We were visiting Buffalo for the day and wanted to grab a bite to eat. And actually Yelp! directed us to Niagara Cafe, due to it's ratings for the area. We were hungry and decided to go for it. While not the best looking place in town, it was definitely a pleasant surprise. It's got a diner feel to it. There was a line out the door for take out. The waitress had her grandson climbing all over her. The laminated menus were sticky and worn out from overuse. Definitely a place showing its age, but it had a nice family feel to it. We ordered a full rotisserie chicken dinner along with some chicken stew and fried plantain chips. Our drinks came out first, a refreshing passion fruit juice, and the food followed shortly after. The chicken was just, awesome. Moist, not too fatty, crispy skin, right amount of seasoning. And only $12 along with two large bowls of rice and beans. The chicken stew was equally tasty, although the chicken was a little dry. The plantain chips were tasty as well, great with the accompanying dipping sauce. The four of us were full by the end of the meal, with a bill of less than $10 per person, which is definitely something that can't be beat for a delicious dinner. If you're ever in the area, stop on by and grab some grub. Don't let the location deter you! Pros: price, quality/taste of food, service Cons: limited seating, temperature (AC was blasting, needed to grab a jacket) Dishes to try: rotisserie chicke read more

I come here quite often and am a slight addict. My favourites include the chicken stew, rotisserie chicken and empanadas. The stew is huge chunks of chicken and potatoes in a thick broth that I can order even if its 100 degrees outside. It comes with their yummy yellow rice (I was told they were out once and my reaction was to stare at the man as if he had two heads, then he told me it would be ready in 10mins and I went back to enjoying inhaling oxygen) and beans. The rotisserie is made in a giant oven that has no doubt been there forever and turns out the most delectable chicken Ive had, the family meal is an amazing value, a whole rotisserie and ample side of beans and rice for only $15! The lunch special is also a deal if you don't mind waiting in line. The empanadas are crispy, fresh and melt in your mouth. They do beef and chicken normally with novel empanadas on Thursdays and specials for $1! The smell is unforgettable. The rest of the menu is also full of great options, the pork chops are another treat, and they have franks red hot on every table; not to mention their own custom cilantro sauce that is a must try! The negatives are that the location is in an area with good shops but is not very walkable, and the service isn't great but who cares when the food is as good as it is. There is not much seating which is fine because I did notice, especially with my stew, that the portions were actually larger to go, which is a new phenomenon for me. read more

Food is tasty and cheap. The waitress didn't care me too much, I mean it's great. She was friendly enough but not too much. I like the way she treated me. And here is really casual place so I really felt comfortable. I asked the waitress what she recommends and she chose nice food:) read more

Niagara Cafe - Inside of Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Puerto Rican Food...in Buffalo? The West Side of Buffalo is known for its multi-ethnic makeup, which is one of the best assets the area has. I was surprised to find that there is a large Puerto Rican population on the West SIde, and that there are many restaurants and bodegas throughout the area. The restaurant I recently visited is called Niagara Cafe, where you can find authentic Puerto Rican food. There are many restaurants like this throughout the neighborhood, but I decided to check this one out first. As soon as I entered the restaurant it is as if I was back in NYC. The waitresses were speaking Spanish fast and I was called Mami at least 5 time - "What can I get for you mami?" Boricua pride was very present. As a reggaeton song switched to salsa, one of the things I miss most about NYC occurred, people talked loudly to others. It is hard for me to explain, but us New Yorkers talk very loud and instead of walking over to someone that is across the room we yell to them. This happened many times in the restaurant reminding me of a true urban setting. The food was delicious. I had arroz con pollo - chicken and rice - with tostones. Highly recommend checking this place out. read more

Be careful when you walk in and taste the food of Puerto Rico, of an island known as "la esla de encanto", once you take two or three bites you begin to learn Spanish, think Spanish, and by the time you walk out, you walk out as a proud Puerto Rican. The food has a great taste, and a cultural flavor that makes you come back for more. Try their rice & beans, con carne guisa.... You don't need to take Spanish lessons. The minute you walk into Niagara Cafe, the lessons begin.... Great place for the real thing...... Alberto O. Cappas, Buffalo Latino Village read more

We were at the Elmwood Artfest today. We went down a side street...Lloyd's was there, but I hate Lloyd's. I saw the menu for Niagara Cafe and thought: hmmm sounds nice - even though I didn't know what many of the items were. My wife got a beef/cheese thing, which she loved. I got the rice/beans/stewed chicken. Oh, baby! This place rocks! I plan on going there soon, and hope they play their music too. There is a musical selection played in the 1960 movie, "Our Man in Havana", which blows me away every time I hear it. I have googled it to no avail. I vow that I am going to visit every Cuban/Puerto Rican/Latina joint in the world until I find out the name of that music. In the meantime, I'll be feasting on the food. read more

Chicken is dry but the rice isn't too bad. Service sucks too. No greetings or manners. Won't go again. read more

Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Omg ! First time there and food is amazing. I got a half chicken dinner with rice and beans, and something I can't pronounce or spell.It looked like a mini deep fried taco,and it was good.The chicken dinner however was amazing. The employees behind the counter were extremely nice and everyone was wearing a mask. The restaurant was very clean. They also have a big parking lot which is a plus.If you've never been there I definitely recommend you check it out.I will definitely be back read more

I could literally eat here every day, and eagerly waited for it to open back up. I need to know how they make the yellow rice because its phenomenal. Chicken is always my favorite choice but the pork is also really good. Long live Niagara Cafe! Yall are among the best restaurants in Buffalo. read more

Don't waste your time reading this review. Get in your car and take a trip to Niagara Cafe. You will not find better tasting, authentic Puerto Rican or Spanish food in Buffalo or Western New York. The food is absolutely incredible and it is a must get every time I visit this city. I like the chicken, steak, and the rice is cooked perfectly. We all have different preferences so get what you prefer. Make sure to get a cup of their tasty passion fruit to wash it down. The only downside is that they do not accept cards, but they do have an ATM at your convenience. Give this spot a try and you won't be disappointed. read more

Just finished eating here for the first time with my husband. Setting: Nothing fancy, but it works Service: Good, seated ourselves, waitresses came right over, were attentive without being annoying Food: Good, not the most fancy food I've ever eaten. I would liken it to if I had a Puerto Rican grandma cooking the food for me, authentic and delicious. Overall: I wouldn't run out of my way to go here but it is good for cheap and the portions are very fair. read more

Place is very classic Buffalo NY dining one of the original greats here, it should be regarded as integral to Buffalo culture as say La Nova is because this place has truly expressed the massive Puerto Rican influence of the West Side into the mainstream. Why to date no famous TV chefs have stopped by Niagara café along with Anchor Bar or Schwabl's is something I don't understand. Does Puerto Rican food not count? Anyway so the food is simple and very tasty, and unique. I have never successfully duplicated or found their flavor elsewhere. Their pricing is great and their service and atmosphere is very authentic Puerto Rican. Maybe too authentic for the closed minded in fact. My only reason for the lower score is that, i find that literally 25% of the time I've ever gone there, the chicken seems undercooked. When it is correct, there's nothing like it but of you roll the dice on a bad day... It ruins everything. It's one tiny problem but it's a straight up deal breaker class of problem. I don't know why no other reviews mention this anywhere, i can't believe that i and my brother are the only people who have ever noticed that Niagara café chicken is occasionally undercooked. I dunno why they can't just cook the chicken long enough... read more

We came back for our yearly visit from Texas. It's just as awesome as I remembered. The beans poured over the yellow rice haunts my dreams. I also tried my kids' chicken fingers and fries, and they're some of the best I've ever had. Thanks, Niagara Cafe, we'll see you next year. read more

Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Bravo. 6 bucks for lunch Pernile shredded pork adobo rice and pigeon peas And sauce Delicious Food quality it tops You don't have to be Puerto Rican To Enjoy their food Previously I Love their chicken extra crispy fried or roasted rotisserie read more

Came here for lunch with my parents exchange student. Not being from Buffalo he was a little nervous about the area. I assured him great yelp reviews would make up for that. We were greeted right away, & sat down. Nothing fancy. No thrills. But like I love to point out his place was very clean. Clean, well kept & cared for! We had two amazing appetizers that were served to us immediately. By the time our food came out (not too long after) we were so full we needed leftover boxes. I reheated our leftovers for my boyfriend and he cannot wait to go for himself. I wish I could tell you what we got, hmmm as an appetizer a pastililo & something with mashed potatoes with beef on the inside. Both were so good! Then we had the chicken and pork that came with beans and yellow rice. It was delicious! Love to say we have a delicious authentic Puerto Rican establishment in our city ! read more

The service was good got my food really fast I got the Quarter chicken with rice and beans. read more

Easy find coming off of the Peace Bridge border crossing. At first glance I thought I'd catch cholera (or worse) -- not sure how the health department or code enforcement hasn't shut down the entire street (minus 1 star). Most things were closed, as it was Columbus Day (US) and Thanksgiving Day (CAN). Asked for cafe con leche -- no espresso machine, but they had a Mr. Coffee running. There's absolutely no milk in the restaurant, only cream (minus another star). Ordered the beef pastellitos, which seemed to have been reheated (minus another star). Maybe dinner would have been better with more clients cycling through. read more

If you are lucky enough (or organized enough) to be there (lunch or dinner) when those perfectly seasoned chickens are fresh out of the rotisserie, you are in for a real treat. The crispy golden brown skin and juicy meat fall off the bone, it's as good as roasted chicken gets. They nailed it and they don't mess with it! The cilantro perfumed yellow rice and beans are the perfect accompaniment. The roasted Pernil (pork shoulder) is well seasoned and very tender and juicy as well. They offer quite a few other Puerto Rican favorites as well but the star of this show is their chicken. After eating it 3 times or so I started to crave it so I'm hoping a re-hab center will open in the neighborhood so I can admit myself. Swiss Chalet-eat your heart out. read more

A no frills, cash only business, but boy is thier food good. Authentic Hispanic/Pueto Rican cuisine. I love their tostones, pastelies, and roast pork. Not a big fan of their pastilletos, though I do like them generally. read more

Excellent portion sizing and delicious food. Located in great little pocket of the city.

Love EVERYTHING they have. Just a great place to eat. Best chicken in town hands down!!

I come here just for the roast pork, yellow rice and beans. It's so yummy!!! I really need to branch out and try more of their items. read more

Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Great food! Great prices! Shitty sit down service! Ask the waitress to give us a few minutes too look at the menu! 20 minutes later she comes back after asking another waitress to get our waitress because she was in the back goofing off with her co workers & on her cellphone. I would give you a full 5 stars Niagara Cafe if it wasn't for the shitty sit down service. I would recommend to go service instead! read more

Niagara Cafe - Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Best authentic Hispanic food around! I really enjoy the variety of the menu and the pride that the wait staff have in their food. The atmosphere is laid back and comfy if you're looking for a quick bite with power packed flavor!! read more

Niagara Cafe - Specialty fried chicken with yellow rice & beans and a side salad. Power packed with flavor that will blow your socks off!!! - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

Awesome food! The people are so nice too. I highly recommend their chicken and rice with a side of beans. This place knows how to cook!!! Most people get the chicken with rice and beans but the rest of their menu is pretty amazing as well. Check it out at www.niagaracaferestaurant.com read more

Always fresh and delicious. Cordial staff and willing to go the distance to make sure you are satisfied. The rotisserie chicken and roasted pork are very tasty, seasoned perfectly with a little bit of crisp. But be sure to bring cash as no credit cards are accepted. read more

Niagara Cafe - Puerto Rican Near Me - Buffalo, New York

When I'm in the mood for Puerto Rican food I can think of no better place to go than the Niagara Cafe. This place is comfort food at its best...in the place where comfort food is best found...a shady neighborhood. You can dine in or take out and everything I have ever tried there (with the exception of the boiled banana...kinda useless) was delicious. I think Niagara Cafe makes some of the best Pastelillo and it is a must try for any newcomers to the scene. Little fried pockets of meaty and cheesy goodness. I wish there were more places that make Pastelillos and their cousins around town, because I can not get enough of them. As for dinner anything pork related will be top notch. The Pernil (fried pork bits) or Chelutas (fried (seeing a pattern here) pork chops) are UNBELIEVABLE. They are crispy and fatty and make me super happy to eat. I was chewing on the bone like an animal last time and was there...and frankly I didn't care who it bothered. Plus their Arroz Y Habichuelas (rice with beans) is the perfect accompaniment...and so well seasoned. This place has all sorts of delicious fried things (including amazing fried chicken) which you can not find anywhere else in Buffalo. It is the mix of simplicity and tradition, which creates a truly unique dining experience. There is nothing fancy about this place and you WILL leaved stuffed...you really don't have a choice in the matter. I found this place to be perfect before a long night of boozing...really soaks up the juices. So next time your in the mood for fried chicken bits...forget KFC...this place is truly finger lickin' good (sorry that's super cheesy). read more

A hidden local gem! Don't be fooled by the lame name and their crummy appearance. There's no 5 star service here but nobody cares. This place knows food! They serve some of the most flavourful, tender and juiciest chicken I have every had. I cannot seem to find anything to criticize about the food. There are only highs here; chicken, rice, beans, plantains..etc. Tremendous value for your money and a MUST visit if you are in the area. CASH ONLY and big line-ups. read more

best puerto rican food in buffalo, my god. those beef and chicken patties were heavenly

I love this place. If you go, you have to try the Passion Fruit Juice. It's unbelievable, the best in the city for sure. Expect busy lines during the dinner hour, but it's worth it. On a busy day, I like to swing by and pick up a pastelillo and juice. Great service - just don't forget to bring cash. read more

AMAZING food! i loved the pulled pork, and it has to be some of the best I've ever had. The rice is amazing, and so is the empanadas I really liked the beef and cheese one! will def go again! read more

Visiting Buffalo for the first time and this was one of the places recommended for my food tour. So by the name I thought it was going to be a diner but to my surprise Spanish food. Originally from the city, so you know I love all my culturally driven foods. When you walk in, it looks like a diner. You can either stand in line for take out or seat yourself and a waiter will come to serve you. First thing I noticed....CASH ONLY. Dude it's 2018 & I'm not a fan of random ATMs so this was a bit of a turn off. Luckily my bf is a little more adventurous with his debit card. So we ordered the chicken & rice, I had a side of plantain & he had two beef pastilleos (excuse the spelling). Ok so the rice & beans (they had potatoes in it !) & plantains were ah may zingggg. Like yummy in my tummy. Our chicken unfortunately was dry and wasn't a lot of actual meat. We had the dark meat but they have an all white meat option but I can only imagine the dryness. I tasted the pastilleo, it was ok but my bf loved it. I would probably go back but try maybe the beef or the pork bc the rice & beans were that good. It's worth another chance lol. They also have a food truck. Ok that's all I have for now. read more

Very authentic Spanish food for a very inexpensive price. I do wish they had a nicer larger place with a patio.

It was horrible! Went Monday night and the food was terrible, cold room, unfriendly as can be. Screaming kids, and screaming jamming music to give you a headache. We drove a distanced to get there and no fried chicken though others had it. We got dry, dry roasted chicken.....and froze to death! The fries were frozen and nasty too. Was so, so disappointed! Read reviews and wondered if we were in the right place. Terrible experience to pay for! read more

Empanadillas de pizza!!! Go get some! The pernil is so juicy and tastes like heaven. Reminds me of when we used to get it in Coamo on Sunday mornings. So amazing. My mother told me right when walking in, it felt like being back home. The environment is true to the island. Everything about this place is true to Puerto Rico. Delicious, great prices, great portions, great people, great experience! read more

Was much better before new management. Gain 20 lbs on the stuff.

Generally the best place to get a meal that will satisfy. Here's a hint. Don't go an hour after they initially open and get the roasted pork. This is my "go to: dish and its usually money in the bank. However, you have to remember that the longer pork roast, the better it is. Perhaps the evening pork is where to goods are. Other than that, the food is great. They also need to start taking credit cards!!! read more

Best Authentic Puerto Rican food in the area. When ever I'm in the area I try to make it a point to stop by this restaurant. Great family owned establishment. read more

This is one of my favorite places to go for a quick sit down meal or to pick up dinner for the family. Their food is delicious and the prices are great! read more

Wow! My family has told me of their many adventures from the Hamburg / Eden area to Niagara St. to enjoy the food at the Niagara Cafe..... I got to experience the food today on my visit to the Buffalo area. I moved to Texas a long time ago and love my visits home but this made it extra special. My grandparents, my father and his siblings grew up in Arecibo, PR and brought their family recipes to Western NY. I have learned to make a handful of recipes and all my friends love when I cook it. The world remains confused with Puerto Rican food, trust me it's a must-try! This place has all of my grandparents ethnic delicacies! What a total throw back for me today - it was delicious. The server was prompt and courteous and actually engaged my 14 yr. old nephew as he worked in a spanish lesson, the waitress tolerated him quite well. The rotisserie chicken is superb! Delicious, crispy and juicy, fantastically flavorful to the bone! Yum! Get the yellow rice with beans - just like my dad makes! It's on my list of places to stop on every visit home to the Buffalo area. If you live here - you seriously need to give it a try - come with an empty stomach, the portions are hefty. read more