10 Best Buffalo Restaurants

Buffalo is famous for dishes like Buffalo wings, Beef on Weck, and sponge candy. These foods are central to the city's identity and are a primary draw for food tourism. The Buffalo wing, an unbattered, deep-fried chicken wing tossed in a vinegar-based cayenne pepper sauce, was invented in the city at the Anchor Bar. Beef on Weck consists of thinly sliced roast beef served on a kummelweck roll, a hard roll topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds. Sponge candy is a regional confection made of a crunchy, airy sugar toffee that is coated in chocolate.

The average cost for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Buffalo is between $18 and $30 per person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $70 and $120. At fine dining establishments, prices for a meal can start at $70 per person and increase substantially based on selections.

Buffalo's fast-food landscape is heavily influenced by its proximity to Canada, making the Canadian chain Tim Hortons an extremely popular and ubiquitous choice for coffee and quick breakfast items. Other popular options are shown below:

• Tim Hortons: A Canadian chain that is a cultural staple in Buffalo, known for its coffee, Timbits (doughnut holes), and breakfast sandwiches.
• Ted's Hot Dogs: A local institution famous for charcoal-broiled hot dogs and sausages.
• Mighty Taco: A Buffalo-based chain serving its own unique style of fast-food tacos and burritos.
• Jim's SteakOut: A local chain popular for late-night meals, specializing in steak hoagies.
• McDonald's: Known for its Big Mac, Quarter Pounder, and fries.
• Wendy's: Offers square-patty burgers, chili, and the Frosty dessert.
• Burger King: Known for its flame-grilled Whopper sandwich.
• Taco Bell: Serves a menu of Mexican-inspired fast food.
• Subway: Offers made-to-order submarine sandwiches.
• Chick-fil-A: Popular for its original chicken sandwich and waffle fries.

New restaurants in Buffalo include Fattey Beer Co. expanded its craft beer store and taproom model with a new location downtown. Other new restaurants are listed below:

• Po's Rice and Spice: A restaurant serving a menu of authentic Thai cuisine.
• Fattey Beer Co.: A new downtown location for the popular craft beer store and bar, offering a large selection of canned beers and a rotating draft list.
• The Polked Yolk: A breakfast and brunch restaurant serving creative benedicts, pancakes, and other morning fare.
• O.G. Wood Fire: A pizzeria specializing in wood-fired pizzas that recently moved to a new, larger location on the West Side.
• Post-Standard Bar: A new cocktail bar in the downtown area offering classic and inventive drinks.

Downtown Buffalo, particularly in the blocks surrounding the Theatre District, is home to some of the city's most acclaimed restaurants. These establishments offer a high concentration of fine dining and upscale casual options, as shown below:

• Buffalo Chophouse: A classic, high-end steakhouse located in a historic building, known for its prime steaks and traditional ambiance.
• Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant: An upscale New American restaurant with an extensive, award-winning wine list.
• Toutant: A popular restaurant serving Southern and Creole cuisine, including fried chicken and shrimp and grits.
• Tappo Restaurant: A Southern Italian restaurant known for its affordable wine list and a popular rooftop patio.
• D-Tour: A modern restaurant and bar offering a creative menu of American small plates and entrees.

Yes, there are many lunch spots in Buffalo worth trying. The city provides numerous options for a midday meal, from historic diners to establishments serving Buffalo's most famous foods. Charlie the Butcher is a go-to spot for its signature beef on weck sandwiches, served hot and fresh. For a classic Buffalo wing experience, both the Anchor Bar and Duff's Famous Wings are popular lunch destinations. Swan Street Diner, a beautifully restored 1937 diner car, serves classic American breakfast and lunch fare. Breadhive Bakery & Cafe is a worker-owned spot known for its sandwiches on house-made bread.

Yes, Buffalo has good places for dinner that cover a full spectrum of dining experiences, from casual and unique eateries to the highest levels of fine dining. Hutch's is a timeless Buffalo institution, serving an upscale American-Continental menu in a lively, sophisticated bistro setting. Ristorante Lombardo provides a classic, white-tablecloth Italian fine-dining experience that has been a family-run tradition for decades. For a more modern and adventurous meal, Waxlight Bar a Vin is a nationally recognized, chef-owned restaurant with a hyper-seasonal menu and a focus on natural wines. Southern Junction offers a one-of-a-kind dinner, fusing authentic Texas barbecue with Indian spices in a casual setting.

Buffalo has restaurants that serve vegan food, including Big Mood and Strong Hearts. Big Mood is a dedicated vegan restaurant and bar offering a full menu of plant-based comfort food, from burgers to loaded fries. Strong Hearts is another fully vegan cafe that provides a menu of sandwiches, burgers, and milkshakes. Am-Thai a-la-carte has a separate, extensive vegan menu of Thai dishes. The Dapper Goose also offers creative, vegetable-forward dishes and can accommodate vegan diners.

Restaurants in Buffalo that serve gluten-free food include The Dapper Goose and Ristorante Lombardo. The Dapper Goose can accommodate gluten-free requests for many of its modern American dishes. Ristorante Lombardo, an upscale Italian restaurant, offers gluten-free pasta and can modify many of its entrees. Most of the city's high-end steakhouses, like Buffalo Chophouse and Giancarlo's, are also well-suited for gluten-free dining with their focus on meats and vegetable sides.

Buffalo's most famous cuisines are American pub food and Italian-American. The city's identity is deeply connected to the invention of the Buffalo wing and its history of Italian immigration. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Buffalo:

• American (Pub/Tavern Food): This is the quintessential Buffalo cuisine, centered around the world-famous Buffalo wing. The city's many taverns and bars are the primary venues for this dish, alongside other local specialties like beef on weck and fish fries.
• Italian-American: Buffalo has a large and long-standing Italian-American community, which has resulted in a strong food tradition. Neighborhoods like North Buffalo are known for classic red-sauce restaurants, pizzerias, and delis serving dishes like chicken parmesan and pasta with meatballs.
• Polish: The city's historic Polonia district is a center for Polish culture and food. Restaurants and delis in this area serve traditional dishes like pierogi, kielbasa, and golabki (stuffed cabbage).
• Puerto Rican: Buffalo has a significant and growing Puerto Rican population, particularly on the West Side. This has led to a number of restaurants serving authentic dishes like pernil (roast pork), pasteles, and rice and beans.
• Burmese: Buffalo is home to one of the largest Burmese communities in the United States. This has resulted in a unique cluster of restaurants and markets serving Burmese cuisine, known for dishes like tea leaf salad and mohinga (fish noodle soup).