Diners' Choice: Best Overall restaurants in Western New York

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for the best overall restaurants in Western 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!

Lucia's on the Lake

4.9

4.9 (4901)

$31 to $50

Italian

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Voted one of The Top 100 Restaurants in The United States by OpenTable Diners, Lucia's On The Lake is a captivating contemporary Seafood, Steak, and Italian Restaurant right on the Water. Featuring a Rooftop Patio, and Waterviews throughout the entire restaurant, Diners are captivated by the beauty of the Lake, warm ambience, dynamic food, and exceptional service.

AWARDS
Voted Top 100 Overall Restaurant USA - OpenTable 2023
Voted Top 100 Restaurant with a View USA - OpenTable 2021
Voted Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurant USA - OpenTable 2022
Best of 716 New York - 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
OpenTable Diners Choice Award - 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
DiRona Wine Spectator Award of Excellence North America 2024

*** We want to be as accommodating as possible when it comes to reservations, if it says nothing available please give us a call to make a reservation! (716)-627-9752

Top review

Cheyenne

Dined 2 days ago

We loved Thomas our waiter!!! Great food and amazing service!!!

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JUMBO SCALLOPS RISOTTO

Mulberry Italian Ristorante

4.9

4.9 (1391)

$31 to $50

Italian

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Equal parts restaurant and experience, Mulberry Italian Ristorante is a wonderful option for those who want an authentically delicious meal. Explaining that it may look like the Bronx, but that it tastes like Manhattan, this cozy eatery is just south of the center of Buffalo and offers iconic Italian foods.

Visitors to Mulberry Italian Ristorante can enjoy their lunch or dinner menu items and will find that even some of the standards are far more creative than what they usually encounter. Freshness is also a huge part of the experience, and the caprese is hand crafted each day while the pasta is homemade on the premises. Delicious and comprehensive, the Mulberry Italian Ristorante menu is a delight.

Top review

Lisa

Dined 5 days ago

We had a fabulous dinner. We were moved to a quieter table in the back room. Amy, our server, was absolutely fabulous and made our meal memorable. We will definitely be back.

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4.8

4.8 (3591)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Our Sicilian Steakhouse is an original concept that celebrates the Sicilian-immigrant culinary experience. Referred to as the "original fusion cuisine," Sicilian food is a historical mosaic influenced by the various conquering nations. Traces of Greece, North Africa, Rome, the Middle East, Germanic nations, France, Spain, and Italy are evident in traditional Sicilian cuisine. At Giancarlo's, our love of history-rich Sicilian cuisine is combined with our interpretation of both the great American Steakhouse and the Neapolitan Pizzeria.

Top review

MarquitaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Giancarlo's never fails to provide an excellent dining and/or drinking experience! All staff are friendly and attentive. Food is delish! Make a reservation ahead of time to ensure seating to be safe.

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Popular dish

Corn and Crab Ravioli

Popular dish

Crab Crusted Salmon

Popular dish

Chocolate Mousse Cake

Fortune's Italian Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (394)

$31 to $50

Italian

Batavia

About the restaurant

Begin or end a night of gaming at Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel’s Fortune’s Italian restaurant. Fortune’s is located at the south end of our gaming floor and offers a fine-dining atmosphere and a variety of great food and drinks, including homemade pasta, steak & salads. Reserve a spot to meet with friends or a date, and enjoy a night out served by Batavia Downs Gaming & Hotel’s professional staff. Family members of all ages are welcome to dine at Fortune's. Kid menus and prices are available for those 10 and under. Please keep in mind that no one under 18 years is allowed on the gaming floor. If you will have guests under 18 years of age with your party, please enter through valet parking. If you have a larger party please call our restaurant (585) 367-8863.

We will gladly help you celebrate your special occasion - with the purchase of any dessert we will add a candle and a celebratory message.

Top review

MelissaVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Fantastic fish fry! Love the staff! It is our go to Friday place!

BUFFALO CHOPHOUSE - PRIME STEAKS & FRESH SEAFOOD

4.8

4.8 (3426)

$50 and over

Steak

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Buffalo Chophouse is Western New York's premier steakhouse, serving only the finest USDA Prime steaks as well as a selection of fresh, succulent seafood. Located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theater District, we are in close proximity to Shea's PAC, the Convention Center, KeyBank Center, and all major downtown hotels. Buffalo Chophouse is the perfect place to begin or end your evening, celebrate a special occasion, or simply treat yourself to the most fabulous dining experience offered in the WNY area. Whether you prefer filet mignon, strip steaks, ribeye or lobster, our knowledgeable service staff and reputable kitchen team offer our guests an exclusive dining experience. Make a selection from our expansive wine cellar, sip on handcrafted cocktails prepared by our veteran bartenders, and be sure to indulge with a decadent dessert to conclude your memorable experience.

Established in 2002, Buffalo Chophouse remains WNY's most dependable steakhouse for the ultimate dining experience.

Top review

joel

Dined 3 days ago

the staff that was on duty when we were there was fantastic all the food we had was delicious

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Popular dish

Mile High Chocolate Cake for Two

Popular dish

12 oz Filet Mignon

Rick's on Main

4.7

4.7 (1447)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

East Aurora

About the restaurant

Upstate NY Award Winning Steakhouse.

Rick’s on Main is a restaurant that serves hand-crafted, high quality meals within a friendly atmosphere. We offer a variety of specialized entrees, such as a Bacon-infused pork chop, an Filet Mignon with roasted red pepper compound butter and we always have fresh Seabass that will melt in your mouth over a variety of sets.

We feature a wide range of salads, including our fan favorite Fall Creek Salad, a Boston Bibb Salad with sliced apples and a gorgonzola vinaigrette, Ricks Chopped Salad tossed in parmesan peppercorn dressing.

Top review

Caitlin

Dined on Apr 26, 2025

Good was great, server was nice and knowledgeable!

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Hot Banana Pepper Dip

Gerties

4.8

4.8 (32)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Specializing in modern comfort food, Gertie’s in New York provides a vintage country atmosphere that gives patrons a relaxing chance at a fresh breath of air away from the city noise. Recipes change weekly and are influenced by diners from all across the world. Lunch offers specialty comfort items such as baked sweet potato fries, meatloaf, hand made pizzas and sandwiches. Gertie’s is made famous for its baked desserts, offering unique and custom twists on modern delicacies. The restaurant offers such desserts as ganache brownies, carrot cake and scones. Gertie’s gives New York diners a chance to experience the warmth and radiance of country family living, with many patrons returning to see that some of their favorite dishes have been added to the menu. With a certificate of excellence, the restaurant is a fresh step into a vintage home with a modern flair.

Top review

Sheryl

Dined on Apr 24, 2025

We moved to Clarence Center almost a year ago and live just around the corner from Gertie’s. We’ve given it a try a few times in the past, but honestly, we were never too impressed—until now. Last night, we decided to give it one more shot after hearing about the new chef. We’re so glad we did. The food was absolutely exceptional—such a noticeable improvement from our previous visits. My husband had the pork chop, and I ordered the sea bass. Oh my goodness… both were incredible. We left genuinely excited, and we’ll definitely be back. Gertie’s is officially on our regular rotation now!

Russell's Steaks, Chops, and More

4.7

4.7 (8033)

$31 to $50

Steak

Buffalo

About the restaurant

ONE OF THE TOP STEAKHOUSES IN NY STATE, RANKED TOP 5 LAST 7 YEARS. Come see for yourself what 70 years of hard work has created. Russ Salvatore continues to work every night insuring perfection. While completing his finest vision yet, Russ and his team have created a Steak House that continues to impress. While In Buffalo experience genuine hospitality and a delicious cuisine all under one roof at the new Salvatore’s Grand Hotel and his signature restaurant… Russell’s Steaks, Chops & More.

TOP 100 ROMANTIC RESTAURANTS IN AMERICA.
Start your evening with something special from our vibrant menu. With service and quality above the rest, we have pulled out all the stops to create an intimate atmosphere for your dining experience with modern décor and hand-crafted finishing touches

Enjoy!

Top review

MariaVIP

Dined 5 days ago

First time there and didn’t disappoint!….steak was done perfectly and the sea bass made with a bean and spinach sauce was amazing….must have the banana cream pie for dessert….its Russ’s recipe!…..ask for Carl our server he was very nice and knowledgeable

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4.6

4.6 (72)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

42 North at The Flats is home to 42 North Brewing Company’s downtown taproom located in the historic Wurlitzer Flats building. In the heart of Buffalo’s theater district, craft beers and a full bar are complimented by creative and contemporary artisan fare from Queen City Bistro. Whether you are stopping in for a beverage or a full meal, 42 North at The Flats is designed to offer a great experience for all.

Reservations open 6 weeks in advance for bookings

Top review

Kevin

Dined 7 days ago

I recently had the pleasure of dining at 42N at The Flats, and I can confidently say it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The first thing that struck me was the vibrant ambiance, which perfectly set the tone for an enjoyable evening. Whether you’re looking for a casual night out or a more upscale experience, 42N hits the mark beautifully. The food and drink selection was impressive, particularly their great variety of craft beers. I indulged in several and was not disappointed. The highlight of the meal was undoubtedly the pepperoni and hot honey flatbread—it was an incredible combination of flavors that I can't recommend enough. Service was another standout aspect of the evening. Our server was wonderful—attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable about the menu, enhancing our overall dining experience. As for value, the prices were exactly what I expected for downtown dining, making the whole experience feel worth it. Overall, I would highly recommend 42N at The Flats to anyone looking for a fantastic meal in a great setting. I’m already looking forward to my next visit!

Jack Rabbit

4.6

4.6 (439)

$30 and under

Bar / Lounge / Bottle Service

Buffalo

About the restaurant

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

Top review

Michael

Dined on Apr 25, 2025

Food was fantastic as always and our server was so perfect!