For low-level and even mid-tier gamblers, a go to to the Las Vegas Strip used to imply a comped meal at a buffet. And whereas the standard ranged from low-end to world-class, buffets had been a deeply ingrained Las Vegas custom.
That custom was fading earlier than the Covid pandemic, however social distancing and concern of germs definitely accelerated the pattern.
“In a busy buffet, you would have a whole lot of individuals dealing with the identical instrument to place meals onto their plates. You will have people who find themselves congregating on the soda dispensers,” Jeff Farber, director of the Canadian Analysis Institute for Meals Security on the College of Guelph, shared with GlobalNews.ca.
In some ways, on the Las Vegas Strip, the basic buffet has turn out to be like showgirls. That custom has absolutely gone away as there are not any extra basic showgirl footwear on the Strip or downtown.
Buffets usually are not gone, however their numbers have dwindled.
Bacchanal is Las Vegas’s costliest buffet.
Picture supply: Caesar's Palace
Las Vegas Strip retains shedding buffets
Buffets haven’t usually been moneymakers for Las Vegas casinos.
“In the best case scenario, buffets made a little bit of money. Most often, buffets either broke even or lost money. As time went on, guests were looking for something different,” Rio Vice President Patrick Hoefler instructed the Nevada Impartial.
Buffets was once a method to get folks fed a number of meals shortly then get them again on the gaming ground. Priorities, nevertheless have modified on the Las Vegas Strip, since non-gaming income akin to eating eclipses on line casino income by upwards of 35% to 64%, based on the paper.
Whereas there will likely be fewer buffets, Anthony Curtis, writer of the Las Vegas Advisor publication and web site, instructed the Las Vegas Evaluate-Journal that buffet eating would by no means absolutely go away.
“It’s part of the firmament of what makes Las Vegas Las Vegas,” he mentioned.
Las Vegas Strip buffet closures timeline
- Early 2020s: There have been over 70 buffets within the Las Vegas Valley.
- March 30, 2025: The Buffet at Luxor closed completely, decreasing the variety of buffets on the Strip to eight.
- 2025: A number of different buffets have closed, together with these at ARIA, Bellagio, Excalibur, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay, and The Mirage.
- Early 2020s: Many buffets had been briefly closed because of the Covid pandemic and haven’t reopened.
Supply:
Meals & Wine
Some Las Vegas Strip and downtown buffets nonetheless thrive
There are 12 casinos in Las Vegas that supply buffets. These vary from the extravagant Caesars Palace Bacchanal to the standard Predominant Road Station. With a lot selection out there, the workforce at Playing.com wished to search out out which Las Vegas casinos have the most affordable and costliest buffets out there,” according to Gambling.com.
The website looked into the priciest and cheapest buffet options not just on the Las Vegas Strip, but citywide.
“We then discovered the worth per particular person for a Saturday dinner buffet for consistency. Nonetheless, on the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Excalibur Resort & On line casino and the MGM Grand Resort & On line casino, the Saturday brunch worth was used, as no Saturday dinner buffet possibility is accessible at these locations,” the site shared.
Las Vegas buffet prices:
- The Caesars Palace Resort & Casino has the title of Las Vegas’ Most Expensive Casino Buffet, coming in at $91.99 per person.
- Main Street Station has been crowned with the title of Las Vegas’ Cheapest Casino Buffet, with a cost of just $32.99.
- The rest of the Las Vegas casino buffet prices range from $33.95 at the South Point Hotel Casino & Spa to $79.99 at the Wynn Resort & Casino.
- The Excalibur Hotel & Casino and the MGM Grand Resort & Casino offer buffets at $43.99. However, this price is based on their Saturday brunch offering.
- Palms Casino Resort offers a buffet for $46.99, but if you are looking to spend a little bit extra, the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas provides a Saturday brunch buffet for $54.
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Make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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