Eating and Drinking in Buffalo

Buffalo is a serious food town that happens to be modest about it. The city's cooking comes from generations of immigrants, a working-class love of big flavors and a talent for turning simple ingredients into regional icons. You can eat very well here without spending much, and the best meals often come with a side of local opinion. This guide explains the dishes you need to know and the habits that help you eat like a local.Wings. The Buffalo wing is the city's gift to the world. Wings are fried until crisp, tossed in a sauce of hot pepper and butter, and served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. Locals simply call them wings, and they care about details: whether they are breaded or naked, how crisp the skin is, how hot the sauce is. The Anchor Bar, where the story says the dish was created in 1964, is the classic first stop. To go deeper, take a wing history food tour, which explains the competing origin tales and leads you to taverns where locals eat. Order a dozen to share and try different heat levels, from mild to hot, and ask for extra blue cheese.Beef on weck. The second iconic dish is the beef on weck, thinly sliced roast beef piled on a kummelweck roll, a kaiser-style roll topped with coarse salt and caraway seeds. It is served with horseradish and usually a pickle. The salty crust and the sharp horseradish give the sandwich its character. Many pubs and delis serve it, and it makes a great lunch on a cold day.Pizza, sweets and drinks. Buffalo-style pizza is known for a thick, doughy crust, a sweet sauce and little cups of pepperoni that curl up and crisp as they cook. Sponge candy, a crisp, airy toffee covered in chocolate, is a local specialty that is especially popular around holidays. Loganberry, a tart purple drink, has a following, and Weber's mustard is a regional pantry staple. Cheese lovers might try the Buffalo chicken dip, and coffee lovers will find independent roasters in Elmwood and Allentown. The city's old brewing roots have flowered into a lively craft beer scene, with taprooms in repurposed buildings throughout the metro area.Neighborhood eating. Different areas have different strengths. Elmwood Village and Allentown offer independent restaurants and cafes, with options from brunch to late-night bites. Larkinville has a casual, social vibe with a public square that hosts food trucks in summer. Downtown has a growing set of restaurants near the Theater District and the Electric District, and the waterfront at Canalside has seasonal snack stands and harbor-side dining. The Italian and Polish heritage of the city appears in bakeries and delis, and you will find excellent pierogi, fish fries and paczki in season.Fish fry and other habits. On Fridays, especially during Lent, many taverns, churches and restaurants serve a fish fry, typically battered haddock with fries, coleslaw and rye bread. It is a social event as much as a meal. Locals also take pride in the idea that food should be generous: portions are large, prices are friendly and hospitality is warm. If you ask for recommendations, you will likely get strong opinions and a few conflicting answers, which is part of the fun.Guided options. If you prefer structure, there are food tours for each area. The Elmwood tour is a good fit for a neighborhood stroll, the Larkinville tour combines tastings with industrial history, and the Electric District tour introduces downtown's architecture and restaurants. Beer lovers can take a brewery tour with transport. Reserve in advance and mention allergies or dietary needs, because small-group tours depend on partner restaurants. Whatever you choose, come hungry and leave room for dessert.Eating on a budget. Buffalo is one of the more affordable food cities in the Northeast. Wings are sold by the half dozen and dozen, with lunch specials common on weekdays, and bakeries and delis offer filling sandwiches at modest prices. Taverns often run daily specials, and the Friday fish fry is usually good value. Food tours cost more but cover several stops, so they can work out well for a first meal in the city. Tip as you would elsewhere in the United States, and ask servers for their favorite order, because locals are proud of their dishes. Dietary needs. Vegetarians can find cauliflower wings, pasta, salads and pizza, and many restaurants will adjust sauces on request.