Let’s be honest, there’s one form of dining that Las Vegas will always dominate: The Buffet.
Well known as a mainstay of affordable excess in Sin City, the casino buffets in recent years have improved their quality and diversity to a level that would make most chefs’ heads spin: 2,800 oysters shucked and 500 pounds of beef carved on a good day at the Caesars Palace line, just to take one example. They’ve also become so fiercely competitive that trying to pick a number one is a fool’s errand: the minute you love one for their house made Andouille sausage and English bangers, another is offering Neapolitan-style wood-oven pizzas with San Marzano tomatoes and imported mozzarella di bufala. There are, however, a few which lend so much grace to gorging that respect must be paid. Even if you aren’t a “buffet person,” a visit to one of these buffets may change your thinking. If not your weight class.
Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
Kept at a distance from the Cosmo’s famed floor of fine-dining, Wicked Spoon nevertheless holds up this foodie resort’s reputation admirably. Upending the typical steam-tray system, WS offers reasonably sized tastes in mini stove pots, ramekins, and even Chinese take-out boxes, so guests can sample with civility. Specialties range from the house andouille and Culotte steak carved to order (who does that?!) to Korean squid salad and an entire room full of cult wines. The only buffet where you’ll see model types eating regularly. Seriously.
Bacchanal at Caesars Palace
Engineered at no small expense to take on Wicked Spoon, Bacchanal does not, regrettably, offer such Ancient Roman delicacies as honey-dipped dormice, but nevertheless a conquest-worthy array of over 500 global delicacies including Atlantic and Pacific oyster selections, soups like curry lentil, and Black Chicken, Texas-smoked brisket, Neapolitan pizza, and–hidden in the corner–excellent Chinese. The dessert counter, with soufflés to order and a lot more, is a destination of its own.
The Buffet at Bellagio
The top of the buffet-food-chain, Bellagio remains steadfast, particularly strong in its cut-to-order sushi, myriad salad selections, and most recently, evening caviar service (all you want of domestic, Ikura, or Tobiko). Singles and couples can also opt to skip the line if bar seating is available.
The Buffet at Wynn
Certainly the most dramatically designed, Wynn’s Buffet is an explosion of floral fantasy framing a stupendous selection. As with all Wynn/Encore restaurants, vegetarian and vegan selections are plentiful, but you’ll also find Alaskan Opilio crab legs and Wagyu beef lasagna (this is Vegas, we don’t question such things). Sugar fiends will want to buy real estate in the bake shop.
Aria Buffet
Distinctly overlooked among the high-profile restaurant offerings in Aria, this buffet gave itself a makeover earlier in the year to some warm reception. Indian offerings, including a naan bread oven, are among the standouts here, as are the carved meats (lamb), cheese, and dessert selections. Gluten-free options are emphasized.