What Wicked Spoon is
Wicked Spoon opened with The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas in 2010 and immediately changed the format: instead of steam trays and tongs, most dishes are plated individually in small cast-iron pots, ramekins and mini skillets, so you pick up a single portion of bone marrow or a tiny pot of mac and cheese rather than scooping from a tray. The room, on the second floor of the Cosmopolitan's Chelsea Tower side, is a bright, modern space that looks more like a hotel restaurant than a buffet. It is smaller than Bacchanal by a wide margin and, since the pandemic, serves brunch and lunch only, not dinner — check the Cosmopolitan site for the current schedule, which has changed more than once.
Its reputation rests on food that looks and tastes like it came from a proper kitchen, on a calmer atmosphere, and on being the buffet people who "don't do buffets" end up liking.
What to eat
The individually plated items are the signature: roasted bone marrow, lobster mac and cheese in a mini pot, braised short rib, lamb chops and a rotating set of skillets. The carving station runs prime rib or roasted meats, the Asian station has dim sum and noodles, and the brunch spread includes made-to-order eggs and omelettes, chicken and waffles, French toast, and a pastry counter that would hold up in a bakery. Seafood is present but not the emphasis — expect shrimp, oysters and sushi rather than crab legs. The gelato bar at the end, with a dozen house-made flavours, is a reason on its own; the dessert cases of macarons, cakes and tarts are among the best of any buffet on the Strip.
The Cosmopolitan's cocktail program extends here: a bottomless drinks option covers mimosas, Bloody Marys and beer, and the Bloody Mary bar is a weekend feature.
Prices in 2026
As of 2026 and subject to change, Wicked Spoon runs roughly $50–60 for weekday brunch and lunch and $60–75 for weekend brunch per adult before tax and tip, with a bottomless-drinks add-on around $20–30 and reduced rates for children. That makes it one of the cheaper premium buffets and, for the plated quality, arguably the best value of the top three. Holiday weekends carry a premium. MGM Resorts, which owns the Cosmopolitan, does not add a concession fee; sales tax and a 10–15% tip apply. Check the Cosmopolitan site for the current price and hours.
Waits, timing and reservations
Because it is smaller and serves fewer meal periods, Wicked Spoon's queue is more moderate than Bacchanal's: usually 30–60 minutes at weekend brunch and under 20 on weekdays. It does not generally take reservations but sells a line-skip option at the host stand on busy days, and MGM Rewards members with Gold or higher status get priority seating. Arrive at opening on weekends to walk straight in. Weekday lunch is quiet, which is unusual for a premium buffet and makes it a good option for a group that does not want to plan around a queue.
Allow around two hours including the wait. Wicked Spoon is on the second level near the Chelsea and Boulevard Tower elevators; from the Strip entrance of the Cosmopolitan it is about five to ten minutes.
Wicked Spoon versus Bacchanal and Wynn
Choose Wicked Spoon over Bacchanal when you want good food without a two-hour line, when you prefer plated portions to a scrum at a tray, when your group is mixed on enthusiasm for buffets, or for brunch rather than dinner. Choose Bacchanal when variety and crab legs are the point. Compared with The Buffet at Wynn, Wicked Spoon is a little cheaper and more casual, with a similar plated-style approach but a less spectacular room; Wynn takes reservations and does dinner, which Wicked Spoon does not. See the full comparison in best buffets.
Who it suits and what to pair it with
Wicked Spoon suits couples and small groups, brunch people, anyone staying at the Cosmopolitan, ARIA or Bellagio, and first-time buffet-goers who are wary of the format. It suits less well: anyone chasing crab legs and a dinner-scale spread, or a party of ten who want to sit together without a wait. It is a strong choice on a pool day — the Cosmopolitan's pools are upstairs — and before an afternoon at the Bellagio Conservatory or the fountains next door. For evening plans at the Cosmopolitan, the Block 16 food hall and the resort's restaurants cover dinner; see food halls.
Tips and mistakes to avoid
- Take one of everything small — the point is the individual portions. A tray of six little pots is the right first trip.
- Save room for gelato. It is house-made and the best dessert station on the Strip.
- Check the schedule. No dinner service means a 6pm arrival is a wasted trip.
- Go on a weekday for the shortest line and most relaxed room.
- Do not expect crab legs. Seafood is a supporting act here.
- Use the bottomless drinks package only if you will drink three or more — otherwise pay per glass.
