50 Best American Restaurants in Buffalo

“Five year anniversary dinner and Bacchus was on point! Or server, Kristin, was great. She gave us complimentary bubbles to toast to our anniversary and made great food and wine pairing recommendations. She also made the night fun with information and little sayings all the while catering to our every want/need. The food, bubbles, and wine were all great quality and delicious. We will be back soon!”

“Fricking awesome. Beer battered fish fry: amazing. Beef on weck: outstanding. Chicken noodle soup: flawless. Curly fries: killer. Onion rings: the best. Grilled cheese & tomato: delicious. The menu selection is old school with a ton of variety. The only negative; the ice water tastes like it's straight out of an aquarium. I highly recommend this place - it's a true gem.Parking: Parking in the lot is TIGHT. Best to find a spot on the street.”

“Enjoyed my gourmet Frank Mi dog with hand cut fries for dinner tonight. I really enjoyed the pickled carrots and radish toping on the Frank Mi, it cuts down the greasiness of the hot dog. Fries were crispy slightly over fried for me, but still tasty. I can't wait to come back to try different things on the menu.Large parking lot is very convenient.”

“Beautiful ambiance, chef inspired menu and charming mixologists made this a highlight stop for our visit to Buffalo! Reservations are recommended but we were charmed sitting at the bar with Ian, our bartender, guiding our cocktail and menu choices.”

“Had an awesome experience at Winfields. It was our first time ther ebut it will not be our last. The food was exceptional and the service was even better! I overheard the bartender say the menu is changing soon so if you like German/Bavarian food get there soon. Both the Wurst and Pork Schnitzel were great!”

“We dined here for our 23rd anniversary with good friends that live in the area. We were looking for somewhere special with a speakeasy old school feel. From the moment you walk in you're taken back to a time gone by. Warm and inviting with special books for dinner and drinks. We had our dinner in the upper level which was beautiful. The bar is absolutely beautiful and their bourbon selection is fantastic! Everything was perfect. The hostess was full of energy, lively and made us feel special the moment we walked in. Our server was wonderful. Drinks on point and food delicious. Highly recommend!! We loved everything about this and the experience was top notch. It we lived in western NY I know this would be a regular place to visit.”

“Look, here's the deal, if you're sensitive, this probably isn't the place for you. This is an old school joint owned by one of the original proprietors, and he's rough around the edges, but still nice!! He talked smack to us all night, but we loved it - and we were a group of 3 - and I only say that because I've read mentions of him being bigot, and that was not our experience at all.Now for the important part - the food and beer were perfect!! Between us we tried veg beef soup, clam chowder, steak sandwich, beef on weck, fries and onion rings. All were great!! Some of the best onion rings I've ever had, and the steak and beef both melted in your mouth. We would absolutely return.Thanks, Pat!!”

“Great spot with great service. Servers and bar tenders are knowledgeable about their wine list and cocktails. I had the cauliflower and pork. Both very yummy and flavorful and I’d imagine everything on their menu is good. Oil olive cake for dessert is a must! I’ll be back next time I’m in town.”

“We love The Poppyseed! We have been going for years. The service and food have always been excellent. We had April Showers and Jamaican salads. The food is unique and very fresh. Poppyseed is always busy. I recommend this restaurant to everyone who asks what's good in the Hamburg area.”

“Did takeout and the artichoke with crab was good. Solid appetizer size and good flavor. The octopus dish was solid but the octopus didn’t have enough char and wasn’t the best cooked. The flavor was there but just needed to be cooked longer and seared.”

“Fabulous Poutine with authentic BBQ, a tasty brew, good conversation in a wonderfully decorated, historic venue. Built for use by Universal Studios to store their film archives, when film was stored in temperature controlled rooms! The bar staff mentioned that the floor ca.e from a 'Crayola' crayons factory, she teased me when the sun warms the floor you can smell the Crayons!!! A great family venue, I'm so glad I walked down the street from the ALoft to find this wonderful place.”

“Just attended an office picnic luncheon catered by BW's. Wow! Everything was excellent. The barbecued pulled pork had the right amount of smokiness. The baked beans were perfection. The chicken was juicy and flavorful. The macaroni salad tasted great and the vegetable lasagna was quite tasty. I didn't have room to try any other foods but I didn't hear a single complaint from anyone. I would highly recommend them to anyone for any occasion.”

“The servers have always been good and continue to be. I feel like the food has declined in the past few years. We went on a Friday recently, which may have been our fault. There was a 15 minute wait for a table. It was unfortunately loud in the dining room. I had the royal sandwich and fries. It was mediocre. The sausage had very little flavor. Worst of all we left the restaurant reeking of fry oil. Immediately had to shower and change clothes. Lastly, cash only has lost its charm. It's 2023, start taking electronic payments already.”

“Upscale restaurant and bar downtown Buffalo. The Restaurant is located off the Lobby of the hotel. There is a parking garage about 200ft from the Hotel. This quaint, upscale restaurant offered delicious food and specialty food that was fun and delicious to try. The staff was friendly, accommodating and really went above & beyond. The restaurant was modern, clean and a great place for a business breakfast or lunch or a nice place to go for a quiet and attentive breakfast. The price is a little more expensive than Mom & pop restaurants but the specialty food and the AWESOME staff was well worth it. We were entertaining our relatives from Out of the Country. The cook was nice enough to give us a gigantic frosted cinnamon roll on the house. I wish the breakfast menu had more options but everything else was top notch. I wish all restaurants had staff that were that attentive, friendly and accommodating.Vegetarian options: Vegetarian options. Staff is very accommodating and was willing to make substitutes.Dietary restrictions: Staff is very accommodating and willing to make substitutes.Parking: The parking garage was about 200ft away. We went there on a Sunday morning and didn't have to pay for parking. It's a multi-level garage with plenty of parking.Wheelchair accessibility: The restaurant is on the first floor. No stairs. There is a designated drop-off spot outside the hotel's front door for easy entrance.”

“Ballyhoo has been a favorite spot of mine from day one. This is the place to go for a well made cocktail without a hint of pretentiousness or inflated cost. Service from the bar is always quick whether it's dead or packed. They nailed a perfect vibe of warm, friendly neighborhood tavern with a punk rock twist (always impressed with the music selection and the volume is just at the right level so you can hear it clearly but you don't need to shout to talk with your friends. Oh and the food menu is simple but delicious. Do not skip the Mac and Cheese, the pickles or the ice cream sandwich.”

“This restaurant has the kindest, most thoughtful staff in the entire world. My boyfriend and I needed the handicapped parking spot that was in front of the restaurant, but we weren’t able to access it due to a non-handicapped resident taking up the space. As a result, we had to park and walk a lot further than we liked. We let them know what happened only because we were running late and we didn’t want to lose our reservation. The staff made this their problem as well and went out of their way to help us when they didn’t even need to. They made sure we had a table close to the door and watched the spot to see if it would open up. When it did, the manager stood there and held that spot to make sure that my boyfriend could move his car there so that I didn’t have to make that walk again when we left. We were treated like royalty all night by the entire staff and I was nearly brought to tears by how thoughtful everyone was. Not only is the service top notch, but the food was more than exceptional. Everything we ordered went well beyond our expectations. The food was cooked perfectly, the flavors so rich, presentation was wonderful. This was our first time here but we already can’t wait to come back and make this our regular date night spot to try everything on the menu. I know we said it a million times, but thank you again to every single person who worked last week. Our faith in humanity has been restored.”

“These folks are a powerhouse. Inventive cocktails! Mystery dinners! Adventurous options! After experiencing a couple of dinners, I can't wait to come in for charcuterie and cocktails.Vegetarian options: The chef will cater to any diet or food allergies for dinners. All you have to do is ask.Dietary restrictions: Any restriction gladly accommodated with advance request.”

“This is not the fanciest restaurant in Buffalo, but it's among the top in terms of cuisine. The Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is spectacular, the creme brule is perfect. My son raved about the stuffed banana peppers. Of all the restaurants in Buffalo, I chose this one for my birthday. Thank you Bobby J's for the perfect meal!”

“Fabulous restaurant that I ate at for the first time. Goodmenu with all kinds of burgers, pasta, steak and chicken. Only thing is peppered chips were too strong. Seating is ok..inside & out, however inside was a bit too cold. Sitting outside was ok!!I would come back when I visit again in WNY.”

“Every time I’ve eaten at the Phoenix 269 the food was incredible- the service is perfect. I love the atmosphere and the patio. It’s a cozy, family run business that makes you feel like your eating with family! I had the shrimp dish / it was delicious. The ice cream pie was unbelievably good! I’ll be back.”

“I love this little throwback. Run by Sharon, also owner, it's a place to call "cheers". You're greeted by name with a bright smile. Ang can be found in his customary seat in the early hours, strangers become friends here. The food is great, prices reasonable.”

“not sure what made me stumble in here the first time, but I've been at least ten times over the course of the last couple years. definitely my go to spot when I'm craving a burger. theirs are stellar. everything about it, from the bun, to the freshness of the veggies, the quality of the meat, the sauce options, the fries it's served with; there's not a weak link. outstanding quality. they also have a great fish fry. I honestly can't speak to the rest of the menu. it all looks good, but I can't resist ordering the burger.”

“I am still experiencing the cappuccino I had this morning! So tasty, You didn't give me a cup of coffee you give me a cup of magic and I loved every second of it. Breakfast was delicious. Hash browns or crispy bacon with perfect ! It was a little bit challenging to find parking but I am glad I overcame the challenge of looking for a parking spot because it was worth it. ? yum!”

“If you are reading this and contemplating whether or not you should eat here… the answer is ABSOLUTELY YOU SHOULD! We had two appetizers and two entrees and everything was beyond all expectations! The bartender was very friendly and made excellent drinks. The owners/chefs are INCREDIBLE and will not let you down! Thanks again for an unforgettable meal!”

“From the cozy ambience to the delicious food, everything about this restaurant is a win. We stopped in for dinner on a Friday night, and much to our delight, there was no wait. The service was excellent (shout out to our friendly & knowledgeable server, Whitney!!) and my salmon was cooked to perfection. 6/5 stars for sure.”

“Visited twice in the few days I was back in Buffalo. First was a private event upstairs. Had a great time and did a fantastic job. Bartenders were very helpful with beer selection and super polite. The second time was for appetizers and drinks. The waitress was very nice and gave great recommendations. Wings were great. She even asked if we liked them crispy, saucy, or both. They make their sauce with an in-house IPA. Steak tacos were amazing as well. Highly recommend to those in the downtown Buffalo area. Pictured are wings (10 for a single order), steak tacos, and an apple cinnamon mule that my love ordered. Octoberfest (not pictured) is also a great go to.Wheelchair accessibility: The first floor is easily accessible to those with disabilities.”

“I hereby agree with the number of reviewers who say these are the best wings in Buffalo. After getting an order of 10 wings the night after a Bisons game - and they were calling themselves the Wings that night, I must note - well, here's what I have to say.Sauce: Not thin, not tasting Tabascoey like some "Buffalo" style sauces. I asked for the extra hot, and it came out reddish instead of pale orange. Deep flavor mixed in with the extra kick of heat. It was the perfect kick for me and rock solid buffalo flavor.Wings (and legs): Quite meaty. Not a broken bone in the lot. Rock solid meat for your money.Sides: Bleu cheese dip I'm pretty sure is made in-house. It was smooth and cheesy with a gigantic chunk of bleu cheese in the middle of the dip. I had my celery with the dip for dessert to avoid diluting the perfect sauce on each wing, and it was the perfect dessert.Union is a local-style pub. Darker place, limited beer selection with only a couple of locals/crafts, not a lot of room, but not a ton of crowd after the ballgame. I think most visitors and tourists either eat in the stadium or hit up a more famous place like Anchor or Duff. But right across the street from the stadium is my new frontrunner for best Buffalo wings anywhere. Oh, and I did find one local beer to wash them down, so really Union hit on all counts.”

“We visited for lunch on a Saturday afternoon after visiting the Buffalo zoo. I don't give perfect reviews very often but this restaurant and our server deserve that. From the front end manager to the hostess that seated us to our server and the staff that brought the food out, this was a wonderful experience. I'm very familiar with Greek food. My souvlaki salad with gyro meat was Authentic. Our server, Shaina, was a delight. Highly recommended!”

“I stop in the for lunch as I was waiting for my passport. Within minutes they made me feel like a regular and I was a part of the family. The food was great and glad I got the confetti scones for dessert.The owner also gave me their card because they love when people send postcards from their hometown so they know they got home safely.I love this place.”

“We went here for my husband’s birthday. We had made a reservation but the table they were going to give us had already been taken so we ended up sitting right in front of a very busy kitchen. Not ideal for a special dinner. The food though was great. My husband’s bison was great! Our carrot cake dessert was really good too. Service was great. Did not feel rushed at all.”

“I stopped here for the first time ever today. I've been wanting to get here for a long time. It's on Abbott Road near Ridge Road. There are parking spots just past the building and behind the building. The woman who took my order was friendly and kind. I sat at the counter and ordered six Texas hots with all of the toppings. (The sign on the front window said buy five get one free.) I ordered fries as well. They were great but I was hoping for a larger serving. I sat at the front counter to order. They have tables and booths as well. In between the booths, they have plastic for Covid. Everything came to $17.36, which I was fine with. (Everything is so expensive nowadays, I'm sure.) The staff was friendly and I can't wait to go back and try more of their food. (I forgot to take photos.)”

“This is my favorite restaurant in South Buffalo /Lackawanna. The staff is accommodating the atmosphere is warm and inviting. It's always busy but somehow there is always room for one more. They have great specials and something on the menu for everybody. I love to get a grilled Danish and I eat it before my entree because I want to make sure I have room for it. Their macaroni salad is the bomb diggity. Buffalo chicken soup is delish. Every time I'm in buffalo I make sure to stop there. I would travel in to take my grandmother once a week from olean before she passed. That's a two hour drive. Stop by you wont be sorryParking: Lots of parking availableKid-friendliness: Kids menu with kid friendly options and high chairs and booster seatsWheelchair accessibility: It is wheel chair accessible from sidewalk level”

“My vegetarian son was in town and we chose Cafe 59 because it satisfied both of our requirements for a delicious lunch. We ate outside and chose salads from a fairly extensive menu. It was fairly busy but the service was excellent and the food was very good.It is now one of my go to restaurants for lunch or dinner. I am never disappointed!”

“The other reviews claiming these are the best wings they have ever had are true. They are the best wings I've ever had as well. It's also not too crowded and there is no disruptive music either. The place will be remembered for future cross-border visits. Also, in case you end up wondering: we had no trouble carrying leftover wings back across the border to Canada (declared at Peace Bridge at Buffalo if that matters).”

“I took a dear friend here for dinner. I messaged the restaurant ahead of time so they could appropriately humiliate him with birthday fuss at the end of the meal...total surprise right?! It seems like everyone goes there for birthdays because there was bday sparkles being served all around throughout our meal. No surprise at all but on to the meal. Man the cocktails are wonderful...creative and not too boozey. Our entrees were perfect. Yes you will SPEND money but these people have it down to a science. My server was perfect in his presence and his attention - not too much, not too little. The portions are not obscene but definitely enough to satisfy you. I recommend the duck, so savory and balanced. Plating was beautiful and although we were probably the last two diners left, no one rushed us out. A beautiful night that I hope to repeat again soon.”

“Best pub in Buffalo. Good culture and vibes. No weird people or individuals you have to avoid. Security is fair but nice. If you wanted to escape from the college bar scene, walk into a place where "everyone knows your name". Go to Essex.”

“Just had the best foodie dinner! Wished I took more photos. Everyone at home was busy except my foodie teen and me. She has never been to the Little Club and I go rarely. Melinda (?) and Maggie our severs had excellent suggestions and did not make us feel rushed even though we were late. We shared 3 small plates (beets with tahini, fennel with herbs, carrots and burrata) and the sirloin steak. Everything was delicious, beautifully plated, not something you could make at home. The steak was served medium rare and sliced, was so tender with a bitter salad and a creamy sauce. The big farm carrots were roasted perfectly with burrata that definitely is not from the grocery store. The herbs on the fennel were all fresh. The tahini with the beets was the best way I have ever had tahini. The French red wine on tap was a perfect light and dry accompaniment.”

“A group of friends visit the Rust Belt when we choose to get everyone together. They have a ramp to enter making it wheelchair accessible. The wait staff are knowledgeable, friendly, patient, and attentive. The food is great and the prices are way less than expected. They have NA beer as well as full bar. The dining area is spacious and well laid out. Parking appears scarce, yet I've never had a problem finding a spot, even during restaurant week. I first heard about Rust Belt from friends who had an excellent experience and now it is THE restaurant people are always recommending when they say, "You know a really great place you've gotta try if you haven't been...".Parking: Looks like a small lot, but I've never had an issue finding a spotWheelchair accessibility: Yes. Ramp indoors once you enter from the front.”

“Last time there, I counted 53 different flavors of ice cream. Perry's ice cream!!! ?That doesnt include the soft serve custard!!? Generous portions for a reasonable price. The service is always quick and pleasant. Great milkshakes. There is a seating area with picnic tables. Stop by. You won't be disappointed. And who doesnt like ice cream?? Across from Riverside Park on the side of building.”

“Cozy neighborhood eatery and bar. The staff are friendly and make you feel like a regular on your first visit. The wings are great. Good buffalo sauce and crispy, blue cheese is really good, and I'm a buffalo wing snob. Atmosphere sings old buffalo with antiques and vintage photos.”

“Great food fantastic people amazing atmosphere. I would suggest trying their homemade chicken fingers. FantasticParking: There's parking in front on the side and in the back of the restaurants I would say approximately 30 parking spots”

“My husband and I went out to eat here on Friday to try their fish fry and it was excellent. The breading was unique and crispy and it didn’t taste like it was old gross fryer oil. The bar attendant was friendly and attentive. It’s a somewhat small place, I don’t believe their is actual waitresses, just order at the bar and they’ll bring you the food if you’re at a table. Overall a decent place for bar food with a great fish fry.”

“My wife and I will stop here before we go to Flying Bison. The bartender is always super friendly and attentive. The food is always good here too. Prices are easy on the wallet too we always have a couple of beers and dinner for about 40bucks. Can’t beat this place! Chicken wings, burgers and fish fry’s are all awesome!!!”

“1st time there..FANTASTIC! The Food was excellent, so was the Service, and if you're lucky, the Cook will serenade you on the Harmonica!!Vegetarian options: Waitress was very knowledgeable and helpful.Wheelchair accessibility: Accessible :)”

“We shared broccoli and cheese bites and each had a Reuben sandwich. Both were delicious. Our waitress was friendly and did a great job even though it was busy and she was the only serverWheelchair accessibility: I appreciated the ground floor accessibility it was easy in and out with my walker. The dining room was easy to navigate with the tables far apart enough for easy walking.”

“Went for dinner before a Sabres game which is a perfect spot. The atmosphere was chill and the food was great. But it was the service would bring us back again. EVERYONE was so nice - Jasmine, our server, was so sweet, met the owner (who personally stopped at our table to check on things) and her husband - who was still talking to us and giving us notes on the place as we were leaving. You can tell that everyone there was happy to have us and love what they do. Thank you!”

“Please go to this place and say hi to Mike. He will entertain you with trivia questions and stories of buffalos past while you eat steak sammies and hamburgers. This place helped me repair my relationship with my estranged son douglas even after everything I went through with his mother. I love it hear.Kid-friendliness: i brought my son here after spending several years estranged and we were able to work it all out over steak sammies and 6 or 7 beers he even called me dad again for the first time in the last ten years”

“We had the pleasure of having Naomi as our server when we came in on Wednesday and haven’t been able to stop thinking about the food! I loved the Rigatoni and my date had the New York Strip and they were delicious. She was engaging and patient with us and we loved the”

“Nice place. Good service. Had the grilled chicken sandwich (with bacon added). Came on a nice sesame seed bun. The chicken was a bit tough and dry; not bad but not great either. There is enough on the menu that I'd definitely go back to try other fare. Nice vibe to the place.”

“I came to the restaurant with my sister and a few friends ... our food was delicious .. I met the chef Josh who made outstanding shrimp fritters ... to die for ...and the short ribs was tender and delicious ... I recommend eating there and let me not forget my sever ... I forgot her name but she was amazing and funny .. overall great experience”