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    Buffalo River Works

    2.9 (500 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 3 months ago

    Services - Buffalo River Works

    Bartending services

    Catering services

    Venue rental

    Buffalo River Works Photos

    Business Info

    BUFFALO RIVER WORKS ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Loud
    Touristy
    Casual
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - Buffalo River Works

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    Mary V.

    We visited on a Thursday during work hours so the place was a bit empty -- but great as it's a fairly large place. I imagine when they get busy it could be hectic. The views from outside were marvelous on a nice sunny day and a cold beer. Beers were okay, nothing to write home about. I think the charm of this place is the views.

    Fish Reuben
    Dorothy L.

    Met a friend here on Sunday afternoon to enjoy the last days of summer outside by the water. Always enjoy their different beers. Had the blue eyed blueberry blonde this time. We sat at the outside bar, Jose was our very pleasant bartender. We were planning on getting a table to eat but stayed at the bar. We both ordered the fish Reuben, it was Mahi with Swiss cheese, spicy mayo, sauerkraut grilled on marble rye. Fish Reuben is a favorite of mine, it was tasty and was served with homemade chips.

    Pretzel App. They shorted us one, but she fixed it.
    Jennifer C.

    Buffalo cauliflower is my new favorite food!! All the taste of boneless wings, without the actual meat. Best substitute ever for chicken.

    Tater tot poutine
    Greg O.

    Nice atmosphere, especially when warm enough to be on the patio. Got the poutine tater tots. They were great. The meat was tender, the gravy was flavorful and there was plenty of nicely gooey cheese.

    Leandro D.

    Such a cool venue in buffalo. Surrounded by so many things to do, along with a big enough venue to attract amazing artists. On top of that, venue also has games, drinks and food. All at a decent price and quality

    Brewers Dinner
    Arlene L.

    Went to River Works tonight for the Buffalo Wine Festival (recommend!) we decided to have dinner while we were there. I had the Brewers Dinner which was pot roast with smashed potatoes and veggies. My husband had the Sticky Bird sandwich - a hot honey chicken sandwich with coleslaw and some chips. The food was bland. You could see and taste that the veggies were simply coated with garlic powder. I can't remember the last time I saw waxed beans served at a restaurant. It took much longer than it should've to bring a glass of wine to the table. It wasn't that busy. Seems the food should have come out faster too. River Works is somewhere you go to for the atmosphere you can't really expect to be impressed with the food quality.

    The view from the $150x2 seats.
    Suki H.

    This is hands down the worst venue I have ever been to. Tonight was my first time there. I was so excited to see one of my favorite bands, Lawrence, for the first time. Since I wasn't familiar with the venue, I opted to buy the reserved table seats thinking I would get a better view of the band. Nope. I sat under bright fluorescent lights by the bar that stayed on the whole time, and I didn't even get to see the band I paid good money to see. There was no indication that I was buying obstructed view seats. I paid over $150 a pop for this view. I left halfway through the show because the venue and their audacity to charge full price for these seats absolutely ruined the experience for me.

    Alisha C.

    Came here to watch an MMA fight. Very large venue with upper and lower seating. The venue was attractive and well lit. They have a full food and drink menu here. I personally didn't order but I had some of the light bites my friends ordered. The pizza is a bit thin and dry but the chicken fingers were pretty plump. The service was quick and attentive for refills. I'd definitely attend another show here

    Exterior
    Donna Y.

    Just okay food and drinks but the view is spectacular. There's a lot of potential here and I hope they get it together. I would return for an event and to sit by the water. The service felt rushed and not very personable at the restaurant. They didn't have unsweetened iced tea which I found odd seeing as it's a full service bar. The prices are a tad high as well.

    Bills celebreties
    Frans D.

    Verizon hosted NFL watch parties in all NFL team cities. The Bills one was at Riverworks. It was a great party. At the entrance we al got a bracelet with a food and a drink coupon. Food choices were pizza (2 huge slices) or 2 rolls with beef on weck. I went with the beef. Good choice, I would say. They have their own craft brewery and the Rejuvenator is a really good IPA. There were games and wings, wings and wings! At least 10 different flavors. Really a great treat! Bills celebraties, like Thurman Thomas, were there so you could take your picture with them.

    Shyam S.

    Had a great afternoon kayaking on the 4th of July. $30 for three hours (with the Independent Health discount) is an incredible deal. But there is so much to do here; the Riverworks is a wonderful reclamation of industrial space in Buffalo.

    Upper sitting area for the concert with chairs and area to put drinks/food
    Jessica R.

    The ambience here is great being able to have an area on the upper level watching the concert was awesome. Plenty of bars to be able to get drinks. Service was fast and very accessible.

    Reuben on the river
    Corey J.

    This place is a specialty in Buffalo NY. If you have someone in from out of town, please bring them here. The food is amazing.This sandwich was the best Rueben I've ever consumed. I've had 30+ different Reuben's in my life, and I stand by it being the best Reuben I've ever had. Service here is great, at both the bar and tables. It's an awesome spot to hang out and enjoy the views of the water, and maybe watch some hockey if you're lucky!

    Big screen showing the sponsor and the band

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    2 months ago

    I was there on 3/13/26 for lunch and the service was good, the concord grape sour was delicious, and the pizza was ok. Great venue.

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    1 year ago

    This place is amazing for really heavy metal concerts! The food is bad but the bands they play there are AWESOME!

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    Page 1 of 13

    Ask the Community - Buffalo River Works

    What's the best thing you've had there to eat?

    For me it was the fish reuben, hands down.

    View All 2 Questions

    Review Highlights - Buffalo River Works

    They did have outdoor seating and indoor but I wanted outdoor since I am from Texas.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - Olivia - the roasted sweet potatoes had a nice sweet hit of maple syrup, which was not overpowering

    Breadhive Bakery & Cafe

    4.5(349 reviews)
    2.7 miWestside
    $$

    A great neighborhood bakery making excellent bagels. They have other baked goods and an extensive…read moresandwich menu, but we focused on one of our favorite to-go breakfasts. Had the rosemary salt bagel with scallion, dill, and lemon cream cheese. And another with everything and roasted veggie cream cheese. Bagels were chewy and soft inside and the cream cheese options were delicious. Nothing like this in Northern Colorado and it's a long way to get here. It's a small shop with a few places to sit. Service was friendly.

    I hadn't been to Breadhive Bakery & Cafe in years and finally decided to stop in for a quick…read morebreakfast. I ordered the Britney: smoked salmon, onion, cucumber, and lemon scallion dill cream cheese on a rosemary salt bagel. The second I opened the wrapper I was hit with the smell of fresh rosemary, which immediately sold me. Flavor-wise, this sandwich was lovely. The smoked salmon tasted fresh and paired perfectly with the lemon scallion dill cream cheese. The cucumbers added the right amount of freshness and crunch, and the bagel itself had beautiful flavor. My only issue was the texture of the bagel. It was very hard, and toasting it unfortunately made it even tougher. Every bite turned into a bit of a balancing act because the sandwich kept falling apart. Still, the flavors were strong enough to make up for it. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm excited to go back again. Definitely won't wait years next time. 7.9/10

    Photos
    Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - Inside Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - January 2024

    Inside Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - January 2024

    Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - The Aaliyah Breakfast Sandwich on pretzel bagel

    The Aaliyah Breakfast Sandwich on pretzel bagel

    Breadhive Bakery & Cafe - Bread and bagel themed art, what could be better?

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    Bread and bagel themed art, what could be better?

    Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen - Beef on Weck

    Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen

    4.3(612 reviews)
    8.5 mi
    $$

    I stopped in here right after leaving the BUF airport. It's very close to the airport, being less…read morethan 2 miles away and right across the street from airport property. Getting there just after 1PM on a Monday there was a line inside, to the door to place orders... the wait afterwards was about 10 minutes. I love bologna sandwiches and I also really enjoy a nice beef on Weck, so I was happy they offered a mini beef sandwich, still on kummelweck, which I got along with their bologna sandwich with provolone, onions, and peppers on it. The bologna sandwich was flame grilled and tasted excellent! I added jalapeños to it for a little kick, as well as some mayo and that made the sandwich really tasty! I started with their split pea soup - It was really good! It had big chunks of smokey, flavorful ham in it and the texture was thick and the flavor was great! I also tried a side of their mustard potato salad and it was decent, but I think it had pimentos or pickles in it, which I don't prefer. Last up - That mini beef sandwich - AWESOME! The bun really added the excellent flavor you'd expect from having the meat on that type of roll. The beef was tender and so flavorful! They also have horseradish on the tables, so I added a bunch of it and that really made the flavor pop! Service was excellent and very friendly here. I'd highly recommend stopping in!

    If you're anywhere near Cheektowaga and craving a classic Western New York bite, Charley the…read moreButcher is an absolute must. From the moment you walk in, you get that clean, nostalgic 60s vibe--simple, welcoming, and focused on what matters: great food. The counter service is quick and friendly, and you can actually watch them slice the beef fresh right in front of you. I ordered the famous beef on weck, and it did NOT disappoint. The hand carved beef was tender, juicy, and piled high on a perfectly salted kummelweck roll. Add a little horseradish and au jus, and it's easily one of the best sandwiches in the area. The crispy waffle fries were the perfect side--golden, crunchy, and seasoned just right. Everything tasted fresh and made with care. Between the quality of the food, the spotless dining area, and the old-school charm, this place absolutely earns five stars. I'll definitely be back next time I'm in town.

    Photos
    Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen - Hard at work

    Hard at work

    Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen - Beef on Weck, German Potato Salad

    Beef on Weck, German Potato Salad

    Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen - Beef on weck

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    Beef on weck

    Chris' NY Sandwich Co - Cajun Chicken Salad Croissant, $12.95. :-) Big guy!

    Chris' NY Sandwich Co

    4.0(159 reviews)
    1.8 miDowntown
    $$

    Chris's is still fantastic...the prices have increased, just like everywhere else. But this is one…read moreof those places where I feel ok paying a lot right now because the quality is there and the sandwiches are big. I'm not sure how long I'll feel that way though! :-) I try to get something different each time we go. This time I got the turkey jalapeno club. Along with the side of fries we shared, it was enough for two meals. It was really delicious!! They roast the turkey breast themselves and the jalapeno bread is out of this world. I would definitely get this again. Matt got the jalapeno cheeseburger, which had two thick beef patties side by side on the jalapeno bread...at $18.95 it was actually a pretty good deal. He's ordered this before and loves it. He especially likes the fried jalapenos they add. The fries are house made and delicious. One order is enough for two. We'll definitely be back!

    Got take out for a work lunch. When first looking at the menu the prices were a little shocking,…read morebut when we got the food and saw the sizes it made sense. I had an assorted on sour dough. It was delicious and had plenty of meat. Coworker had the steak sandwich and was happy with it. Another had the fish taco and it was huge, more like a fish burrito and was even large to be considered a burrito.

    Photos
    Chris' NY Sandwich Co - We have been here over an hour.  Restaurant pretty much empty now.

    We have been here over an hour. Restaurant pretty much empty now.

    Chris' NY Sandwich Co - Steak Sandwich

    Steak Sandwich

    Chris' NY Sandwich Co - Jalapeno turkey club with a side order of house made fries. Big sandwich and enough fries for two. Sooo good!

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    Jalapeno turkey club with a side order of house made fries. Big sandwich and enough fries for two. Sooo good!

    Dalfonso’s Italian Imports - Half of the cranberry chicken salad sandwich special. I added the chips.

    Dalfonso’s Italian Imports

    4.8(11 reviews)
    2.1 miAllentown

    The three of us enjoy this Italian food shop and cafe's neighborhood and also the Elmwood Village…read moreneighborhood when we visit Buffalo. This is a relatively new place on Allen Street. Two of us ordered a different pasta dish and they were great. One of us ordered a sandwich and it was phenomenal. Excellent cannoli and espresso. We told the staff we were visiting from across the river in Canada, which we do four or five times a year, and they were very friendly to us. Lots of products from Italy to buy, and we bought some dried pasta, extra virgin olive oil, and balsamic vinegar. A great choice for a delicious lunch. The decor is very cool.

    An exceptional place with high quality options available. You can eat it in or take home. Plus…read morescores of products from Italy for sale, like olive oil, pasta, balsamic vinegar, canned Italian tuna fish, canned DOP tomatoes, cookies, fig and berry jams, etc. My fresh pasta was amazing. My friend's House Sandwich was huge and filled with salami, arugula, roasted red peppers, and house-made mozzarella. Another friend's fried mortadella sandwich was incredible. And the fourth person in our party had a huge bowl of delicious ham and bean soup made in-house. We all had excellent espresso and superb cannoli. I have to mention the beautiful decor, which is very Italian islands. The place is a real treasure. Friendly staff, too. Dalfonso's is at 162 Allen Street in Buffalo, N. Y.

    Photos
    Dalfonso’s Italian Imports - Items to purchase

    Items to purchase

    Dalfonso’s Italian Imports
    Dalfonso’s Italian Imports - Dalfonso's Italian Imports. 162 Allen Street, Buffalo, New York.

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    Dalfonso's Italian Imports. 162 Allen Street, Buffalo, New York.

    Strong Hearts Buffalo - Sweet Sassy Molassy

    Strong Hearts Buffalo

    4.4(98 reviews)
    1.7 miWestside
    $$

    So sorry for the delay in this review... Strong Hearts…read moreoffers order ahead meals for Thanksgiving and Christmas and there is rarely anything that's not delicious. They meals I order are definitely enough for two very hungry people!! Their offerings vary a bit from year to year, with changes in the sides etc. There is soup main courses and sometimes a variety of salad. Then they include a dessert to complement the meal. This will be the third year we are ordering our holiday meals and highly recommend them.

    I've been coming here since they opened in 2022 and have always had a great experience along with…read moredelicious food. Today we placed a to go order for desserts and when we went to pick it up Key made it clear she wasn't happy they had to hold my order. I've placed to go orders before and never had a staff member tell me "they waited all day for me to pick it up". I placed the order at 10am and picked it up at 4 pm well before they closed at 9. My husband placed 2 coffee orders to go and while we waited for those to be made Key made it a point to tell Alexis and the other cashier Heather finally made it to pick up an order. I did speak to the owner who told me that's how Key likes to joke around with people. Now if she had just made the comment when I picked up the order I would believe it but that she felt the need to make an announcement to the rest of the staff just shows she is rude. It's sad because there are so few all vegan restaurants and to have to find a new one is a disappointment.

    Photos
    Strong Hearts Buffalo - Interior

    Interior

    Strong Hearts Buffalo - Ciabatta B.L.T.

    Ciabatta B.L.T.

    Strong Hearts Buffalo - Pumpkin Oreo Shake

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    Pumpkin Oreo Shake

    Off the Wall Sandwich - Costanzo breakfast sandwich

    Off the Wall Sandwich

    3.9(107 reviews)
    7.4 mi
    $$

    A new location and a new look. Off The Wall Sandwich is a sparkling clean and colorful restaurant…read more With vibrant wall art, and striking lighting, the interior has an energetic vibe. This is a busy spot for classic American favorites: burgers, sandwiches and wings. From my previous experience, I knew it's worth checking the menu beforehand. For someone who is trying to make healthier choices, but not salad, this might be a good idea. I remember the last time I had the Classic Grilled Cheese Melt. This time, to avoid beef, bacon, or fried chicken, I decided to substitute a burger with grilled chicken breast for an additional $1. The Frenchie was my choice. I asked for the included Bison dip on the side and added Grilled Cremini Mushrooms for another $1. I simply couldn't find any ready-made combinations that suited my taste. All the burgers, melts and sandwiches come with your choice of fries or tater tots. We waited longer than expected for our food. The restaurant started filling up after we arrived. There were a lot of takeout orders while the dinner rush was starting. They should have a parallel system in the kitchen to keep the dining room moving at its own pace. Anyway, my sandwich was good. The chicken was perfectly grilled. The mushrooms and onions were flavorful, and the provolone cheese was melted and delicious. It's good that I asked to have the Bison dip on the side. We enjoyed the mountain of fries and onion rings (we really liked the breading on the onion rings). The Mac and Cheese was basic, but classic and very tasty. Unfortunately, our feedback on the Steak Hoagie was not so good. It wasn't as expected - a juicy, Buffalo-style, meat and cheese sub. My partner said that too much spice rub made the sandwich salty and dry. It wasn't the experience of dripping, shaved steak covered with lots of melted cheese, grilled peppers and onions. There was none of it. It was dry, smallish and disappointing. Our server Kimora took good care of us. She was smiling, and made our stay very pleasant.

    Friendly employees. Nice atmosphere. Most importantly, sandwiches were delicious!read more

    Photos
    Off the Wall Sandwich
    Off the Wall Sandwich
    Off the Wall Sandwich

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    Dog And Pony

    Dog And Pony

    4.8(45 reviews)
    3.4 miSouth Buffalo

    From the moment we walked in without very welcome. It was newly remodeled and had a great vibe…read more We were seated immediately, I think we beat the rush for sure. Our server Michelle was very cordial and attentive to our needs. I had a kobe burger which was delicious. It was our 1st time there, we will be back for sure!!!

    We came here for lunch because we seen so many great reviews but man, what a disappointment. The…read morebar area was nice, but the service and the food was not as everyone else described. I ordered the smash burger, my husband ordered the turkey sandwich. After we were waiting for our food for over 25 minutes, the server came over and said that he was just informed they don't have the turkey because they had an issue with that freezer. Ok, so my husband ordered the cheese steak because he was super excited for the bahn mi roll. My smash burger was alright, but the bread they use for their burgers remind me of those cheap buns you get from TOPS that just fall apart. The worst part was that they forgot the dog sauce on my burger, so I asked for the sauce, and THEY CHARGED ME FOR ASKING FOR SAUCE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO ALREADY BE ON THE BURGER I ORDERED. My husband made sure to tell me after we already left because he knew I would have fought it and our already 1.5 hour long lunch date would have been longer waiting for the refund... He ordered the cheesesteak and the sandwich was so small, and the "bahn mi bun" wasn't even toasted which is a signature for bahn mi bread. He said the flavor was fine but nothing to rave about. The worst part, for me, were the French fries that came with both of our meals. They were soooo heavily peppered that they were inedible. We asked for ketchup to try to make them tolerable, and they gave us a pre-portioned small cup of ketchup... You serve french fries with most of your menu, why isn't there ketchup on the table?!? Overall, It was a nice place to have on senrca street which used to only have the blackthorn and franchescas, but I would not eat here again.

    Photos
    Dog And Pony
    Dog And Pony - Shishito smashed burger

    Shishito smashed burger

    Dog And Pony - Miso bbq chicken wings

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    Miso bbq chicken wings

    Buffalo River Works - venues - Updated May 2026

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