Local restaurants in Buffalo offer a world of options for culinary experiences, from upscale fine dining to casual family restaurants and of course, iconic Buffalo wings. Buffalo has always been known for a few of its iconic spots, but now the city is undergoing a culinary renaissance, making it a destination spot for foodies from all over the world. From old standards to unusual and quirky new fusion shakers, this city has enough to keep food lovers coming back for more year after year.
From buffalo wings to generations-old family-owned Italian eateries to exposed brick cocktail lounges and family parks, it's all here. Check out some of Buffalo's best local food.
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Anchor Bar
Eat at the spot that's synonymous with Buffalo wings
- Couples
- Families
- Food
- Nightlife
Anchor Bar is inarguably one of the most iconic spots in Buffalo, NY, and is famous for its Buffalo wings, with people making pilgrimages to the city just to sample them. This spot is the place where the Buffalo wing was invented on a Friday night in 1964, and today, more than 50 years later, it's still the centre of Buffalo's restaurant scene and world-renowned. If you're visiting Buffalo and you don't try the original Buffalo wing, you're cheating yourself out of a special dining experience.
It's not all about wings, though. This is a bar and family-friendly restaurant with a fine draft list, good cocktails and spirits, and a full menu of bar food staples, all quality eats right city centre.
Location: 1047 Main St, Buffalo, NY 14209, USA
Open: Sunday–Wednesday from 11 am to 9 pm, Thursday–Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 716-883-1134
Mapphoto by Darmon (CC BY-SA 2.5) modified
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Gabriel's Gate Restaurant
Enjoy classic cuisine in equally classic surroundings
- Couples
- Families
- Food
Gabriel's Gate Restaurant is in one of the original Tift Row Houses and today still maintains an antique feel while serving up classic American fare in an exposed-wood décor. This is a restaurant that pays homage to the colonial days of North America while offering comfort food from straight-up burgers to wings to sandwiches and melts. The décor is softly lit with wood tables and wood on the walls and pays homage to the lives of settlers and Native Americans many hundreds of years ago.
This casual family eatery promises 2 things: a memorable outing and a delicious meal. It's located right in the heart of city centre Buffalo.
Location: 145 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11.30 am to midnight, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 1 am
Phone: +1 716-886-0602
Mapphoto by Andre Carrotflower (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Fat Bob's Smokehouse
Experience classic Southern barbecue
- Couples
- Families
- Food
Fat Bob's Smokehouse is just over 20 years old but is already an award-winning staple of the local barbecue scene with mouth-watering meats smoked and served in casual surroundings. You can enjoy a broad selection of local craft beers on tap to pair with your ribs and chicken, a solid range of fine meats with house-made Southern-style sides, and service that's both joyous and welcoming. Naturally, the St. Louis pork ribs are the must-try menu highlight, but you can check out a range of other options including the Friday Bob's Fish Fry.
This restaurant has been serving up delectable Southern barbecue since 1999. It's a family-friendly establishment in the heart of city centre Buffalo.
Location: 41 Virginia Pl, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 11.30 am to midnight, Friday 11.30 am to 2 am, Saturday from 2.30 pm to 2 am, Sunday from 1 pm to midnight (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 716-887-2971
Map - 4
Buffalo Riverworks
Grab a burger after some extreme sports adventure
- Adventure
- Couples
- Families
- Food
Buffalo Riverworks is a full-feature family entertainment and adventure centre with adventure sports, rope courses, and of course, a fantastic family restaurant right on site. Your options for dining here include the Ward Restaurant, a casual dining establishment with indoor/outdoor seating that runs across the complex right up to the base of the Riverworks Brewing Company, the world's first silo brewery. The menu here includes a selection of craft brews from the brewery as well as dishes like tater tot poutine, fried calamari, giant soft pretzels, buffalo cauliflower, a selection of burgers, build your own pizza, and a fish fry.
This one has something for everyone and the venue is family-friendly overall. It's about 10 minutes south of city centre.
Location: 359 Ganson St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Open: Tuesday–Thursday from 4 pm to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 11 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm, Monday from noon to 10 pm
Phone: +1 716-342-2292
Map - 5
Betty's
Enjoy casual global cuisine
- Couples
- Families
- Food
Betty's restaurant is a newer entry to the Buffalo foodie scene, but this eclectic spot offers casual global cuisine in welcoming and vibrant surroundings for every meal of the day. The fusion cuisine here is inspired by culinary traditions from all over the world and the vibe is cosy and eclectic with the walls decorated by the works of hot and up-and-coming local artists. A breakfast highlight is the Luv Sandwich with Canadian bacon, cream cheese, and pickled onions. Later, try the black beans & rice with cheddar jack and grilled cornbread.
Pricing here is moderate, making it a solid spot to bring the family for a good meal that's something a bit different. It's in the heart of city centre.
Location: 370 Virginia St, Buffalo, NY 14201, USA
Open: Tuesday–Friday from 8 am to 3 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 3 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 716-362-0633
Mapphoto by James G. Milles (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Buffalo Chophouse
Have an upscale, romantic steak dinner
- Couples
- Food
- Luxury
Buffalo Chophouse offers an upscale, romantic vibe with outstanding surf and turf where everything is fresh and the options are endless served in luxurious, relaxed surroundings. The restaurant's feel combines rich red curtains and seats with crisp white linens and dim mood lighting for a truly upscale sense. The food menu has something for just about everyone, from lobster bisque to prime cuts of steak, tuna tartare, seared scallops, crab cakes, and seemingly endless other options.
While most don’t go to a steakhouse looking for vegetarian options, you can get things like broccoli crowns, mac & cheese, grilled asparagus, and the like in large portions. It's right in central city centre.
Location: 282 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 5 pm to 9 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 716-842-6900
Map - 7
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Chow down on classic southern barbecue
- Couples
- Families
- Food
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is an eat-in and delivery barbecue joint in the heart of the city centre theatre district in a historic film vault location with plenty of delicious menu options. The building in which the restaurant is located was once a film storage vault for Universal International Pictures in the golden age of film. Today, it's a new entry to the local dining scene offering classics like fried green tomatoes, BBQ sliders, chicken wings, shrimp boil, deviled eggs, poutine, pork ribs, pulled pork, chicken, and a wide range of other barbeque staples.
This is down-home Southern-style comfort food at its finest with good prices. It's also dog-friendly, so don't worry about bringing your four-legged friend with you.
Location: 301 Franklin St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Open: Monday–Tuesday from 4 pm to 9 pm, Wednesday–Thursday, Sunday from 11.30 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 10 pm
Phone: +1 716-880-1677
Mapphoto by Andre Carrotflower (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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Sophia's Restaurant
Try a classic Greek-American greasy spoon
- Couples
- Food
Sophia's Restaurant is a family-owned and operated restaurant entering its second generation as part of the local foodie scene serving up Greek specials and homemade American diner standards. If you're looking for a classic "greasy spoon" style diner, this one has just what you're looking for, from fried bologna sandwiches to open-faced steak, to souvlaki and many other menu offerings. Breakfast includes such entries as rice pudding and apple cinnamon walnut pancakes. The Food Channel gives this one five stars, with one reviewer calling it "Buffalo's best-kept secret."
The combination of food, a buzzing local crowd, and ultra-friendly service where they treat you like family makes this one hit home every time. It's only 10 minutes north of city centre.
Location: 749 Military Rd, Buffalo, NY 14216, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 7 am to 3 pm, Sunday from 7 am to 2 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 716-447-9661
Map - 9
Big Ditch Brewing Company
Hit up a vibrant, popular brewpub in town
- Couples
- Food
- Nightlife
Big Ditch Brewing Company opened its doors in 2014 and has now become one of the most popular taprooms and brewpubs in Buffalo with great beer and fantastic casual dining. The crowd here is vibrant and friendly and the beer selection is off the hook, with just about every style you can imagine. When it comes to the food, you can have the expected bar eats, including a vegan-friendly fresh grilled veggie wrap, or more unique offerings like the Sunday brunch pancake lasagne.
Like many brewpubs, the décor is industrial chic and the vibe is straight-up chill. Big Ditch is in the heart of city centre so you can walk back to your hotel after having a few.
Location: 55 E Huron St, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from 11 am to 10 pm, Friday from 11 am to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, Sunday from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +1 716-854-5050
Map - 10
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery
Enjoy craft beer paired with all-American fare
- Couples
- Food
- Nightlife
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery is a fun, laid-back, and vibrant brewpub in a historic building offering award-winning food and a broad selection of signature craft beers. This one has plenty of space with multiple indoor levels for seating and tonnes of outdoor patio space. It's a popular spot to gather before shows and sporting events. Menu highlights include the Buffalo Blue Burger, pizzas, and chicken quesadillas, plus chicken wings, giant pretzels, beer cheese soup, a fantastic Reuben, and a sausage sandwich as well as a selection of burgers.
For something a bit more robust, go for the beer-braised pot roast, the fish fry, or the 8 oz. sirloin steak. It's straight-up no-frills delicious American dining in city centre.
Location: 76 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202, USA
Open: Sunday–Thursday from 11.30 am to 10 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11.30 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 716-856-2337
Mapphoto by Reading Tom (CC BY 2.0) modified