Guidebook for Buffalo
Food Scene
SPoT Coffee
765 Elmwood AveIt's a popular neighborhood.
It's not just a coffee shop it's a bakery that sells great loaves of bread and also makes great bread plates to eat there, that include eggs, pickles, etc.
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Five Points Bakery
44 Brayton StIt's not just a coffee shop it's a bakery that sells great loaves of bread and also makes great bread plates to eat there, that include eggs, pickles, etc.
Their coffee and espresso is good and it's a great west-side neighborhood spot. They serve egg sandwiches, full breakfasts, and other sandwiches. But depending on the time you will have to wait for the goodness so only go here if you're not in a hurry.
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Sweet Ness 7 Cafe
220 Grant StTheir coffee and espresso is good and it's a great west-side neighborhood spot. They serve egg sandwiches, full breakfasts, and other sandwiches. But depending on the time you will have to wait for the goodness so only go here if you're not in a hurry.
This pizza spot near my house is open fairly late and is good "Buffalo" pizza (thick, doughy crust and lots of cheese).
JJs Casa Di Pizza
11 E Mohawk StThis pizza spot near my house is open fairly late and is good "Buffalo" pizza (thick, doughy crust and lots of cheese).
They have great chicken and waffles, but their hours are limited and it's cash only so check before you go.
Freddy J's BBQ
195 Grant StThey have great chicken and waffles, but their hours are limited and it's cash only so check before you go.
This is my favorite pho spot of the big three (also good but not my favorite are Pho Dollar and Pho 99).
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Pho Lantern Restaurant
837 Niagara StThis is my favorite pho spot of the big three (also good but not my favorite are Pho Dollar and Pho 99).
This is within walking distance of my house (10 minutes or so). They have great lunch/dinner food, and serve both coffee and alcohol. I haven't tried the brunch yet, which they only serve on Sundays, but I'm sure it's great. It's a good place to get food by yourself because they have bar seating that looks out onto the street. If you need something open earlier for coffee, try the nearby Caffeology (by the subway station) or Cafe Taza (further down into Allentown). If you're looking for a quick, cheap but good breakfast, go to the Towne (near Cafe Taza).
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Cafe 59
62 Allen StThis is within walking distance of my house (10 minutes or so). They have great lunch/dinner food, and serve both coffee and alcohol. I haven't tried the brunch yet, which they only serve on Sundays, but I'm sure it's great. It's a good place to get food by yourself because they have bar seating that looks out onto the street. If you need something open earlier for coffee, try the nearby Caffeology (by the subway station) or Cafe Taza (further down into Allentown). If you're looking for a quick, cheap but good breakfast, go to the Towne (near Cafe Taza).
This is the closest coffee shop (5-10 minutes walk) other than the places inside the medical campus. It's on Allen Street very close to the subway. They open at 7am but are not open late, only until 5 or 6 pm. They serve cafe-style treats (like cookies) and basic sandwiches, like bagel sandwiches.
Caffèology
23 Allen StThis is the closest coffee shop (5-10 minutes walk) other than the places inside the medical campus. It's on Allen Street very close to the subway. They open at 7am but are not open late, only until 5 or 6 pm. They serve cafe-style treats (like cookies) and basic sandwiches, like bagel sandwiches.
The coffee is expensive but delicious and worth it! They have a few snacks, like avocado toast, that are delicious. It's a little "hipster" in its decor (modern) but not so much that it's annoying. The owner is a very nice guy who cares about good coffee! It's a bit of a hike from my house to this west side neighborhood, but worth it if you are around Niagara Street.
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Tipico Coffee
The coffee is expensive but delicious and worth it! They have a few snacks, like avocado toast, that are delicious. It's a little "hipster" in its decor (modern) but not so much that it's annoying. The owner is a very nice guy who cares about good coffee! It's a bit of a hike from my house to this west side neighborhood, but worth it if you are around Niagara Street.
This is a great diner. They are open long hours and serve breakfast like omelettes and Greek food. Their prices are reasonable and depending on the time you go, the people-watching is stellar.
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Towne Restaurant
186 Allen StThis is a great diner. They are open long hours and serve breakfast like omelettes and Greek food. Their prices are reasonable and depending on the time you go, the people-watching is stellar.
"Food Truck Tuesdays" runs 5-8pm Tuesdays from April to October. For more info: https://larkinsquare.com/things-to-do/food-truck-tuesdays/
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Larkin Square
745 Seneca St"Food Truck Tuesdays" runs 5-8pm Tuesdays from April to October. For more info: https://larkinsquare.com/things-to-do/food-truck-tuesdays/
This coffee shop is off the beaten path but still pretty close to downtown. The coffee, treats and food is delicious!
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Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery
580 South Park AveThis coffee shop is off the beaten path but still pretty close to downtown. The coffee, treats and food is delicious!
BreadHive is not just a bakery... it is a worker-owned collective that makes amazing breads, bagels cookies, sandwiches, snacks. It serves Public coffee.
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BreadHive Bakery & Cafe
402 Connecticut StBreadHive is not just a bakery... it is a worker-owned collective that makes amazing breads, bagels cookies, sandwiches, snacks. It serves Public coffee.
This is a dependable Chinese food restaurant. You can eat in, get take-out, or delivery. It is about a 25-minute walk from my house through Allentown.
Chinese Kitchen
224 Elmwood AveThis is a dependable Chinese food restaurant. You can eat in, get take-out, or delivery. It is about a 25-minute walk from my house through Allentown.
Fat Bob's has bbq, macaroni and cheese, and drinks. It’s well-known to locals.
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Fat Bob's Smokehouse
41 Virginia PlFat Bob's has bbq, macaroni and cheese, and drinks. It’s well-known to locals.
They make amazing empanadas (hot doughy pastry with various fillings). For more info: https://www.buffalorising.com/2015/05/la-gourmet-empanadas-2/
La Gourmet Empanadas
74 Herkimer StreetThey make amazing empanadas (hot doughy pastry with various fillings). For more info: https://www.buffalorising.com/2015/05/la-gourmet-empanadas-2/
This is a bar/restaurant that specializes in rye whiskey. My favorite here is their fancy burgers! It's expensive and nice but not too fancy. They also serve cocktails and craft beer. On Friday and Saturday, they serve food until 11pm and the bar is open until 2am.
For more info: http://www.buffalospree.com/Buffalo-Spree/February-2016/The-Review-Marble--Rye/
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Marble & Rye
112 Genesee StThis is a bar/restaurant that specializes in rye whiskey. My favorite here is their fancy burgers! It's expensive and nice but not too fancy. They also serve cocktails and craft beer. On Friday and Saturday, they serve food until 11pm and the bar is open until 2am.
For more info: http://www.buffalospree.com/Buffalo-Spree/February-2016/The-Review-Marble--Rye/
TACOS. Delicious, fancy, cheap tacos!! This Mexican restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from my house and is very reasonably priced. They also do take-out.
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Casa Azul
191 Genesee StTACOS. Delicious, fancy, cheap tacos!! This Mexican restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from my house and is very reasonably priced. They also do take-out.
This is a quick take-out place that has wraps, souvlaki and other Greek food like falafel, pita, tabouli and hummus. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from my house.
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Rachels Mediterranean
235 S Elmwood AveThis is a quick take-out place that has wraps, souvlaki and other Greek food like falafel, pita, tabouli and hummus. It is about a 15-20 minute walk from my house.
This is a fast-casual staple of Buffalo, and includes many other locations but the Allen Street one is only about a 10-minute walk from my house. Do not order healthy food here (if you can even find it on the menu). Some of their best offerings are: chicken finger sub (order it with blue cheese), onion rings or fries, chicken tacos (add sour cream), or a turkey sub (among many other items). They are open until 5am, but it gets very busy between 3:30am-5am.
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Jim's SteakOut
938 Elmwood AveThis is a fast-casual staple of Buffalo, and includes many other locations but the Allen Street one is only about a 10-minute walk from my house. Do not order healthy food here (if you can even find it on the menu). Some of their best offerings are: chicken finger sub (order it with blue cheese), onion rings or fries, chicken tacos (add sour cream), or a turkey sub (among many other items). They are open until 5am, but it gets very busy between 3:30am-5am.
Closest pizza joint. Within walking distance. Sells slices. Traditional "Buffalo pizza" with thick crust. Ask owner Anthony to try some honey sriracha wings! Usually closed by 9pm so order before 8.
Lovejoy Pizzeria
900 Main StClosest pizza joint. Within walking distance. Sells slices. Traditional "Buffalo pizza" with thick crust. Ask owner Anthony to try some honey sriracha wings! Usually closed by 9pm so order before 8.
This well-known Indian restaurant is in Niagara Falls near the Rainbow Bridge and has a great ice cream store next door, "Twist O' the Mist."
Punjabi Hut
26 Niagara StThis well-known Indian restaurant is in Niagara Falls near the Rainbow Bridge and has a great ice cream store next door, "Twist O' the Mist."
This ice cream hut in Niagara Falls is designed to look like a giant ice cream cone! It is right next door to "Punjabi Hut" (an Indian restaurant) and is about a half-mile walk to Niagara Falls. They have both soft and hard ice cream. A huge waffle cone is only $5!
Twist O' The Mist
18 Niagara StreetThis ice cream hut in Niagara Falls is designed to look like a giant ice cream cone! It is right next door to "Punjabi Hut" (an Indian restaurant) and is about a half-mile walk to Niagara Falls. They have both soft and hard ice cream. A huge waffle cone is only $5!
Milo's is open from 10am-2pm Monday-Friday and serve cheap but delicious breakfast and lunch. It is about a 2-mile walk (40 minutes) south from my house and is very close to Canalside.
Milo's
126 Michigan AvenueMilo's is open from 10am-2pm Monday-Friday and serve cheap but delicious breakfast and lunch. It is about a 2-mile walk (40 minutes) south from my house and is very close to Canalside.
This place has Ethiopian and Mediterranean food and is about a 10-minute walk from my house.
Fast N' Tasty
69 Allen StThis place has Ethiopian and Mediterranean food and is about a 10-minute walk from my house.
This restaurant has bar/pub food, was recently remodeled, and is also a full bar. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from my house.
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Colter Bay
561 Delaware AveThis restaurant has bar/pub food, was recently remodeled, and is also a full bar. It's about a 10-15 minute walk from my house.
Gabe's Gate has THE best wings in Buffalo and also has delicious Spinach Cheese Bread and French Onion Soup. It's about a 15-minute walk from my house and is also a full bar.
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Gabriel's Gate
145 Allen StGabe's Gate has THE best wings in Buffalo and also has delicious Spinach Cheese Bread and French Onion Soup. It's about a 15-minute walk from my house and is also a full bar.
This delicious but somewhat slow/pricey coffee shop is about a 15-minute walk from my house and has several tables where you can hang out if you don't want to take your coffee to go. It is CLOSED on Mondays.
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Grindhaus Cafe
160 Allen StThis delicious but somewhat slow/pricey coffee shop is about a 15-minute walk from my house and has several tables where you can hang out if you don't want to take your coffee to go. It is CLOSED on Mondays.
They have great burgers and whiskey here, but you may have to wait and it's definitely a little pricier than a fast-casual spot.
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Allen Burger Venture
175 Allen StThey have great burgers and whiskey here, but you may have to wait and it's definitely a little pricier than a fast-casual spot.
This Mexican restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from my house. It is a unique Buffalo bar that has delicious margaritas.
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Cantina Loco
191 Allen StThis Mexican restaurant is about a 15-minute walk from my house. It is a unique Buffalo bar that has delicious margaritas.
They make the best grilled cheese with every kind of filling you could imagine. And they serve coffee from Buffalo's Public Espresso!
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Buffalo Melting Point
244 Allen StThey make the best grilled cheese with every kind of filling you could imagine. And they serve coffee from Buffalo's Public Espresso!
This Mexican restaurant is worth the 15-minute drive to South Buffalo. The tacos are amazing and serve breakfast all day, too.
Cantina 62
2178 Seneca StreetThis Mexican restaurant is worth the 15-minute drive to South Buffalo. The tacos are amazing and serve breakfast all day, too.
This indoor street market has several fast-casual restaurants to choose from. It's about a 10-minute walk from my house and has cafeteria-style seating. There is a bar, salads, burritos, and Italian food among other options.
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EXPO Market
617 Main StThis indoor street market has several fast-casual restaurants to choose from. It's about a 10-minute walk from my house and has cafeteria-style seating. There is a bar, salads, burritos, and Italian food among other options.
This restaurant is reasonably priced for a nice dinner and serves amazing French food, including raclette which is a melted-cheese meal where you pick the items such as meat or vegetables to dip. If you sit outside on the patio you get a great view of downtown Buffalo's Main Street.
Raclettes
537 Main StThis restaurant is reasonably priced for a nice dinner and serves amazing French food, including raclette which is a melted-cheese meal where you pick the items such as meat or vegetables to dip. If you sit outside on the patio you get a great view of downtown Buffalo's Main Street.
This waterfront grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers and other quick meals. Their tables give you a great view of Lake Erie, including the lighthouse across the way. After dinner you can walk down to the end of the point to another lighthouse or get ice cream at the stand outside the restaurant.
Hatch
329 Erie StThis waterfront grill serves hot dogs, hamburgers and other quick meals. Their tables give you a great view of Lake Erie, including the lighthouse across the way. After dinner you can walk down to the end of the point to another lighthouse or get ice cream at the stand outside the restaurant.
There are two places in one here: Jerks (for sodas and ice cream) and Just Fries (for French fries and potatoes).
Just Fries
523 Main StreetThere are two places in one here: Jerks (for sodas and ice cream) and Just Fries (for French fries and potatoes).
They serve delicious, fancy stone-hearth pizzas and it's only a 10-minute walk from my house.
Hearth + Press
665 Main StThey serve delicious, fancy stone-hearth pizzas and it's only a 10-minute walk from my house.
Coco
888 Main StNice restaurant within walking distance.
Healthy salads and organic food quick at a reasonable price within walking distance of my place and close to the Allen St. subway. They are even open until 8pm M-F. They close at 6pm on weekends.
Homegrown Kitchen
650 Main StHealthy salads and organic food quick at a reasonable price within walking distance of my place and close to the Allen St. subway. They are even open until 8pm M-F. They close at 6pm on weekends.
Drinks & Nightlife
Depending on the night/host, there is good music or other themed events. The food is great too.
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The Gypsy Parlor
376 Grant StDepending on the night/host, there is good music or other themed events. The food is great too.
The beer is good, it's not a bar, and my friend Vinny works there. They're open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon-8pm.
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Flying Bison Brewing Company
840 Seneca StThe beer is good, it's not a bar, and my friend Vinny works there. They're open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from noon-8pm.
Bands and DJs often play at Town Ballroom, which is about a 10-minute walk from my house.
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Town Ballroom
681 Main StBands and DJs often play at Town Ballroom, which is about a 10-minute walk from my house.
Parks & Nature
This beautiful park is rich with history (it was an Underground Railroad stop) and was recently renovated. Parking is tough and the bathrooms might be locked but there is a Tim Horton's coffee shop a few blocks away down Niagara Street. You can walk down the pier quite a ways toward downtown but then you have to go back to the Ferry Street entrance to get out.
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Broderick Park
1170 Niagara StThis beautiful park is rich with history (it was an Underground Railroad stop) and was recently renovated. Parking is tough and the bathrooms might be locked but there is a Tim Horton's coffee shop a few blocks away down Niagara Street. You can walk down the pier quite a ways toward downtown but then you have to go back to the Ferry Street entrance to get out.
This city park is not to be missed! It's huge... ride your bike around the lake, visit the Rose Garden, or go to the nearby Albright Knox art Gallery.
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Delaware Park
This city park is not to be missed! It's huge... ride your bike around the lake, visit the Rose Garden, or go to the nearby Albright Knox art Gallery.
If you are a runner, this park is a good goal to run to and back from. Watch out for the goose poop though!
Front Park
If you are a runner, this park is a good goal to run to and back from. Watch out for the goose poop though!
This park is only about 1.5 miles south of my house. It has a free public pool that is often open in the summer and it not very busy. Do not bring anything but essentials - they do not allow you to bring anything onto the pool deck (even a towel - you have to hang it on the fence before entering the pool area).
JFK Recreation Center
114 Hickory StreetThis park is only about 1.5 miles south of my house. It has a free public pool that is often open in the summer and it not very busy. Do not bring anything but essentials - they do not allow you to bring anything onto the pool deck (even a towel - you have to hang it on the fence before entering the pool area).
Essentials
This place has any food item you might need, and the prices are better than Tops and items are higher quality.
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Wegmans
601 Amherst StThis place has any food item you might need, and the prices are better than Tops and items are higher quality.
This small hippie food store is pricier than Wegmans, but is a local icon and may have things Wegmans does not. The co-op's hot/to-go food bar is great too, and you can walk up and down the hip Elmwood Avenue area before or after shopping.
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Lexington Cooperative Market
807 Elmwood AveThis small hippie food store is pricier than Wegmans, but is a local icon and may have things Wegmans does not. The co-op's hot/to-go food bar is great too, and you can walk up and down the hip Elmwood Avenue area before or after shopping.
This gas station has the best area prices, and it has a wonderful car wash and a great fast-casual restaurant inside (try the wood-fire pizza).
Delta Sonic Car Wash
1264 Main StThis gas station has the best area prices, and it has a wonderful car wash and a great fast-casual restaurant inside (try the wood-fire pizza).
This is the closest bike shop if you need any supplies, like a bike lock, helmet, tubes, etc.
Rick Cycle Shop
55 Allen StThis is the closest bike shop if you need any supplies, like a bike lock, helmet, tubes, etc.
This is the closest place within walking distance to get incidentals you may have forgotten. But please check with me to see if I have anything you need first, like toothpaste, etc. Be mindful of your surroundings if you walk here at night - do not walk with your phone out and be friendly but firm with any panhandlers.
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Family Dollar
400 Virginia StThis is the closest place within walking distance to get incidentals you may have forgotten. But please check with me to see if I have anything you need first, like toothpaste, etc. Be mindful of your surroundings if you walk here at night - do not walk with your phone out and be friendly but firm with any panhandlers.
This is not just a pharmacy, it is also a pretty decent grocery store. It's small but only a mile away. Please be careful if you walk here, even during the daytime. It's not a terrible neighborhood, but be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence and do not stare at your phone (don't look around like a tourist but if you see something interesting go ahead and take a quick picture).
Tops pharmacy
1275 Jefferson AveThis is not just a pharmacy, it is also a pretty decent grocery store. It's small but only a mile away. Please be careful if you walk here, even during the daytime. It's not a terrible neighborhood, but be aware of your surroundings. Walk with confidence and do not stare at your phone (don't look around like a tourist but if you see something interesting go ahead and take a quick picture).
This drug store is about a 15-minute walk from my house in a decent neighborhood but always be aware of your surroundings.
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Walgreens
650 Delaware AveThis drug store is about a 15-minute walk from my house in a decent neighborhood but always be aware of your surroundings.
Entertainment & Activities
You can walk around, look at the views of Lake Erie, visit restaurants, rent bikes, kayaks and paddle boats, among other fun activities. In the summer there are free fitness/yoga classes and concerts, depending on the day/time. For more info: https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/
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Canalside
LLoyd StreetYou can walk around, look at the views of Lake Erie, visit restaurants, rent bikes, kayaks and paddle boats, among other fun activities. In the summer there are free fitness/yoga classes and concerts, depending on the day/time. For more info: https://www.canalsidebuffalo.com/
This amazing, old-time theater was restored and shows current movies. Be sure to get extra butter in the middle of your popcorn!
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North Park Theatre
1428 Hertel AveThis amazing, old-time theater was restored and shows current movies. Be sure to get extra butter in the middle of your popcorn!
Arts & Culture
Touring shows come through this beautiful theater and including musicals, comedy, and singers. It's worth a look from the outside even if you don't get tickets to a production.
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Shea's Buffalo Theatre
650 Main StTouring shows come through this beautiful theater and including musicals, comedy, and singers. It's worth a look from the outside even if you don't get tickets to a production.
Everything Else
The main Buffalo police station is at Main and Seneca streets, which is a good 20-30 minute walk from my house. But the closer station (B District) is about a 5-10 minute walk and is located at 695 Main St. in the Theatre District.
Buffalo Police Department
237 Main StreetThe main Buffalo police station is at Main and Seneca streets, which is a good 20-30 minute walk from my house. But the closer station (B District) is about a 5-10 minute walk and is located at 695 Main St. in the Theatre District.