MGM Grand Buffet to shut down after 33 years

The MGM Grand Buffet will permanently close after service on May 31, 2026, its operator, MGM Resorts International, confirmed Friday.

The buffet opened in 1993 alongside the MGM Grand and has operated for over three decades. Its closure reduces the number of traditional buffets on the Las Vegas Strip to just seven, down sharply from roughly 35 buffets that operated in the area around the year 2000.

For decades, buffets were intentionally operated at a loss to attract and retain gamblers. During the 1980s, gaming accounted for about 75% of casino revenue, with food and beverage offerings serving as “loss leaders” to keep visitors on property.

However, by the early 2000s, that model had reversed. Non-gaming amenities, particularly high-end dining and entertainment, began generating the majority of revenue. This transformation was accelerated by developments like The Mirage, which helped reposition Las Vegas as a luxury destination. At the same time, operating costs for buffets, including food, labor, and logistics, rose significantly. 

The decision reflects a broader industry trend as Las Vegas resorts continue moving away from traditional all-you-can-eat buffet models in favor of higher-end dining concepts such as celebrity chef restaurants, curated food halls, and premium dining experiences.

Buffets were once a defining feature of Las Vegas tourism, offering affordable, unlimited meals designed to keep guests dining on-property.

However, in recent years, many iconic buffet venues across the Strip have shut down permanently. The shift accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, when buffets were among the first dining operations to close, and many did not reopen afterward. 

For tourists, the change means fewer budget-friendly, all-you-can-eat options on the Strip, where dining prices have generally continued to rise.

Some operators, including Caesars Entertainment, were losing millions annually on buffet operations even before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to Vital Vegas. As a result, many casinos have replaced buffets with more profitable uses of space, such as upscale food halls or expanded gaming areas.

Following the closure of the MGM Grand Buffet, the remaining buffets on the Las Vegas Strip will include The Buffet at Bellagio, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, Circus Buffet at Circus Circus, Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan, The Buffet at Excalibur, Signature Seafood Buffet at Resorts World, and Wynn Buffet.