Italian Restaurants in Buffalo (2025)

A North Buffalo fixture since 1975, Lombardo marries seasonal, regionally inspired Italian cooking with polished service. Praised by Buffalo News critics for handmade pastas and a deep Italian wine list, it’s the city’s white-tablecloth Italian benchmark.

Beloved for handmade pasta, giant meatballs, and that famous lasagna, Mulberry blends Italian-American comfort with craft. Featured on Food Network and lauded by Buffalo News, it remains a reservations-necessary rite for hearty red-sauce cravings.

A century-old downtown institution and home of spaghetti parm, Chef’s is pure Buffalo nostalgia—celebrated by local media and tourism guides alike. Expect friendly service, big portions, and a true taste of the city’s Italian-American tradition.

Downtown favorite with a lively rooftop in warm months and winter igloos later, Tappo delivers approachable Italian with a local following. Noted by Buffalo Spree for excellent eggplant parm, it’s a pre-theater and date-night staple.

Family-run Southern Italian cooking—braciole, osso buco, cutlets—in a warmly lit dining room that feels timeless. Locals and critics cite Sinatra’s as a go-to for classic technique and gracious, old-world service.

In the Elmwood Village, JT’s leans urban Italian—wood-oven pizzas, house pastas, and a robust wine and cocktail program. A polished room, weekend brunch, and steady hours make it a reliable neighborhood anchor.

A West Side standby for generous, straight-shooting Italian-American plates—think chicken parm, spaghetti aglio e olio, and bakery-pan pizza—run by a local family with deep roots in Buffalo dining.

A small, obsessively run pizzeria turning out top-tier Neapolitan and Detroit-style pies. Recognized by international pizza rankings and highlighted by local outlets, Jay’s showcases Italian craft through dough, fermentation, and excellent toppings.

Opened in 1965 by wrestling legend Ilio DiPaolo, this family-run spot blends Italian-American comfort with community-minded hospitality. Weekly specials, banquet rooms, and a long local pedigree keep it in the rotation.

Part bakery, part Italian café, and part neighborhood trattoria, Romeo & Juliet’s has been feeding Hertel Avenue since the 1990s with thin-crust pizzas, panini, pastas, and Italian desserts noted by local guides.

Allentown’s convivial Italian “city kitchen” serves cutlets, pasta, and pizzas with a locals-first vibe. Regular events and neighborhood buzz keep it busy; recent calendars and menus confirm it’s very much in the mix.