I am a foodie who loves to explore local cuisine and support local restaurants and businesses. There is an abundance of them in Buffalo and Niagara Falls, NY.
Therefore, this area is a haven for all of you food lovers out there!
I look for affordable and unique places, especially those that accommodate my food allergy. By planning trips around food allergies, I can eat what I want, and feel comfortable while traveling.
The following are the top eateries that I visited during my off-season trip. I like to taste the local dishes and the house specialties whenever possible. I am allergic to dairy, therefore, I search for kitchens that will accommodate my needs.
ELMWOOD VILLAGE – HOME TO INCREDIBLE FOOD, COFFEE AND MORE
I stayed in Elmwood Village, named one of the United States’ “10 Best Neighborhoods” by the American Planning Association.
The streets are filled with independently owned businesses and public art to peruse and enjoy.
Go for a nice walk, shop, eat, taste a craft beer, whatever makes you happy.
And in Elmwood Village, you will find many things that will brighten your day. This quaint and hip neighborhood offers the best coffee shop scene in Buffalo.
I was there for five days and enjoyed every minute.
ASHKER’S
The owner, Angelo Ashker, is an incredible guy.
He reassured me that my order would be prepared without any dairy in the ingredients, nor would there be any cross-contamination in the preparation. This was music to my ears. I had found a healthier place to add to my Buffalo New York restaurant guide.
His restaurant (four locations in Buffalo) was one of my favorites. The menu is filled with healthy options for breakfast and lunch. Many of the items are dairy-free.
I prefer my juices with to be a mix of vegetable and fruit.
The Heated Heart, a cold-pressed juice comprised of beet, carrot, ginger, lemon, apple, and cayenne was my pick. It was not too sweet and had a nice kick from the cayenne. It makes for the perfect restaurants guide Buffalo NY healthy option.
For my main dish, I ordered the pumpkin pie smoothie bowl.
It was a delicious combination of banana, spiced pumpkin, almond milk topped with pumpkin granola, coconut and chia seeds. The bowl is a creamy blend of Fall flavors. The crunchy toppings were visually appealing and added texture.
For dessert, the coconut chia pudding is a healthy treat that is not overly sweet.
The chia seeds pop while you chew, which is a surprising and pleasant sensation. Don’t be fooled by the name, you must try this indulgence.
I ordered a cashew milk latte with non-dairy salted caramel, a satisfying and creamy combination of salty and sweet.
What a delicious way to get a caffeine fix!
During my second visit, I ordered the Electric Lime cold press juice, a tantalizing concoction of lime, mint, pineapple, apple, cucumber, and kale.
Lime green is one of my favorite colors. I began to salivate when the brightly hued juice arrived at the table.
Cucumber and mint are so refreshing, and adding kale to the mix is a fabulous way to ensure that I get my greens!
This blend of ingredients was crisp and invigorating.
Next to arrive was the garden plate. The dish was a medley of a savory tofu bean mix, peppers, onions, cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, spinach, home fries, and basil.
It was served with multi-grain toast and jam. This crunchy and hearty power meal tasted oh so fresh. Popeye would approve!
I couldn’t leave for the Buffalo Niagara Airport without indulging in a delicious and filling breakfast at Ashker’s beforehand. It was, hands down, one of the best restaurants guide Buffalo NY breakfast places. I hope you will love it as much as I did!
ROOT AND BLOOM
Root and Bloom is another gem located in the Elmwood Village neighborhood. It offers a plant-based menu free of meat, dairy, and honey.
I always look for vegan restaurants when traveling. First, they offer healthy, fresh food and second, no dairy is used in any of the dishes.
This lifestyle offers many benefits. When traveling, the body is stressed and exposed to many germs. Eating a healthy and bright colored diet boosts the immune system.
Above all, I have an entire restaurant full of options to choose from, rather than just a few.
I ordered the Fernando, fried tostadas with black beans, ranch egg sauce, quinoa chorizo, griddle seared ranch eggs and vegetables, habanero cream, sliced avocado, and cilantro.
A dream on a plate, it was creamy without any dairy, mildly spicy and very filling. It was a great place to go if you are looking for the best lunch in Buffalo or a delicious dinner option!
If you are hungry, this is the dish to order. For those of you non-vegan Mexican food lovers, you will get your fix without missing the meat or dairy!
The apple crisp was made in a cast-iron skillet with spiced New York apples and crumble, topped with a scoop of non-dairy vanilla ice cream and cinnamon caramel.
To date, it is the best I have ever tasted.
Indulge in this dessert, it is heavenly. Root and Bloom is a “must experience” during your Buffalo adventures.
COFFEE: BLUE MOUNTAIN COFFEES AND MORE
Blue Mountain Coffees is a local business in Elmwood Village. They offer wide varieties of coffees and teas, and the store smells amazing.
The aroma hits you instantly when you enter the store causing that Pavlovian effect, a mouthwatering prelude to satisfying that caffeine craving.
The roaster roasts the beans locally, in store.
I tasted the organic fair trade Ethiopian and the Kenyan coffees. Both were full-bodied.
I added dairy-free coconut caramel flavoring to my almond milk latte. The syrup enhanced the taste and made it exceptional, even by the standards of the most discerning java drinkers. It acts as the cherry on top of any restaurants guide Buffalo NY brunch.
There is also a nice gift shop if you are looking to take something home for later.
Other excellent choices to get your caffeine fix nearby include Caffe Aroma, Perks Café and Spot Coffee.
WINGS – THE ORIGINAL ANCHOR BAR AND OTHERS
The Buffalo Wing originated right here in this very establishment. On March 4, 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was bartending at Anchor Bar and his mother, Teressa, was working in the kitchen.
When his friends showed up hungry, he asked his mother to make them something to eat.
She took chicken wings that she usually cooked in the stock pot and consequently fried them instead. Then she combined a simple butter and hot sauce.
The rest was history. Buffalo Wings have since become perhaps the greatest bar food ever.
I ordered 20 wings with a degree of heat ranging between the medium and hot. The kitchen uses only dairy-free margarine, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn I could eat them. Consequently, I did not have to skip the sauce. It was delicious!
My dish was accompanied by celery sans the blue cheese. I did not miss it one bit!
A knowledgeable resident told me that Duff’s Famous Wings, Gabriel’s Gate, 911 Tavern, Elmos and Amherst Ale House all make superb wings. Hopefully, the next time I am in the area, I will sample them all! This was one of the most fun restaurants in Buffalo!
NIAGARA FALLS
POWERCITY EATERY
Powercity Eatery is another favorite restaurant of mine in the Niagara Falls vicinity. This Buffalo NY restaurant guide would not be complete without it. It is located just a five-minute walk from the state park. Powercity offers many vegetarian and vegan food options and an extensive selection of coffee drinks.
I was in the mood for meat, so I ordered a pastrami, egg, and Canadian bacon sandwich on homemade sourdough bread. The presentation was simple, but the meal was far from it.
The salty goodness of the pastrami and bacon added so much flavor to the hearty, crusty bread. Consequently, the combination was a foodie’s dream.
I indulged in an almond milk cappuccino with a homemade lemon cinnamon ginger flavor. After all, a plain cappuccino is oh so 2017!
Jahlil and the rest of the staff were friendly and attentive. They assured me that there would be no cross-contamination in the preparation of my beverage.
This is a must for food-allergic travelers. The loaves of bread are all dairy-free too. An all-around win-win for me, I give this a 5 out of 5 grasshoppers!
The lack of cross-contamination and abundance of allergy-friendly foods is a recipe for good food Buffalo NY.
RED COACH INN
The Red Coach Inn is a restaurant that boasts of a panoramic view of the rapids. It is conveniently located within walking distance to Niagara Falls.
Most eateries offering scenic vistas either overcharge or underwhelm. However, the food is fabulous and the prices are affordable. The view is good, but not spectacular as advertised.
Everything else about the Red Coach Inn is impressive. The wine bar within offers a wide selection of wines by the glass, beer and coffee drinks and is a nice gathering spot to relax and unwind. The fireplace provides ambiance and a comfortable spot to warm up after a long visit to Niagara Falls State Park.
I ordered the vegetarian stuffed Portobello mushroom, with tomato, spinach, artichokes, Portobello mushroom, non-dairy risotto, and oils. The mushroom was beefy and the stuffing a delicious rich Mediterranean blend of flavors.
The waitstaff, Ashley and Joe, were attentive servers and very accommodating regarding my dietary needs. Their bread was exceptional…. daaaayuuuum.
The restaurant’s proximity to the state park offers the option to take a relaxing break from sightseeing. You can return to the park after dinner for free, so there is no reason to miss this gem. It is, after all, in this ultimate Buffalo area restaurant guide.
RESTAURANTS WITH OUTDOOR SEATING
In the age of COVID travel restrictions, many value tourists are prioritizing Niagara Falls and Buffalo restaurants with outdoor seating. Fortunately, there are plenty of delicioous options to consider. In Niagara, consider popular establishments like Savor, the Red Coach Inn, or Wine on Third. In addition, the Bakery Restaurant & Lounge is always another promising choice. In fact, you may want to consider making a reservation at the Top Of The Falls Restaurant, Buzzy’s New York Style Pizza, or the Parkway Prime Steakhouse & Lounge. Certainly, there are plenty of great restaurant choices for outdoor seating in Niagara Falls and Buffalo.
BIG IN BUFFALO
ANDERSON’S
Anderson’s is a local favorite. There are six locations in the city and they also have a food truck. This makes it one of the most trendy Buffalo restaurants around! Their custard is dynamite.
In addition, there are two vegan flavors which are also suitable for those who are allergic to milk or eggs. I selected the chocolate raspberry chunk which was creamy, rich, fruity and chewy all at once. What a dynamite combination!
The Beef on Weck sandwich, a Buffalo specialty, was my favorite menu item. The chef slow roasts the roast beef until medium rare and serves it warm on a Kimmelweck roll with au jus, salt, and pepper.
If you have never heard of a Kimmelweck roll, it is a Kaiser roll topped with pretzel salt and caraway seeds. For a classic “Beef on Weck”, definitely opt for the horseradish on your sandwich.
PEARL STREET GRILL AND BREWERY
The Kielbasa I had at the Pearl Street Grill and Brewery following the Sabres game was tasty and satiating.
The extensive beer selection draws locals inside. Include this grill and brewery in your list of restaurants in Buffalo NY if you want to experience the town like a local.
Buffalo hosts an annual Best Kielbasa Contest.
TRAVELING WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS
It’s safe to say that traveling with dietary restrictions in Buffalo, NY and Niagara Falls is not difficult. This restaurants guide Buffalo NY area list does not skimp on vegan, allergy-friendly options. Enjoy yourself by visiting accommodating places that still offer the local experience.
You can enjoy the places in the best restaurants guide buffalo NY on the water and still get a meal you can enjoy.
GRASSHOPPER GREG’S IMPRESSION
In conclusion, Buffalo is a culinary city that offers a plethora of friendly local businesses with unique and pleasurable dining options.
Don’t let the cold weather months deter you from visiting the area. There is a tremendous variety of shops, restaurants and activities to explore in the offseason.
Whether you are a vegan, vegetarian, health conscious eater, or an overall foodie, Buffalo has something for everyone. The quality and quantity of local top-notch choices impressed me. If you want to find out more about food on your next vacation, be sure to check out our Native American travel food guide as well.
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.” – Anita Desai
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1 comment
Thanks for doing such detail on places to stay in Buffalo. I only knew about staying at Niagara Falls but I really did want to explore Buffalo as well. Did not know it is a destination on its own. I also love to go on vacation to eat and try local specialities!