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A Local’s Guide: 10 Best Restaurants in Buffalo NY

Best Restaurants in Buffalo

Buffalo, New York has long been hailed as a foodie’s paradise – and for good reason. From restaurants serving up the original Buffalo chicken wing to trendy juice bars, Buffalo has a place to eat to satisfy even the pickiest foodie. Be sure to visit with an empty stomach and high expectations, because you’re sure to leave the Buffalo food scene both satiated and completely satisfied.

Of course, there are hundreds of great restaurants to choose from, but to help you narrow it down, here are 10 of the best restaurants in Buffalo NY that you definitely have to try!

Duff’s Famous Wings

bbq chicken wing platter

If you come to Buffalo, then I hope you like chicken wings! Buffalo is the original birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing, after all. 

For a taste of the iconic Buffalo wing, stop into Duff’s! Not only is Duff’s a local favorite, but they serve up some of the area’s most famous wings. For over 40 years, this cozy establishment has been serving up some of western New York’s highest quality wings and has satisfied customers from locals to tourists, and even former US President Barack Obama. 

Ashkers Juice Bar & Bistro

Ashker’s is the perfect combination of healthy, trendy, and totally delicious. Their menu features a creative blend of smoothies, freshly made sandwiches, and cold-pressed juices served in mason jars. Oh yeah, and they serve all day breakfast. What more could you ask for? 

Ashker’s is located in the heart of Elmwood Village, one of Buffalo’s hippest neighborhoods. Stop by Ashker’s after your morning sweat sesh, or for a lunch break while you browse the local shops. And don’t forget to check their online event calendar to learn about their various local sponsored events that fund community outreach projects! 

Ristorante Lombardo

having a glass of wine at dinner

Have an occasion worth celebrating? Or maybe you’re just feeling fancy. Whatever the reason, Ristorante Lombardo is one of THE BEST restaurants in Buffalo to find elegance and fine dining. The menu features a selection of regional Italian dishes and recipes crafted from scratch by the restaurant’s head chef. And everything is prepared using only the best ingredients, of course.

You’re guaranteed to feel like royalty when you dine at Ristorante Lombardo. The restaurant prides itself on staff that goes above and beyond to make sure everything is exactly to your liking, right down to the last sip of the best quality wine.  

Chef’s 

Chef’s is a Buffalo classic and the best place for group dinners and family dining. Chef’s opened in 1923 as a simple Italian restaurant in downtown Buffalo. But over the years, Chef’s has grown in popularity and has become the go-to restaurant for community news events and local meat raffles. The décor is simple and cozy Italian and the menu features a variety of hearty Italian comfort foods

Be sure to try their famous Spaghetti Parm, which was invented by accident, but is now a Chef’s staple! Also, keep your eyes peeled because you might just spot a professional athlete or two, since Chef’s is a Buffalo Bill’s favorite! 

Pearl Street Grill & Brewery

serving beer at a brewery

Pearl Street Brewery is one of several top-notch breweries in Buffalo. This brewery is located inside a historic 4-level warehouse. The overall feel is industrial warehouse meets old-world architecture. Pair that with the chic (yet warm and cozy) décor and endless craft beer menu, and you have a brewery with a whole lot of charm! Pearl Street Brewery is one of the best spots to pop in for [huge portions of] bar-&-grill fare, a game of billiards, or to catch the Bills game on TV! They also offer brew house tours and host local events such as DIY craft classes and Paint Nite.

Ted’s Hot Dogs

Stop into Ted’s for the best hot dogs in Buffalo. Ted’s Hot Dogs was founded by a Greek immigrant, Ted, in the early 1900s. The restaurant has remained family owned and operated for over 90 years – and beloved by locals for just as long. It’s rare that the line won’t be out the door here. The hot dogs are huge and there’s a seemingly never-ending list of toppings to choose from (or just choose them all and opt for “the works”). Stop by and quench your curiosity for why a hot dog place is so famous! 

Panos

Stop by for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. But take note that Panos has been hailed as one of the best restaurants in Buffalo for brunch for more than 30 years! It’s a favorite spot to stop in before a day of shopping or after a late night out. Located right in the heart of the Elmwood district, Pano’s restaurant has a wide variety of food and drinks to satisfy even the pickiest eater (be sure to try their Bloody Marys!). If you’re visiting during prime time – which is just about every time here – don’t forget to make a reservation well in advance! Otherwise, you could find yourself waiting for a table for up to an hour.

Seabar

sushi served at restaurant

Seabar is downtown Buffalo’s shining gem of innovative seafood-inspired cuisine. Stop in for a variety of cocktails and a large selection of creative dishes crafted from the freshest ingredients. On the menu, you’ll find sushi, sashimi, noodle bowls, fresh oysters, draft beers, and Artisan Sake – plus a full kitchen menu for dinner plates and lunch specials. The ambiance is rather upscale and the vibes are modern and contemporary, yet inviting. Dress is formal to smart-casual.

Amy’s Place

You’ll hear of Amy’s Place referred to as “a college hole in the wall”. But hear me out. This low-key cash-only diner may be small and understated, but they serve up THE BEST breakfast sandwiches in all of Buffalo. Seriously. Plus the portions are huge and the prices are insanely affordable.

Share Kitchen & Bar Room

sharing pizza slices

Share is the perfect place to visit with a group, family, or as a date night because everything on the menu can be made to – you guessed it – share! The space is relatively small with a very relaxed, informal, and cozy setting. From the menu, you can choose to split plates consisting of everything from fish to beef. And don’t worry – if you’re not in the mood to share you can also order a plate (or two!) just for yourself.

Have you tried any of these best Restaurants in Buffalo? If so, let us know your favorites in the comments below.

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