The 7 Best Buffets in Las Vegas Casinos

Las Vegas buffets once had a bad rap, but now they're stepping up their game with Neapolitan pizza, Korean squid salad, and more. Here's 7 of the best
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We just can't help it. Anytime we visit one of Las Vegas's fine-dining destinations, we always compare it to the version "back home:" Is Le Cirque in Bellagio as good as it is in New York? Or Jaleo in the Cosmopolitan vs. Washington, D.C.?

But 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 onefor their housemade 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 smorrebrods 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 finedining, Wicked Spoon nevertheless holds up this foodie resort's reputationadmirably. Upending the typical steam-tray system, WS offers reasonably sized tastes in mini stove pots, ramekins, and even Chinese take-out boxes, so guestscan sample with civility. Specialties range from the houseandouille and Culotte steak carved to order (who does that?!) to Korean squidsalad and an Enotech full of cult wines. The only buffet where you'll seemodel 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 ashoney-dipped dormice, but nevertheless a conquest-worthy array of over 500global delicacies including Atlantic and Pacific oyster selections, soups likecurry 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. Redic.

The Buffet at Bellagio
Emeritus of the modern era of elegant excess, Bellagioremains steadfast, particularly strong in its cut-to-order sushi, myriad saladselections, and most recently, evening caviar service (all you want ofdomestic, Ikura, or Tobiko). Singles and couples can also opt to skip the lineif bar seating is available.

The Buffet at Wynn
Certainly the most dramatically designed, Wynn's Buffet is arococo explosion of floral fantasy framing a stupendous selection. As with allWynn/Encore restaurants, vegetarian and vegan selections are plentiful, butyou'll also find Alaskan Opilio crab legs and Wagyu beef lasagna (this isVegas, we don't question such things). Sugar fiends will want to buy realestate in the bake shop.
Fountains Brunch at Jasmine, Bellagio
In recent years, several Strip restaurants have begunoffering buffets only for weekend brunch, with typical levels of lavishness.While Jasmine is a normally an elegant Hong Kong-inspired room, for brunch it goes pan-Asian,offering pho to order, dim sum, sushi, and, for some reason, porchetta. Whygrumble--it's good!

Aria Buffet
Distinctly overlooked among the high-profile restaurantofferings in Aria, this buffet gave itself a makeover earlier in the year tosome warm reception. Indian offerings, including a naan bread oven, are amongthe standouts here, as are the carved meats (lamb), cheese, and dessert selections.Gluten-free options are emphasized.

Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station
Looking for an option in Downtown Las Vegas, or on thebudget end of the spectrum? A top choice for either is the hot line at thisVictorian-inspired casino. The room is surprisingly airy and comfortable, andthe food, while not gourmet, is serviceable and satisfying. Thanks totheir sister California Hotel's fame with Hawaiian visitors, there's also anuncommon focus on Island favorites like oxtail soup and lau-lau. You won't seethat on the Strip.

To avoid long lines, you'll want to go at slightly off-peak times, close to thebeginning or end of meal service. Quality should not be affected.

E.C. Gladstone blogs about food at nowimhungry.com and on the world ofwine and spirits at his own SipSavorSwallow.com as well as other printand online outlets. He can be stalked on Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

(Credit: Erik S. Peterson)

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