Cole's

Irish pub · Albright

Cole's

Irish pub · Albright

1

1104 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Photos

Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null
Cole's by null

Highlights

Creative pub grub, rotating taps, and a lively atmosphere  

Featured on Bon Appetit
Placeholder

1104 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 Get directions

coles-buffalo.com
@coleselmwood

$10–20 · Menu

Information

Static Map

1104 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222 Get directions

+1 716 886 1449
coles-buffalo.com
@coleselmwood
𝕏
@ColesBuffalo

$10–20 · Menu

Features

Tap to pay

Last updated

Aug 26, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@bonappetit

The 8 Best Places to Eat Buffalo Wings in Buffalo | Bon Appétit

"A college-area bar that serves notably large hot wings tossed in classic Buffalo sauce that lean toward the drier side of juicy, striking a pleasing sauce-to-meat balance and a touch of crispness. The sweet-and-spicy honey Cajun wings are a favorite alternative—more hot-honey than spicy Cajun—and are charbroiled to leave grill marks and extra texture. The bar’s indie-rock soundtrack and eclectic vintage decor sit atop a long local history dating back to the end of Prohibition." - ByAlana Pedalino

https://www.bonappetit.com/story/best-buffalo-wings-buffalo-new-york
View Postcard for Cole's

Sydney

Google
Went for Mother’s Day brunch and even though it was pretty crowded they still got us seated and served very quickly. They have a great brunch menu. And our server was very nice, friendly, and helpful I wish I remembered her name. Also the mimosas were great!! They have a few different kinds too. We sat outside on the patio and it was nice and clean and fun people watching.

C. DeVico

Google
Stopped in for a couple of drinks. Decent beer selection. Martini was well done. Ordered the Thai wonton, which were tasty, but i thought they were pricey for 3 on the plate. I think they were $15, makes them $5 each.

Fern Lovebond

Google
Great character, overall, and enjoyable food, with a rather nice selection of adult beverages. There's a lot of sports stuff and eventually the TVs will end up all on sports, so if you enjoy that, good for you. If, however, you're like me, and you find sports annoying, you'll want to go early to avoid the downfall into shouting sportsball noises. Very nice up to then, tho. Oh, and there are purse books under the bar, like a quality pub.

Ronald Powers

Google
A safe bet at all times! The service remains outstanding and the food is consistently tavern-quality! I went to see the Old Pink Sandwich respect today, and it was extremely good! I'm hoping the sandwich stay together.

R C

Google
I love the ambiance of this historic Buffalo bar. The wood and glass inside is absolutely gorgeous and creates an unmistakable atmosphere. There is space both inside and outside on the covered patio. The patio is great to get fresh air and people watch. They serve beer and cocktails. This place is popular with all age groups but can get full with college kids. 100% recommend if visiting Buffalo.

Abigail Kerkezis

Google
This place I’ve been to a few times. Each time it was decent. The beer menu is pretty good with a variety of types both local and not. The appetizer list is good, but nothing crazy. I would go without an appetizer though The main courses are reliable but nothing fancy. The grilled cheese, I’d recommend getting no spinach but the tomato was good with it. The chicken parm sandwich was delicious and I’d recommend getting that to anyone Atmospheres was good but a little loud which is expected for a bar restaurant style place. Waitress was always pleasant and on top of things

Lena

Google
The food is OK. The wings were not crispy, could have used 3-5 more minutes in the fryer to get rid of the fattiness of the skin. The chicken fingers taste like they came from a box. The grapes on the salad were mushy... it's alright food, but there are other better options out there. The service though, if I could give a negative 100, I would. The girl only came to take the order, to deliver half the order and then to throw the check in our faces. Of course, once we saw the bill and realized that she didn't split our check between the 2 families, so she could add the gratuity to the bill, we figured out why she didn't come to check on the food - she was getting her 20% regardless so we really didn't matter. Tried talking to a manager who could have cared less. The last time I'll spend a penny here. Sad, after over 25 years of coming here we will not be returning. You can do better. Especially for $180 check. Check in on your customers! I shouldn't have had to get my own to go containers and had to ask 3 other servers for refills because you never came back.

Foodie Couple716

Google
Sat at the bar for drinks and food. Keep in mind, if you're 5'7 and under , the seats are very low and for eating it was not comfortable to raise arms up to take a bite of food. The wings are up there among the best in Buffalo. Got the hot wings and wow! Not too much breading, nice crisp and the sauce was perfect. Side veggies lacking though. Couple of baby carrots and celery. Soup of the day was Clam Chowder. One of the best we've had. Thick, rich base, and plenty of potatoes and clams. Seasoned perfectly and came with slices of bread. Decor is eclectic. Atmosphere is dark with wood everywhere and not enough lighting. Was cold again. (We've been here before). The outside has become run down even more. Lacks a welcoming invite still. Bartender was amazing. Totally cool and made our afternoon more enjoyable.
google avatar

Aaron C.

Yelp
One of the first places I ever went to when I first moved to Buffalo back in 2011! Coles is always a weak spot for me I love this restaurant. Always friends staff, food gets it done, drink pricing is fine, atmosphere is plus plus. Most recently went here with a group of friends to watch week 18 football games on a Saturday and it was quiet when we first got there around 6 pm. By the time we were heading out at 11 pm the place had started to fill in at the bar and overflow into the booth seating which was great to see! Buffalo combo was a great meal for the price. Beef on weck sandwich, 5 wings, fries for $22. I'm not a Guinness snob by any means but Cole's does pour a great Guinness too! Awesome restaurant atmosphere on weekends, a lot of history and some good Buffalonians in there usually. Always love a Coles run.
google avatar

Elizabeth Betsy B.

Yelp
Perhaps not the best place to go for supper on New Year's Eve. Atmosphere was good, uncrowded and not too noisy; server was terrific. But. I didn't have any Tom & Jerrys so can't speak of quality but the first round for those at our table who had them, the cups were maybe 4 oz and over spiced, according to drinkers. A couple of people ordered another T&J post dinner and the cups were larger, at least 6 oz. The price for each Tom & Jerry was $10, regardless of size. I had the Shepherd's Pie. Very disappointing. Easily 80% mashed potato, and what meat there was didn't taste very good, plus over salty.. There was supposed to be roasted veggies in it, too, but found only a couple of carrot bits. Apologies for the photo. Lighting was low and editing efforts made photo worse, but it's the only one I took.
google avatar

Lynette S.

Yelp
Stopped into for a holiday get together with friends. Cole's getting hers an A+ for holiday decor. It is festive like all get out. Service is very good, no complaints about that. The food is generally good but very skimpy on the filling for shepherds pie, the drinks were inconsistent and there was not a soon to be had in the place. I'll chalk this experience up to holiday busyness. Hopefully I can update this review with better news in the new year.
google avatar

James R.

Yelp
Websters definition of Marty McGillicuddy Mediocrity... complete w millenials posing on their phones and cackling loudly while they nurse their watery beer (maybe nothing to go to the next day..Monday...) . 90% of these "pubs" in the Northeast are like this... I wanted a fish fry but 5 minutes waiting for the dingy waitress who was too busy talking to her nose-ringed friend was quite enough. I remember going to Mister Goodbar many years ago while in college in the 80s next door. I'm not about to revisit that one either.
google avatar

Jamie K.

Yelp
Such a fun place! I would definitely go back!! They had a great atmosphere & music was fun! We sat outside, beautiful weather, fun to see the locals go by. This is not a tourist trap. Very nice place also a place to sit in the back. A nice chill spot. The only thing I would say is that their beef wrec (the reason we went) was not good. We didn't eat it. The wings tho... were by far phenomenal! The hot pepper dip is a must. So much food - easily enough for 4. A must try!
google avatar

Wayne B.

Yelp
Always a safe bet! Food is super reliable tavern-quality, and the service is consistently fantastic! Went tonight to get the Old Pink Sandwich tribute, and it was delicious! Hoping the sandwich sticks.
google avatar

Wing Kings O.

Yelp
Location: 3.5 / 5 The inside is very inviting and clean but overall the location leaves something to be desired. The traffic, combined with the smoking section right next to the patio make for a unique, taste-bud-numbing experience. Although we credited a half point back for the performance from the speed-smoker next to the patio. Presentation: 4 / 5 They definitely covered all the bases here; Glass, porcelain, celery and carrots. A homerun! And here ends the positivity. Meat: 2.5 / 5 This category baffles me... I understand how a batch can be too small or too large but how do you end up with a wide variation in sizes in the same batch of wings? Some were so small and had exposed bones such that cooking them left a gnarly protrusions that turned to dust when you picked it up. Appetizing. Cook: 4.5 / 10 Sometimes the shorthand notes we take at the table require no elaboration: "None were crispy, rubbery early, smelled like feet." Standard Wing: 7.5 / 15 This category is all about flavor and this was not a good flavor. Too much sauce and they were not crispy enough to save the lame flavor. These reminded us of arena wings you choke down. Great for North Dakota. Maybe even Fargo's best wings - just not good enough for Elwood Ave in Buffalo. Specialty: 4 / 10 The specialty wings were just way too saucy. We see what you're going for with the BBQ, but the excess sauce drowned the flavor of the grill. Fry, sauce then grill! Honey Cajun tasted like Szechwan sauce... unfortunately we weren't dipping spring rolls. Overall: 26 / 50 And we welcome a new joiner to the "washed up" category.
google avatar

Lauren B.

Yelp
Excellent beef on weck and a great selection of interesting beers. I'd heard that the clam chowder was good and it absolutely hit the spot - creamy, nice clam flavour without being overly fishy, perfect consistency. The service was okay, but really you're here for the food and drinks. Weirdly, the kids menu chicken fingers absolutely slap so make sure you snag a couple of your kid's plate.
google avatar

Margery Z.

Yelp
This was a party for volunteering during 2023. We had the second floor balcony for our get together. This was fine early in the evening, but as more patrons entered the restaurant and bar on the ground floor, the noise came up to the open balcony. Our appetizers and dinner menu: an artichoke dip with chips, spinach stuffed mushrooms, a Caesar salad with croutons, roasted potato wedges, baked pasta with a melted cheese top, garlic seasoned chicken pieces, and rolls with roast beef. My favorite was the Caesar salad. It had all the zing of a typical Caesar, and good croutons served separately. The artichoke dip was well seasoned, but everything else lacked salt. The pasta in the baked pasta was overcooked; the sauce was not noticeably seasoned. The potatoes, although in a warmer with a flame underneath, were getting chewy. The chicken looked seasoned, but was not. There was no side dish of horseradish for the roast beef; there was no ladle to add the meat juice to the roll. It was a lovely get together and the servers were very attentive and efficient. I am not one who adds salt to my food, other than a hard boiled egg, but most of these dishes needed salt and there were no salt or pepper shakers on our tables.
google avatar

Joe S.

Yelp
The ambience here is one of a kind. Awesome old-school Buffalo vibe. The food is a 10. It's amazing- especially the French onion soup. But the service - well, we will leave that to the professionals.

Paul S.

Yelp
A near tragic night in my search for the ultimate Guinness draft left me drained after a near miss of the classic Irish bar Cole's. A rainy Friday night left me anxious to go somewhere for a glass or two of the Black Gold and Cole's is a strong choice as they serve 20-ouncers for a very fair price of $8 plus tip. The server served me quite promptly with a proper Guinness glass and did about a 90-second pour. I've seen better; I've seen worse. He did tilt the glass and it came to me not so impressive. A bit too much head. I looked the other way and bravely drank the pint. Although it seemed the Guinness wasn't as cold as I prefer it, it did appear the lines for the beer were clean. I sipped and sipped until I was just about done. For five minutes or so I waited for a second pour. The server looked at everyone in the bar but me. I finally told myself that if I wasn't served in 5 minutes I would go somewhere else for my second and final Guinness of the night. My glass was empty and I even pushed it to signal I was ready for another. But the server who first served me was ignoring me like there was no tomorrow. And just as I was about to get up and go - another bartender asked if I wanted a second glass. Well yeah! His Guinness pour was weak but there was less head than the first so who was I to complain. The second glass seemed colder and refreshing. I would still be there if it was up to the first bartender. My sloppy seconds turned out aok! Coles earned my repeat business. And I look forward to it.
google avatar

Brianna W.

Yelp
These chicken wings left me wanting so much more. As a buffalo native I felt as though I had been neglecting the food of my people... chicken wings, and I was really craving some good ones. I had been in the area watching the Ohio State vs. Michigan way, which didn't go as planned for me and I wanted to fill my stomach and soul with something delicious to lessen the pain of the game. Coles was right next door and also being a top chicken wing spot I knew this was the place. We ordered just a single order (10 wings) since we knew we'd be eating dinner with family a little later that night. These chicken wings had outstanding flavor but they were a little bit on the smaller size for your average chicken wing. Though small they really did hit the spot and they had a crispy skin, great flavor and fast service so overall a great little snack! If you're visiting from out of town I wouldn't put Cole's as a must stop chicken wing stop but if you want a place with good wings that's not as high on the radar or in the elmwood area, this is your place. They have a great atmosphere and other great food and beer options
google avatar

Sandy R.

Yelp
This is a vaccinated only establishment.They check upon entering.This made for a wonderful evening mask free. The staff is all masked, but guest do not needed to be, even when walking to restroom. Food was delicious as well as our draft beer. They had good descriptions with the current beer list. Our waitress was friendly and attentive and the waterboy refilled our glasses frequently. It was a relaxing evening out. Bar and corners of main dining room had several TV's on to watch your favorite sports.There is another larger dining room too that is brighter and more open and well as another small dining area above the kitchen in back of main old part too.( This is great for a family gathering or smaller sized party.
google avatar

Evan F.

Yelp
Group of friends from Cleveland decided to go all-in on a weekend tour around Buffalo, of the Wing Trail restaurants. This was stop #3. This restaurant is split into two distinct spaces...a traditional bar setting and a separate dining room setting. We sat on the dining side for our adventure. The vibe is really old school here, and the decor helps set that mood. They have an extensive craft beer selection on tap, and my Mast Landing Gunners Daughter milk stout was one of my favorite beers in quite some time! Being the end of our trail stops for the day, we took it easy on the wing front...half order of traditional hot and half order of Cajun honey. The Buffalo style wings were fine, but consensus here was that the mix of heat (from the spices) and sweetness on the Cajun honey wings made them the clear winner. We all love that the wings in Buffalo are really crispy (something we rarely get back home), and these were no exception.
google avatar

Hannah L.

Yelp
Solid pub fare with a laid-back atmosphere! I've been here a few times over the years, but I returned last night and it was just as good as I remember. I met a friend here on a Friday night at 6 and we were able to get seated right away, which was great. The service was timely and our server was very kind! I opted for the Greek chicken salad. It was huge! A giant bed of lettuce and other veggies, feta cheese, an entire grilled chicken breast, and half a pita. It filled me up pretty quickly, and there was still a ton of salad left. Not a bad deal for $16! They have lots of great stuff on their menu, including sandwiches, wings, and chicken fingers. They also have a large selection of beers and drinks available to order. My only gripe is that parking is a bit of a pain here. It's on a section of Elmwood that doesn't have a lot of parking availability, but I can easily see past that! Overall, I'd recommend Cole's to anyone seeking a casual dinner space with great food and drinks.
google avatar

Niki E.

Yelp
So Coles has been there before time, in my book LOL, Before I even knew what a bar really was as a young girl LOL, so for starters it stands the test of time, nobody's going to bring down Cole's on the Elmwood strip! it's here to stay from what I can tell and that says a lot right off the bat! I've had so many memories here from brunch with my friends and the occasional stop in for Apple martinis in my 20s, Random dating event in my 30's in the bar area as well as mannnny stop ins over the years to get a warm meal when feeling a little lubed up from alcohol . It kinda hits everything you want here. It's a wonderful staple in terms of your locals, it's also a place to go after a good drink, and additionally if you're looking for breakfast lunch or dinner and you're an out of towner, Coles will meet your needs for everything--knowing that it is truly a Buffalo, NY staple! So don't forget it! . And also if you're into beer they have lots of it, all the finest beers, all different percentages, so if you're into that, that's all here at Coles as well! But now in 2022 via GrubHub I ordered some of Cole's absolute finest haha, and by that I mean I just randomly ordered whatever I felt like ordering l! And STILL! it was the absolute finest !so thank you Coles, you always deliver the best! Even through delivery services! everything held up as if I was ordering it in the restaurant it was Fantabulous! We ordered a lot of things tonight! The very first thing that hit my lips was the pizza logs! Now, as you know pizza logs are often found on appetizer menus but this girl right here .... has eaten a LOT of pizza rolls!! and I literally love them even if I'm ordering them from a crappy pizza joint!! so when I say these were the BEST pizza rolls I've ever had, I am not lying to you, I wish instead of four I had had eight and maybe just made that my whole meal!!!! Seriously! I also randomly ordered an appetizer of onion rings and I'm sorry I don't know why... I don't know how.... I mean you really can't screw up onion rings-- but like especially delivered to your door, I don't know... there was just something about them, they were just like the best!!! I don't know, they were great, just like the pizza logs --give me more! Okay so the hot banana pepper dip-it came with a generous portion of baguette sliced bread, It's got this thick layer of cheese melted over but you got to get through that to get to the actual dip which is just you know phenomenal, again even via delivery! It traveled so well! and I could hardly eat it all yet I wanted to so bad! And it's just gonna make my tummy hurt if the do so I can't LOL but like definitely it's to die for and nooooo, not spicy at all, so don't worry about that! OK now the Ruben, let me just say if you don't want to order anything else and you know you love a Ruben Bam! Done! you are good to go here! It comes with the most delicious crispy fries and of course your crispy pickle and the Reuban is exactly the way you want it to be ya know? the only thing I'm gonna say is if you like it drippy, if you like it really drippy-- don't forget to ask for a side of dressing, in my case maybe two sides of dressing! All right now for the finale, so I am obsessed with shepherds pie. If you've never had it, I mean OMG....it's topped off with mashed potatoes ,what more can you ask for?! but there are different interpretations of the best shepherds pie right? so you really don't know what you're getting into it at just any old place! With Coles if ya feeling drunk an sloppy, we'll then Coles Shepard's Pie is a hidden gem for you!!!! To start it's got melted cheese poured all over it as it's base, followed by a mound of mashed potatoes and then all your classic Shepard's pie delicacies underneath! I can't deny it's absolutely delicious, however I like a more classic classy shepherds pie, that doesn't need cheese to make the dish, it's all about the potatoes and the succulent meat and veggies underneath without the need for cheese, in my personal opinion. However a lot of people don't know what shepherds pie is and if you're not sure on one random drunken night---- I dare you! to order it ! and you will be thoroughly satisfied ! especially from Coles! I'd say it's like the equivalent of a garbage plate, but for dinner--ya know cause it's got a lil class on the side, ingredients wise! Do you not forget to stop at Coles if you're visiting in Buffalo New York, it's been around long enough, and any of your locals will direct you here for sure!

Lawrence F.

Yelp
My son is in from Lexington Kentucky and wants some Buffalo favorites. So we stopped in. Haven't been here since my Buff State days. We had wings, which were excellent and French Onion soup which was excellent as well. The service is incredible. Seriously and the place is still a cozy spot. We would definitely recommend this establishment to everyone.
google avatar

Emily L.

Yelp
Had a rare date night with my first born between Christmas shopping and a holiday concert. He requested we go "somewhere they have French fries and tvs showing sports" because he's going through a phase of wanting to be just like dad. The cutest. Our concert was at Buff State and Coles seemed to meet all of his requests, so off we went! We were asked for vaccination proof as we came in, which made me immediately feel better about being there with my little dude. They didn't have a printed kids menu for us, or if they did, it didn't come out, but no worries because this guy was certain of his order: cheeseburger and fries. I ordered something similar - the Pacific Beach Burger, with avocado, chipotle-caramelized onions, pepper Jack cheese and chipotle aioli. I asked for my burger to be cooked medium, and I'd say most of it was medium, but there were definitely parts that had a very rare cooked consistency. The patty was almost like a meatball, so I imagine it would be hard to get it medium with it being that thick. Fries were okay, very salty which I honestly love. Little dude liked the fries but was picky about the burger cause he could "taste pepper". Lol. I can't dock any stars for my kid being the pickiest eater on the planet. We were hoping for dessert but they only had a pecan tart and I knew he wasn't going to go for that so we skipped. Regardless, we enjoyed our experience and he was able to see a few sports on tvs = success.
google avatar

Nikki G.

Yelp
After pedaling a Floatmingo on Hoyt Lake, we decided to stop at Cole's for dinner. It is near Delaware Park. Parking is a little tricky, even during a pandemic. We found a spot on Elmwood a block away. It was a beautiful night, so the walk was nice. Upon entering Cole's, there is a little table where they ask you to use the hand sanitizer as soon as you enter. We were greeted by the hostess who asked me if I used to be a gym teacher in Kenmore. It was odd, but I politely said I was never a gym teacher. We sat in the room to the left where there are lights that are monkeys reading. This was the first time I sat in a booth in that room and I found it fun to read the menu on the wall from the past. I also really liked the church chandeliers hanging. They are killing it with the room vibes. Only one person can be in the bathroom at a time, as stated in the sign on the door. You have to lock the main bathroom door. My mom and I decided to each order a sandwich and then split it, so we essentially tried two sandwiches. I ordered the beef on weck. This is one of my top places to get the Buffalo staple. It is consistently good. It comes with a pickle, fries, and au jus for dipping. My mom ordered the Joe Agro's Pot Roast Burger. It was served with horseradish mayo. I do not like horseradish, but this horseradish mayo was out of this world. I put it on my half of the pot roast sandwich, and also dipped some of my fries in it. Both sandwiches were fantastic. I usually just get the roast beef on weck, but I might switch it up next time and get the Joe Agro Pot Roast Burger. The service was good. The hostess was on it, and kept filling up my water glass. The waitress, the same one who asked if I was her former gym teacher, was attentive too.

Adam A.

Yelp
This establishment is ripe with the odor of unwashed vagina. The nose is assaulted upon entry.
google avatar

Melinda E.

Yelp
A longstanding gathering place with great hospitality & yummy food! Heavily populated by Buffalo State College students, faculty, staff & alumni. This bar & restaurant is welcoming to all. Known for their delicious wings which are fried crispy & accompanied by blue cheese so good you'll want to lick the bowl clean! We finally made our way over for Christmas Eve Classic Cocktail, the "Tom & Jerry". This seasonal hot liquor drink warms you like nothing else! Strong, spicy, sticky with a homemade merengue batter topping, at a mere $7, this drink warms the soul

Francesco A.

Yelp
Our server was fantastic, greeted us with her name and was "Johnny on the spot" with the refills. Food was great (always is). But we were seated in the booths not too far from the host stand and my girlfriend and I witnessed a male server berate and talk down to the host over polishing silverware. I used worked in the restaurant business for a long time and got my fair share of tongue lashings but never ever were they in front of customers. I understand it can be a cutthroat industry but nobody deserves to be talked down to like that. As the server was yelling at the host he said something along the lines of "it's a bad look on our business when you sit here and do fucking nothing". It's a million times worse for the business when a server is yelling at a host in the middle of the dining room. The male server with the long blonde hair and glasses is probably a nice guy but I was absolutely disgusted with how he spoke to the host right in front of us.

John C.

Yelp
kohl's has always been a staple of Buffalo. This place has a very rich history with a beautiful restaurant and a great atmosphere. Their food always comes out good and I've never had a bad thing on their menu. Their prices are in line with everyone else. Their service has also always been good. They also carry incredibly rare beers that are hard to find such as Heady Topper. One thing I know for sure if you come to Coles, you will not be disappointed.
google avatar

Shel L.

Yelp
Top 5 French onion soup in Buffalo. Great food, great beer selection, even better playlist!
google avatar

Karla D.

Yelp
Even though this is an Irish pub their beef on weck was spot on yummy town! Stopped in for lunch and share the sandwich and fries which were very filling. The beef was tender and juicy and the roll was fresh and flavorful. I liked the atmosphere as well. Very comfortable, friendly, clean and old school. This is a place I would go back to.
google avatar

Karen N.

Yelp
Just moved back to Buffalo and am eager to find a fish fry place. First stop was Cole's on Elmwood. This is not the one. The fries were delicious and the slaw was decent. The fish, not so good. It was not very fresh. Instead of pure white, it was getting grey and translucent. Heavy, way too thick batter. This won't be "our place". I would give the meal a B- because of the fish quality.
google avatar

Jennifer C.

Yelp
Cole's never disappoints! The food is classic pub, and everything I get is good. I especially like the banana pepper dip. It's creamy, and not too spicey. This is a great restaurant to people watch. They have a patio outside (right at the beginning of the Elmwood strip), or a window seat would be my preference. If you do choose to eat inside, check out their light fixtures. Idk if they're Viking/Gothic or old German, but I love them. They add so much character

Nicole F.

Yelp
Went here for brunch at 11am. Literally the worst service I have ever had in my entire life. This waitress literally did not come to the table all of but 3 time and we were there until 2pm, and not because we wanted to be! It was seriously terrible. Food was cold, and she said she had brew more coffee when we asked for more and came back to pour, ICE COLD coffee! I will NEVER go back here! It was so bad I didn't even leave a tip, they are lucky I even paid for my meal.
google avatar

Clark S.

Yelp
Came here on a Friday at about 5pm with a few friends and had a good experience! Parking in downtown Buffalo is always tricky but I got very lucky and found a parking spot on the street right in front of Cole's. They do have a parking lot in the back but it's very small so you're more likely to find a parking spot on the street. Cole's is split into a bar and a sit-down restaurant area, which you see right as you enter with the bar area on the right. The bar area seemed tight with the dining area having much more room to move around. There are HDTVs playing sports throughout the entire restaurant and music playing via digital jukebox. It was somewhat noisy in there but not enough to inhibit conversation. As for the food service, we had a pretty good experience. We arrived when the restaurant area was pretty empty so we were seated promptly in a booth and the waiter gave us a few minutes to look over the (extensive) beer menu before serving us with water. The food menu has a pretty nice variety so there was plenty to choose from. I ended up getting the Black and Blue Burger, made with Wagyu Beef (an extra $5), cooked medium. Our food came out in a reasonable amount of time so no complaints there. The 8 oz. burger was cooked perfectly and was very juicy and tasty! The fries were fine, nothing to rave about. The portions were perfect too, I walked away satiated (full but not too full). Our waiter was great as he came by right when we needed him to, he didn't pester us nor did he leave us out to dry for long periods of time. All in all, my friends and I had a great experience here and I'd be more than happy to come back and try a different sandwich on the menu!

Jessica S.

Yelp
The bartenders at this establishment are incredibly good looking. Especially the one with a really deep voice.
google avatar

Jd F.

Yelp
I'd call it Old School Buffalo Pretty sure it's one of the oldest restaurants in the area, & it really has that old Irish Pub charm to it. The Craft beer list here is one of the best in the area- it's outstanding really. The Beef on Weck with 5 wings added is my favorite item on a fairly large menu that won't leave you disappointed. If u live in the suburbs, this place is worth the trip to the city. And if u live in the Elmwood village, you're probably a regular. This place is a classic for a reason

David T.

Yelp
Walked in on Sunday at 4:30 pm only to find a scribbled piece of paper on the hostess stand stating the kitchen is closed. When I approached the 5 wait staff to ask why, they were too busy giggling amongst each other and ignored me. With Brennans and Thin man gone, could Coles be far behind. The owner seems to have his interest & passion.
google avatar

Sabra R.

Yelp
Haven't been here for years and couldn't remember why! It's because food is just ok and nothing spectacular. My husbands burrito was blah and cold! I had the Buffalo tots waffle which was all right. My sons Benedict was edible not memorable. My daughter in law had a breakfast sandwich which she enjoyed. The drinks were great! Not my favorite brunch spot and will wait years again before trying another time!
google avatar

Steven M.

Yelp
Cole's is a place that never really caught my eye but thanks to having an impossible burger on the menu, this was the place my friend and I ended up hitting over on Thursday. This place wasn't super busy when we arrived (nothing really is at 3:30PM on a weekday). The waitress we had was fantastic and she was pleasant throughout our stay. The menu here is pretty standard for a Restaurant/Bar and offered all the usual burgers, appetizers, salads, and entrees. I knew I was going to be in for a stomach punishing weekend that's go my visitor wanting to eat as much food as possible on his trip so I went for the Buffalo Chicken Salad so I at least had some vegetables going on me. I have mixed feelings about my salad and I'm not sure how to really go about them. The chicken in the salad was great, I actually really enjoyed the breading and flavour it provided, however, I don't know if putting a giant chunk of lettuce in the middle of a plate, chunks of tomato, and the chicken really qualifies as a salad or just sitting them on a plate. I'll never understand salads not being at least partially mixed and put together, but maybe that's just me? Who knows. Overall, I didn't hate my experience at Cole's and my friend thought his meal was the best impossible burger he's ever had (that counts for something). The food was good, although I didn't like the presentation and the staff was super great. I'll be checking this place out again in the future and I look forward to seeing what the rest of the food has to offer.
google avatar

Aly W.

Yelp
Beautiful space. The room with the bar has the dimly lit pub environment you expect. It's very nice, but I also liked the brighter room with vaulted ceilings that we were seated in. There's also nice outdoor seating. As other reviews noted, the wait for food can be a wee bit long, but it's amazing. One of our sons actually ate some of his chicken tenders. We tried some, too. They were plump and juicy. My other sons' pasta with sauce was penne with bits of tomato. Each kids meal was a reasonable $5. My husband enjoyed his wings and side of asparagus. I had the Eichel burger with cheddar and Canadian bacon, and poutine. The burger was cooked medium rare to order, and tasted great. The poutine was good, if not my favorite. I tried a pomegranate sparkle. It was tart yet refreshing. Our server Josh was excellent.
google avatar

Katie B.

Yelp
Came in for brunch today and had a great time. Coles has an extensive Bloody Mary menu that speaks to my soul. If you're a bloody fan then you definitely need to brunch here. I got the buffalo bloody which is made with franks and blue cheese. I'm a bit of a woos so I asked them to go a little lighter on the Franks as they are kinda spicy. The bacon Bloody Mary was also really good! It had a Smokey flavor to it. They give you muffins while you wait for your food to come out which was a cute touch. To eat I got the stuffed hash browns and they were SO good. I requested my egg be cooked medium well and it was perfect. The hash browns were stuffed with plenty of cheese. I wouldn't have changed a thing. They get really busy during brunch so if you're coming in I'd be prepared to be patient. We didn't wait really long for our food but our server was very busy and it took her some time to come over to us. Our group showed up in waves so I know it can be a bit difficult to keep up with everyone's needs when everyone shows up at different times but despite all of that our server did a great job! This was my first time coming to coles to eat and this will definitely be a new go to brunch spot for me! Everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meals and we had a great experience.
google avatar

Zack R.

Yelp
I really, really like Cole's. I went to college at Buffalo State, so I frequented Cole's quite often, I mean, it's right there. I used to solely go to Cole's on nights when I wanted to drink with my friends. This later evolved to somewhere to go for a beer or some wings. (Their chicken wings are easily some of the best in Buffalo, I'm talking Duff's level people.) Plus they do this combo called the Buffalo Combo which is Beef on Weck AND chicken wings. (Sold) Anyway, I went for breakfast a couple of weeks back and ordered this breakfast burrito thinking, it would be a quick little breakfast, I was pleasantly wrong. It was a huge, packed burrito smothered in cheese and in a skillet, and it was AMAZING. Like incredible. I went back last weekend for an event Lyft was throwing for people who attended the RideSharing Public Forum. They had an open tab and food for people. However, I think there was some issue with the reservation and Cole's had no idea it was happening apparently. They accommodated the group really quickly though. The only real issue was this older bartender with longer hair who was so mean and nasty and rude and made me and my friends feel like he was mad at us for something. He literally threw our drinks at us, and was just not someone who should be working with people. (Usually the bartenders and waiting staff are so amazing and cordial and polite!) Avoid this guy if at all possible. There was this other incident a while back when I was still in college with a female bouncer, where I had had a very long day and perhaps a bit too much to drink and I was falling asleep at the table and she was extremely rude to me and said some things to me that I cannot repeat here. She then promptly kicked me out. I didn't go back to Cole's for some time because of her. Regardless of those couple of incidents, I love Cole's, great bar and restaurant and I tend to go there when in Buffalo.
google avatar

Kristen W.

Yelp
Whether we are looking to grab drinks on the weekend, or a bite to eat, Cole's has always been a place we can rely on. The location is very convenient. I have been coming here since college,and it's within walking distance from the Delevan dorms at Canisius (granted- it's a pretty long walk). Their food will always hit the spot and their water refill game is STRONG! I have never had bad food or bad service. It's usually loud, usually busy, usually a little dark inside. More times than not you won't have someone immediately greet you when you sit down because of how busy they are, but they will always be friendly and accommodating. They have an extensive list for wine and beer. If you are going to the bar, it's small and gets crazy on weekend nights so expect to wait. Won't be long before another "what do you want to eat? Idk, lets go to Coles" conversation.
google avatar

Leslie K.

Yelp
We go to this iconic restaurant every time we visit our kids at UB. Food is delicious (classic bar food), but the atmosphere is what brings us back every time. Cozy, classic, warm and inviting. Old school pub style with quirky decor. Staff have always been great and accommodating. Parking can be challenging, but worth a block or 2 walk. We will keep coming back here and highly recommend!
google avatar

Marissa P.

Yelp
I absolutely LOVE the food here. I've been here probably 50 times (no exaggeration needed) and this place is consistent. They have some of the BEST wings in town, but my usual is the Chipotle Chicken with upgrading the fries to loaded. I order this 95% of the time. The Chipotle Chicken- it has avocado, pepper jack and a Chipotle spread, what else could a California girl like me want? It's always cooked perfectly, the Chipotle has a slight kick to it but not overpowering so that all the flavors work together. The Loaded Fries- hands down my FAVORITE fries in Buffalo. They never disappoint. The fries themselves are perfectly crispy with a nice potato inside. They then pile on the cheese, bacon and scallions and are served with a side of ranch. The bacon is cooked to perfection. It's not those pathetic bacon bits by real, good sized, bacon chunks with fantastic flavor. I shouldn't write this review while being hungry... might have to go get these fries for lunch. My only complaint is that service is extremely slow. But the food is worth the wait. I try to practice my patience whenever I come here. I usually ask for a carafe of water because those glasses are tiny and I don't like waiting for refills. If you order an appetizer, they usually come pretty fast so if you're impatient like me, order an app. Or you can always call ahead and get your food to go.
google avatar

Michael R.

Yelp
5 of us went for Sunday brunch which starts at 11:00 it looked promising with at-least 30 people waiting to get it but that might have been the problem . Three of us had Luke warm food 2 had nice hot food ( maybe go layer after the rush) 2 of us had the Colorado hangover burrito they were the like warn and bland did not taste any chorizo . My wife had the buffalo tot waffle that was hot, crispy and great tasting . one son had the Aztec Benedict it was luke and Just O K my daughter inlaw ( ( the birthday girl that picked the place) was happy with hers which is all that mattered!
google avatar

Katie P.

Yelp
This is a great bar on Elmwood. They have excellent food and plenty of beer on tap to choose from. You can drop in for any meal of the day or a drink after work (highly recommend brunch). Easygoing atmosphere. The bar is decorated with memorabilia from colleges around Buffalo. I ordered the chicken finger wrap (medium) for lunch. The wrap comes with blue cheese sauce inside. It was delicious!
google avatar

Darrien H.

Yelp
If no one ever told you, Cole's is the best bar in the world. I started coming here years ago when a ex girlfriend introduced me. Since then I have enjoyed every minute I had here. The drinks are delicious and fairly priced. The staff is friendly and happy to be there. The food has always been good and more than you would expect from a bar. Cole's also has a patio. This is the place to be in the summer. In my opinion, you can't truly experience elmwood unless you spend a afternoon or night here.
google avatar

Izzy H.

Yelp
Cole's is an Elmwood staple and is a hit for college students as well as locals looking for a good meal and a night out. Their food is always delicious, its perfect American/Irish pub food; burgers, fries, chicken tenders, you name it. They also have the Buffalo staples of Beef on Weck and chicken wings. Their wings are some of my favorite in Buffalo as they are crispy and well seasoned. Their late-night scene is always fun, especially Ladies Nights on Tuesdays, where you can get discounted drinks and a reusable cup. They have a full bar and an extensive drink selection of bottled and on-tap beers, wines, and cocktails. It's a great place to bring your parents on parents weekend for a hearty meal and a must to hit when bar-hopping on Elmwood.
google avatar

Ashley K.

Yelp
Came for brunch Sunday with a couple friends. We had a reservation, but at 1pm, there were a few tables empty. Our server was friendly and offered up her favorite item on the menu (Aztec Benedict). I was torn, so I asked her if she had to pick between the Southwest Scramble or Hangover Burrito, what would she chose? She said they didn't have the Southwest Scramble, so the burrito won by default. It was OK. There was sausage in it, but it wasn't chorizo. It was grey and don't taste like much. After I ate, I realized the ingredients for the Southwest scramble were very similar to the burrito, so they must have just been out of chorizo?? Two other people ordered the chicken and waffles. The waffle part was amazing. The chicken, even though described as chicken thighs on the menu, it was actually a chicken finger. FYI, the menu online as of August 2018 is slightly different than the menu we saw in person. There are too many places to get an amazing brunch in Buffalo. I won't be coming back to Cole's for brunch anytime soon.
google avatar

Kiarra M.

Yelp
So i finally partook in Sunday Funday, and i was not disappointed! We started at Cole's and i woke up my liver with a Moonshine Mimosa. It wasn't as heavy of a hitter as i expected but tasted amazing and started my buzz off right. As for my meal, i did the Smoked Salmon with Potato Latke. Let me just start off by saying, i have never tasted something that did what this meal did to my taste buds. The smokey flavor of the salmon nicely paired with the creaminess of the poached egg and cream cheese. Good lord. I can't wait to go back. I've truly only been to Cole's for the night life and random lunches but this will absolutely be my go to spot for brunch from now on. Well done!
google avatar

Avni K.

Yelp
After two back to back visits for lunch meetings I can finally be sure to say that I love the coffee here, I know COFFEE in a bar. Don't let the bar deceive you, this place makes a mean salad and my personal favorite is the Chicken Gorgonzola with Grape salad. The ambience and service are 5/5. I will be sure come back for a drink and dinner.
google avatar

Rick R.

Yelp
I decided to stop in and have a fish fry for lunch around 2 p.m. I ordered a beer battered haddock fish fry and it came with french fries, and coleslaw. I have had one fish fry in the past and it was very good but this time the fish was soft and Soggy and it appeared to be a few days old. Fish is supposed to be firm and Flaky but this definitely was not. I love coleslaw so I asked him to make sure I get a good bowl full but after having a taste it was terrible. Now I really prefer mayonnaise coleslaw but I love vinegar coleslaw to but this was not even Tangy and tasted like it had bell pepper in it or something very Bland and I didn't even finish it. I was very disappointed and will probably never get one again. I wonder if they're saving the fresh fish for after 5 p.m.???
google avatar

Scott L.

Yelp
Recently just went there for lunch with my co-workers. Funny thing is I forgot been here many times before, I don't know the reason but may be the food was good enough to get the name remembered. Anyway this time my fellows picked the place. Food is regular pub stuff, burger, sandwich, etc. I had the mahi mahi taco, which is too acidic, I only finished one taco. The burger ordered by others looked pretty good. Maybe I just picked the wrong choice. Like the decor and service, parking could be a headache. Oh wait! they have parking lot at back, we only know that after lunch.