The Makino buffet is one of the most popular buffet options in Las Vegas. Located in Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip, the Makino buffet offers an extensive selection of food stations and cuisines. With prices starting at $44.99 for weekday lunch, Makino is considered one of the higher-end buffets in Las Vegas. Keep reading to learn more about Makino’s offerings, pricing, and what to expect from this Las Vegas buffet experience.
Overview of the Makino Buffet
The Makino buffet at Caesars Palace aims to deliver an exceptional culinary experience, focusing on high-quality ingredients and diverse flavors. The buffet features several open kitchens preparing made-to-order items along with traditional buffet fare. Food stations include seafood, carving meats, dim sum, pizza, pasta, tacos, sushi, a salad bar, and decadent desserts.
The ambiance at Makino is refined and elegant, with decorative screens, modern lighting, and attention to detail. The dining room is brightly lit and spacious, with tableside service for beverages. Decor reflects Asian influences with cherry blossom trees and decorative lamps.
Makino Buffet Prices
Makino buffet prices vary depending on the time and day. Children ages 5-12 receive discounted pricing. Children 4 and under eat free with a paying adult. Here are the current Makino buffet prices:
Weekday Lunch
Monday – Friday, 11am – 3pm
- Adults: $44.99
- Children: $26.99
Weekend Lunch
Saturday – Sunday, 11am – 3:30pm
- Adults: $49.99
- Children: $28.99
Weekday Dinner
Monday – Thursday, 3pm – 10pm
- Adults: $54.99
- Children: $32.99
Weekend Dinner
Friday – Sunday, 3:30pm – 10pm
- Adults: $59.99
- Children: $34.99
As you can see, dinner pricing is higher than lunch. Weekend prices are also higher than weekday prices across all meals. The most budget-friendly time to visit is weekday lunch.
What’s Included in the Buffet Price
The advertised pricing for Makino buffet includes access to the entire buffet featuring soups, salads, seafood, meats, Asian dishes, Italian dishes, Mexican dishes, desserts, and more.
The buffet is all-you-can-eat, so guests can sample as many dishes and return for additional helpings as they wish during each visit.
Beverages are not included in the buffet price. Guests can purchase soft drinks, coffee, tea, beer, wine, cocktails, and other drinks a la carte from roaming beverage servers.
Tips are not automatically added to the bill but are customary for good service. Many guests tip 15-20% of the base buffet price.
What to Expect from the Makino Buffet
The Makino buffet delivers an exceptional Las Vegas culinary experience. Here are some highlights of what to expect:
- Lavish, beautifully decorated buffet setting with Asian design influences
- Floor-to-ceiling windows providing natural light and Strip views
- Centrally located on the Las Vegas Strip within Caesars Palace
- Stylish plating and food presentation
- Attentive tableside beverage service
- Live cooking stations preparing made-to-order dishes
- Chef’s stage preparing sushi, dim sum, and exhibition cooking
- Carving station with roasted and slow-cooked meats
- Fresh seafood including crab legs, shrimp, oysters, ceviche, and lobster tails
- Action station making pasta, pizza, crepes, and more to order
- Asian dishes including Peking duck, noodles, fried rice, stir fry
- Mexican station with tacos, quesadillas, burritos, nachos
- Salad bar with 35+ freshly prepared ingredients and dressings
- Decadent dessert station with cakes, cookies, ice cream, chocolate, candies, and more
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, vegan, and kosher options
The diverse selection of highest quality food prepared fresh daily makes Makino a favorite among Las Vegas visitors. The elegant dining room with table service and amazing Strip views complements the exquisite cuisine.
Makino Buffet Hours
The Makino buffet serves lunch and dinner with the following hours:
- Monday – Friday
- Lunch: 11am – 3pm
- Dinner: 3pm – 10pm
- Saturday – Sunday
- Brunch: 8am – 3:30pm
- Dinner: 3:30pm – 10pm
Caesars Palace and the Makino buffet are open 365 days a year to serve visitors to Las Vegas. Hours are occasionally extended for holidays or special events.
Reserving a Table at Makino Buffet
Reservations are highly recommended to ensure seating at the peak times. Makino buffet reservations can be booked online via the Caesars Palace website or OpenTable.
Walk-ins are accepted if space is available, but wait times can be up to 1-2 hours during busy periods without a reservation.
Guests who booked a table will be seated immediately upon arrival. Reservations are held for 15 minutes before being released.
Making a reservation is especially important for large parties, holidays, weekends, date nights, and celebrating special occasions when the buffet is busiest.
Insider Tips for Makino Buffet
Take advantage of these insider tips when visiting Makino to maximize the experience:
- Come hungry and pace yourself – it’s tempting to overeat with so many options
- Weekday lunch is the best value
- Bring small bills for tips
- Allow 2-3 hours to fully enjoy the meal and variety
- Walk around and see all the stations before filling your plate
- Start with lighter seafood and salads before richer meat dishes
- Save room for the amazing dessert spread
- Ask the sushi chef for the freshest picks
- Request substitutions or modifications if needed for allergies or diets
- Pair your meal with a refreshing cocktail, beer, wine or hot sake
Pacing yourself and exploring all the food stations leads to an incredible culinary adventure at Makino. Savor each flavorful bite while taking in the lively ambiance and amazing views.
Is Makino Buffet Worth It?
For many Las Vegas visitors, Makino’s combination of exceptional cuisine, lavish decor, and attentive service makes it well worth the price. The stunning buffet stands out as one of the best on the Strip.
The diverse food selections with everything made from scratch using top ingredients earns consistent rave reviews from guests. Diners heap praise on standout dishes like the shrimp cocktail, sushi, prime rib, Peking duck, made-to-order pasta, and extravagant desserts.
While not cheap, Makino provides an amazing dining experience and satisfying meal that diners remember long after their trip. The quality and presentation exceed expectations.
If you want to indulge in an upscale Vegas buffet with unique choices, Makino is a winner. The elegant setting also makes it ideal for date nights, special occasions, and celebrations.
Alternatives to Makino Buffet
Makino buffet is one of the priciest options in Las Vegas. Here are some alternatives at lower price points, although the ambiance and selections may not be as extensive:
- The Buffet at Wynn – Elegant buffet with quality selections, starting at $44.99 for weekend brunch.
- The Buffet at Bellagio – Beautiful restaurant with gourmet cuisine, starting at $41.99 for weekday lunch.
- Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace – Well-reviewed with great value at lunch, starting at $36.99.
- Cravings Buffet at The Mirage – Impressive variety and healthier dishes available, starting at $34.99 for lunch.
- Garden Court Buffet at Main Street Station – Budget pick with satisfying home-style classics, $17.99 lunch.
Off-Strip buffets such as The Buffet at Wynn, Rio Seafood Buffet, and Bougainvillea Buffet at South Point offer additional choices at lower costs.
Conclusion
The Makino buffet delivers an exceptional gourmet culinary experience in a refined setting. The diverse food stations with highest quality ingredients and attentive service justify the premium prices, especially for Las Vegas visitors seeking a memorable fine dining buffet. Booking reservations in advance allows buffet goers to indulge fully in the extensive offerings without long waits. Makino buffet is highly recommended for celebratory meals and special occasions when guests want to experience one of the best Las Vegas buffets on the Strip.
