by Elizabeth Kelly

Created on: December 16, 2008   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

Las Vegas may be known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, but I'd like to start a campaign to rename it the Food Capital of the World. Las Vegas' bountiful buffets are one of the main attractions of the city for foodies like me, and there are enough different ones that you could pick a different buffet each day of the year without repeating. With so many choices, how do you find the best? I've narrowed down your options to the top picks by category, so you can match the buffet to your personal food mood.

#1) The Best Gourmet Buffet in Las Vegas: Le Village

Not just the best gourmet buffet, but my pick for the best of Las Vegas, Le Village goes the extra mile by featuring real French cooking that would please even the biggest food snobs. Located in Paris Las Vegas, the buffet features food stations from five different provinces of France, and each area has a gorgeous facade designed to replicate the look and architecture of the region as well. You can eat inside if you like, or ooutside in a charming Parisian town square.

But decor aside, the food is to die for. Each dish is prepared as it is ordered, so you have much fresher food than you get at the heat lamp buffets. My favorite dishes are from the region of Brittany: Coq au Vin and Roast Duck with Honey Lavender Glaze. Made-to-order crepes are lushly filled with fruits or savory topping. Even the bread is baked right on the spot! Do I need to mention that at a French restaurant the pastries are excellent?

Location and Prices: 3655 Las Vegas Blvd South (702) 946-7000 $15 -$25 (Lunch/Dinner)

#2) The Best Seafood Buffet in Las Vegas: Village Seafood Buffet

Located at the Rio Hotel, the Village Seafood Buffet flies in seafood every day and keeps it fresh in salt water, so you're guaranteed the best seafood possible. The seafood is served in smallish portions (to some), but that means you can easily have room to try every possible kind, and as it's all-you-can-eat, you can keep going back for the good stuff. Sushi, oysters, crab, lobster...where to start? The price tag is a little steeper than some, but if you're like me, you'll consume over forty dollars worth of lobster in about the first ten minutes.

The cooking styles are from around the world, but the best choices are the ones from coastal areas: the Meditarranean and the Pacific Rim. Try the Thai Barbecue Prawns for some spice, and the Marinated Calamari, which is a far cry from the rubbery stuff you get in chain restaurants. It melts in your mouth like

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>