Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Buffalo area by diners
Fine dining in the United States isn't what it used to be. Many customers are no longer interested in classic white tablecloths and 16-ounce New York strips; these days, it's all about cutting-edge culinary experiences.
Although steakhouses have defined fine dining in America since the 19th century, that started to change in the mid-1990s. Elite chefs like Thomas Keller and his three-Michelin-starred restaurant, French Laundry, unearthed a whole different kind of tasting experience (with 40 courses), and a new age of fine dining was born. Soon, prix fixe meals鈥攁 French style of serving with a set menu鈥攂ecame the norm for fine dining in the U.S.
Between the rise of chefs' tasting menus and consumers' continued desire to have diverse culinary experiences, the restaurants that grace the pages of top-tier restaurant reviewers like Zagat or the Michelin Guide look very different today than they did 30 years ago. Restaurant goers aren't just looking for high-quality food. They want the type of menu that will tell a story. They want creative ingredients they've never tried before. They want to be transported into a whole new world.
With so many innovative menus and restaurant experiences popping up across America, it can be challenging to choose where to go for a special evening. compiled a list of the highest-rated fine dining restaurants in the Buffalo area using data from . Businesses were selected using Yelp's ranking system, which calculates an adjusted rating value that takes into account the number of ratings as well as the rating score itself.
Only businesses with at least five reviews and at least level 2 pricing (i.e., $$ to $$$$) were considered. Also, in an effort to highlight independent businesses and local chains, those with five or more locations nationally (based on Yelp data) were not included. Restaurants in certain lower-cost categories (like "diners," "buffets," and "food trucks") were excluded. Data is as of June 25, 2025.
Read on to find a potential restaurant for your next special meal out!
#30. The Left Bank
- Rating: 4.0/5 (597 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 511 Rhode Island St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Diners
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#29. Chester's Cajun Grill
- Rating: 4.1/5 (264 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 301 Cleveland Drive Cheektowaga, New York
- Categories: American, Cajun/Creole
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#28. Las Puertas
- Rating: 4.1/5 (122 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 385 Rhode Island St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Latin American
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#27. Frankie Primo's +39
- Rating: 4.1/5 (300 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 51 West Chippewa St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian, Bars
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#26. Amici Ristorante
- Rating: 4.1/5 (211 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 2516 Elmwood Ave. Kenmore, New York
- Categories: Italian
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#25. Hutch's
- Rating: 4.1/5 (377 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1375 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American, Bars
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#24. Coco
- Rating: 4.2/5 (423 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 888 Main St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: French, Modern European, Burgers
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#23. Giancarlo's Sicilian Steakhouse
- Rating: 4.2/5 (481 reviews)
- Price level: $$$$
- Address: 5110 Main St. Ste 125 Williamsville, New York
- Categories: Italian, Steakhouses, Pizza
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#22. Mulberry Italian Ristorante
- Rating: 4.2/5 (651 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 64 Jackson Ave. Lackawanna, New York
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
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#21. D'Avolio Kitchen
- Rating: 4.2/5 (236 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5409 Main St. Williamsville, New York
- Categories: Italian, Pizza, Olive Oil
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#20. Shango New Orleans Bistro / Wine Bar
- Rating: 4.2/5 (403 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 3260 Main St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Wine Bars, Beer Bar
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#19. Hideaway Grille
- Rating: 4.2/5 (159 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 399 Division St. North Tonawanda, New York
- Categories: American
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#18. Webster's Bistro & Bar
- Rating: 4.2/5 (243 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 102 Webster St. North Tonawanda, New York
- Categories: New American, French, Cocktail Bars
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#17. Osteria 166
- Rating: 4.2/5 (659 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 166 Franklin St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian, Seafood
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#16. Wiechec's Lounge
- Rating: 4.3/5 (160 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1748 Clinton St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American
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#15. Bobby J's Italian American Grille
- Rating: 4.3/5 (144 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 204 Como Park Blvd. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian, American, Pizza
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#14. Ballyhoo
- Rating: 4.3/5 (307 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 211 South Park Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars
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#13. Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen
- Rating: 4.3/5 (583 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 1065 Wehrle Drive Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Sandwiches, American, Soup
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#12. San Marco Restaurant
- Rating: 4.3/5 (190 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 2082 Kensington Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
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#11. Ristorante Lombardo
- Rating: 4.3/5 (293 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 1198 Hertel Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian
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#10. Prescott's Provisions
- Rating: 4.4/5 (418 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 40 East Niagara St. Tonawanda, New York
- Categories: New American, Bars
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#9. Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant
- Rating: 4.4/5 (390 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 56 West Chippewa St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars
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#8. Share Kitchen & Bar Room
- Rating: 4.4/5 (245 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 5590 Main St. Williamsville, New York
- Categories: New American, Wine Bars, Cocktail Bars
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#7. Inizio
- Rating: 4.4/5 (217 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 534 Elmwood Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Italian
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#6. Lucky Day Whiskey Bar
- Rating: 4.4/5 (274 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 320 Pearl St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Whiskey Bars, American, Cocktail Bars
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#5. Pho Lantern Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (585 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 837 Niagara St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Seafood, Vietnamese, Thai
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#4. Figmor Cafe and Eatery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 110 Webster St. North Tonawanda, New York
- Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Burgers, Sandwiches
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#3. The Dapper Goose
- Rating: 4.5/5 (313 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 491 Amherst St. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: New American
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#2. Daniela
- Rating: 4.6/5 (199 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 387 Forest Ave. Buffalo, New York
- Categories: Pizza, Italian, Wine Bars
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#1. Roma Thai & Burmese Cuisine
- Rating: 4.7/5 (280 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 964 Maple Road Williamsville, New York
- Categories: Thai, Burmese
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This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 319 metros.
