Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Buffalo

Casual and friendly, Osteria 166 is a nice place to stop by for a quick lunch or a leisurely, fun meal out with friends. The atmosphere is lively and vibrant, with plenty of groups and couples enjoying a meal out. The restaurant has a buzzing bar section, as well as a quieter restaurant dining area. The bar often features live music and is great for an after work drink with colleagues. The menu is largely Italian featuring comfort favorites like Fresh Mussel Stew, Burrata with Charred Bread, Veal, Spaghetti and Meatballs and Classic Pizza.

Occupying a first floor space in the swank Avant Building in Downtown Buffalo, SEAR introduces an inventive take on the classic New York steakhouse. This modern restaurant offers an exquisite chef-driven menu that features brilliantly plated creations of Wagyu Beef Carapaccio, Pork Belly, Prime Ribeye, and the Kansas City strip. There is also a small plates menu, and a customary seafood menu serving staples like Seared Sea Bass, and Seared Ahi Tuna. An impressive wine list featuring nearly 350 wines complements the flavors wonderfully. With respect to the decor, SEARS sports a chic, modern layout, replete with dark mahogany wood furniture, sleek banquette seating, and a delicate crystal ceiling to dine under. The restaurant also provides a room for private dining, as well as a separate bar counter, distinct from the main dining area.

While this upscale yet casual downtown eatery has all sorts of lunch and dinner entrees to choose from, the reason you come here is for the chocolate. First, the entrees offer salads like Greek pasta salad, Buffalo cobb salad or Thai chicken salad, or perhaps try a sandwich like turkey Florentine, peanut butter, honey and banana or Buffalo chicken. Then there's desserts, with specialties like molten lava cake, frozen hot chocolate and more, including homemade ice cream with flavors like Belgian hot fudge, sinnamon (sinfully delicious cinnamon?), and "peanut butter panic". They also serve over 2 dozen different martinis. - Christine A. Smyczynski

Since 1990 Mohawk Place has been known as one of Buffalo's premier live music clubs. Over the years it has hosted national acts, local live blues acts, as well as underground and independent bands. Actually, they welcome any music that is not mainstream, including indie rock, punk, avant garde, new wave and folk. In 2002, the venue went through a major expansion to allow for a bigger stage and seating for 300. They host a Friday-night happy hour featuring local blues bands.

Located conveniently in the heart of Downtown, Berrafato’s Prima Pizza and Pasta is a great take out, delivery and dine in Italian restaurant that offers everything from pizza to spaghetti and meatballs. Upon entering, there is a bar seating against the window and a spacious dining area. The dining space has an old charm and a warm atmosphere. A fun place to hang out with friends after school, college or work. Make sure you try the Cheese and Pepperoni Pizza – A classic hit among the masses. It comes with a generous layer of cheese that simply melts in your mouth along with some thick slices of Ronnie.

Charlie the Butcher's Express is a classic deli that specializes in traditional American cuisine, especially fresh sliced roast beef. Located in the historic Ellicott Square Building in Buffalo, this delicatessen serves delicious sandwiches including baked ham, corned beef, prime rib and roast pork. Charlie's special dishes include roast turkey, mini beef, buffalo roast beef and mini turkey. This deli also provides a take out and catering service for private events.