By Kate Bartlett
EBC Tap + Bottle & Taqueria offers a Mexican inspired menu in a fresh, modern atmosphere. Their new patio out back is worth the visit alone, frequently featuring live music on the weekends. Not only do they specialize in tacos and burritos, but they offer some of the most exclusive specialty beers from around the state. Popular menu items include the pork belly tacos (marinated in sweet + spicy gochujang sauce, with coleslaw, candied jalapeños, sesame seeds and house-made chipotle aioli and their chili relleno (poblano pepper stuffed with Oaxaca cheese, battered and deep fried, with roja sauce, pickled toppings and Cotija cheese) Open most days for lunch and dinner 11:00-10pm.
Ellicottville Brewing Company is a village favorite offering American fare in a casual setting, with an expansive outdoor patio. Check out the wide variety of beer on tap, along with popular menu items including southern style fried chicken sandwich (lightly breaded, seasoned fried chicken breast on a toasted brioche with creamy Southern sauce & tangy pickle. Ask for the Nashville Hot if you’re feeling spicy!) and blackened fish tacos (blackened white fish, flour tortilla, Cotija cheese, cilantro, lime, pico de gallo, shredded romaine lettuce, drizzled with house-made chipotle aioli). Open 11:30-9pm daily at 28 Monroe Street.
The Silver Fox is Ellicottville’s only Steakhouse offering a cozy atmosphere with a touch of elegance. The historic building is an antique fur barn where trappers traded their pelts and is now a fine eating and drinking establishment. Menu specials include ‘Love Me Tender, Love Me Blue’, two 4 oz tenderloin with Maytag blue cheese on a bed of mashed potatoes and a veal demi-glace. Steak lovers enjoy seasoned and char-grilled rib eye, strip steak and tenderloin off the a la carte menu. Stop down for Date Night Thursdays where two can dine for $56 with a choice of a 4-course meal and 2 glasses of wine. “The Fox” is open Wednesday-Saturday, bar opens at 4:30, dinner begins at 5pm at 23 Hughey Alley.
West Rose offers seasonally inspired cuisine and cocktails in a space that offers a comfortable setting for anyone to come and enjoy. Their dedicated staff welcomes guests and provides top-notch service for dinner and Sunday brunch. Buffalo Native Executive chef Anthony Petrilli prepares lovely pizzas and large plates, but the crowd favorite has been the yellowfin tuna crudo with caper, lemon, garlic scape vinaigrette. Enjoy ramen dishes in the upstairs lounge and a classic West Rose burger. Open Wednesday-Saturday 4:30-9:30 and Sunday 10:30-4:30.
Visit Dina’s in the heart of the village at 15 Washington Street for a unique dining experience. Sip coffee and cozy up in the Lounge, mingle with friends with a craft cocktail, host a party in the Wine Cellar and enjoy an innovative range of cuisine in a contemporary western ambiance. Dina’s takes pride in their made to order meals using the best local and freshest ingredients possible. Save room for desserts including cakes, cookies, and pies made by their in-house pastry chef. For information and reservations go to dinas.com
Katy’s Café offers a casual American café menu all day with breakfast and lunch specialties. Cozy up with a warm cup of coffee or hot cocoa. Breakfast favorites include their LA Cinnamon French toast and the Katy’s Breakfast Burrito. Enjoy lunch specials rotating frequently with favorites including the Strawberry Spinach Salad or Wrap and the Firecracker. Open 7am-5pm daily, 8am-6pm Friday, 7am-6pm Saturday, and Sunday 8am-5pm at 10 E Washington Street.
Visit John Harvard’s Brew House slope side at Holiday Valley for casual dining and unbeatable scenery. Take in the views of the slopes year-round, golfing and patio in the summer, ski slopes in the winter, and fall foliage that can’t be beat. Their menu offers unique brews and tavern favorites including fried devil eggs, chorizo taco appetizer and specialty pizzas like pear and prosciutto and short rib and cheese. Located in the Tamarack Club at Holiday Valley open Mon-Thurs 11:30-12:30am, Fri-Sat 11:30-2AM and Sunday 11:30-midnight.
Steelbound Brewery and Distillery offers handcrafted and locally sourced ingredients, their menu offers a fresh and seasonal snap shot of the amazing tastes of WNY. Favorites include the stuffed banana peppers and the Monte Cristo, grilled ham, Swiss cheese and turkey sandwich on blueberry bread serviced with a blueberry dipping sauce. Steelbound makes their own spirits, and offer cocktail flights (4 of their best selling cocktails) and distillers flights (4 spirit sampler). “Where Buffalo meets Ellicottville,” Steelbound is located at 6600 route 219 just outside of the village. Open daily for lunch and dinner, closed Mondays.
Gin Mill has been an Ellicottville tradition since 1976 offering a tavern style menu and full bar with an extensive bourbon variety and 33 unique domestic & imported draughts. Menu favorites include the Gin Mill Weck, tender roast beef piled high on a Kimmelweck roll with toppings of cheese, bacon, crispy onions and Gin Mill sauce. Also well-known for their homemade chili, Gin Mill burger and chicken wings. Featuring live music several nights a week, check www.thevillagerny.com/events for their full schedule. Open for lunch and dinner daily, also open for breakfast on Saturday and Sunday at 26 Washington Street.
Visit Monroe Street Brick & Brew at 21 Monroe Street to experience their passion for pizza in a casual comfortable atmosphere. Served with fresh hand-prepared ingredients and cooks around 700 degrees, MSBB specializes in traditional pizzas, like margarita, basil and pesto and cheese and pepperoni as well as more customized pies like their Buffalo Chicken. Another favorite are the chicken wings, brick oven baked to perfection in a variety of sauces including siracha, BBQ and honey garlic. Visit for lunch and dinner weekends, dinner weekdays, closed Mondays.
Sip, savor and relax at The Winery of Ellicottville located at 14 Monroe Street. Offering wine tastings, wine by the glass, artisan chocolate pairing and bottles for purchase with seating inside and outdoors on the porch. They make over 20 wines and ciders in small batches with local fruit.
Seasonal favorites include their Spice, Spice Baby, which is a spiced wine with cinnamon, clove and ginger. The Pinot Noir which is a classic favorite, smooth with notes of cherry and vanilla. 14 Monroe Street, closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Check online for upcoming holiday classes
Satisfy your sweet tooth craving at Cupcaked with their wide variety of rotating cupcake flavors. Popular favorites include Chocolate Peanut Butter, Raspberry Delight and Cannoli. With at least 12 different flavors on any given day, they have something to satisfy every taste bud. 22 Monroe Street, open afternoons and evenings, closed Mondays.
Finnerty’s Tap Room brings the atmosphere and flavors of a traditional Irish Pub to the village of Ellicottville. Offering worldly pub food and extraordinary local draft list with 15 televisions for the ultimate sports viewing experience, Finnerty’s will always make you feel welcome. Try their award winning Reuben Meatballs or one of their special sauces. The Finnerty’s Fire and Finnerty’s Gold are 2021 Award Winning Sauces from the Buffalo Wing Fest the combine the right balance of flavor and heat. Featuring live music and DJs most weekends with darts and pool table to complete the sports bar atmosphere. 5 E Washington Street, open every day for lunch, dinner and late night.
Located across Holiday Valley at 6094 Rt. 219, The Depot offers tried and true pizza and wings in a fun rock and roll themed family restaurant.
Watson’s Chocolates has been hand-crafting delicious confections throughout WNY since 1946. Family owned and operated; their sponge candy has been voted ‘Best in Buffalo’ several times. Their unique recipe is light and airy with a crispy center drenched in their heavenly milk or decadent dark chocolate. The best-selling sea-salt caramel recipe now includes a sprinkle of crunchy sea salt on top to bring out the rich buttery taste even more. Stop by during Fall Fest to try their famous rice pudding, only available twice a year! 27 Main Street Mon-Sat 10-9, Sundays 10-6, online ordering available.
Balloons Restaurant and Nightclub offers two distinct areas with relaxed family dining, late night, and live music experiences. With two full-service bars, family friendly back patio, two dance floors indoor and outdoor music stage and an incredible world class sound system, there’s something for everyone. Menu offerings include gourmet burgers, plant-based option and more. Owner Mike Kearn’s shared “Our chicken souvlaki has been on the menu for over 20 years! Loaded with marinated chicken tenderloins, feta cheese, kalamata olives, red onions, pepperoncini and two homemade dressings… how could you go wrong? A newer fan favorite is one of our Vegan menu offerings, the falafel sliders. House made falafel with spicy crispy onions and a vegan ranch dressing make for a hearty plant-based meal. If you’re looking for BBQ, the brisket sammy never disappoints. House smoked brisket, bourbon sauce, cheddar and pickled onions top off this two handed sandwich!”
Villaggio offers casual Italian dining with their popular Sunday pasta bar with Prime Rib and live music with Chris Maloney. The “World Famous’ Nani’s 6 oz Meatball and Chicken Parmesan are crowd favorites, and they claim the Tomahawk Ribeye is the best steak in WNY. Try the risotto bites for a more unique dish: crispy squares of risotto, house made Italian sausage, Pecorino-Romano cheeses with a spicy cream sauce. Celebrating 7 years in the Village, visit their website for upcoming events. Open Thursday-Sunday for dinner, 7 Monroe Street.
Madigan’s has been rockin’ Ellicottville for over 32 years offering the best $10 lunch specials in town in their downstairs dining room or upstairs on the outdoor patio. Some of their unique eats include: Guinness Mac n cheese with bacon, pesto chicken sandwich with balsamic reduction glaze, pretzel chicken sandwich and the ever-popular Madigan’s wings with the sweet and tangy sauce. They typically have late night DJs on the weekends, check thevillagerny.com/events for full schedule.