Bargain buffet refuses to die while luxury dining takes over Vegas - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News reports that the once-common bargain buffet is increasingly rare on the Las Vegas Strip, where casinos and resorts have shifted toward higher-end restaurants, luxury amenities and wealthier visitors. Citing the Wall Street Journal, Fox says the number of traditional Strip buffets has fallen from more than a dozen in 2020 to four, a decline tied to pandemic-era restrictions and changing customer demand.

The story highlights South Point hotel and casino owner Michael Gaughan, who described the buffet as a tool for bringing customers into the property and keeping them there to gamble. According to the Journal figures cited by Fox, South Point’s buffet loses about $1.5 million to $2 million monthly but draws roughly 3,000 diners a day. Its discounted breakfast for members is listed at $16.95, while seafood and prime rib offerings cost more, including a Friday seafood night priced at $57.95, or $52.95 with a club discount.

Fox also points to Circus Circus and Excalibur as remaining lower-cost options. Circus Circus’ buffet starts at $19.95 and is generally available on weekends, while Excalibur’s weekday brunch is listed at $32.99 for adults. By contrast, luxury buffets such as Caesars’ Bacchanal and the Wynn buffet start far higher and continue to attract lines, according to the report.

The broader significance is that Las Vegas’ business model is changing. Fox cites luxury travel expert Whytney Rawls saying the city now draws more revenue from premium rooms, dining, entertainment, retail and events than in the era when gaming dominated. Fox also cited LVCVA data showing 2025 visitation down 7.5% from 2024, even as recent visitor demographics skew toward higher incomes.