Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Upstate New York

OpenTable

Updated June 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Upstate New York? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Garden Cafe at Crazy Daisies Flowers

5.0

5 (10)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Onondaga

About the restaurant

We are not currently taking reservations ~

Where Botanicals Meet the Kitchen!

We mixed our love for agriculture with our love for food and have created delicate small plates, hand-stretched pizzas, a small, yet flavorful lunch menu, and a diabolically fresh brunch menu. In accordance with our life in New York agriculture, we’ve added a NYS Agriculture and Markets Farm Winery license which allows us to serve NYS spirits, beers, wines, and cider. Jennifer comes up with new recipes each season to align with the fruits and flavors of the season!

Top review

Shelley

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

The food was amazing as always. The short ribs were flavorful and so tender it was like butter. The mushroom Risotto was delicious and such flavor. Walker and Eliza were attentive and took care of us. the Delgano Martini with the espresso cream was outstanding! Thank you for a wonderful Wednesday night dinner!

Motus

4.9

4.9 (666)

$31 to $50

American

Utica

About the restaurant

mōtus (Latin); movement, progress, passion, revolt

A tradesman's gastropub with an undeniable message of purpose.

Top review

Renee

Dined on May 30, 2025

I always have a very nice time dining at Motus . The crab cakes were very good , the scallops had a nice sear and the salmon had a crispy skin and cooked nicely . The server was very busy with a full restaurant so I had to wait for my drink . That’s understandable though

The Inn at Saratoga

4.8

4.8 (33)

$31 to $50

American

Saratoga Springs

About the restaurant

Nestled within the walls of Saratoga Springs' oldest continuously operating lodging house, the restaurant at the Inn at Saratoga takes inspiration from a turn of the century artists salon. Complete with antique sofas, vintage books and art, and welcoming fireplace, making it a rare gem of old world charm in downtown Saratoga. Sip vibrant cocktails, and nibble on small plates while enjoying live music in the tavern, or indulge in one of our signature dishes and share a bottle of wine by the fire.

Top review

知晃

Dined 3 days ago

Very good atmosphere, classic, traditional. The music is appropriate volume.

New Vida Preserve Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (123)

$30 and under

Global, International

Lake Placid

About the restaurant

New Vida Preserve Restaurant is located in the re-imagined former Paleface Ski Mountain Lodge and now the largest resort in the Adirondacks at 2000 acres. It offers stunning views of Whiteface Mountain. Enjoy a creative menu that includes American Classics with a twist combined with bold globally-inspired flavors. You can dine in our Grand Dining Room, our Craft Bar area with live music or our more casual Billiards Lounge, all with stunning view and beautiful architecture. The expansive & diverse menu, the sensible pricing and feel-good vibes make NewVida a place where you can gather in with friends and family regularly for a memorable Adirondack experience. The restaurant is open Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from 5pm to 9pm. Come in early and enjoy a drink at our handmade craft bar, lined with skis from the Preserve’s former life as a ski resort or take a stroll after dinner around our romantic pond & dock. Reservations are preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome.

Top review

TomVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent meal, music, and service from Sadie and Sam.

Prosecco Italian Restaurant and Jazz Bar LLC

4.6

4.6 (1260)

$30 and under

Italian

Farmington, New York

About the restaurant

We are open for dine-in, takeout, and online ordering Tuesday-Sunday 4pm-9pm. Please contact the restaurant at 585-924-8000 for reservations or to place an order. We are also available for private in house events or catering (pick up or delivery) during our business and non business hours. Call 585-924-8000 for more information or to place your catering orders.

Top review

Ashley

Dined 4 days ago

Really delicious food with massive portions. Great Italian spot with live music and great staff!

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Fettuccine con Funghi

Jack Rabbit

4.6

4.6 (444)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Saturday & Sunday: (brunch until 3pm) The kitchen closes at 10pm nightly.

Top review

ChristaVIP

Dined on May 25, 2025

Good food and service! We had last minute guests join us and staff was very accommodating.

Hard Rock Cafe - Niagara Falls

4.5

4.5 (455)

$30 and under

American

Niagara Falls

About the restaurant

Hard Rock Cafe is a global phenomenon with 185 cafes that are visited by nearly 80 million guests each year. The first Hard Rock Cafe opened on June 14, 1971, in London, England, and from there the brand has expanded to major cities and exotic locations around the world.

Top review

Cheryl

Dined on May 30, 2025

Food was OK. Fajitas peppers barely had any color to them, almost as translucent as the onions. Chicken mac and cheese was a lottle spicy. Wasnt as creamy as I prefer. My granddaughter ordered the salad from the kids menu. It was probably the best of the three meals. Not many decent restaurants choices on the US side.

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Experience

The Best Hour- Party Hour!

Hofbrauhaus- Buffalo

4.5

4.5 (2176)

$30 and under

German

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Hofbräuhaus Buffalo, German Inspired and Locally Owned.

Steps away from the KeyBank Center and Canalside, we are Buffalo's biggest party! Featuring live music, indoor and outdoor dining, Hofbräu Beer brewed on-site, and the best Bavarian cuisine. Hofbräuhaus Buffalo welcomes parties of all sizes!

For events, please reach our Director of Marketing and Events at MC@hofbrauhausbuffalo.com
If you encounter any issues booking your reservation, please call us at 716-939-BEER (2337) for assistance.

Top review

ThomasVIP

Dined on May 24, 2025

Had a wonderful time listening to the Bergholz band. Danielle was a fantastic server and the food and beer were great as always. Highly recommend.

Las Margaritas Mexican Cantina

4.5

4.5 (25)

$30 and under

Mexican

Latham

About the restaurant

Las Margaritas Mexican Cantina is a vibrant and welcoming restaurant that serves authentic Mexican cuisine. The restaurant's menu features a wide variety of dishes, including tacos, burritos, enchiladas, fajitas, and more. Las Margaritas also has a full bar, serving a variety of margaritas, beers, and wines. The restaurant's atmosphere is warm and inviting, with colorful décor and friendly staff. Las Margaritas is a great place to enjoy a delicious meal with friends and family.

Top review

Alessa

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

The food was outstanding and our waiter was wonderful. However it was extremely loud and hard to chat those at our table. If you want a more low key ambiance I suggest not going during prime dinner time.

LM Social LeMelange Restaurant & Bar

4.3

4.3 (472)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Find out why we have won diner choice awards 2023-2024-2025 ! Nestled in the vibrant heart of Armory Square, LM Social invites you to an irresistible journey of culinary wonders. With a menu thoughtfully crafted by Chefs Slim & Jonosh, LM Social offers an unforgettable fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavors—the Mediterrasian experience. Every dish is a masterpiece of creativity, inspired by family recipes that have been passed down for generations and reimagined with innovative flair. Prepare for a visual feast as cocktails burst into flames, entrées emerge enveloped in smoke, and tableside presentations unfold secrets of culinary theater.

Top review

Jamie

Dined 4 days ago

Service was great, food was good as were drinks. I was unhappy that there was a 4.75% service fee for using a credit card. This should have been made clear prior to ordering or booking the table. It makes a difference that I'll likely choose not to return and choose a favorite restaurant to return to.

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