Did you know, all-you-can-eat-buffets are a huge deal in Las Vegas?
In 1941, when Las Vegas was still a sleepy town in the desert, El Rancho Vegas pioneered the concept of “chuck wagon” which evolved into the “all-you-can-eat” buffets.
At the time, buffets were quite basic with salads, coleslaw, sandwiches and cheap steaks offered. They were also low-cost at $1 and conveniently available 24/7.
The buffets were used as a loss leader, where cheap food and drinks was used to entice patrons to stay and gamble. Quantity was more important than quality.
Nowadays, the buffet tradition remains and with the foodie trend, buffets are now gourmet attractions by themselves. Casinos compete against each other to offer some of the best buffets in town. You will find fresh sushi, King Crab, Wagyu steak as well as homemade gelato and fresh pastries everyday.
With better quality food, comes higher prices. Lunch buffets at $25 to $30 are common on the Strip, and dinner buffets can reach $50 or more.
With an overwhelming choice of buffets to choose from at a substantial prices, how do you know which buffet to go to for quality at a reasonable price?
Our answer: seek off-the- strip buffets and go where the locals go for quality and value buffet in Las Vegas.
From local recommendations, here are three best affordable buffets in Las Vegas.
Table of contents
#1 – Feast at Red Rock Casino & Resort: Best local affordable buffet in Las Vegas
Located in the affluent Summerlin neighborhood of Las Vegas, the Red Rock Casino & Resort is an oasis in the desert, about a 30 minute drive from the Las Vegas Strip.
This imposing casino & resort is located near the entrance of the Red Rock Canyon National Recreation area. With its convenient location to nearby hiking, rock climbing and biking as well as daily complimentary shuttles to the Las Vegas Strip. This is an ideal location.
Impressive Red Rock Canyon Casino facadeSaturday Brunch at the Feast Buffet
Popular with locals and highly recommended, we were eager to try the casino’s Feast Buffet, our first buffet experience in Las Vegas.
On a Saturday afternoon for brunch, we were surprised to find ourselves in a long line waiting to get into Feast for the buffet. The line moved pretty quickly and we chose to go for the weekend brunch special which included unlimited champagne or mimosas.
Our discounted price (see tip below for how) for the Feast buffet for two was $38.95 + taxes including the unlimited drinks.
The host walked us to our table in a modern and open setting and we were immediately impressed by the space and the offering. Before us were several cooking stations with all types of cuisines and international specialties.
Open space with multiple food stations at Feast BuffetA Wide Variety of Food Stations at the Feast Buffet
The main main food stations were: Italian, American, Sushi, Barbeque, Asian, Farmers Market, Wellbeing and Pastries & Desserts. Needless to say we were impressed by the diversity of foods and the special touches at each station.
For instance the Farmers Market station had fresh and flavorful thinly cut slices of smoked salmon, of which we had several helpings.
The carving area within the American Station had tender cuts of meat and you could ask for your meat grilled to your preference.
While the sushi in the Asian station was rather basic, the Chinese gyoza and other dumplings were refine and delightful.
The Pastries & Desserts station was one of the most popular stations for the wide selection, including sugar-free options, and homemade gelato.
Carving beef at the American station at Feast buffetFavorite Food At Feast Buffet at Red Rock
For our first buffet experience, we fell victim to the excess of never-ending plates. With free flowing champagne and indulgent bites from all over the world, we sampled, perhaps a little too much in an attempt to fully appreciate the experience.
The first plate was a medley little bites from the Asian station accompanied with beet hummus, fresh shrimp and a mushroom quesadilla from the Wellbeing station. Simple and tasty, this was a great start to the buffet experience.
A colorful plate with the beet hummus, shrimps, sushi and quesadillaFreshly cut slices of meat from the carving table along with Chinese potstickers, gyoza and dumplings made for a rather filling progressive plate. Full of flavor and very tender, everything was surprisingly tasty. It was no surprise that the carving table was a popular stop for dinners
Dessert and particularly the homemade gelato was a hit. Even though already stuffed, we each found a way to make room for a taste of the sweet treats. Rows of cakes, pies, muffins, cookies, crème brûlée and colorful gelato flavors called for our attention.
After choosing a small selection from the sweet course, we savored the flavors and in particular the cheesecake and gelato.
Freshly baked muffins at Feast buffetPress play to see a glimpse into the Feast Buffet experience at Red Rock Casino & Resort
Overall Experience At Feast Buffet at Red Rock
Overall, Feast Buffet was a wonderful experience. The service was friendly and attentive and the quality of food was better than we expected. The stations were clean and replenished often and you never worried about running out of a particular dish.
We really enjoyed the local atmosphere and the affordable pricing. Even though Feast buffet is located next to the Casino gaming area, the space is not smokey and the environment is comfortable.
Where to Eat an Affordable Buffet in Las Vegas
Feast Buffet, Red Rock Casino & Resort
Address: 11011 W. Charleston Blvd, Summerlin, Las Vegas
Hours: Champagne brunch Sat & Sun from 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Price: $16.99 per person for weekend brunch with unlimited champagne or mimosas
Pro Tip: To save on your buffet, sign up for a “boarding pass card” , which is a casino players card to receive your discount. You can sign up as soon as you get to Red Rock Casino & Resort. Look for the staff walking around the gaming area.
Explore Red Rock Canyon
Book your stay at Red Rock Casino Resort and enjoy exploring the nearby Red Rock Canyon.
#2 – Mint Bistro: Best Indian Buffet in Las Vegas
Mint Indian Bistro started with the idea to bringing authentic Indian flavors to Las Vegas. The first restaurant was opened in 2008 on Flamingo Road, near the Las Vegas Strip.
With the popularity of the first restaurant came requests for another location. Mint Bistro opened their second location at the end of 2016 in the Spring Valley neighborhood of Las Vegas.
In keeping with the Las Vegas theme, Mint Indian Bistro offers daily lunch buffets at both locations. Because Mint Indian Bistro is not part of a hotel or casino, it is popular with locals and not widely known amongst visitors.
Catering to carnivores, vegetarians and vegans, this is the perfect place to sample simple, colorful, and flavorful Indian food that appeals to all senses.
The buffet stations at Mint Bistro Mint Spring Valley Location: Where Locals Go
To explore a different part of Las Vegas, we chose to go to the Mint Indian Bistro located on Spring Valley. From the chef, whom we met, we learned that this particular newer location attracts locals and regulars.
On a Saturday afternoon for brunch, the place was busy, but not crowded. The atmosphere was very family-oriented with locals enjoying leisurely brunch.
After a brief introduction by the waitress about the set up at the Indian buffet, it was time to dig in.
Live Cooking Stations at Mint Spring Valley
The Mint Indian Bistro located in Spring Valley is unique, in that it has a tandoor and a dosa station on site.
The tandoor and the dosa stations are situated right in the middle of the buffet. From wherever you are sitting, you can observe the chef preparing, cooking and flipping the dosa while preparing your plate.
What is a tandoor? It is a large round oven that can reach really high temperatures up to 900℉ (480℃). At Mint, they use it to bake fresh naan. It is also used for tandoori chicken and other meat and vegetables entrees.
The tandoor in the center of the buffet at Mint BistroThe dosa station looks like a flat griddle where the dosa dough was spread out to be fried on both sides.
Chef spreading the dosa dough on the dosa stationThe buffet experience includes naan or indian flatbread baked fresh from the oven. You can choose between having it plain or with garlic and butter. We tried them both and they were delightful. Hot and flavorful, they just melted in the mouth.
The flavors reminded us of roti canai, one of our best Penang foods in Malaysia. It is no surprise because Roti canai is the Malaysian adaptation of the Indian paratha roti or Indian flatbread. This dish made its way to Malaysia, under colonialism, when the British brought South Indians to work in British Malaya.
Included in the buffet price is a dosa. This delicious Indian crepe-style was served fresh from the cooking station with plenty of butter ghee on it, and filled with potatoes.
Doa, naan and appetizers at Mint Bistro buffetFresh Indian Food with Popular DIshes and Vegetarian Options
Around the cooking station are the rice dishes. You’ll find the different kinds of rice to choose from. The yellow rice was flavorful and aromatic and definitely our favorite.
The main dishes are found in the back of the restaurant. There, you find a great selection of vegetarian and meat friendly dishes.
Some of our favorites were the paneer tikka masala, a fresh goat cheese cooked in the creamy tikka masala sauce. The creamy and buttery sauce mixed with the spices was absolutely divine.
The spinach-mushroom dish was soft and creamy, a real delight.
The tandoori chicken was moist, well seasoned and cooked with a lot of onions and peppers.
We enjoyed the possibility of trying different dishes, many of which we would not have chosen had it been on a menu. This opened up our tastes to new flavors from India.
Flavorful tandoori chicken with onions, pepper and lemon A Unique Selection of Beer, Wine and Desserts
To accompany the meals, there is a nice selection of beers and wines. Claire chose a beer from Nepal made in the UK, which was surprisingly tasty.
While Rosemary had a fresh Mango Lassi, a drink made of milk, yogurt and mango pulp. It was tasty, not overly sweet but quite filling.
In addition, you can help yourself at the beer and wine self-serving bar. There, you pour yourself the drink of your choice and pay by the ounce. We were disappointed to not get any help to decipher how to use the self-serve bar and maybe too lazy and intimidated to give it a try. So we stick to the exotic drink menu.
Self serve wine and beer at Mint BistroFor dessert, help yourself at the self-serve ice-cream station. Although tempting, we preferred the fresh yogurt with the Gulab Jamun. This traditional Indian dessert is a fried spongy ball made of milk and soaked in a sweet rose scented syrup.
Overall Experience At Mint Indian Bistro
We definitely recommend Mint Indian Bistro as an alternative to the traditional buffet experience in Las Vegas. The food was surprisingly fresh and very flavorful. The live cooking experience added to the overall buffet, with dishes served fresh and cooked on the spot.
With locations outside of the Strip, you’ll also discover new local neighborhoods. Eating at Mint Bistro is a great way to sample traditional Indian food that may not be your typical go-to Indian dishes. Paired with outstanding beer and wine for an Indian restaurant, and you can count on a delicious time.
Where to Eat an Indian Buffet Off the Strip in Las Vegas
Address: 4246 S Durango Drive, Las Vegas, Nevada
Hours: Open every day for lunch from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Price: $14.99 per person without taxes and drinks for brunch on the weekends.
Pro Tip: Overall the food isn’t spicy. If you like it spicier, just ask for more spice.
#3 – A.Y.C.E: Best Buffet A Short Walk from the Strip
When we learned A.Y.C.E. buffet at the Palms Casino Resort offers unique flavors from around the world, we were immediately captivated. As culinary explorers interested in exploring the local flavors, we were curious to find out what worldly flavors exist at a Vegas buffet.
Palms Casino, located on the west side of the Las Vegas Strip had recently undergone a pricey $620 million renovation. Part of that renovation included a brand new reimagined buffet concept known as A.Y.C.E. This celebration of all-you-can-eat, is served in a modern setting, across seven different food stations.
Welcome to A.Y.C.E buffetThe A.Y.C.E Setting
After a short wait in line on a Saturday afternoon, we were led into a bright and open modern food hall. Unlike Feast buffet at Red Rock, we had to pay an extra $10 per person for unlimited champagne.
The buffet has something for everyone. The seven stations include a Greenery for your salads and antipasti.The Roastery station offers pork, roast beef and turkey cooked in a large rotisserie or wood burning grill.
Smoke & Fire serves barbecue ribs and smoked brisket. Pizza is freshly prepared in the Hearth and the Revival has hummus, baba ghanoush and a variety of health focused dishes.
Find exotic dishes cooking at the World Pan and sweet indulgences at the Sweet & Light dessert stations.
Modern setting at A.Y.C.E buffetThe Stations & Flavors at A.Y.C.E
We sampled bites from all the stations over a course of about 4 hours. The Greenery was rather basic and there was nothing particularly exciting about chopped up lettuce and toppings.
The flavors of beef and barbecue from the Roastery and Smoke & Fire stations will give you plenty of possibilities for your buffet experience. The pork, chicken and turkey are full flavored, generous and prepared to perfection. The roast beef is grilled on site and can be tailored to your liking.
We were impressed by the quality of the crust used in the different dishes. The dough used in the pizza was perfectly crusty with a nice bite. Little bites of stromboli next to the pizzas were just as flavorful as the dough wrapped around different fillings.
One of the nice surprise was the chicken pot pie served in individual-sized ramekins. The crust was light and crispy while the filling was tasty though a bit too salty.
Chicken pot pie and other tempting goodiesThe Worldly Flavors at A.Y.C.E Buffet
Our favorite section was the World Pan, where we discovered Mongolian beef and Mongolian broccoli. From Thailand, the Thai curry mussels in a thick, but not spicy sauce was delectable.
Poke from Hawaii was fresh and plentiful. And we were surprised to find a traditional French winter dish, cassoulet, available.
French cassoulet in the middle of the dessertOverall Experience At A.Y.C.E Buffet
For a value buffet experience on the strip, A.Y.C.E buffet is worth considering. The World Pan delivers on exotic wordly flavors that are very well prepared.
If you are looking for healthier options the Revival offers wellness food like flavor packed cauliflower, quinoa as well as little bites from the Mediterranean and all across Asia.
Meat lovers will particularly enjoy the pork, brisket, ribs, pork and chicken options available.
Our two most disappointing stations were the Greenery and the dessert station. While the Sweet & Light station had plenty to choose from, we found the desserts too sweet and not as good as they were beautiful.
Some of our favorite foods on one plate, at A.Y.C.E buffetWhere to Eat a Value Buffet in Las Vegas
Address: 4321 W. Flamingo Road
Hours: Weekend brunch, Sat & Sun 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Price: $13.99 per person without taxes and drinks
Pro Tip: If you’re in the mood for a lunch buffet with red meats and other interesting dishes, plan to go to A.Y.C.E. on the late side. At 3:00 pm, they start serving the carne asada and the moist and tender beef brisket, worth waiting for.
In Summary
The “all you can eat” buffet tradition remains very strong in Las Vegas. The concept has has evolved from a simple buffet with basic food options to gourmet like experiences with small plates and unique food selection.
Every casino in Las Vegas offers their own version of their buffet. The buffet is no longer an attraction for gambling but rather an attraction in and of itself.
With Feast buffet in Summerlin you get a quality experience with a local vibe. Mint Bistro has redefined the buffet experience with Indian fare. And finally, A.Y.C.E buffet offers world fare a step away from the strip.
As casino continues to evolve and redefine the buffet experience, make sure to enjoy these best off the strip buffets in Las Vegas recommended by locals.
Have you experienced a buffet off the strip in Las Vegas before? In the comments below, tell us your favorite value buffet in Las Vegas?
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Additional Buffet Recommendations in Las Vegas
If you want to eat at buffets on the strip and price is less of a concern, here are other Las Vegas buffets that were also consistently recommended by locals:
- Wicked Spoon buffet at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. Opening with the property in 2009, the buffet shocked the dining scene with individually plated gourmet items at every station. Prices from $38 for brunch on the weekends.
Book your stay at The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas
- Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace completely reinvented the traditional buffet in 2012, with modern food presentations and an upscale setting. It is still considered one of the best buffets in town though you should be ready to pay the price tag of $41.99+ for brunch on the weekends.
Book your stay at Caesars Palace Hotel & Casino
- Bellagio Buffet at Bellagio Hotel & Casino introduced the first Chef’s Table within a buffet. This unique V.I.P. table experience includes a skilled chef team that pampers guests from beginning to end. The chef table buffet experience, which requires advanced reservations goes for a heft $68.99 per person. The regular weekend brunch is priced at $33.99 or $48.99 with unlimited champagne.
Book your stay at Bellagio Las Vegas
- The Wynn buffet at the luxury Wynn Las Vegas resort, is ranked amongst the top for best buffets in Las Vegas by USA Today. What makes it special is its great seafood station that offers smoked salmon, oysters, and more. Prices for weekend brunch start at $36.99 with an additional $19.99 for unlimited drinks (up to two hours.)
Book your stay at Wynn Las Vegas
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Claire is a culinary explorer and the engineer brain behind Authentic Food Quest. Together with her partner, Rosemary, they created Authentic Food Quest to inspire people to travel deeper through authentic food. Through food, they believe, people can have more meaningful connections on their travels. Take the quiz and find out your Food Traveler Profile.
Hi! Welcome to Authentic Food Quest. We are Claire and Rosemary. Our goal is to invite you to explore the local flavors on your travels. Follow our quest for authentic foods from around the world.
This post made me salivate! What a great list of buffets and at such reasonable prices. I wish I had this list when I was there a few years ago. My buffet was unfortunately quite pricey (on the strip). Next time, I will take your advice!
Good to hear Bea, we wrote this guide to get more folks off the strip and to discover the buffets where the locals go. Indeed, keep it handy and feel free to share it with friends traveling to Vegas. Cheers.
What a great guide! I ate at an all-you-can-eat buffet at a Vegas casino about 8 years ago. I can’t remember the name of it but the experience was a highlight of the trip. I was so amazed by the large variety of things to eat for a relatively reasonable price. If I ever go back to Vegas, I will definitely be eating at many of the places in this guide. Thank you so much for sharing!
That’s wonderful to hear that the buffet was a highlight of your Vegas trip 8 years ago. Certainly, the buffet experiences have changed and I’m quite sure you’ll find the experience different today. Hope you get back to Vegas soon, and please do take this handy guide with you. Thanks Sav, for stopping by.
Compared to some of the more-heavily-advertised buffets, these all seem amazingly good value. And I had no idea that buffets used to be $1 meals that were open 24/7. Super interesting history there!
Thanks Carrie. So good to know you enjoyed the article and learning more about the history of Vegas buffets. Yes, there are alternatives to the ones on the strip that are just as good and more affordable. Keep this handy for your next trip to Vegas. Cheers.
I had no idea buffets were such a big deal in Vegas! And I really can’t get over the fact that alcoholic drinks were included at the Red Rock Casino buffet! I would be eating and drinking there every day haha
Buffets are huge in Vegas and not all of them include alcohol. Finding Red Rock Casino was quite a steal! Definitively worth visiting on your next trip to Vegas. Thanks for stopping by!!
For some reason, in my mind, the huge buffets of Las Vegas were confined to the hotels of the Strip. Clearly I am very wrong lol. Thanks for the tips!
Hi Sarah, there is definitively more to Vegas than the strip. That goes for the buffets as well. When you go where the locals go, you can’t go wrong. Thanks for stopping by.
I am already feeling hungry reading about all the options and different buffet combos. As you correctly mentioned buffets now are more of an attraction then just about quantities.
Thanks Madhu. It’s all tempting, isn’t it!!
Some great tips here, but you had me at the Indian buffet, I know where I would be spending my lunchtimes! Thanks for posting this, I always like to hunt down where the locals eat!!
Great to hear Sarah, eating where the locals eat is the best local experience. Mint Indian Bistro is definitively worth tracking down! Save the post for your next article to Las Vegas.
I’m very rarely a buffet person, except for a few great spots at Disney World – but some of these look delicious.
You can’t escape the buffet experience in Las Vegas. And there are many that are local and quite good. On your next trip to Las Vegas, try any of these for a surprising experience. Thank’s Jasmine.
My husband would love the Indian buffet, we go to an Indian restaurant every week at home, and I think it looks great value for money. Tandoori chicken is my favourite. Will make a note of the Mint Indian Bistro for our return to Vegas
That’s wonderful to hear. Mint bistro is a local favorite and does not disappoint. Do let us know what you think when you finally visit 🙂 Cheers.
Wow! So many options. If I was in Vegas (which I still gotta do yet), I would love to do the
Saturday Brunch at the Feast Buffet. I love a good buffet. 🙂
A trip to Las Vegas is definitively an experience worth having. You will not go wrong with any of the buffet choices listed in the article. Thanks, Danik.
That indian buffet looks incredible and I love dosas so much. I’m book marking this for my next trip to Vegas as its always such a struggle trying to figure out where to eat.
Wonderful to hear Nicole. Seeking out Mint Bistro is certainly worth it on your next trip to Vegas. Do come back and let us know your favorite meal. Cheers.
A great set of options – I love the look of the indian buffet with those dosas. I think I’d have to be very careful or get very fat!
The Indian buffet is amazing indeed. Everything in moderation though….You’d enjoy the flavors!!
I did know that all-you-can-eat buffets are a thing in Vegas. I didn’t know there was such variety or such quality offerings. I normally don’t eat enough at a buffet to justify the prices. But maybe I could find all the expensive items to eat? I would love to have free flowing champagne. It would keep me at the buffet longer. The Palms Casino with its seven stations would certainly give me lots of options to eat. You have certainly shown that the buffet options are not the cheap, low quality food sometimes associated with buffets!
Thank you Linda. Indeed, Vegas buffets have come a long way since their first focused on cheap foods to attract gamblers. The food is now the “star” and the different casinos are doing everything they can to attract customers. Whenever we ate at a buffet, it was a one-meal-day and only after an hour run prior 🙂 Try a local buffet the next time your travels take you to the Silver State.
I love Vegas buffets! My favorite is the wicked spoon in the cosmopolitan hotel, it is unbelievably delicious! But super expensive. The ACYE buffet sounds like my cup of tea and will definitely be going there on my next trip to Vegas!
We heard great things about the Wicked Buffet as well, but it is certainly not affordable. Any of the buffets mentioned in the article will delight both you and your pocket book 🙂
$16.99 per person including unlimited champagne and mimosas at Red Rock Casino?! WOW! That’s where you’ll find me in Vegas. I don’t gamble, so the food will definitely be calling my name. That seems like such a steal!
We are so on the same page, Adelina..lol! We are also not gamblers and the buffets can be quite a steal! Do let us know when you try out these buffets in Vegas.
Ah we’ve been needing to get back to Vegas! We did not do a buffet while in town because we had to save money for car repairs. (The desert wasn’t kind to our car) But next time we will go to a buffet. I shouldn’t be hungry right now but I am thanks to you haha. I’ll keep this article so when I do go to Vegas again I’ll know where I must eat.
Do keep this article handy for your next trip 🙂 Sorry to hear about your car troubles in Vegas. Hope you got that sorted out. When you do try any of these affordable local buffets, do let us know what you think. Cheers.
I really do not like buffets so I would rather head to a restaurant for a meal off an a la carte menu. Having said that there certainly is a great selection of food and a wide choice available, so I would probably find something suitable. You have provided a great post for anyone heading to Vegas.
The buffet experience is truly unique to Vegas and tied to their local history. Our focus is to highlight local food experiences, which in Vegas includes buffets. Try one on your next trip. You’ll be pleasantly surprised!!
Wow! How fun! I would love to go to Vegas one day!
I have been to Vegas three times now and have only eaten at ONE buffet! What is wrong with me?! These all sound so awesome!
That’s okay, Megan!! Tips for your next trip!! Cheers.
My mind’s made up now, gotta visit Las vegas soon. Thanks!
Las Vegas really does have the best buffets. I haven’t gone to Vegas in a few years but we last went we enjoyed a lot of the buffets and brunches.
Indeed, Evelyn, the buffets in Las Vegas are quite an experience. Do you remember what buffet you experience you enjoyed the most? Cheers.
Myyy goodness, that sounds all kinds of amazing (and affordable)!! I haven’t been to Las Vegas in ages, but I’m definitely gonna have to check that place out!
That’s great to hear Farrah…please do let us know what buffet experience you end up trying. Cheers.
Eating where the local folks eat is almost always the best choice! Everything sounds wonderful (I’m so hungry right now!) and unlimited smoke salmon is sounds pretty tempting, but I think I’d be inclined to go with the Mint Bistro.
You really can’t go wrong with either of them. Though meeting the chef at Mint buffet is an additional bonus. Do let us know what you think when you do visit. Cheers.
Nice post and such a great guide. The places are so beautiful and the food looks really delicious.
Thanks so much Diana. We offer this guide as an way to discover the local and affordable Las Vegas buffets. Glad you liked the article.