Craving a big bowl of comforting cheesy pasta or a specialty mac decked out with mix-ins and toppings? This guide won’t steer you wrong when it comes to finding the best spots to order mac and cheese in Buffalo and Western New York.
We asked our Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram followers where to find the best mac and cheese in Buffalo and WNY, and they answered with their top picks. Below we’ve included the full list of reader recommendations – if it was mentioned, it’s listed below.
With hundreds of comments resulting in over 40 recommendations, there’s an option in almost every neighborhood. Some specifically specialize in the cheesy good stuff, and some have one version that just might blow your socks off – hey that’s all it takes, right? All have mac and cheese worth recommending according to our readers.
Shout out to Step Out Buffalo intern Kayla for helping put together this guide!
Best of the Best
While many recommendations were mentioned more than once, there were certain places mentioned over and over (and over) again and it’s safe to say these are our readers’ top picks in order:
- Mooney’s (Depew, Kenmore, Lancaster, Tonawanda, West Seneca)
- Ballyhoo (Buffalo’s Old First Ward)
- Fat Bob’s (Allentown & East Aurora)
- Griffon Gastropub (Clarence, Niagara Falls, East Aurora)
Keep scrolling to see the full list of mentions!
Check out the comments on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for menu item recommendations and specific info you can’t get anywhere else, out of the mouths of customers! Plus explore more guides with recommendations according to our readers.
Guide to Best Mac & Cheese Restaurants in Buffalo & WNY According to Our Readers
716 Food and Sport
7 Scott Street
Buffalo New York 14203 • $$
American
Buffalo
Bar
SOB Says: First class top to bottom, (716) Food $ Sport is not a ‘hockey bar’ connected to First Niagara, it is a sparkling gem in the center of the new Buffalo.
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Ballyhoo Links & Drinks
211 South Park Ave
Buffalo New York 14204 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says: A Cobblestone District favorite, Ballyhoo is as nice inside as it is homely on the outside. They offer housemade sausages and sides, craft cocktails (Jam
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Big Ditch Brewing Co.
55 E Huron St
Buffalo New York 14203 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Big Ditch Brewing Co. is one of Downtown Buffalo’s shinning stars when it comes to brewery/restaurant combos. The tap room is huge, yet welcoming and does a fantastic
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Big Mood
423 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo New York 14032 • $$
Vegan
Buffalo
Fast Casual
Buffalo’s first all plant based eatery – formerly Root $ Bloom Cafe.
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Buffalo Chophouse
282 Franklin St
Buffalo New York 14202 • $$$$
American
Buffalo
Fine Dining
Step Out’s 2 Cents
Buffalo Chophouse may not have been Buffalo’s first steakhouse, but there are few oldies left that compare. Reports of long waits at the bar
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Buffalo Soul
454 Pearl St
Buffalo New York 14202 • $
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Restaurant $ Lounge in Buffalo, NY specializing in scratch made soul food and local Buffalo favorites. Taste the Soul of 716!!!
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Buffalo’s Best Grill
3700 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park New York 14127 • $$
American
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Full service restaurant open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.
Buffalo’s Best Grill Is Open 7 Days A Week Serving Lunch and Dinner; Sundays – Brunch 10am – 2
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Cantina 62
2178, Seneca Street, Kaisertown
Buffalo New York 14210 • $$
Mexican
South Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
A Word from Cantina 62
A small Mexican American Diner. We serve a traditional breakfast and lunch; featuring a menu blended with American Classics and Traditional
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CoreLife Eatery
3670, McKinley Parkway, Big Tree
Erie County New York 14219 • $$
Asian
South Towns
Why is it so hard to eat nutritious food that feeds your body and your soul every day? The evidence supporting the power of eating well continues to grow, yet unhealthy,
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Dinosaur BBQ
301 Franklin St.
Buffalo New York 14202 • $$
BBQ
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Located in the heart of Buffalo’s Theater District, the Dinosaur Bar-B-Que occupies a former vault that stored movies for Universal International Pictures.
A word
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East Eden Tavern
8163 E Eden Rd
Eden New York 14057 • $$
American
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Love the Garbage Platter- served on a garbage can lid, serves 4 ish $39.99, ($29.99 on Tues.) – full rack of ribs, brisket, chicken, pulled pork, mac n cheese, coleslaw,
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Ebenezer Ale House
4348 Seneca St
Buffalo New York 14224 • $$
American
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Since it opened its doors in 2011, the Ebenezer Ale House has been providing Western New York with one of the best selections of food and drink in the area. The
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Ellicottville Brewing Company
28 Monroe St
Ellicottville New York 14731 • $$
American
Southern Tier
Ellicottville Brewing was established in 1995 by our beer-loving founder after a ski trip to Vail, CO. Inspiration had struck: an authentic craft brewery would be
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Essex Street Pub
530 Rhode Island St
Buffalo New York 14213 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says: The Essex Street Pub is a fantastic little hidden gem on the edge of the west side. Full of charm and perfect for lunch, dinner or late night munchies,
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Fat Bob’s Smokehouse
41 Virginia Pl
Buffalo New York 14202 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Fat Bob’s Smokehouse has been tucked in on Buffalo’s cutest street since the late 90’s. The rare combination of good bar, good food and good location has kept this
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Fat Bobs @ 42 North Brewing
25 Pine St
East Aurora New York 14052 • $$
BBQ
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Fat Bob’s in collaboration with 42 North Brewing Company in East Aurora. Fat Bob’s will be serving BBQ at the brewery every Tuesday through Sunday, including favs
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Gabriel’s Gate
145 Allen St.
Buffalo New York 14201 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
A Word from Gabriel’s Gate
Located in the heart of Allentown, Gabriel’s Gate is one of the original Tift Row Houses, which were built in 1864. We offer a great
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Griffin Gastropub – Clarence
5445 Transit Rd
Clarence New York 14031 • $$
American
North Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says About Griffin Gastropub: According to Griffon Gastropub’s website, ‘If you’re looking for a typical ‘neighborhood grill’ type of place, keep looking,’ and
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Griffin Gastropub – Niagara Falls
2470 Military Road
Niagara Falls New York 14303 • $$
American
Niagara County
Casual / Full Table Service
The Griffon Pub is a gastropub located in Niagara Falls, NY that boasts 50 beers on tap and a unique, creative menu. Our staff is friendly and knowledgable about
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Griffin Gastropub East Aurora
634 Main Street, East Aurora, NY, United States
East Aurora New York 14052 • $$
American
South Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service, Bar
72 beers on tap, a grand, old industrial building, long list of fine bar grub and even a childrens’ menu. This place is a no brainer and a great addition to one
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Hughes Diner
129 Main St
Little Valley NY 14755 • $
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Hughes Hotel is a Veteran Owned, and family operated bar/restaurant. Family friendly, and built on small town values. It is currently one of the oldest public buildings
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Kith & Kin Bakeshop and Bistro
5850 Transit Rd
Lockport NY 14094 • $$
Bakery
Buffalo
Bakery
Kith & Kin Bakeshop & Bistro is committed to creating great tasting gluten free baked goods in a 100% gluten free environment.
We are a full service restaurant
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La Verdad Cafe
1132 E Lovejoy St
Buffalo New York 14206 • $$
American
East Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Smokehouse, deli and the real deal in home cooking. Try the Mac ‘n cheese.
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Lake Effect Diner
3165 Main St
Buffalo New York 14202 • $
American
North Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says: The sign on the clock above the door reads, ‘A cool place to eat 24/7’. While the clock no longer keeps time, they aren’t open 24/7, and there may be a
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Lucky Day Whiskey Bar
320 Pearl St
Buffalo New York 14202 • $$$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Lucky Day; a Whiskey Bar with whiskey happy foods.
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Mooney’s – West Seneca
1537, Union Road, Ebenezer
West Seneca New York 14224 • $$
American
South Buffalo
Bar
Mooney’s Sports Bar $ Grill was started with two things in mind; families having a fun dining experience and giving our customers top quality food in HUGE portions.
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Mooney’s Sports Bar $ Grill – Depew
4628 Broadway
Buffalo New York 14043 • $
American
North Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Come check out our brand new location on Broadway in Depew! Mooney’s was put together with one thing in mind – having a good time. When you come here, you can expect
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Mooney’s Sports Bar $ Grill – Kenmore
1535 Military Rd.
Buffalo New York 14134 • $
American
North Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Mooney’s was put together with one thing in mind – having a good time. When you come here, you can expect good drinks, an awesome menu, and good times. We’ve combined
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Mooney’s Sports Bar $ Grill – Tonawanda
83 Niagara Street
Buffalo New York 14150 • $
American
North Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Site says: Mooney’s was put together with one thing in mind – having a good time. When you come here, you can expect good drinks, an awesome menu, and good times.
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Pegasus Restaurant
5748 South Park AVenue
Hamburg New York 14075 • $$
American
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
Welcome to Pegasus family restaurant, where value is a tradition. A place where food, delightful atmosphere, friendly service and reasonable price are combined together
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Settler’s Family Restaurant
353 West Main
Batavia NY 10420 • $
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
Settler’s is a family owned restaurant and has been catering to local residents and travelers alike for over 25 years.
With a huge menu selection of home cooked
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Shango Bistro
3260 Main St.
Buffalo New York 14214 • $$
American
North Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says About Shango Bistro: Shango is one of my favorite restaurants in WNY. Simple, unassuming, comfortable with great food and a superior beer list. That pretty
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Sidelines Sports Bar & Grill
189 Delaware Ave
Buffalo New York 14202 • $$
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
We are Sidelines Sports Bar $ Grill, where every day is game day! Do you need a bar that will offer not only great beer but also delicious food?
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Smoke, Fire, and Spice
10189 Main Street
Clarence NY 14031 • $
Buffalo
Opened in 1999, as Adventures in Heat, in 2015 we’ve become Smoke, Fire & Spice: your destination for grilling, smoking, spices, accessories, and food. Our
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Solidays
6935 Ward Road, Niagara Falls NY
Niagara County New York 14304 • $$
American
Niagara County
Casual / Full Table Service
Soliday’s is a locally-owned $ operated restaurant. Our promise: to maintain above standard cuisine! Soliday’s has perfected ‘Bar Food’. But we know it takes more
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Southern Junction
27 Chandler St
Buffalo New York 14207 • $$
BBQ
North Buffalo
Fast Casual
Texish barbecue – aka Texas-style barbecue meets Indian cuisine influences.
READ: Southern Junction Puts A Twist On BBQ With Its ‘Tex-Ish’ Smokehouse
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STEELBOUND BREWERY & DISTILLERY
5873 US-219
Ellicottville New York 14731 • $$
American
Southern Tier
They will open will a full line of beer on tap, including BETA Juice and Last Minute IPA’s, Double Dog Dare Ya DIPA, Fat Porter, Nutty Blond Blonde Ale and Portly
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Stooges Stuffed Burger Bar
2 Pine St
Lockport New York 14094 • $
Buffalo
At Stooges Stuffed Burger Bar, you’ll enjoy a one-of-a-kind meal made to order with local ingredients. Our menu is inspired by our friends, our family and (of course)
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The Burning Buffalo Bar & Grill
1504 Hertel Ave
Buffalo New York 14216 • $$
American
North Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
A Word from The Burning Buffalo
Our inspiration began with our name. The Burning Buffalo. Shortly after midnight on December 30, 1813, British troops
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The Cheesy Chick Cafe
5385 Main Street
Williamsville New York 14221 • $
American
North Towns
Classic comfort food immediately transmits adults back to their childhood with one bite. We’ve taken a classic food, and turned up the volume!
The Cheesy Chick
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The Delaware Pub $ Grill
3410 Delaware Ave
Tonawanda New York 14217 • $$
American
North Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says: I’m going to begin this section with one word: go. I’ll be honest in saying that The Delaware wasn’t even on my radar until one day when we found ourselves
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The Place
229 Lexington Ave
Buffalo New York 14202 • $
American
Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
The Place is a family style restaurant reopened April 2016 with new style, new menu, same old neighborhood atmosphere.
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The Sterling (Tap $ Wurst)
1487 Hertel Ave
Buffalo New York 14216 • $$
American
North Buffalo
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says About Sterling Tap $ Wurst: We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: we love Gastropubs. They let restaurants hone in on a few particular items and
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Winfield’s Pub
1213 Ridge Road
Blasdell New York 14218 • $$
American
South Towns
Casual / Full Table Service
SOB Says:
Winfield’s Pub is one of our favorite restaurants in town. Friendly, unassuming, great service and great food. We send all our friends there.
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WoodCock Brother’s Brewing – NT
North Tonawanda Barrel Organ Factory
North Tonawanda, New York 14120 • $$
American
Niagara County
Brewery
One crazy idea. Two brothers and their awesome wives. One old kick ass cold storage building in a historic town. And A LOT of good beer. That’s us. Cheers.
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Explore more guides with recommendations according to our readers!