The thrills of a casino can be overwhelming, with ringing slot machines, quirky jingles, excited chatter, and only brief pockets of silence surrounding the table games. Once your funds run dry or you’ve spent enough hours trying your luck, you’re bound to want to wind down with some well-deserved food and drink.
Casinos often entice their customers with delicious food options to enhance the in-person casino experience and keep them fuelled for their next round of games. You can expect some enticing offerings, like steakhouses, seafood spots, Asian eateries, down-to-earth cafes, and classic buffets where everything is up for grabs.
Understanding the differences in online casinos and brick-and-mortar casinos, you’ll see that while digital casinos offer convenience, they lack those experiences that make visiting a physical casino so special – with classic buffets being one of them. Although many casino buffets have closed since the pandemic, a few gems remain dotted around the country.
Casino de Montréal’s Pavillon 67 (Quebec)
The Casino de Montréal sits on the scenic Notre Dame Island within Jean Drapeau Park, the very park that houses the Biosphere, the Jean-Doré beach, a Formula One race track, and the La Ronge amusement park. It’s an absolute haven for casino goers, with a gaming floor that spans a whopping 12.1 acres and houses over 80 gaming tables and 3,000 slot machines, as well as an additional four bars, four restaurants, and a cabaret. The casino also famously hosts a variety of shows and events that are highly attended by residents in the city.
Along with Le Montreal seafood and grill restaurant and the beautiful Terrasse Jardin for urban eats, the casino hosts a gourmet buffet at Pavillon 67. The buffet boasts decadent desserts, a full salad bar, creative appetizers, seafood, and meats cut and cooked by chefs right in front of customers.
Fallsview Grand Buffet (Ontario)
The Fallsview Casino is arguably Ontario’s most famous, garnering crowds of visitors thanks to the powerful and stunning Horseshoe Falls. It’s also the largest gaming resort in Canada, with over 3,300 slot machines and 130 gaming tables, surrounded by abundant shopping, entertainment, and dining options. You could see a concert, browse through the Galleria Shops, gamble, enjoy a stay overlooking the Falls, and discover various dining options all within the complex. While the Grand Buffet that was previously located in the Fallsview Casino was permanently closed in 2023, you’ll find the Fallsview Grand Buffet at the Sheraton, just a 20-minute walk past the Niagara River.
With live-action stations and an 80-foot buffet of a variety of dishes, it’s not a buffet you’ll want to miss out on. What’s unique about this buffet is that it hosts separate brunch and dinner buffets, which means you’ll be able to wake up to an assortment of breakfast delights and come back for a feast of made-to-order pasta, succulent meats, fresh seafood, and more.
The Buffet at River Rock Casino Resort (British Columbia)
The River Rock Casino Resort is the only 4-Diamond Casino Resort in Western Canada, a classification given to establishments with upscale guest experiences. Ranked on a scale of one to five diamonds, the 4-Diamond rating speaks to the quality of River Rock and its hotel, entertainment, and restaurant offerings. Slot enthusiasts have over 1,100 slots to choose from, those who prefer table games will find the most Baccarat tables in North America, and there’s even the opportunity to use Stadium Gaming terminals for a more action-packed experience.
Other than being home to Canada’s first Gordon Ramsay Steak, River Rock also hosts a buffet with sweeping waterfront views. They’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, serving Eastern and Western salads, pastas, seafood dishes, meats, and more, with a deluxe selection of shellfish and sushi at dinner.
Mohave Grill at the Deerfoot Inn and Casino (Alberta)
The Deerfoot Inn and Casino is a preferred destinations for Calgarians seeking a night out on the town. While it doesn’t boast thousands of slot machines and acres of space like some previous mentions, there are 785 Vegas-style slot machines, 32 live-action table games, a poker room, and a Fortune Room for high-limit gaming. Guests can catch a game at the Wild Horse Pub, socialize at the Saddledome-inspired Island Bar, or treat themselves at the Mohave Grill and its weekly buffets.
In the mornings, the Grill serves a Deluxe Sunday Breakfast Buffet complete with a pastry table, fruit selection, slow-roasted carving, and a mouthwatering hot breakfast bar with made-to-order omelettes. On Fridays and Saturdays, the all-you-can-eat Prime Rib Buffet features a daily meat and fish creation, tons of innovative side dishes, and a dedicated dessert buffet.
The Buffet at Grand Villa Burnaby Casino (British Columbia)
The Grand Villa Casino is a more refined establishment that stands out with its Grand Arena of electronic table games. It also has 1,300 slot machines, a high-limit slot room, 67 live table games, a 12-table poker room, and three luxurious VIP rooms. The casino’s dining options are just as exclusive, featuring a modern lounge using ingredients from local sources, the Atlas Steak + Fish restaurant, a modern patio, and the elegant Grand Neptune Seafood Restaurant.
Interested in sampling a wider variety of flavours in one go? The Buffet at the Grand Villa Casino is most famous for hosting themed buffets every Thursday to Sunday for the ultimate culinary experience. Guests can indulge in a range of Asian cuisines on Thursdays, savour Mediterranean dishes on Fridays, chow down on South American cuisine on Saturdays, and get a bite of everything (including Canadian specialties) on International Sundays.
