Restaurants with Amazing Views of the Waterfront

A few years ago, dining on the waterfront in Buffalo meant finding a nice quiet area and packing a picnic. However, with the recent restaurant and downtown resurgence, the waterfront has exploded with life. Restaurants are popping up on Lake Erie, the Buffalo & Niagara Rivers and the Erie Canal and there’s never been a better time to grab a drink or beer while watching the sunset. Here are our choices for the best places to go if you want to hangout with an awesome waterfront view:

The Juicery at the Hatch

329 Erie St, Buffalo NY

With views of the Buffalo Lighthouse and cool Lake Erie breezes to quell the heat of a hot summer day, the Juicery at the Hatch is a classic Buffalo spot at the Erie Basin Marina for smoothies, refreshing salads, ice cream treats, and more.

Templeton Landing

2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo NY

Templeton Landing touts one of Buffalo’s largest waterfront patios and a supremely stocked raw bar. Soak up unbeatable views of Buffalo Harbor, the Buffalo skyline, cozy fire pits, top-quality seafood, and drinks to match. Templeton Landing is an upbeat and exciting waterfront location offering beautiful views for every occasion.

The Ward at RiverWorks

359 Ganson St, Buffalo NY

It’s the place to be this summer! With tons of spots to dock your boat or kayak and a large patio with plenty of bar seats, RiverWorks is all that you’ve been hoping for on a warm, sunny weekend. Add live music, rock climbing, a full scale brewery, zipliners flying overhead and some pub food from the folks behind Pearl Street and you’ve got yourself the best summer outing.

Papi Grande’s Beach Bar

301 Ohio St, Buffalo NY

It’s the beach brought to the Buffalo River! No seriously, this outdoor bar and snack shack features a sandy experience to go along with your freshly-squeezed margarita, queso, chimichangas, and other delicious eats and drinks. So kick off your shoes, sit back, and enjoy the live entertainment, DJs, yard games, and other special events hosted at Papi Grande’s.

Charlie’s Boat Yard

1111 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, NY

Charlie’s Boat Yard is doing the heavy lifting of being the sole dining option on the Outer Harbor. With a menu that features Buffalo comfort food, including wings and stuffed peppers, they are also offering a seafood focused menu of clams, chowder, crab cakes and seared tuna along with American classics like burgers and yes, brunch. Their patio offers arguably the best-unobstructed view of Lake Erie and boat enthusiasts can watch them come and go at the nearby marina.

Liberty Hound

1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, NY

Overlooking the exciting hustle and bustle of Canalside and the towering battleships at the Buffalo & Erie County Naval & Military Park, Liberty Hound is the ideal spot for some fresh seafood appetizers, a monster shrimp po boy, delicious craft beers and boozy summer cocktails. Make sure you snag a seat on the pier!

Public House on the Lake

4914 Lake Shore Rd, Hamburg

Public House sports one of the longest shoreline patios in town, giving everyone dining outside a killer view of Buffalo’s famous “over water” sunsets. Speaking of huge, their menu is a smorgasbord of classic Buffalo eats, tasty sandwiches, and tons of entrees including lobster, fish fry, surf and turf, and excellent mac and cheese. Pair your eats with a finely crafted brew from their long list of beers, too.

Mississippi Mudd’s

313 Niagara St, Tonawanda, NY

A true barometer of summer’s arrival is a visit to “Mudd’s” as the locals lovingly call it. Here, diners enjoy char-grilled hot dogs, sweet potato fries and Perry’s ice cream from a second-floor patio overlooking Isle View Park and the Niagara River across the street.

Hoak’s

4100 Lake Shore Rd, Hamburg, NY

Sunsets and seafood. That’s what you’ll be guaranteed with a visit to Hoak’s with fresh catches like shrimp, scallops, oysters and clams. A longstanding Buffalo favorite dining destination, Hoak’s was even a preferred watering hole for 716-native Tim Russert of Meet the Press fame, during and after his college tenure.

Lucia’s on the Lake

4151 Lake Shore Rd, Hamburg, NY

Indulge in a refined culinary experience at Lucia’s on the Lake, Buffalo’s ultimate destination for contemporary seafood and Italian cuisine. With its rooftop patio and breathtaking water views out on Lake Erie, this restaurant is a feast for the senses. Immerse yourself in the beauty of the waterfront, savor delectable dishes, and let the impeccable service take care of you.

The Silo

115 North Water St, Lewiston, NY

A stone’s throw from the mighty lower Niagara River, The Silo is built in its namesake – a repurposed, historic coal silo. A menu stocked with classic grill bites will have you drooling, but if you’re looking for a challenge try “The Haystack”, featured on the TV show Man Vs. Food. This sandwich is seasoned rib-eye, loaded with gooey mozzarella and topped with hash browns. Don’t forget to cool off with a cone from the caboose!

Castaways

188 Kennedy Ave, Angola, NY

Stepping off the sands of Erie County’s “secret” beach, Lake Erie Beach, make a point to stop at Castaways for a cold drink and good, blue-collar eatin’. Order up a fresh, battered fish sandwich, sirloin steak sandwich and jumbo fried clams.