MGM Resorts International has officially shut down The Buffet at Luxor as of March 30, which has led to a decrease in all-you-can-eat dining venues on the Las Vegas Strip. Operators are taking a closer look at their food and beverage offerings.
The Buffet at Luxor was open daily from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., with pricing set at $31.99 for adults and $26.99 for locals, making it one of the more budget-friendly buffet choices on the Strip. Its closure reduces the total number of buffets in Strip casinos to just eight.
There has been a notable drop in the number of buffets since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as casinos have shifted away from buffet services due to health concerns and evolving dining preferences. One such example is Sterling Brunch at Horseshoe Las Vegas, renowned for its luxurious options that included unlimited champagne, caviar, and Alaskan king crab legs.
The Buffet at Aria was known for its diverse selection of international dishes, featuring Mediterranean and Indian specialties, as well as enticing items like ham and truffle macaroni and cheese. Meanwhile, the Bayside Buffet at Mandalay Bay offered a delightful mix of seafood, carved meats, and classic breakfast items set against the backdrop of the resort’s lush tropical gardens.
Other closures include Cravings at The Mirage, which boasted a self-serve drink station and a variety of international cuisines, and the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood, which was celebrated for its global culinary offerings and nightly prime rib service.
At Harrah’s, Flavors Buffet featured Brazilian barbecue, sushi, and an all-you-can-eat crab leg experience, while Paradise Garden Buffet at Flamingo attracted diners with stunning views of live flamingos and surrounding greenery. Le Village Buffet at Paris Las Vegas was designed to mimic a quaint French village, honing in on regional French cuisine, and Crafted Buffet at The Stratosphere offered a mixed menu of Pan-Asian, Southwestern, and American dishes, including a champagne brunch.
Carnival World Buffet at Rio, recognized for its expansive selection and live cooking stations, has also shut down. Although the seafood section had been scaled back in recent years, the buffet still featured sushi, grilled pork belly, and a variety of desserts before its closure.
Experts in the industry have long categorized buffets as “loss leaders”, indicating that they incur higher operational costs than the revenue they generate directly.
Following the recent shutdown, only eight buffets will remain available within casino properties on the Strip, with half operated by MGM. Despite this contraction on the Strip, some off-Strip establishments, including South Point, Rio, and Palms, continue to offer buffet-style options, signifying that there is still demand in specific market segments.