Empire of Flavor: 20 Beloved Places to Eat in Upstate New York

Empire Of Flavor 20 Beloved Places to Eat in Upstate New York New York City is renowned worldwide as an ever-evolving gastronomical getaway, but the Empire State's culinary expertise reaches far beyond the Big Apple! This guide celebrates the diners, bakeries, and restaurants that make all of New York a delicious, distinctive experience. From cherished mom-and-pop shops to hip foodie havens, every eatery included on this list weaves into the lush tapestry of New York's heritage. From locally sourced produce to handcrafted spirits, these places showcase the pride of New York. Enjoy! Gluten-Free Locally GF Vegetarian- friendly Options sourced New World Bistro Bar Duff's Famous Wings O Albany @NWBBalbany VAmherst (and other locations) @Duffs_Wings Global Vibrant Dynamic Famed Fiery No-Frills Chef Ric Orlando was voted "Best The first batch of Duff's soon-to-be legendary GF Chef in the Capital Region" in a Times Union poll. wings were served in 1969 in the original Amherst location. Duff's Famous Piggy Tacos Wings Carnitas, Cabot extra-sharp cheddar, corn-black bean Duff's issues the warning: "Medium IS HOT! Medium hot is salsa, pickled jalapeño, crema, and cilantro VERY HOT! Hot is VERY VERY HOT!" Aiello's Ristorante lost Dog Cafe Whitney Point Binghamton A @lostdogcafe Authentic Homey Flavorful Offbeat Comfy Enchanted The Aiello family immigrated from Sicily, Italy, and established the This eccentric gem of a place serves as a mecca for artists, musicians, and locals. GF restaurant in 1982. Drunken Margherita Pizza with Fresh Mozzarella Nutty Torta Feta and cream cheese torta Authentic Italian-style pizza topped with homemade layered with merlot-soaked cranberries and a honeyed walnut crust mozzarella and fresh basil. Hutch's Restaurant Smith's Restaurant Buffalo Cohoes Upscale Cordial Iconic Historical Wholesome Welcoming This beloved Buffalo mainstay offers a solid core of American-style dishes along with an inventive array of specials. Built in 1873, Smith's once housed a silent movie theater. It was purchased by Michael T. Smith, a legendary political leader. It received the 1978 Beautification Award for Outstanding and Significant Achievement from the Troy Greater Chamber of Commerce. Bison Strip Steak Grass-fed North Dakota bison seasoned with Pierogi and Kielbasa Potato pillows, caramelized Tuscan herb sea salt and onions, and kielbasa, served cipollini onions, flanked by fluffy mashed potatoes with a dollop of sour cream Hallo Berlin North Tavern Moxie Wood Fire Grill O Conklin O Conklin Genuine Friendly Local favorite Chic Warm Sophisticated Moxie earned its name because founders Mark and Victoria Tedeschi believed their unique, trendy vision for a restaurant would need "moxie" to thrive in a small town. Authentic German fare and a generous selection of German beer served in a charming historical building. Tango Chicken Bockwurst and Bratwurst Chicken breast sauteed with roasted artichoke, Veal and pork sausage served with red cabbage, sauerkraut, asparagus, and red peppers, served with Moxie vodka sauce and angel hair pasta onions, and potato salad The Mess Hall Frank's Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant Lackawanna Adventurous Inviting Ambitious O Maine Authentic Cozy Convivial The Mess Hall features a garage-style window that welcomes summer breezes. Twelve beers are on tap, including local favorites. GF Many of their recipes have century-old origins in Sicily. Oxtail Pierogi Orange Roughy Pierogi made with a beef reduction, Orange roughy fish, jumbo shrimp, and scallops, served over linguini with a white wine caramelized onions, andbeech mushrooms bruschetta sauce Russo's Grill The Ugly Rooster Cafe S @UglyRoosterCafe O Mechanicville Amsterdam Comforting Neighborly Lively Classic Нearty Authentic Test your foodie fortitude by taking the Colossal Pancake Challenge – if you can eat two 12-inch pancakes with a pound of fruit filling, butter, and whipped cream in 30 minutes, they are free! So far, only one contender has succeeded. Founded in 1920, this Sicilian-born restaurant is deeply intertwined with the history of Amsterdam, making it a local landmark. Linguine and Clams Bananas Foster French Toast Littleneck clams French toast dipped in vanilla and nutmeg batter, topped and clam meat with garlic, olive oil, and butter nestled atop a bed of linguine with caramelized bananas Undercover Eggplant Co. The Olde Bryan Inn O Oneonta Saratoga Springs S@TheOldeBryanlnn Quirky Colorful Mellow Rustic Historical Wholesome This college-town gem offers a diverse selection of sandwiches and beverages in an easygoing setting. Executive chef John Capelli has been serving at OBI since 1990. GEF The Eggplant Special Gorgonzola and Horseradish Encrusted NY Strip Steak Hot battered Hand-cut NY strip steak grilled to order, encrusted with gorgonzola cheese and panko horseradish blend, topped with hot creole mustard sauce. eggplant with melted provolone, tomato, red onion, lettuce and pesto mayonnaise Blue Ribbon Alto Cinco Family Restaurant S @BlueRibbonSchen Syracuse * @altocinco13210 Schenectady Wholesome Eclectic Zesty Cozy Spacious Homestyle Founded in 1995, this restaurant provides an ample range of food with Mexican flair. This diner offers all-day breakfast and a scrumptious selection of award-winning cheesecake. Chile Relleno Plate Oreo Cheesecake Chile relleno topped with red sauce, sour cream, scallions, Chocolate and vanilla cheesecake layered with Oreo crumbles and adorned with an black beans, and rice, served with corn bread Oreo crown. Kitty Hoynes Irish Pub & Restaurant Brown's Brewing Company - The Taproom Syracuse @KittyHoynes Troy A @BrownsBrewingCo Folksy Warm Gracious Lush Festive Picturesque This traditional Irish pub hosts the largest selection of Irish whiskey in upstate New York. Their Irish meatloaf was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives"! This beloved venue crafts an esteemed assortment of brews. It has become a social hub that showcases local artwork and hosts weddings. Irish Meatloaf Nachos Crispy tri-colored tortillas topped with Cheddar Jack cheese, turkey chili, jalapenos, olives, and diced Ground beef and lamb stuffed with Irish white pudding and Irish cheddar, tomatoes, served with farm-fresh sour cream, and homemade salsa fresca served with cabbage cream sauce, champ, and vegetables Peck's Arcade Sadudee Thai Food Troy @ PecksArcade O watervliet Novel Avant-garde Refreshing Bright Savory Authentic Fine-dining restaurant that unites vintage ephemera with a modern palette and aesthetic. Many locals refer to this restaurant as a hidden gem serving a variety of authentic Thai food. GF Chévre Cheesecake Panang Curry With Fried Tofu Ingots of goat Fried tofu, red and milk cheesecake green peppers, mushrooms, and with an acorn squash puree, port wine poached pear, and a maple peas, served with jasmine rice, and a coconut milk sauce crumble SEFCU SOURCES: www.newyorkupstate.com www.iloveny.com www.yelp.com www.tripadvisor.com