MGM Resorts International has confirmed that the MGM Grand Buffet will permanently cease operations after service on May 31, 2026. The decision marks the end of a 33 year run for the dining venue, which originally opened alongside the resort in 1993. The closure represents a significant shift in the culinary landscape of the Las Vegas Strip, where the traditional all you can eat model has been in steady decline for over two decades.
The MGM Grand Buffet occupied approximately 15,000 square feet and was once a central part of the resort’s appeal to families and tourists seeking variety. During its heyday, the venue featured live cooking stations, a carving station, and international cuisine ranging from wood fired pizzas to sushi. However, MGM Resorts officials stated that there are currently no immediate plans for the future use of the space once the kitchen shuts down at the end of May.
The disappearance of the MGM Grand Buffet follows a broader industry trend toward high margin dining concepts. In the late 20th century, roughly 35 traditional buffets operated along the Las Vegas Strip. These venues were often operated as loss leaders, designed to attract gamblers and keep them on the property by offering affordable, unlimited meals. By the early 2000s, this business model began to flip as non gaming revenue from high end entertainment and fine dining became the primary profit driver for major resorts.
Operating costs for the MGM Grand Buffet, including labor, food waste, and logistics, made it increasingly difficult to maintain. Industry analysts note that many resorts now prefer to convert large buffet spaces into food halls or celebrity chef restaurants, which often generate higher returns. The move follows the 2025 closure of the buffet at the Luxor, another MGM property.
Once the MGM Grand Buffet closes, only seven traditional buffets will remain on the Las Vegas Strip. These include the Buffet at Bellagio, Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace, Circus Buffet, Wicked Spoon at The Cosmopolitan, the Buffet at Excalibur, the Signature Seafood Buffet at Resorts World, and the Wynn Buffet. For visitors, the loss of the MGM Grand Buffet further reduces the availability of mid tier, all you can eat options in a city where dining prices continue to rise.
