The kaliedoscopic glitz of the Las Vegas Strip extends to its resort buffets.
For decades, the all-you-can-eat buffet was the low-expectation, low-cost option in Las Vegas dining. Not anymore. The city’s ascent to culinary hot spot has also elevated the serve-yourself chow lines and transformed the best of them into destination dining. Try these three the next time you hit the Strip.
The Buffet at Wynn
Wynn Las Vegas & Encore Resort
Vegas foodies trace the turning point in buffet cuisine to the 1980s, when casino mogul Steve Wynn purchased the Golden Nugget and upgraded its buffet into a Fremont Street favorite. He’s upped the ante again in the resort that bears his name, with 15 live-action cooking stations offering selections from around the world. The array of dining options is as stunning as the colorful, flower-filled atrium surroundings. (Don’t miss: the Frank Sinatra spaghetti and meatballs, made from the original Sinatra family recipe.) wynnlasvegas.com
Le Village Buffet
Paris Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
As Las Vegas resort theming becomes more contemporary and less whimsical, one appreciates even more the experience of dining at Paris’ Le Village Buffet. The cobblestone walkways, the antique streetlamps, and specialties from five provinces of France offer the kind of immersive experience that adds to the pleasures of the meal. Just don’t make the rookie mistake of filling up on the amazing onion soup and fresh bread before you get to the main courses. (Don’t miss: made-to-order crepes, and bananas Foster for dessert.) caesars.com/paris-las-vegas
Sterling Brunch
Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel & Casino
Most buffets don’t take reservations, but that’s just one of the reasons why Bally’s Sterling Brunch is an exception. It’s served only on Sundays, and despite being one of the most expensive buffets in town, it usually sells out before the doors open. What’s good? Everything, but it’s best known for splendid seafood offerings — caviar, lobster tails, lobster ravioli, stone crab claws — and unlimited Perrier-Jouët Champagne. (Don’t miss: the Gruyere cheese popovers — a swanky spin on a classic American comfort food.) caesars.com/ballys-las-vegas
From the October 2017 Taste of the West issue.
