Top Rated Restaurants en Cafés in East Aurora

First things first, this West Side restaurant doesn't overlook the Seine River—it is not even near water. Nonetheless, this American bistro is quickly becoming one of Buffalo's most popular restaurants thanks to brisk word-of-mouth advertising from happy customers. It is dimly lit, with a small candle atop an intimate table covered in a white tablecloth. Bold fabrics drape the windows, and the walls are cloaked in artwork. Some samples on the ever-changing menu may include delights such as Gorgonzola Fondue for two, pork loin alongside a Grand Marnier cranberry sauce or something simple like Ahi tuna tartar.

This popular cafe sits inside an 1829 building which once housed the Clarence Center Post Office, hence the name. They serve a variety of coffees and specialty beverages, as well as gourmet Panini sandwiches, wraps, salads, soups and desserts. In warmer weather, you can sip your coffee on the cafe's wrap-around porch and if you have children you can order from their menu some favorites like PB&J and grilled cheese for the little guys. Beverage selections include regular and decaf coffee, espresso, specialty coffees (for example, their rich white chocolate mocha), smoothies, milkshakes, tea and Chai. Wine and beer are also served, along with liquored coffees and frozen drinks. Live music adds a nice touch to Friday and Saturday evenings.

This popular, casual restaurant is noted for its signature open faced Rueben sandwich, purported to be the best in Western New York. The eatery was named after the late John Patrick Fitzgerald, a pressman who was on the now defunct Courier Express newspaper for over 50 years. Mr. Fitzgerald was well known in Buffalo’s Irish community. The restaurant’s menu includes Irish favorites like corned beef and cabbage and Irish beer cheddar soup, along with salads, wraps, wings, and sandwiches, as well as steak, ribs, and chicken dishes. Their Buffalo combo includes a mini beef on weck served with chicken wings. They offer free Wi-Fi, USD2 daily drink specials, and have 15 flat screen TV’s. -Christine A. Smyczynski

Red Pepper is a Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant situated in a small strip mall that has an extensive menu of dishes from both countries. Some of their house specialty Chinese dishes include traditional favorites like sesame chicken and Kung Pao beef, as well as other seasonal plates. Vietnamese dishes include the popular and healthy pho, stir fried noodles and egg noodle combos. Daily lunch specials include an entree served with your choice of soup and either white or fried rice. For a special end to your meal, sip some Vietnamese coffee served with condensed milk over ice.

This neighborhood tavern is noted for its enormous hamburgers. They are big on flavor as well as big in size. The burger weighs in at 12 ounces, but they look much bigger. The restaurant was even featured on the TV show Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. Besides the burger, the menu includes huge chicken wings, a cheeseburger soup, and a Friday fish fry. A place like this is always busy, so expect a long wait. And it’s loud too, so don’t expect a quiet, intimate dinner. It’s rumored that Grover Cleveland’s hunting cabin was located on this property, hence the name. -Christine A. Smyczynski

This family owned and operated coffee shop features a variety of hot and cold beverages on the menu, along with a selection of breakfast and lunch items as well as pastries. Breakfast, which is served all day, features a number of breakfast wraps, which are cooked on a panini grill. If you want something sweet, they have muffins, scones, glazed donuts, chocolate chip cookies, and biscotti. You can even get oatmeal or yogurt topped with fruit and granola. Lunch includes a variety of sandwiches and paninis, including basil chicken breast, turkey panini, grilled cheese, and vegetarian. They also have a soup of the day. Beverages include a variety of hot drinks like latte, cappuccino, chai latte, hot chocolate, café au lait, specialty teas, and of course, fresh brewed coffee. They also have several blended cold drinks and fruit smoothies. As you leave, they will tell you to "Have a Goodrich Day." -Christine A. Smyczynski