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Anchor Bar
1047 Main Street
Buffalo, New York
716 886 8920
www.anchorbar.com
Monday -Thursday 11 am - 11 pm
Friday   11:00 AM - 1 AM
Saturday & Sunday 12 PM - 1 PM
Cuisine: Wings (and things)
Inexpensive

They’re not called “Buffalo Wings” in Buffalo. They’re just “wings”. The nationally popular finger food originated right here at the Anchor Bar. (The wings creation story is on the website.) There is an extensive, principally Italian menu. But come here for the wings. Don’t be cowardly; order them “hot” or if you dare “suicidal.” Jazz on the weekends.

Black Rock Kitchen and Bar
491 Amherst St
Buffalo NY
716 551 0261
www.blackrockkitchenandbar.com/
Daily 5:00 – 11:00 PM (midnight on Friday and Saturday)
Sunday Brunch 11:00 AM
Cuisine: Trendy
Reasonable

Mark Goldman has a history of turning unlikely locations into trendy destinations. He’s done it again in the neglected Buffalo neighborhood that gives this eatery its name. The regular menu featuring salads, tasty small plates and meal sized sandwiches is supplemented nightly by an extensive seasonal specials menu. Reservations for parties of four or more accepted. Loud.

Buffalo Chop House
282 Franklin Street
Buffalo NY
716 842 6900
Monday – Saturday 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Sunday 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM
www.buffalochophouse.com
Cuisine: Steaks
Expensive

Every thing that is good and not so good about a steakhouse. The good is the steaks and chops, huge pieces of meat, aged to perfection, wonderfully seasoned and cooked to order. The not so good is everything else including the big sides of undercooked veggies and pedestrian potatoes, all priced a la carte. Fish and fowl are available but that’s not why one goes here. Lush décor.

Founding Fathers Pub
75 Edward Street
Buffalo NY
716 855 8944
No website
Monday – Friday 11:30 – 2:00 AM
Saturday 4:00 PM – 4:00 AM
Cuisine: Pub Grub
Inexpensive

It’s a pub, for sure, warm and friendly, where everyone is made to feel welcome. The décor is an eclectic collection of memorabilia mostly relating to American history and presidents. Genial host Michael Driscoll is frequently found behind the bar from where he conducts a never ending trivia challenge. What’s amazing is the variety of great food turned out in the tiny kitchen including Buffalo’s best burger.

Kuni’s
226 Lexington Ave.
Buffalo NY 14222
716.881.3800
Monday    Closed
Tuesday-Thursday    5pm - 10pm
Friday, Saturday    5pm - 11pm
Sunday     5pm - 9pm
kunisbuffalo.com

Kuni Sato, the master who brought world class sushi to Buffalo, has expanded his once take out only side street location into a graciously appointed full service restaurant. House Specialties include Wasabi Shumai, Tender Salad and KFC (Kuni’s Fried Chicken). And always the freshest sushi and sashimi.

Left Bank
511 Rhode Island Street
Buffalo NY
716 882 3509
http://leftbankrestaurant.com/
Monday – Thursday 5:00PM – 11:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM – 12:00 Am
Sunday 4:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Sunday Brunch 11:00 AM – 3:00 Pm
Moderate
Cuisine: Eclectic

Long a mainstay for fine dining in Buffalo. In addition to the excellent entrees and daily dinner specials, Left Bank also offers “Bourgeois Fare” e.g.,  Hot banana peppers baked in San Marzano tomato sauce with asiago cheese and shredded basil and “Peasant Fare” e.g., Red Beans and Rice with chorizo for ridiculously low prices. Very popular and can be very loud. Reservations highly recommended.

Oliver’s
2095 Delaware Ave
Buffalo NY
716 877 9662
888.881.7337
http://www.oliverscuisine.com/
Monday – Thursday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday    5:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Sunday                   5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Cuisine: Contemporary American
Expensive
 
For decades Oliver’s has remained on the cutting edge of contemporary cuisine. Dinners are perfectly prepared from only the freshest ingredients. The menu changes seasonally. Impeccable service in a beautifully appointed room. A lounge menu is available in the often bustling bar area. Arguably the best restaurant in Buffalo. Reservations are highly recommended.

Papaya
118 West Chippewa Street
Buffalo NY
716 856 2444
www.papayarestaurant.biz
Monday – Thursday 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 11:00 AM – 2:00 Am
Sunday 3:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Cuisine: Asian fusion
Moderate

East meets west in the kitchen of this handsome downtown location. The freshest ingredients are infused with flavors from Thailand, Vietnam, Japan and China. Papaya serves sushi Wednesday through Saturday.

Ristorante Lombardo
1198 Hertle Ave.
Buffalo NY
716 873 4291
http://ristorantelombardo.com
Monday – Thursday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Cuisine: Upscale Italian
Expensive

From its founding as a neighborhood Italian restaurant over three decades ago Ristorante Lombardo has evolved into one of the finest dining establishment in Buffalo. The menu still reflects its Italian heritage: veal, seafood and pasta are imaginatively and exquisitely prepared. A superb Caesar salad for two is prepared tableside. Expect exceptional food and service.

Rue Franklin
341 Franklin Street
Buffalo NY
716 852 4416
www.ruefranklin.com/
Tuesday – Saturday 5:30PM – 10:00 PM
Closed Sunday and Monday
Cuisine: Contemporary French
Expensive

“The Rue” introduced contemporary French cooking to Buffalo many years ago. Immensely popular from the beginning, this world class restaurant has burnished its reputation over the years. Flawless service in understatedly elegant surroundings. In summer, dinner is served on the beautifully appointed outdoor patio. The menu changes with the seasons. Reservations are highly recommended.

Sea Bar
475 Ellicott St
Buffalo, NY 14202
(716) 332-2928
seabarsushi.com
Monday thru Friday
11:30 to 2:30
Monday thru Saturday
4:30 to 9:30

Celebrity chef Michael Andrzejewski kicks Asian fusion up to a whole new level: Volcano Noodles, Chirashi Zushi and fine, fine Nigiri/Sashimi and Maki. Try the Beef on Weck roll.

Shango
3260 Main Street
Buffalo NY
716 837 2326
http://shangobistro.com
Monday – Thursday 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Sunday Brunch 11:00 – 3:00 PM
Cuisine: N’awlins
Moderate

Shango purports to be a “New Orleans Bistro.” The emphasis is on Creole and Cajun: Blackened Catfish, Fried Oyster Po-boys, Creole Bouillabaisse and a pretty wonderful Creole Meatloaf. Shango goes all out for Sunday brunch.

Siena
4516 Main Street
Snyder NY
716 839 3108
http://siena-restaurant.com
Lunch Monday -Friday 11:30 AM -3:00 PM
Dinner Monday – Thursday 5:00 PM -10:00 PM
Friday & Saturday 5:00 PM -11:00 PM
Sunday 4:30 PM-9:00 PM
Cuisine: Upscale fine dining with an Italian accent
Expensive

Good things come from Siena’s wood burning oven, thin crusted pizzas with a variety of unique toppings, roasted chicken, rack of lamb, and fresh Florida red snapper. From the kitchen comes a variety of appetizers, entrées and pastas influenced by the Northern Italian city from which the name is taken.  When it comes to comfort food on a cold winter evening nothing beats the Osso Buco. Note: Siena does not take reservations and on a busy evening expect a lengthy wait for a table.  The long and often just as busy bar provides a convivial place to wait.

Tempo
581 Delaware Ave
Buffalo NY
716-885-1594
Monday through Saturday 5:00 PM ‘till closing
http://www.tempobuffalo.com/
Cuisine: Italian Inspired Contemporary American
Expensive

In the few short years since its founding, chief Paul Jenkins has lead his creation to the top rank of Buffalo restaurants. Tempo is graciously situated in one of the surviving, sumptuous 19th century mansions that lined Delaware Ave in the city’s hay day. Scunghilli fra Diavoll, Grilled Steak alla Fiorentina, Asiago Stuffed Rib Veal Chop and Osso Buco con Gnocchi grace the main menu supplemented by an extensive list of daily specials. The prices are enormous but so are the portions.

Torches
1141 Kenmore Ave.
Kenmore NY
716 447-7915
www.torches1141.com
Lunch
Monday – Friday 11:30AM – 3:00 PM
Dinner
Monday - Thursday 5:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Friday – Saturday 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
Cuisine: Innovative
Moderate

“Í love to cook for people,” says J J Richert. That’s a good thing as he and his brother, Kevin, both veterans of the culinary scene, turn out some of the most sophisticated dining in town. The menu is, to say the least, eclectic blending flavors from around the world (Asian, Jamaican) with good old American comfort food (Nickle City Mac and Cheese). Everything is meticulously prepared. Daily specials. Reservations are a good idea.

Trattoria Aroma
307 Bryant Street
Buffalo, NY 14222
716 881-7592
http://www.thearomagroup.com/buffalo/main.html
Dinner: Sunday-Thursday 5:00-10:00 Friday-Saturday 5:00-12:00
Lunch: Monday-Friday 11:30-4:30
Brunch: Sunday 11:00-3:00

A suburban staple (still going in hoity toity Williamsville) locates to the city and occupies a venerable West Side location featuring possibly the most pleasant patio in town. Trattoria Aroma promises Italiana Rusticanna and delivers on its promise with a wide range of Pastas, Pizzas and Primi Plata. An extensive wine list leans unsurprisingly to Italian choices. Service, while always congenial, can be spotty.