Tourist Guide to Buffalo and Niagara Falls

For most of my guides, I am the tourist and they are my guides. But Buffalo and Niagara Falls is a little different. I grew up outside of Buffalo in Attica (if you’ve heard of the Attica prison, you’ve heard of my hometown) but I’ve lived in Florida for 15 years. I guess that makes me local-turned-tourist.

The Husband and I still go to WNY often, since our families are there. We have friends who still live there, and we follow a lot of Buffalo social media accounts. We’re still die hard Bills fans, and even made it to a Sabres game this year. But still, we live in St Pete so if I’m missing anything, drop it in the comments and I’ll add it to the guide.

This guide is in sections, and most things will be listed in the order of how much I liked them when I wrote this. Most favorites, especially pizza and wings, are fluid and can change every time I have them, since they’re all so good.

BUFFALO

WINGS

Food is a huge part of the Buffalo culture, with wings being the first thing people think of when they think of Buffalo. In Buffalo, we don’t call them Buffalo wings, we just call them wings, and they are served with blue cheese, carrots, and celery. You won’t get called out for eating them without blue cheese, but you will get teased a little if you order them with ranch dressing. And please, for the love of chicken wings, don’t go to Anchor Bar.

• Wingnutz: A relative newcomer to Buffalo, they have the biggest wings that they somehow manage to cook to a perfect crisp on the outside while staying moist on the inside. The sauce is incredible and these should be the standard for all wings. They are the one thing Barstool Sports and I agree on: they are the best wings in the world. Since they use huge wings, they are more expensive, but it’s worth it.

Location: 1402 Millersport Highway, Williamsville, NY 14221

Hours: Sunday-Thursday 11-9:30, Friday and Saturday 11-10:45

• Bar-Bill Tavern: Bar-Bill is a WNY institution. The original location is in East Aurora, southeast of Buffalo, but now there is also Bar-Bill north, close to the Buffalo airport. If you are flying in or out of BUF and only have time to eat at one place, I would pick Bar-Bill. The wings are consistently wonderful, and their cajun-honey butter BBQ sauce is unique and delicious. They also have a delicious beef on weck, which has it’s own section later in the guide, so you can try both. If you’re a beer drinker, get the Ellicottville Brewing Company Blueberry Wheat on draft. I don’t drink much beer anymore but this is my favorite.

Locations: Near the airport- 8326 Main St, Clarence, NY 14221 East Aurora-185 Main St, East Aurora, NY 14052

Hours: Airport- Everyday 11:30 am-10 pm, East Aurora-Everyday 11:30-1 am

• Elmo’s: They don’t have a website, it’s definitely a hole-in-the-wall bar, but the wings are so good. They’re crispy, the sauces are so delicious, and they’re cooked perfectly. They double dip their wings, which makes them saucy while staying crispy instead of soggy.

Location: 2349 Millersport Highway, Getzville, NY 14068

Hours: Monday through Saturday 11:30am to midnight, closed Sundays

• Nine-Eleven Tavern: This cash-only dive bar is consistently on the list of best wings in Buffalo. The dark, woody interior holds a small bar and few tables, so be prepared to wait if you go at peak times. The wings are a good size and the sauce is just right, but they could have been a little crispier for me. To be fair, I only eat flats and they were at the bottom of the huge pile of wings we ordered, so that probably contributed to the lack of crispiness. The Husband said his were cooked just right.

Location: 9-11 Bloomfield Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14220

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday, 4:30-9, Friday and Saturday, 4:30-9:30, closed Sunday and Monday

• Kelly’s Korner- Yet another hole-in-the-wall bar without a website but they are the quintessential chicken wing. Crispy, delicious, and honestly, the baseline that all chicken wings should be. Nothing particularly special, just the way a chicken wing in Buffalo should be.

Location: 2526 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216

Hours: Monday through Saturday 11:30 am -4 am, Sunday noon-4 am

• Forty Thieves– This Allentown restaurant has a great menu, including delicious wings with tons of flavors. The Forty sauce is delicious; it tastes like a hot sauce with some BBQ and garlic mixed in. They also have a great French onion soup.

Location: 727 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222

Hours: Kitchen hours- 11 am-11 pm, bar until 2 am

Doc Sullivan’s– We’ve only had them once, and took them to go, but they are on every list of top wings. It’s definitely on our list to go back and try again.

Location: 474 Abbott Rd, Buffalo, NY 14220

Hours: 11 am-2 am, every day

• Duff’s– A Buffalo wing list isn’t complete without Duffs. The wings are crispy and delicious, and they have so many different levels of spicy for their sauce. They’re not necessarily the best, but eating wings there is a great tourist Buffalo experience.

Location: Multiple locations, see here. I’ve only been to the original at 3651 Sheridan Dr, Amherst, NY 14226

Hours: 11 am-10 pm everyday

• Gabriel’s Gate: This mid-1800’s spot looks and feels like Buffalo the moment you walk inside. I can’t explain it, but if you know, you know. Like the other spots on this list, Gabriel’s Gate is on every Buffalo wing list. They are a good size and the sauce is tasty, but they aren’t cooked quite crispy enough for me. They are still delicious, but not quite good enough to be my top wing. Their French onion soup, another Buffalo staple that will be listed later in this guide, is top notch. One of the best I’ve ever had.

Location: 145 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-12 am, Friday and Saturday, 11 am-1 am

• Honorable mention: An hour outside of Buffalo is Pony’s in Middleport. They use grape jelly or something in their wing sauce, giving them a unique and delicious flavor.

PIZZA

Buffalo-style pizza is one of the more underrated pizzas. Thicker than NY style, thinner than Chicago, and just the right amount of fluffy. The sauce is usually a little sweeter and cup and char pepperoni is more popular than regular.

• Picasso’s Pizza-I love Picasso’s Pizza. It’s my go-to when I want a quintessential Buffalo-style pizza.

Location: They have a few, but I usually go to the one at 6812 Transit Rd, Williamsville, NY 14221

Hours: Sunday-11 am-9 pm everyday

• Carbone’s– Another pizza that is made exactly the way a Buffalo pizza should be. The wings and fingers are also pretty legit, if you want a one stop shop.

Location: They have two locations

Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11 am-11 pm, Friday and Saturday, 11 am-12 am

• Imperial Pizza– Their crust is really good, with sauce that goes almost to the edge. They also have wings, fingers, and subs.

Location: They have two locations

Hours: 11 am-10 pm everyday

• Bocce Club Pizza– Another delicious option. You can’t go wrong with Bocce’s pizza

Location: Multiple in Buffalo and immediate suburbs, all open different hours

• La Nova Pizza– This used to be one of the best pizzas in Buffalo, but the last few times I had it it was just okay. I’m keeping it on the list because it’s still really good (the bar is just really high). Their BBQ wings are a great compliment to the pizza.

Location: They have two locations, both open different hours.

• Just Pizza– They aren’t the best pizza in Buffalo, but they have a ton of locations and are great for a quick slice. If you’re hungry and just need a fast meal, skip McDonald’s and head to Just Pizza

Location: Multiple, all open different hours

• Macy’s Place– If you want to try unusual pizzas, Macy’s Place is the spot to go. They have over 50 varieties of pizza, many with lots of fun and unique toppings, like chicken and waffles and the Nick at Nite pizza, with chicken nuggets, curly fries, pizza rolls, and sauce.

Location: They have two locations, with slightly different hours

• Jay’s Artisan– Jay’s pizza isn’t Buffalo-style, but it still needs to be on the list. They serve Neapolitan and Detroit style pizzas and is one of the top pizzas in the world (8th best in the US, 28th in the world). We’ve had a lot of pizza, and they definitely deserve the awards.

Location: 2872 Delaware Avenue, Kenmore, NY 14217. Open Tuesday-Friday, 4-8 pm, Saturday 12-8 pm, closed Sunday and Monday

Honorable mentions: J Dubs Pizza and Subs‘ Jenny Wall Phat Pie is one of my favorite pizzas. It’s a white pizza on fluffy, homemade crust with banana peppers with ham and grilled chicken shaken in hot sauce. They’re about an hour outside of Buffalo but worth the drive. Pizzeria Florian in East Aurora is also an incredible Neapolitan-style pizza place. It’s so good, and East Aurora is a cute little town to visit, not far from Buffalo.

BEEF ON WECK

Beef on weck is a Buffalo specialty. It’s a roast beef sandwich on a kimmelweck roll (similar to a hard roll with salt and caraway seeds on top). It’s traditionally served with ketchup and horseradish. Here are a few places to get a great beef on weck.

• Swiston’s Beef and Keg-located on the Erie Canal and my favorite (when I still ate meat)
• Charlie the Butcher-quintessential beef on weck spot
• Bar-Bill Tavern– perfect place for wings and a beef on weck
• Anderson’s Frozen Custard– This ice cream place has a great beef on weck. Get a side of curly fries.

FRENCH ONION SOUP

I’m not sure why, but French onion soup is another WNY staple. Nearly every restaurant has it, and it’s all essentially the same: beef broth, onions, bread, cheese, seasoning, in a crock. While most French onion soups in Buffalo are good, these three are my favorite.

• Mike and Pops-My top French onion soup. Perfect flavors, not too salty, and has delicious herbs on top. They’re also known for having great wings, but I haven’t tried them yet
• Forty Thieves– Their French onion soup is flavorful with loads of melted cheese on top
• Gabriel’s Gate– Super tasty and piping hot

HOT DOGS

Hot dogs are another big deal in WNY, in terms of restaurants and the ones you buy at the store. The most popular (and best, in my opinion) are Sahlen’s hot dogs. They have a casing that snaps when you bit in, and it gives them the best flavor, especially on the grill. They’re so good that I ate them even in my pescatarian era. Other favorites are Zweigle’s and Hoffman’s (more toward Rochester).

The hot dog restaurants in Buffalo all do things a little differently, but all that the same result: a delicious hot dog.

• Louie’s Texas Red Hots– a Buffalo staple, get a red hot with onions, mustard, and Louie’s Sauce. Make sure you get fries with a side of Louie’s sauce.
• Ted’s Hot Dogs-Get a footlong Sahlen’s hot dog and a fountain Loganberry- it’s a delicious soda that’s kind of similar to fruit punch, except much more delicious.
• Zorba’s Texas Hots– Similar to Louie’s, get a Texas hot, a hot dog with onions, mustard, and Texas hot sauce. I also just learned while writing this that they opened one in Fort Myers, so now I need to drive down there and get one!
• Frank’s Gourmet– Started as a food truck but now have a brick and mortar. They’ve won a bunch of awards, including best french fries. Try one of their gourmet dogs (the veggie joker burger was also the best black bean burger I’ve ever had), and make sure to get an order of fries.

BBQ

• Southern Junction– Indian-Texan BBQ fusion, this award-winning BBQ is LEGIT. The Husband loved everything he got, especially the sauces. Don’t sleep on the curry sauce. The mac and cheese was one of the best I’ve ever had.
• Dinosaur BBQ– A central and western NY institution, Dinosaur BBQ does all types of BBQ, plus things you want to see at a BBQ place (like poutine!). Even if you don’t like BBQ or eat meat, you will love Dinosaur BBQ.

BREAKFAST

• Paula’s Doughnuts– You can’t go to Buffalo and not get a peanut stick at Paula’s Doughnuts. I don’t care if you don’t like doughnuts or peanuts, you need one (unless you’re allergic, then you get a pass and my sympathies). And if you live near Tampa, bring me one back, please. (Their other doughnuts are also delicious.)
• BreadHive Cafe– This cozy coffee shop has delicious breakfast sandwiches.
• Spot Coffee– A local chain found throughout WNY, they have great coffee, especially my go-to: lavender vanilla iced latte.
• Most Greek restaurants- Buffalo has a big Greek population, with great Greek restaurants. Almost all of them do a great breakfast.

Miscellaneous

• Wegmans subs- Wegmans is the greatest grocery store ever. They have the most incredible selection of groceries, prepared food, and ready to cook meals. They also have amazing subs. The Buffalo chicken sub is a favorite, but their cold subs are fantastic, too.
• Lloyd’s Tacos
• Mighty Taco– Like Taco Bell, but better
• Toutant– Elevated southern food
• Buffalo Chophouse– Steakhouse that I’ve never been to but people rave about it
• Chef’s– Get the spaghetti parm
• Jim’s Steak Out– The chicken finger sub is legit, especially after a night of drinking
• Poutine- This Canadian dish of french fries, cheese curds, and gravy are all over WNY and I’ve never had a bad one
• Manito’s Taco Shop– This gem in Lockport is worth the 45 minute drive to get their delicious tacos and queso

DESSERT

• Sponge candy- There are a lot of candy shops in Buffalo, and they’ll all have sponge candy. It has spun sugar on the inside that is covered in chocolate. It’s unique and delicious. Watson’s is my favorite, Henry’s is another fan favorite, but even Wegmans’ sponge candy is delicious.
• Perry’s Ice Cream– Many of the ice cream shops serve Perry’s ice cream, made locally in WNY. Try The Husband’s favorite, Piece of Cake.
• Anderson’s Frozen Custard– After your beef on weck and curly fries, grab a homemade ice cream or frozen custard. Their off menu item, a Boston Cooler, is my favorite thing there. It’s like a vanilla milkshake with Vernors’ ginger soda. Don’t be surprised if the person taking your order doesn’t know what a Boston Cooler is; not everyone there can make them.
• Panorama on Seven‘s sponge candy cheesecake- Located inside the Marriott HarborCenter hotel, this decent dessert is delicious and worth every single calorie. They also have a great view.

BREWERIES

• Big Ditch Brewing Company– Hayburner is The Husband’s favorite beer, but at 7.2%, it can sneak up on you!
• Resurgence Brewing Company
• Community Beer Works
• Pearl Street Grill and Brewery
• Southern Tier Brewery
• One-Eyed Cat Brewing
• Brightsmith Brewing– This cute spot near the Buffalo airport has a great food menu and awesome beers.
• New York Beer Project– Their flagship location is in Lockport, about 30 minutes from downtown, is a great place to stop if you go to the Erie Canal locks in Lockport
• Wayland Brewing Company– Located in Orchard Park, near the Bills stadium, this brewery has great beer and food menus, plus a great vibe.

WINERIES

If you like white wine or sweet wine, you’ll love WNY wine. If you have extra time, head up to Niagara-on-the-Lake (Canada) or over to the Finger Lakes and check out the wineries.

DISTILLERIES

• Buffalo Distilling Company
• Tommyrotter Distillery
• Hartman’s Distilling Co.

HOTELS

• Curtiss Hotel– Our favorite hotel in Buffalo. It’s a 5 star hotel, and you can tell. It can be pricey on peak days, but they have good deals on slower days. They also have a rooftop bar and a ground floor carousel bar, both worth checking out even if you don’t stay.
• Embassy Suites Downtown– If you’re a Hilton person, it’s an option. The location is great but the hotel is just okay. It wouldn’t be my first choice, but it’s not a terrible option.
• Marriott HarborCenter– Great location, especially if you’re going to an event or game at KeyBank Center. Plus their Panorama on Seven has the sponge candy cheesecake.
• The Mansion on Delaware– I always say I’m going to stay here, but end up booking the Curtiss instead. It’s a 4 star hotel in a beautiful 19th century brick mansion, and it looks like the perfect blend of old and modern.

THINGS TO DO

• Albright Knox Gallery (AKG) Art Museum
• Buffalo History Museum
• Darwin Martin House and Graycliff, Frank Lloyd Wright houses in the area you can tour
• Mayer Brothers– A trip to Buffalo in the fall isn’t complete without an apple cider slushy and apple cider doughnuts from Mayer Brothers
• Shea’s Theater
• City Hall Observation floor
• Canalside
• Allentown
• Elmwood
• Chippewa- lots of bars and clubs
• Murals on Hertel Avenue
• Buffalo Shop Craft for nice souvenirs/gifts
• My Cuzin Vintage store
• Delaware Park
• Buffalo Botanical Gardens
• Eternal Flame Hike at Chestnut Ridge Park- awesome to see the flame behind a rock wall
• Tifft Nature Preserve
• Erie Canal
• Niagara River
• Niagara Falls

NIAGARA FALLS, USA

Niagara Falls, US, has the nicer falls, so Niagara Falls, Canada, has the nicer view. They also have a better Niagara Falls area, but the US side is still worth checking out.

• Goat Island– This beautiful park has tons of walking trails, and you can get really close to the falls. It’s also where I recorded my (almost) viral Instagram video. Check out Cave of the Winds if you want to get up close and personal with the falls.
• Maid of the Mist– Get up close and personal with the falls, make sure you have a poncho. Also a must-do for any fans of The Office!
• Underground Railroad Heritage Center– Like most border cities, Niagara Falls and WNY played a big part in helping people escape slavery in the south.
• Wine on Third– Cute little wine bar and bistro. The saganaki is delicious!
• Seneca Niagara Resort and Casino– Casino hotel with great views of the Niagara River and the falls. They also have pretty decent events.
• The Giacomo Hotel– A cute boutique hotel walking distance from the falls.

NIAGARA FALLS, CANADA

Since the Canadian side has a better view, there’s a lot more to do in Niagara Falls, Canada.

• Clifton Hill– A very touristy area, with tons of bars and restaurants. I spent a lot of time there from 19-21 years old, but as soon as I could drink in the US, I never went back (drinking age in Canada is 19). They now have a Mario Kart-looking racetrack that I would love to try.
• Journey Behind the Falls– A walkway through caves and tunnels behind the falls, including an observation deck at the foot of the Horseshoe Falls, the falls between Goat Island and Canada.
• Fallsview Casino Resort– A casino hotel with great views of the falls.
• Embassy Suites Niagara Falls Fallsview Hotel-5 minutes from Clifton Hill and has a great view of the falls.

MUST TRY FOODS IN CANADA

There are some amazing eats in Canada, from snacks you can only find there to things that just taste better.

• All Dressed Chips
• Lay’s Ketchup chips
• Coffee Crisps
• Aero bars
• Maple Oreos
• Smarties (not like the chalky ones here, totally different)
• Beaver Tail pastry
• Bloody Cesar (like a Bloody Mary but with clam juice)
• Poutine
• Tim Horton’s Coffee
• McDonald’s (they have poutine and it’s delicious!)

Go Bills!

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