The 38 Best Restaurants in Las Vegas | Eater Vegas

"The Las Vegas buffet is a concept so iconic that it transcends any singular buffet — it has become an entity unto itself, as indulgent in metaphor as it is in real life. It’s a local tradition that took root in the 1930s when day laborers constructing the Hoover Dam would pay $1 at the El Rancho for unlimited breakfast. At its peak, Las Vegas boasted more than 70 buffets, with one in nearly every casino. Today, only eight remain on the Las Vegas Strip and a handful of casino buffets operate beyond. Among the offerings, the Buffet at Wynn stands out for elevating the format into something upscale and even artful. Pricewise, it’s a far cry from the El Rancho. But where some buffets proffer heat lamps and minimalist garnishes of lettuce leaves, the Buffet at Wynn presents its cheeses amid upright wheels of Parmigiano Romano. Morning servings of cinnamon rolls are dished into gleaming metal pans. Fresh crab is stacked on ice on a blue marble countertop. Displays of desserts gleam beneath glass — inviting hungry hands to pile small cakes or cookies onto plates. And seating beneath an airy atrium makes the experience light and breezy — even five plates in. —Janna Karel, editor, Eater Southern California/Southwest Know before you go: Pre-pay online before your visit. Wait times can exceed two hours even on weekdays." - Matthew Kang