Brian Nagele
If you want a magical weekend getaway, you cannot go wrong with Buffalo, New York. When I first visited Buffalo, I was surprised by the beautiful waterfront, gorgeous architecture, and charming art scene.
Buffalo is now one of my favorite places to go when I want to experience something different—America’s Best Designed City is deserving of its title. There’s something new to try on every corner.
This city has relatively recently entered its new era of food culture, so it can be challenging to find the yet-to-be-discovered restaurants that offer memorable private dining experiences.
To help, I’ve done some research and put together a guide to my favorite restaurants for hosting special events.
Whether planning an upscale wedding rehearsal dinner or an intimate birthday party, Buffalo has some great restaurants to choose from. Check out my list of the best private dining in Buffalo below!
Chef’s
291 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204
Phone: 716-856-9187
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Visit Chef’s for a slice of Buffalo history and some comforting Italian cuisine. In addition to the regular dining space, this family-owned restaurant offers a banquet hall that can host up to 125 guests.
With a friendly staff eager to help plan your event, Chef’s is an ideal location for a wedding reception, anniversary party, or business luncheon.
As a fan of Italian food, I could go on and on about all of my favorite menu items at Chef’s, but I would be remiss not to highlight their original signature dish: the spaghetti parmesan.
This delicious, cheesy pasta dish is so well-known that the restaurant’s official tagline is “home of the world-famous spaghetti parm.”
Pearl Street Grill & Brewery
76 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 716-856-2337
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For those who appreciate the craft brewing culture in Buffalo, I recommend planning an event at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery.
They have a great list of original beers on tap and are available for private events, offering five different banquet spaces.
I love this space as a venue for a rustic and romantic wedding reception or a special birthday party.
When planning your menu, be sure to include the Buffalo wings: they’re a local classic, and Pearl Street’s rendition of the dish is scrumptious. I’m also partial to the beer and cheese soup, made with the brewery’s own blonde ale.
Ristorante Lombardo
1198 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Phone: 716-873-4291
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Ristorante Lombardo is perfect if you like Italian cuisine. I appreciate Ristorante Lombardo’s elegant dining atmosphere that provides sophistication while giving diners an intimate and relaxed experience.
With an attractive interior space—a modern take on classic Italian restaurant decor—and an excellent menu, this is an ideal spot for planning a special dinner party or professional event.
This upscale restaurant focuses on elevated and contemporary takes on Italian cuisine, which I find perfect for a multi-course dinner party.
I recommend the crispy octopus as an appetizer and the fazzoletti e prosciutto di anatra as a main dish.
Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant
56 W Chippewa St, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 716-854-9463
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Bacchus Wine Bar and Restaurant is a fresh, stylish, and romantic dining venue for a special event.
When I visited, I was enchanted by their private dining space, a Gallery Room that features a rotating art exhibit with access to an outdoor courtyard.
The space can host up to 100 guests and is an excellent location for a wedding rehearsal dinner or formal party.
This restaurant uses farm-fresh ingredients from local spots, and everything tastes delicious. I adore the ahi tuna, as well as the duck confit salad as an indulgent appetizer.
If you want a smaller dish, you have to try the gnocchi mac and cheese, which redefines the mac and cheese game.
Oliver’s Restaurant
2095 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216
Phone: 716-877-9662
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Oliver’s Restaurant is a classy, contemporary restaurant that offers the perfect dining experience for a special private dining event.
Whether you opt for the well-appointed chef’s room for a small dinner party or reserve the entire restaurant, Oliver’s Restaurant provides excellent service and mouth-watering cuisine.
In terms of food, the menu has a delightful selection of contemporary American dishes.
I strongly recommend the filet mignon, served with fantastic buttermilk whipped mashed potatoes. Other great options include the lobster risotto and the Hudson Valley duck breast.
Hutch’s
1375 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209
Phone: 716-885-0074
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I love the warm atmosphere and exposed brick interior at Hutch’s. This spot defines the urban Buffalo dining scene, with hospitable service and yummy food.
They offer several private dining spaces, including an attractive room with hardwood floors that hosts up to 100 guests.
Hutch’s provides a range of menu options and will work with you to determine which dishes work best for your event.
For something fancy, I suggest the yellowfin tuna, which is sesame seed crusted and comes with a fantastic soy sauce.
I also recommend the bistro steak, which comes with portobello mushrooms and a cabernet sauce.
TEMPO
581 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 716-885-1594
Tempo is a warm, cozy restaurant that provides an elegant dining experience. The private dining room is located on the second floor and is a spacious arrangement that includes a lounge area, bar, and private bathrooms. This space would work well for rehearsal dinners or anniversary parties.
Tempo offers a prix fixe menu with plenty of charming dishes to choose from for private events.
I enjoyed the prosciutto-wrapped filet mignon, especially the gnocchi on the side. Other popular items include the shrimp risotto and the Italian cassata cake for dessert.
The Black Sheep Restaurant & Bar
367 Connecticut St, Buffalo, NY 14213
Phone: 716-884-1100
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Take advantage of the abundant resources of upstate New York and dine at The Black Sheep Restaurant and Bar, which emphasizes farm-to-table dining and sustainably raised meat.
Whether a special business meeting or celebratory dinner with friends, The Black Sheep is a hospitable dining environment with handcrafted cuisine.
The Black Sheep menu has an impressive range of classic American cuisine and upscale dishes.
For a simple but delicious meal, I suggest the double cheeseburger. If you’re looking for something fancier, the steak frite is fantastic and comes with a yummy bordelaise.
Mothers Restaurant
33 Virginia Pl, Buffalo, NY 14202
Phone: 716-882-2989
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Mothers Restaurant is an upscale restaurant with a cozy aesthetic and a social atmosphere. The stylish venue is ideal for small private dining events, such as a birthday dinner or family reunion.
I’m especially fond of the intimate patio area, which has lovely floral decor and is open year-round.
The cuisine is traditional American, with a menu of classic dishes. My favorites are the New York strip steak and the Norwegian salmon.
I also recommend the warm brie and artichoke dip appetizer—the garlic toast it comes with is fantastic.
Tappo Restaurant
338 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203
Phone: 716-259-8130
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Tappo Restaurant is a colorful and trendy spot ideal for a youthful celebration or private business dinner.
The restaurant has an attractive interior of dark wood and red accent lights, as well as a charming outdoor dining area dubbed the “Greenhouse.”
I love the Tappo menu, featuring eclectic and funky twists on popular Italian dishes. My favorite is the pork ragu over rigatoni pasta, but I also recommend the goat cheese crespelle and the Italian beef sandwich. And don’t forget to check out their extensive wine list and handcrafted cocktail options.
The 31 Club
31 Johnson Park, Buffalo, NY 14201
Phone: 716-332-3131
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The 31 Club has been in Buffalo for decades and is the best place to go if you are planning a high-class, sophisticated event.
Their banquet rooms are lovely, with charming art on the walls and elegant decor. The space seats up to 100 guests, perfect for small weddings or special parties.
They will work with you to plan your perfect even menu, with some genuinely delicious dishes to choose from.
Some of my favorite entrees include the seared Italian salmon and the veal marsala, but my biggest recommendation is to spring for the bacon-wrapped filet mignon with shrimp scampi.
Buffalo is one of the best up-and-coming cities to keep an eye on, and now is a great time to get ahead of the trend curve and plan the visit.
You are sure to fall in love with this gorgeous and eclectic city, and once you do, you’ll adore the idea of going back for a special event.
If you don’t need a private dining room here in Buffalo, check out these awesome brunch spots instead!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
