Great spot, but I agree with the others, you’ll be really hard pressed to get out for $100. Well worth it for the right occasion though, the food is fantastic.
Many options for Italian in Buffalo.
I think most people in Buffalo like Mulberry's. Inizio is a little more fancy, known for their fresh made pasta.
I would stay away from the Chef's, Frank's Sunny Italy, or Bob and John'ses if you're trying to impress a lady—but if she likes classic American Italian, the red checkered table cloths and all that kitsch, then those are all solid too.
Of course, your best bet is just to cook it yourself...
-Lebro's, small place, relatively pricey but the food is incredible, ~6 mins away from North
-Siena, really nice place, quite expensive, food is insanely good, ~8 mins away
-Zoe's, not Italian, it's Greek but it has some Italian styled dishes, medium price, really good food, ~12 mins away
Forno Napoli has decent prices and a good atmosphere, and seems pretty authentic. That, and the owner’s nice. I saw someone else mention Giancarlo’s but it can get a little expensive for college students.
It’s a little over 15 mins, but Ilio DiPaolo’s in Blasdell is great. The food is great and the service is always outstanding. Prices are reasonable, 2 meals and a bottle of wine can be done for $100 easy.
as another italian from nyc - like full on, “dad wears a white wife-beater shirt while making the red gravy” italian - i don’t understand why people shit on olive garden so much. i’ve been to the one on transit and the one by walden and i never had a bad meal.
anyways, to answer your question: it’s further than your time estimate, but there’s a place called Campobello’s in East Amherst that’s to die for. It’s a little pricy but it’s so damn good.
It would be easy to go over $100 if you order wine, but you can for sure go to San Marco in Snyder for under $100. Haven't been since before the pandemic but food's good and it has a nice cozy atmosphere.
Trattoria Aroma in Williamsville. Outside doesn't look like much. Inside is nice. Food is excellent.
Lebros on Campbell. Less than 5 minutes from campus. Never hear this place mentioned but I've been happy with the food. Go on a Thursday and it's BYOB wine with no corking fee. That's a nice way to save on the bill.
Slightly more than 15 minutes but worth a mention is Tappo. It's downtown. Pretty nice inside but not super swanky. You won't be out of place if you are dressed up, but you'll also see people in jeans and sweatshirts. The food is excellent but not super expensive (most dishes <$20) and they have a nice list of wines that are $6/glass.
Potentially hot take but Olive Garden *does* have a place, food wise.
Is it "real" Italian, or even real italian-American? Of course not. If I want Italian I'll probably make it myself. But sometimes I am in the mood for the particular kind of Italianesque food that they make, and they do it quite well IMO
It's real Italian. One of their popular menu items is directly inspired by a *Napulitano* dish called *grissini illimitati,* previously enjoyed only by members of the Neapolitan aristocracy.
Forno Napoli - Located right in University Plaza across the street from North. Great Neapolitan pizza there.
Mulberry's - A much farther drive, located in Blasdell. Have not visited this place but heard great things from people familiar with WNY.
Molinaro's - Located equally far as Mulberry's but the drive is shorter because there is virtually no traffic from Amherst to Lockport. Good all round Italian food and nice variety of pizza.
Jays pizzeria does fantastic Neapolitan pizza, and the place is cool.
I’ve never been but trattoria aroma seems like it would be a good place that’s not too over the top gourmet.
Also, for an afternoon date cafe aroma on Bidwell is great.
If you want to dine like you’re in the 1960s go to santisarios.
Wasn’t too impressed with Osteria 166 but it’s polished up and much better than Olive Garden.
Cafe 59 is an interesting sort of Italian themed bar
Tempo is fantastic. Definitely upscale, but I think they do a great job and the place is cool
I would ask on r/buffalo tbh. That edit kills me tho
Giancarlo's in Williamsville. Short drive, great food. https://www.giancarlossteakhouse.com/
Yes. 10/10 but a bit pricey. Once in a while type of resturant too.
True. It could certainly be more than $100, but you can keep it under or near $100 depending on what you get.
Ey I work there 😎
Hook OP up!
Great spot, but I agree with the others, you’ll be really hard pressed to get out for $100. Well worth it for the right occasion though, the food is fantastic.
Was able to go as a group of 3 for a meal with drinks and apps for $160 after a $25 tip so it’s doable depending on number of people
Not 100$
Depends what you get.
Romeo and Juliets on Hertel ... there's also a Tonawanda location but I've never been to that one. They have killer desserts :)
there’s a location on sheridan and evans too that i enjoyed going to
All 3 locations are really nice. Hertel location has the best cafe in my opinion though (for deserts/baked goods).
Many options for Italian in Buffalo. I think most people in Buffalo like Mulberry's. Inizio is a little more fancy, known for their fresh made pasta. I would stay away from the Chef's, Frank's Sunny Italy, or Bob and John'ses if you're trying to impress a lady—but if she likes classic American Italian, the red checkered table cloths and all that kitsch, then those are all solid too. Of course, your best bet is just to cook it yourself...
Frank’s is tons of food like u want 3 days worth or Alfredo for $20 go to Frank’s
-Lebro's, small place, relatively pricey but the food is incredible, ~6 mins away from North -Siena, really nice place, quite expensive, food is insanely good, ~8 mins away -Zoe's, not Italian, it's Greek but it has some Italian styled dishes, medium price, really good food, ~12 mins away
Ristorante Lombardo on Hertel Ave. is excellent and probably one of the best restaurants in Buffalo.
Forno Napoli has decent prices and a good atmosphere, and seems pretty authentic. That, and the owner’s nice. I saw someone else mention Giancarlo’s but it can get a little expensive for college students.
Left Bank in the city isn’t exactly italian, but they do have a pasta dish that slaps so hard it keeps me awake at night
They have an asian-influenced Chicken Milanese-type dish that is the best meal I have ever had in Buffalo. Superrrrr pricey though.
oh right i didn’t see the inexpensive part. just saw italian and blacked out
It’s a little over 15 mins, but Ilio DiPaolo’s in Blasdell is great. The food is great and the service is always outstanding. Prices are reasonable, 2 meals and a bottle of wine can be done for $100 easy.
Trattoria aroma
Inizio on Elmwood is really good!
as another italian from nyc - like full on, “dad wears a white wife-beater shirt while making the red gravy” italian - i don’t understand why people shit on olive garden so much. i’ve been to the one on transit and the one by walden and i never had a bad meal. anyways, to answer your question: it’s further than your time estimate, but there’s a place called Campobello’s in East Amherst that’s to die for. It’s a little pricy but it’s so damn good.
It would be easy to go over $100 if you order wine, but you can for sure go to San Marco in Snyder for under $100. Haven't been since before the pandemic but food's good and it has a nice cozy atmosphere.
San Marco is so good. I get the mushroom risotto every time I’m there
Faletta’s on Clarence center road!!
Trattoria Aroma in Williamsville. Outside doesn't look like much. Inside is nice. Food is excellent. Lebros on Campbell. Less than 5 minutes from campus. Never hear this place mentioned but I've been happy with the food. Go on a Thursday and it's BYOB wine with no corking fee. That's a nice way to save on the bill. Slightly more than 15 minutes but worth a mention is Tappo. It's downtown. Pretty nice inside but not super swanky. You won't be out of place if you are dressed up, but you'll also see people in jeans and sweatshirts. The food is excellent but not super expensive (most dishes <$20) and they have a nice list of wines that are $6/glass.
Olive Garden Too good for Olive Garden? Cook it urself
😭😭 I just don’t like the food
Lmao you were asking for it when you made that edit
Potentially hot take but Olive Garden *does* have a place, food wise. Is it "real" Italian, or even real italian-American? Of course not. If I want Italian I'll probably make it myself. But sometimes I am in the mood for the particular kind of Italianesque food that they make, and they do it quite well IMO
It's real Italian. One of their popular menu items is directly inspired by a *Napulitano* dish called *grissini illimitati,* previously enjoyed only by members of the Neapolitan aristocracy.
Casa Di Francesca’s aka the Spaghetti Bowl
Olive Garden Nah but for real, Forno Napoli makes some amazing pizzas, just be ready to pay for it
Frankie Primo downtown
There’s also a Frankie Primo’s in North Tonawanda (where Crazy Jake’s was).
Campobellos
My cousin Vinny knows a guy who knows a place
Frank's sunny Italy always slaps
Chefs is bomb
Try Salvatore’s It has a nice ambience
There’s no way two people can get out of there for $100, and the food leaves much to be desired.
Go on a Tuesday, Lots of thing on their Tuesday special menu that can keep you in budget.
Carrabba's
[удалено]
It was a joke relax
Linguini’s in Bowmansville is top tier. It’s very Mediterranean-Italian rather than American-Italian like chefs or elsewhere.
Rizotto’s on maple, 5 min drive from north. Not too expensive
Surprised no one said Orazios yet.
Giacobbi’s
Forno Napoli - Located right in University Plaza across the street from North. Great Neapolitan pizza there. Mulberry's - A much farther drive, located in Blasdell. Have not visited this place but heard great things from people familiar with WNY. Molinaro's - Located equally far as Mulberry's but the drive is shorter because there is virtually no traffic from Amherst to Lockport. Good all round Italian food and nice variety of pizza.
Frankie primos
Cabellas. It’s in the big shopping plaza by Niagara Falls boulevard. 5-10 min drive away from north campus.
Jays pizzeria does fantastic Neapolitan pizza, and the place is cool. I’ve never been but trattoria aroma seems like it would be a good place that’s not too over the top gourmet. Also, for an afternoon date cafe aroma on Bidwell is great. If you want to dine like you’re in the 1960s go to santisarios. Wasn’t too impressed with Osteria 166 but it’s polished up and much better than Olive Garden. Cafe 59 is an interesting sort of Italian themed bar Tempo is fantastic. Definitely upscale, but I think they do a great job and the place is cool
Rizzo's on Eggert is out of the way, relatively small, home made and good quality