Buffalo's 6 Best Restaurants New York Wining And Dining

As the second most populated city in New York State, Buffalo is home to a diversity of cultures that contribute to an inspired selection of award-winning cuisine. From trendy bistros to home-style kitchens; we take a closer look at 10 of Buffalo’s best restaurants.

Anchor Bar

Integral to Buffalo’s gastronomic culture, Main Street’s Anchor Bar is where Buffalo chicken wings made their big debut. Teressa Bellissimo introduced them in 1964 at the Anchor Bar and it continues to boast the ‘Best Wings in the World’ five decades later. Mrs Bellissimo’s recipe proved so wildly popular that former Mayor Stanley M. Makowski designated a ‘National Chicken Wing Day’ in honor of this classic American favourite. In 2003, the Anchor Bar was presented with the James Beard Foundation Award, granted to exceptional restaurants with ‘timeless appeal’ and of course, outstanding food.
Anchor Bar, 1047 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, USA +1 716 883 1134

Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

Located in the heart of Buffalo’s entertainment district, Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant offers an extensive and award-winning wine list paired with critically acclaimed cuisine. Providing premium service, a vibrant atmosphere and a classic yet inventive menu, Bacchus is one of Buffalo’s top choices for discerning diners. ‘Best Small Plates’, ‘Best Wine List’ and most recently, ‘Best Waitstaff/Service’ are among a long list of honours awarded to the restaurant.
Bacchus Wine Bar, 56 West Chippewa Street, Buffalo, NY, USA +1 716 854 9463

Charlie the Butcher

Butcher, Restaurant, American

Charlie the Butcher has been actively involved in Buffalo’s food culture since 1914. Founder Charles W Roesch rose to culinary fame for his beef on weck, an iconic favourite amongst Western New Yorkers that was invented by a German immigrant in the 1880’s. Topped with slow roasted, hand-carved beef and homemade horseradish, ‘weck’ is the shortened term for Kummelweck, a Kaiser roll sprinkled with caraway seeds and coarse salt. Three generations later, Charlie the Butcher is still the go-to place for good food without the frills.

Hutch’s Restaurant

Serving a contemporary twist on American cuisine, Hutch’s Restaurant has flavor in the realms of both food and atmosphere. With a modest decor of exposed brick and vintage posters, Hutch’s provides a cosy yet trendy dining experience with excellent food to match. You can find Hutch’s at the top of several local ‘Best Restaurant’ lists, having received a positive review from the New York Times and the Open Table Diners’ Choice awards for ‘Best Overall’ restaurant, ‘Best Food’ and best ‘American Cuisine’. The menu features innovative dishes like jambalaya pasta as well as classic favourites such as fried calamari.
Hutch’s Restaurant, 1375 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY, USA +1 716 885 0074

Oliver’s Restaurant

Since 1936, Oliver’s Restaurant has consistently ranked at the top of local ‘Best Restaurant’ lists. Voted one of the ‘Best Overall’ restaurants in the city with the ‘Best Ambiance’ and ‘Best Service’ by OpenTable reviewers, Oliver’s has an extensive and dynamic menu of contemporary American dishes with a twist. From Maine shrimp risotto with black currants and English peas to sugar spiced salmon with eggplant caponata and citrus-scented squash, customers have a long list of delicious options featuring a complexity of flavors to choose from. Despite its unassuming exterior, the restaurant’s interior exudes an air of art deco sophistication, making it the perfect place for a romantic dinner for two, or a lively gathering of good friends.
Oliver’s Restaurant, 2095 Delaware Avenue, Buffalo, NY, USA +1 716 877 9662

Tempo

Restaurant, Italian, Mediterranean, American

Situated in the quaint district of Allentown, Tempo is sited in a 19th century Tuscan-style villa that exudes elements of old-world, Euro-American charm. The ambiance is inviting with exposed brick walls, warm light and large, arched windows. The cuisine features a Mediterranean flair to match the surroundings and offers some of the best in Italian-inspired fare with a selection of antipasti, salads, entrées and tempting desserts. Choose from a selection of red, white and sparkling wines to pair with Italian staples like insalate caprese, gnocchi and scungilli. Tempo works with the finest ingredients to create thoughtful recipes that are all the more enjoyable within this modern yet elegant fine-dining establishment.

About the author

Rachel Gould

Art & Design Editor

After four years studying in Scotland, Rachel traded Edinburgh's gothic splendors for the modern grandeur of her hometown. Based in New York City as Culture Trip's Art and Design Editor, she's traveled on assignment from Art Basel Miami Beach to the Venice Biennale, jumping on cutting-edge industry news and immersing herself in feature stories. Her anthropological background continues to support a keen fascination with the social, cultural, and political significance of art.