The Best Restaurants in Buffalo, NY: From Famous Local Staples to New Inventive Flavours

Buffalo is a city of diversity and variety, and its food scene is no different. This guide to the best restaurants in Buffalo, NY takes you from famous haunts serving up local staples to innovative, award-winning restaurants. The dining opportunities are truly endless in the City of Good Neighbours on the Niagara River.

The colourful and inviting dining space at Breadhive.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Buffalo, New York several times over the past few years, and I have to say that I fall more in love with this city and its passionate residents with each trip I take. Every time I visit, it feels more and more like another golden era is on the horizon when it comes to bringing great American cities back to their former glory, and Buffalo’s explosive food scene is one of the indicators that this boom is upon us.

With fantastic museums and galleries, architecturally significant historic homes and unique accommodations, anyone visiting Buffalo for the first, second, third or twentieth time will never tire of exciting things to do here. For travellers looking to stretch their adventures a little further to other parts of New York State, nearby cities like Rochester will be a delight, along with so many exciting food and wine trails, too.

The more I travel, the more I recognize that excellent dining options are really the heartbeat of any destination. Everyone needs to eat, after all, and what better way is there to get to know a city than to dive into highlights in its food scene. So let’s get into all of the reasons you should have Buffalo’s restaurant scene on your radar!

An Homage to the Staples of Food Culture in Buffalo

Before we even dive into more of the modern offerings in Buffalo, mentioning food in Buffalo to anyone in North America will often conjure up one image, and one image only: the chicken wing. Chris and I are among the many Canadians who refer to buttery, hot chicken wings as “Buffalo Wings” no matter where we go, and there’s a good reason for this.

What began as an invention of Italian immigrant Teressa Bellissimo of Anchor Bar in the 1960s blossomed into a cultural phenomenon across the city of Buffalo. Hundreds of bars in and around the city claim their wings are the best, and with so many recipes to try it can be daunting to test them all.

You can’t go far without spotting a chicken wing in Buffalo

The debate about the best wings in Buffalo is a heated one. Everyone has their chosen wing spot, which they’ll defend to the death—and to be honest, as a relatively spicy person myself, I am a big fan of this part of the passionate local culture. I’ve had the privilege of trying wings at a few of the places known to have “the best” in the city, and I’ve certainly developed my own opinions about my favourites—but it will certainly take a little coaxing before I share my thoughts with any Buffalonian. If you’re keen to learn a little more about the best places to get wings in the city, then you’ll have to keep reading to find out.

Along with the chicken wing and its signature sides of celery, carrots, and blue cheese, another famous Buffalo dish is the Beef on Weck sandwich. It was invented by German immigrants who brought the kummelweck roll to the city from the Black Forest. They put beef on the sandwich, along with an au jus, and the rest was history. Today, Schwabl's is known for being the original home of the Beef on Weck sandwich, and its historical interior will take you right back to the time of the sandwich’s invention in 1837.

If you’re curious to learn more about historic staples of Buffalo’s food culture, along with other cities in Upstate and Western New York, then stay tuned for our article all about the Upstate Eats Trail, which will be coming out soon!

The Best Restaurants In and Around Buffalo

I wanted to be as exhaustive as possible when I put together this list of the best restaurants in Buffalo. Here you’ll find a list of the best places to head for lunch or dinner, but I also wanted to highlight a few coffee, brunch and breakfast spots, along with a few beer and cocktail bars in the following sections.

Enjoy reading through this list and plan accordingly, since you’ll want to visit many of these places as you can on your next trip to Buffalo, if you play your cards right.

Waxlight Bar a Vin

Chris and I enjoying summer cocktails on the patio at Waxlight

Waxlight was recognized as a finalist in the James Beard Foundation awards in 2024. They’re a wine-focused restaurant, offering everything from delicious snacks and cocktails to multi-course meals with expertly selected wine pairings.

Chris and I popped by for a night cap, but loved the look of their menu and every dish that came out. We enjoyed the moody ambience of their interior, which had a beautiful bar area and lounge chairs. Their patio is also something special on a warm night, tucked between the brick industrial buildings of their space.

I’d recommend trying their unique take on a Mezcal Sour, with mezcal, amaro, citrus, sage, beet, and blackberry, or the OG, which includes a whiskey blend, oleo and bitters. You can also ask your server for help selecting the best wine for you from their impressive wine list, as all of their staff is helpful and knowledgeable.

Southern Junction Barbecue

Another James Beard Award Nominee, Southern Junction offers visitors a unique “Tex-ish” fusion experience that I had personally never tried before. As someone who hails from Toronto (a kingpin in the fusion restaurant scene), my mind was simply boggled to think of a fusion that so expertly pairs Texas Barbecue with Indian spices and dishes. It’s a match made in heaven.

Owner Ryan Fernandez emigrated from Kerala, India to just outside of Dallas, Texas when he was a teenager. His BBQ menu seamlessly combines Southern Meat + Three dining with Indian cuisine, and includes favourites like Smoked Brisket and housemade Coconut Curry Sauce, “Barbacurry”: a smoked and braised beef shoulder, mixed house garam masala, and one of my personal favourites, the Cardamom Corn Bread.

Swan Street Diner

Situated in the cutest little 1930s era diner in the neighbourhood of Larkinville, Swan Street is the perfect place to come for a special occasion, memorable diner-style breakfast, or lunch. Their fully restored interior makes the visit truly worth it, and the way everything right down to the Larkinville wallpaper demonstrates such attention to detail.

And attention to detail doesn’t end with the aesthetic. Highlights on their menu include The House Hash with house corned beef, onion, homefries, two eggs, toast, and their Rotating Specialty Waffles. During out visit, the feature was a Lemon Poppyseed Waffle, served with pure NY maple syrup and fresh butter. It was simply divine.

If you’re looking for a great social media moment, or simply to treat yourself, you can’t go wrong ordering one of their milkshakes or floats. We tried a Vanilla Shake during our visit, and it was as delicious as it was colourful.

Kuni’s

If you’re looking for delicious sushi and sashimi in Buffalo, then Kuni's has to be on your list. They serve authentic Japanese sushi in their intimate dining space and sushi bar in Elmwood Village. Their menu features traditional sashimi, sushi, combo platters, and fusion dishes like Cajun Tuna. Non-sushi options include Tonkatsu and New York Strip Steak Salad.

Their drink menu is also a treat, featuring a well-curated wine list, Japanese beers, Shochu, premium Japanese whiskeys, and over 20 premium sakes, including sake flights. It’s a great place to come for a memorable dining experience.

Bar-Bill Tavern

My vote for the best wings in and around Buffalo goes to Bar-Bill in East Aurora.

This East Aurora bar just outside of Buffalo has been a mainstay in town for generations. It was opened by Barb and Bill Korzelius in 1967, who served up beef on weck and a small drink list. Over the years, its ownership and menu has shifted a few times, but the space, staff and loyal fan base of regular customers remains steadfast.

I personally feel that their Beef on Weck and Wings were some of the best that I had during my time in and around Buffalo. And I know some people will have a strong reaction to that. But if it’s good enough to be Josh Allen’s favourite wing joint in the city, then it’s okay with me.

Ballyhoo

Located near the Historic Buffalo River and Elevator Alley, Ballyhoo offers a relaxed place to come feast on house-made sausages, sides, and a variety of drinks. Their sausages are ground, seasoned, and linked in-house, so you really can’t go wrong.

Their crafted cocktails are made with fresh-pressed juices. You can order one of their Jam Session cocktails, a classic cocktails, or a variety of beers and wines. Ballyhoo also often has a daily rotating draft tap, featuring local or American beers.

Anchor Bar

I had to put Anchor Bar on the list, simply because it is regarded as the birthplace of the hot chicken wing as we know it today. It was even featured in a recent question about the bar in the show Jeopardy!

On top of being famous for their wings—which are really good—it’s an institution with seafaring-themed paraphernalia covering its dimly lit walls. And with kitschy statues like the Statue of Liberty holding up a plate of hot wings, it’s an iconic spot to visit.

We went with a pound each of the classic Medium wings, along with Spicy Garlic Parmesan, and we weren’t disappointed.

Jack Rabbit

This restaurant and music venue is known for its scratch kitchen and bar offerings. Their menu includes a little bit of everything, from rotisserie chicken to cast iron pizza. You can count on the fact that live music will be playing almost all of the time during your visit!

Jack Rabbit features four distinctly different rooms for you to choose from during your visit: a live music room, a cozy piano dining room, a stylish game room, and a separate cocktail bar. They also offer brunch on weekends.

Schwabl's

Another staple, and the home of the Beef on Weck sandwich, Schwabl's has been open since 1837. Its location has moved around over the years, and now it’s located in West Seneca, just outside of Buffalo, inside an historic residential house. Before handing it over to Cheryl and Gene Staychock in the 1990s, the restaurant had been passed down through six generations of the Schwabl family.

It’s a great place to come for a taste of the original Beef on Weck, and they make their own German-style coleslaw and homemade pickled beets, too.

More Great Spots: Coffee, Brunch, and Food Trucks

The incredible dining options in Buffalo don’t stop at lunch and dinner. Too many delicious brunch and breakfast stops are in this city, too. Here are a few spots to prioritize checking out while you’re in town.

Breadhive

Not only is this woman- and worker-owned bakery co-op brimming with delicious baked treats, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, but it's home is one of the cutest cottage-style century buildings I’ve seen in years. From its warm wooden floors, to colourful rainbow bunting banners, it’s truly a welcoming space.

They’re best known for their sandwiches at Breadhive. In fact, they’re all named after notable women musicians, like the breakfast sandwiches The Aaliyah, The Shania and The Britney, or lunch sandwiches like The Gwen, The Björk or The Chappell. Or you can make your own, and with all of their local ingredients, it’s hard to make a bad choice.

Their cookies and pastries are also delicious. People come from far and wide for their Cowboy Cookies.

Cornelia

This restaurant serves lunch and dinner, but their brunch is a highlight and pairs perfectly with a visit to the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.

Cornelia is named after Cornelia Bentley Sage Quinton, who was the first woman to direct a major US art institution. Their brunch menu features a variety of classic favourites with an artsy twist, if you will.

Keep an eye out for events happening at the museum, as there was a Sunday drag brunch taking place during our last visit.

Five Points Bakery & Toast Cafe

Five Points Bakery & Toast Cafe is a special place to come for a delicious slice of bread, and more. They make whole-grain bread using locally sourced wheat, along with other local products like honey, milk and eggs.

They’re only open on Fridays and Saturdays, but the weekday wait is worth it. Their artisanal toast breakfast plates are phenomenal, like their Cinnamon Swirl with bourbon vanilla icing and cinnamon sugar, or their Vollkornbrot, which is sourdough German rye bread served with sauerkraut and melted raclette. The flavour combinations are very exciting, and you can keep an eye on their menu for all the details.

Wonder Coffeehouse

Wonder Coffeehouse is located among the grain silos in Buffalo. They love to remind anyone who visits Buffalo that this is the "City of Good Neighbours", and that couldn’t be more true of how welcoming their space is.

They’re known for their signature Liege Waffles, which are made from scratch in-house. The waffles take all sorts of forms, from sweet on a plate, to savoury as the bread for a sandwich. They also have delicious coffee and an inventive list of specialty drinks and sweet treats. Given the General Mills factory is right around the corner, you can often expect to find a creation nodding to them. Like the Lucky Charms Latte I ordered during my last visit.

Food Truck Tuesday

Though not an official restaurant, Larkinville’s Food Truck Tuesday is a great place to sample all sorts of food in town during the warmer months of the year. It takes place every Tuesday from early June to late August, between 5 PM to 8 PM each night.

It features a variety of food trucks from Buffalo, Rochester, and beyond, creating a warm evening of food, live music, and community spirit. I love to see how many people come out with their lawn chairs each time I come by.

A Few Beer and Cocktail Bars, For Good Measure!

The bar at Waxlight Bar a Vin is always a great vibe in the evenings.

It’s no secret that Buffalo is a city that loves its bar culture. There are too many great options to count, but here are a few that you should have your eye on for your next visit.

High Violet

Hidden away in an alley in Elmwood Village, High Violet is a speakeasy and cocktail bar offering a welcomed escape to cocktail bars of the mid-century. If you’re visiting during the summer months, they also have a lovely patio space located at the back of the property.

Highlights include the Zombie, served in a classic mid-century Tiki glass, and the Pickaxe bourbon-based cocktail. Although cocktails are the main attraction here, there are also a number of small plates you can choose from during your visit.

Duende

Located along the Buffalo River in Silo City, Duende is placed right in the middle of several of Buffalo’s grain silos. It’s an eclectic space built and designed from repurposed and thrifted pieces, and a great bar to come to if you’re looking to unwind for a couple of hours in a relaxed atmosphere.

Their main building has a large, inviting bar on one side of it, and a stage and several carpets adorning the other side of the space. Outside, there’s a sun-filled patio and lawn space, and an outdoor cantina bar, perfect for catching a game on the TV, or playing one of the lawn games outside.

I’d recommend popping by for one of their Sunday jazz Series concerts, held in the afternoons. But it’s also worth visiting for a happy hour, or keeping an eye on their series of rotating events at all times, which are definitely worth checking out.

Beer Keep

This bar is a fun late night spot in Elmwood Village. They have a relaxed and inviting atmosphere, and an incredible selection of beer, making it the perfect place to come with the mission of trying something new.

You can relax at the bar, sit outside, gather with friends, or take your beer to go. They offer a selection of cans and 12 rotating taps, too, featuring special releases and popular lagers.

Diving into Buffalo’s Restaurant Scene is Understanding Its Culture

Perhaps the most quintessential yet unexpected food experience to top off my most recent trip to Buffalo was checking out a Bisons baseball game. It felt like the culmination of not only all things Buffalo, but all things Buffalo food. Where else can you find carrot, celery, blue cheese, chicken wing, and beef on weck mascots racing each other on a field? Or a baseball hat sporting a chicken wing with a side of blue cheese and celery?

This way of not taking themselves too seriously is exactly what makes a trip to Buffalo’s restaurants such a treat. With a population that significantly decreased in the 1950s to one that’s officially on the rise again for the first time in nearly 70 years, Buffalonians are unpretentious. They know what makes this city special, and they’re happy to see others celebrating and appreciating the city again, in the ways that it deserves to be.

I want to thank Visit Buffalo Niagara for hosting me as media. All opinions expressed are completely my own.