What type of food service allows customers to serve themselves from displayed dishes?

Buffet service is a style of dining where food is laid out on tables or counters, allowing customers to serve themselves from a variety of displayed dishes. This method emphasizes choice and flexibility, as patrons can select from a diverse array of options and portion sizes that suit their preferences. Buffets often encourage social interaction, as they provide a casual and communal dining experience where guests can move freely and sample a range of flavors.

In contrast, à la carte service involves ordering individual items from a menu, while bistro service typically refers to a casual and simple approach to food and drink, often characterized by a limited menu and a more intimate environment. Table service generally requires waitstaff to take orders and serve the food to customers at their tables, thereby creating a more formal dining experience. The self-service nature is what distinctly makes buffet service the correct choice in this context.