was.
Related: Every Buffet Currently Open in Las Vegas.
I’m a former software salesman turned Vegas aficionado. While the craps table is my preferred habitat, I pull myself away to explore new attractions, shows, restaurants, and outdoor activities around Las Vegas with the intent of sharing my experiences.
Ultimately, I just want to help folks plan a better trip and save a few bucks in the process.