I live in Buffalo – the land of lake effect snow, football fanaticism (say it with me now: Go Bills!), and some of the toughest people in the nation.
It’s common knowledge that Buffalo restaurants blessed the world with the almighty chicken wing, and off the back of that legacy, Buffalo has established itself as a culinary haven unique from the rest of the state. We truly have a little bit of everything here, and with more restaurants appearing by the day, it’s worth dedicating some time to some hidden gems in the Western New York area.
These eateries and shops are among my favorites in the region, from the Queen City to the Southtowns, so no matter where your travels land you, you’re bound to encounter some incredible food and amazing people. Of course, this is all based on my own opinion. The city is filled with incredible restaurants and places to treat your palate. I invite you to visit to see all that restaurants Buffalo has to offer.
1. This Little Pig
This Little Pig, nestled in cozy and historic Clarence Hollow, currently tops my list of great places to eat. With a heavy emphasis on farm-to-table sustainable eating (something I’m all about), owners Jeff and Mandy serve upscale American fare on a rotating menu based on seasonal ingredients. I had two of the best meals of my life inside This Little Pig’s walls: a pulled pork gnocchi served with bacon and red sauce and a grilled New York Strip garnished with roasted garlic, green beans, carrots, and mashed potatoes.
The restaurant has won numerous awards in the Buffalo region for its food and atmosphere. Follow its social media pages to see what menu changes are afoot.
2. Mambrino King
East Aurora’s Main Street looks like it’s been plucked from a Hallmark movie and delicately placed in the heart of Western New York’s Southtowns. You’ll find Mambrino King, a coffee, chocolate, and wine bar, here.
Don’t stop in just for the truffles: Mambrino has a rotating menu of small plates and incredible desserts to pair with your drink. Enjoy a basil martini from the herb garden right outside their front doors, cozy up in the eclectic interior, and get ready to chat with residents and friendly staff alike.
My recommendation? Try one of their signature lattes and ask about your server’s favorite menu items. This strategy led me to a beautiful lavender cake and a chocolate torte I’m still thinking about years later.
3. Griffon Gastropub
Conveniently located right down the street from Mambrino King (and in other locations across the Buffalo Niagara region), Griffon Gastropub hosts a lively atmosphere and a diverse menu comprised of exotic ingredients. Consider their Wild Game Burger, which changes daily and has featured burger patties made of camel, kangaroo, boar, and ostrich.
You can’t go wrong with either of my personal favorites: their Chicken and Waffle sandwich and appetizer-sized corn fritters. If it’s on the menu, ask for their potato soup, which you can get in an appetizer or meal portion.
4. Lake Effect Ice Cream
Lake Effect’s original location is on Hertel Avenue, which is the place to be if you want to experience Buffalo’s art and culture. Here, you’ll find incredible ice cream creations, including sandwiches and sundaes. Their menu currently features Meyer Lemon, Loganberry (a classic Buffalo drink), Red Hot (made with Frank’s Red Hot Sauce), and London Fog (an Earl Grey tea flavor). In the past, I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Potato Chip, Butterbeer, and Blue Moon ice cream. If you’re overwhelmed by their options, don’t worry: they offer a sampler plate where you can experience nine small scoops of your flavors of choice.
Lake Effect has a special place in my heart for offering dog popsicles. You can buy them in a quart or a pint to take home to your furry friends.
5. Taqueria Los Mayas
My best friend and I discovered Taqueria Los Mayas during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic when New York State was placed on Pause. During this time, Buffalo restaurants were only permitted to provide takeout service. I’m not sure what encouraged us to walk up to a nondescript building and place an order, but I’m glad we did.
The Mexican food at Taqueria Los Mayas was life-changing for me on more than a few fronts. I’m regularly able to get the best tacos and tamales Buffalo has to offer just a few blocks from where I live. I’ve had their quesadillas, tacos, enchiladas, and fajitas, but my favorite remains their chicken chimichanga, which is so large I always get two meals out of one portion.
I also credit Taqueria Los Mayas with helping me recover from some crippling food-related anxiety, but that’s a story for another day.
6. Campfire Grille
Campfire Grille has two convenient Buffalo restaurant locations in the greater WNY area: one in the Northtowns and the other just outside Cheektowaga. Both are around the corner from the Buffalo and Niagara International Airport.
Campfire Grille serves lunch specials, but their true talent is crafting creative and filling breakfast dishes. I always order their bacon and apple pancakes served with plentiful potatoes. A fan favorite is their signature French Toast Logs, thick French toast rolled with fruit and cream cheese and topped with cinnamon sugar, whipped cream, and syrup. Come hungry!
7. Hydraulic Hearth
If you want to spend some time in gorgeous historic Allentown, this is the place to be. Hydraulic Hearth is a bar and restaurant that offers unique small plates and artisan thin-crust pizzas. Their bar selection is impressive, carrying the usual staples to unique ciders and creative cocktails. In the past, I’ve enjoyed Aaron Burr ciders and a seasonal rhubarb-gin cocktail. Hydraulic Hearth has an impressive wine selection, which changes more frequently than any other place I’ve dined in.
Hydraulic has a beautiful outdoor space with plenty of tables, booths, and benches for you and your friends to enjoy. I love to use their patio in the early summer and fall, when temperatures are much cooler. If you’re dining outside, don’t feel pressured to order off of the menu: Hydraulic allows outside food and is dog-friendly.
I recommend ordering their Greek fries and burrata pizza if you stop by.
