Buffalo takes eating seriously. The city is famous for one spicy appetizer, but anyone who lives here will tell you the food scene is much wider: Polish bakeries, Italian-American red sauce, Irish pubs, a growing craft beer culture and a younger generation of chefs and coffee roasters. This hub is your orientation, and links to our detailed guides as they publish.
The classics
Buffalo wings
Locals just call them wings. Chicken wings fried and tossed in a vinegar-and-cayenne hot sauce with butter, served with celery and blue cheese, are the dish that put Buffalo on the map. The Anchor Bar is widely credited with the origin story, and the debate over who does them best is a local sport. Order them medium, hot or the way your friend group likes them, and always with blue cheese rather than ranch if you want to blend in.
Beef on weck
Thinly sliced roast beef on a kummelweck roll, a salted, caraway-topped roll, usually served with horseradish. It is the other signature Buffalo sandwich, and you will find it at taverns, delis and restaurants throughout the region.
Pizza, cup and char
Buffalo-style pizza tends to have a thicker, bready crust, sweet sauce and cup-and-char pepperoni, the small pepperoni that curls into a little cup and chars at the edges. Locals have strong opinions about their favorite pizzeria.
Other local specialties
- Loganberry: A tart-sweet drink with a regional following.
- Sponge candy: A crisp, airy, chocolate-covered toffee, especially popular around the holidays.
- Chicken finger subs, charcoal-grilled chicken and hot dogs: Everyday comfort food you will see on many menus and at roadside stands.
- Fish fry: A Friday tradition at taverns and parishes, especially during Lent.
- Polish and Italian baking: Pączki before Lent, pastries from long-standing bakeries and plenty of pasta.
Beer, bars and cocktails
Buffalo has a lively craft brewery scene alongside its classic corner taverns. Many breweries have taprooms with food trucks, and several neighborhoods have bar clusters: Allentown, Elmwood Village, Hertel Avenue and downtown’s Chippewa area, each with its own personality. In South Buffalo and the Old First Ward, pubs tied to the neighborhood’s Irish roots still anchor social life.
Coffee and bakeries
Independent roasters and cafes are easy to find in Elmwood Village, Allentown and downtown, and bakeries across the city carry on old-world traditions. Many are small and family run, so check hours before you go.
Where to eat by neighborhood
- Elmwood Village: Casual dining, cafes and brunch spots within walking distance of each other.
- Allentown: Late-night dining, bars and an artsy crowd.
- Hertel Avenue (North Buffalo): A long strip of restaurants, bakeries and bars with a neighborhood feel.
- Canalside and downtown: Waterfront patios and pre-game dining.
- West Side: A mix of global cuisines reflecting the neighborhood’s diversity.
- The suburbs: Strong local pizzerias, family restaurants and wine-and-dine options, especially in Williamsville, Clarence and Orchard Park.
Tips for eating like a local
- Order wings the Buffalo way, with celery and blue cheese.
- Try a Friday fish fry in a tavern or parish hall.
- Go early on game days, since popular places fill fast.
- Ask your server what the kitchen does best. Locals love recommendations.
- Check hours online, since some independent spots keep limited schedules.
Our food and drink guides
Browse the Food & Drink archive for the latest guides. This hub’s list of featured articles grows as new pieces publish.
Related
Restaurants open, close and change menus often. Confirm hours and details with the business before you go.