Al Fresco Buffalo
by Caitlin Hartney, Cory Perla
Summer’s here and the time is right for dining outdoors
Allentown Café 5962 Allen St. 883-1880, cafe59.com
Café 59 has reinvented itself once again. The lunch and dinner spot known for its great soups and salads recently moved directly across the street to their new location at 62 Allen Street.,which features a sidewalk patio.
Cantina Loco191 Allen St. 551-0160, cantinaloco.com
Have you ever found yourself with a sudden craving for Cantina Loco’s mountainous pork-smothered nachos and a cold, salt-rimmed margarita, but no dinner reservation? The idea of waiting an hour and a half for table service was hard to stomach, but you probably did it anyway. Fortunately, Cantina’s recently expanded patio now includes walk-in-only dinner seating, which will hopefully help alleviate the agonizing wait for a table that plagues taco enthusiasts with poor planning skills. If there is still a wait, the patio’s new full-service bar will provide ample distraction, so don’t be deterred.
Cathode Ray26 Allen St. 884-3615
One of the most popular gay bars in Buffalo, Cathode Ray is known for their large patio and even larger drinks.
Crust Pizza Bar242 Allen St. 551-0781, crustbuffalo.com
The employees at Crust can whip up the quickest, and one of the tastiest pizzas in town. Enjoy it on their patio right in the heart of Allentown.
Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar253 Allen St. 240-9359, dukesbohemiangrovebar.com
Duke’s has it all. It’s a bar, live music venue, a club, and a restaurant. It has a small front patio, but the back patio with an outdoor bar is where it’s at.
41 Virginia Pl. 887-2971, fatbobs.com
With a large, mostly covered patio, Fat Bob’s Smokehouse is your go-to spot for barbecue in Buffalo. From St. Louis pork ribs to brisket and BBQ smoked chicken, their meats are barbecued in a smoker over a low heat for a long time, living up to their motto “low and slow.”
Hardware245 Allen St. 882-8843, allenstreethardware.com
Hardware’s small front patio is a nice place to have a smoke on a Friday or Saturday night, but the bar and restaurant brings out a few tables for dinner hours too.
Mother’s33 Virginia Pl. 882-2989
The intimate, hidden away patio at Mother’s in Allentown only adds to this little bistro’s cool-factor and makes it a great spot for date night.
Mulligan’s Brick Bar229 Allen St. 881-0545
Though small and simple, Mulligan’s patio is a great people-watching spot in Allentown on a Friday or Saturday night.
341 Franklin St. 852-4416, ruefranklin.com
Diners in search of an intimate outdoor experience would be remiss not to consider the garden seating at quintessential French restaurant, Rue Franklin. The garden’s lush flora, trickling fountain, and white-linened tables perfectly complement the elegance of the restaurant’s three-course prix fixe and four-course tasting menus, which serve as the chef’s platform for showcasing short-lived seasonal ingredients like ramps, fiddleheads, shad roe, and local heirloom tomatoes as well as the creativity and skill set of the talented kitchen. Combined, the food and setting are nothing short of transportive, offering patrons a small slice of Provence in the heart of Buffalo.
Black Rock Black Rock Kitchen & Bar
491 Amherst St. 551-0261, blackrockkitchenandbar.com
For many people in Buffalo, Black Rock Kitchen & Bar has become a go-to restaurant. Many have enjoyed the casual atmosphere and upscale food, yet, unless you were lucky enough to catch a sunny evening in Buffalo, you may have overlooked the beautiful backyard patio. It’s hard to tell what you’re about to experience when you walk down the narrow alleyway entrance to the restaurant’s garden patio. The separate alleyway entrance opens up into a beautiful rustic garden with a Tuscan-inspired design. The patio spills into the restaurant under a wood and glass awning that covers a family style table and several two and four tops. A fountain in the corner adds to the spacious patio’s chill, inviting atmosphere and helps drown out any extra street noise. The menu at BRK&B changes seasonally and there are always enticing daily specials, so if you’ve been there for dinner at the bar, you’ll have a whole new experience to look forward to if you decide to partake in dinner on the patio. Brunch has also been so popular at Black Rock that last year they extended it an extra day to include Saturday mornings as well as Sundays.
Elmwood Village Acropolis
708 Elmwood Ave. 886-2977, acropolisopa.com
Acropolis is a great spot in Buffalo for authentic Greek food. Go for brunch or dinner and have a seat at their patio in the heart of the Elmwood Village.
1002 Elmwood Ave. 886-2233, ashkers.com
If you’re not in the habit of having a delicious and nutritious juice on the patio of Ashker’s right near Bidwell Park then you’re doing it wrong. Don’t forget to try their new cold-pressed juices.
Blue Monk727 Elmwood Ave. 882-6665, bmbflo.com
The front patio at Elmwood Village’s Blue Monk may be prime people-watching real estate, but the best seat to be had is in the craft beer emporium’s backyard garden, where patrons can now order from a limited, libation-friendly finger food-style menu (the full menu is still available up front). Recent specials included steamed clams seasoned in a Spanish tradition and raw oyster shooters with a hop vodka, tomato, and cilantro mixture. And lest you think Blue Monk is strictly for beer lovers, spirit connoisseurs should note with cheer that the restaurant is in the process of expanding its whiskey offerings.
Caffe Aroma957 Elmwood Ave. 884-4522, thearomagroup.com
Caffe Aroma is the centerpiece of Bidwell Park in the Elmwood Village. You can always expect to see lots of friendly characters hanging out, reading, and drinking coffee on this busy corner patio.
Cecelia’s716 Elmwood Ave. 883-8066, ceceliasristorante.com
Happy hour is even happier when you’re sitting outside in the sun. Grab one of Cecelia’s half priced martinis between 4pm and 6pm every Tuesday through Friday and enjoy it on their large patio facing Elmwood Avenue.
Cole’s1104 Elmwood Ave. 886-1449, colesbuffalo.com
Coles’ patio is part indoor and part outdoor so there is a table for any taste. Try one of their famous burgers and wash it down with a beer from their extensive selection.
Globe Market762 Elmwood Ave. 886-5242, theglobemarket.com
My mouth waters just thinking about all of the tasty gourmet foods inside that glass case at the Globe Market on Elmwood Avenue. Pick up a delicious prepared dish or order a sandwich or salad from the Café and enjoy it on the market’s covered patio.
Joe’s Deli534 Elmwood. 875-5637, joesdelionline.com
Elmwood Avenue’s newest deli also has lots of outdoor seating. The sidewalk-level tables at Joe’s Deli are nice, but you can still enjoy the outdoors from inside through their massive garage-door style windows, which usually stay open during the summer.
Lexington Co-op807 Elmwood Ave. 886-2667, lexington.coop
Located in one of the busiest areas in the Elmwood Village, the Lexington Co-op not only serves up locally grown ingredients and delicious prepared meals, but also a nice outdoor patio on which to enjoy those fresh, organic foods.
Macky’s Essex Street Pub530 Rhode Island St. 883-2150, essexstreetpub.com
Macky’s Essex Street Pub is the quintessential neighborhood bar. Grab a beer, enjoy some live music, and take a seat outside of this building, built in 1883.
Mr. Goodbar1110 Elmwood Ave. 882-4000, mrgoodbarbuffalo.com
When you’re not enjoying a FIFA World Cup game on one of their many televisions, take a step outside and finish that beer on Mr. Goodbar’s patio at the foot of the Elmwood strip.
490 Rhode Island St. 464-3786, theprovidencesocial.com
Though you might feel like you’re stepping back in time when you take look at Providence Social’s list of post-prohibition era cocktails, their patio is refreshingly modern. With a variety of seating possibilities and plenty of greenery, it’s a relaxing spot to indulge in one of their specialty drinks; like the Grant (whiskey, Fernet Branca, house-made sour, and mint).
Trattoria Aroma307 Bryant St. 881-7592, aromabryant.com
With an extensive wine list, Trattoria Aroma located in the Bryant Park area is great for a leisurely dinner alfresco.
Yotality715 Elmwood Ave. 783-8003, yotality.com
Nothing is better than enjoying a Mango Tango frozen yogurt covered in fruity pebbles on a summer night. Yotality on Elmwood not only has Mango Tango flavored frozen yogurt, and just about a million different topping choices, but a great patio to enjoy your frozen treat on too.
Downtown Osteria 166
166 Franklin St. 858-3118, osteriabuffalo.com
Making up in urban ambiance and convivial atmosphere what it lacks in scenic views, the patio at Osteria 166 is a godsend for the downtown after-work and pre-event crowds. Summer imbibers can be spotted at the umbrella-sheltered tables enjoying a bottle from the restaurant’s refreshingly affordable wine list or sipping Osteria’s most popular cocktail, the Contessa—an easy drinking blend of muddled berries, St. Germain, pinot grigio, and club soda. And while hearty red sauce-based dishes are always available, lighter fare like farro salad, grilled octopus, and daily seafood specials (recently, scallops semi-crudo and mako shark in roasted garlic broth with garlic scapes) keep summer diners happily satiated. Still need an excuse to check it out? Osteria hosts alfresco live music every Thursday after the Canalside concert.
Tappo338 Ellicott St. 259-8130, tappoitalian.com
If the idea of eating outside at boring old ground level seems played out, consider a trip to the rooftop patio at downtown’s popular Italian eatery, Tappo. In addition to table service, Tappo’s rooftop features a full-service bar for those who want to enjoy a few expertly crafted cocktails or $15 bottles of wine under the sun (or stars), but don’t necessarily want to commit to a full meal. Luckily, the surprisingly affordable menu and generous portions of classic antipasti, including cured meats, cheeses, olives, and crostini, is perfectly suited for noshing and sharing between friends.
Templeton Landing2 Templeton Terrace. 852-2260, templetonlanding.com
One of the only patios on this list accessible by boat, Templeton Landing is a great place to have an event or simply a drink. Start with something from their raw bar and enjoy a view of Buffalo’s waterfront.
Hertel Avenue Bob & John’s/Wellington Pub
1541 Hertel Ave. 833-9899, wellingtonpub.com
If you’re just looking for a place to relax, grab a slice and have a beer, the Bob & John’s/Wellington Pub patio on Hertel is your best bet.
Ristorante Lombardo’s1198 Hertel Ave. 873-4291, ristorantelombardo.com
Between the secluding shrubbery and distractingly delicious antipasti, pastas, pizzas, and entrees, you’ll never notice the din of the traffic from Ristorante Lombardo’s Hertel Avenue-facing raised patio. That the restaurant has been serving some of the best food in Buffalo for decades is hardly a secret, but its sophisticated wine program deserves equal recognition. Oenophiles on a budget would be wise to drop in on a Friday or Saturday night after 9 p.m. to take advantage of the restaurant’s half-price wines by the bottle promotion. Be sure to try the private-label, single-vineyard dry Riesling bottled exclusively for Ristorante Lombardo by Leonard Oakes Estate in Medina. It’s light with savory minerality, crisp acidity, and intense aromatics—perfect for patio drinking on a warm summer night.
More Local Summer Patios
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Waterfront
Liberty Hound - 1 Naval Park Cove, 845-9173 Root Five - 4914 Lake Shore Road, 627-5511 Dug’s Dive - 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd, 821-9600 Templeton Landing - 2 Templeton Terrace, 852-2260 The Hatch - 329 Erie St, 851-6501 Allentown31 Club - 31 Johnson Park, 332-3131 Betty’s - 370 Virginia St, 362-0633 Café 59 - 62 Allen St, 883-1880 Cantina Loco - 191 Allen St, 551-0160 Chris’s Deli - 395 Delaware Ave, 854-6642 Duke’s Bohemian Grove Bar - 253 Allen St, 240-9359 Fat Bob’s Smokehouse - 41 Virginia Pl, 887-2971 Gabriel’s Gate - 145 Allen St, 886-0602 Howling Rooster - 299 Kenmore Ave, 838-4440 La Tee Da - 206 Allen St, 881-4500 Rue Franklin - 341 Franklin St, 852-4416 Black RockBlack Rock Kitchen - 491 Amherst St, 551-0261 Phoenix - 269 Amherst St, 447-1100 Sportsmen’s Tavern - 326 Amherst St, 874-7734 Elmwood Village/West SideHutch’s - 375 Delaware Ave, 885-0074 Tempo - 581 Delaware Ave, 885-1594 Ashker’s - 1002 Elmwood Ave, 886-2233 Blue Monk - 727 Elmwood Ave, 882-6665 Cecelia’s - 716 Elmwood Ave, 883-8066 Joe’s Deli - 534 Elmwood Ave, 875-5637 Kuni’s - 226 Lexington Ave, 881-3800 Trattoria Aroma - 307 Bryant St, 881-7592 Caffe Aroma - 957 Elmwood Ave, 884-4522 Coles - 1104 Elmwood Ave, 886-1449 Panos - 1081 Elmwood Ave, 886-9081 Sato - 739 Elmwood Ave, 931-9146 Wasabi - 752 Elmwood Ave 887-8388 Essex Street Pub - 530 Rhode Island St, 883-2150 Left Bank - 511 Rhode Island St, 882-3509 Sweetness 7 Café - 220 Grant St, Buffalo, Ny 14213 – 883-1738 Providence Social - 490 Rhode Island St, 464-3786 |
Downtown Buffalo
Bambino Kitchen & Bar - 297 Franklin St, 240-9851 Buffalo Chophouse - 282 Franklin Street, 842-6900 Chocolate Bar - 114 W Chippewa St, 332-0484 Encore - 492 Pearl St, 931-5001 Tappo - 338 Ellicott St, 259-8130 Pan American Grill - 391 Washington St, 856-0062 Pearl Street Brewery - 76 Pearl St, 856-2337 Hertel AvenueBob & John’s La Hacienda - 1545 Hertel Ave, 836-5411 Wellington Pub - 1541 Hertel Ave, 833-9899 Lombardo’s - 1198 Hertel Ave, 873-4291 Romeo & Juliet’s Bakery - 1292 Hertel Ave, 873-5730 Orchard ParkBuffalo’s Best Grill - 3700 Southwestern Blvd, 202-1270 East AuroraArriba Tortilla - 591 Main St, 687-1115 Elm Street Bakery - 72 Elm St, 652-4720 Rick’s On Main - 687 Main St, 652-1253 The Blue Lantern - 6120 Seneca Street, 652-2583 EllicottvilleBalloons - 20 Monroe St, 699-4162 Ellicottville Brewing - 28-30 Monroe St, 699-2537 John Havard’s Brew House - Tamarack Club, 6447 Holiday Valley Rd, 699-5350 LewistonBrickyard Pub & Bbq - 432 Center St, 791-7924 Carmello’s Restaurant - 425 Center St, 754-2311 Wilson Boat House - 57 Harbor St, 751-6060 Amherst/WilliamsvilleBrioso - 5195 Main St, 828-8300 Giancarlo - 5110 Main St, 650-5566 Irishman - 5601 Main St, 626-2670 The Eagle House - 5578 Main St, 632-7669 Siena - 4516 Main Street, 839-3108 Tabree - 4610 Main St, 844-8477 Yolo - 5841 Transit Rd, 688-4479 |
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