Block 16 Urban Food Hall at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS — For decades, Las Vegas was defined by the casino buffet: towers of crab legs, endless dessert stations, and the promise of all-you-can-eat value. That tradition is fading, as buffets across the Strip give way to modern food halls designed for today’s visitors and the casinos’ bottom line.
A Dying Breed
In March of this year, Luxor closed its buffet, joining a long list of once-popular all-you-can-eat venues that have vanished from the Strip. Survivors such as Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, The Buffet at Wynn, and Garden Court at Main Street Station now represent premium dining rather than low-cost indulgence. At one time, more than 70 buffets existed; today, they are exceptions.
Food Halls Take Center Stage
Casinos have embraced food halls as the new centerpiece of their dining strategies. The movement began with Block 16 Urban Food Hall at The Cosmopolitan, which opened in 2018 and quickly earned a reputation for cult favorites such as Hattie B’s Hot Chicken and Ghost Donkey mezcal cocktails. Four years later, ARIA transformed its buffet space into Proper Eats, a hall featuring a mix of global street food and quick-service concepts.
The trend spread further in 2024 when the Rio unveiled Canteen Food Hall in the former Carnival World Buffet footprint, signaling that even longstanding buffet institutions were no longer immune to change. By June 2025, The Venetian made its own statement with the launch of Via Via Food Hall, bringing in headline names like Howlin’ Ray’s, Scarr’s Pizza, Ivan Ramen, and Turkey and the Wolf, alongside a cocktail program from Death & Co.
For casinos, the calculation is straightforward: food halls require fewer staff, produce less waste, and draw guests with recognizable brands that resonate with today’s travelers.
Who’s Driving the Change?
Marketing often highlights younger, trend-aware tourists who favor variety and social dining. But the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s 2024 Visitor Profile shows the average visitor age is 43.6. Analysts caution that the shift reflects broader dining culture—travelers of all ages are choosing curated experiences over mass buffets.
The New Las Vegas Dining Identity
Buffets are not extinct, but they no longer define Las Vegas. Iconic survivors continue to draw loyal crowds, while casinos steadily invest in food halls that deliver higher returns and align with evolving tastes.
