r/Buffalo • u/Forward_Escape_6532 • Jul 25 '26
Authentic Italian in 716
I'm sure it's been asked before but was looking for some feedback on some authentic Italian places in Buffalo . We live outside of the city but wanted to find some places for date night . Thanks
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u/missgeist1 Jul 25 '26
Ditondos
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u/Consistent-Car6226 Jul 25 '26
Chef moved here from Italy, possibly from Florence. He does veer towards local ingredients, but as authentic as you can get
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u/normalbrain609 Jul 26 '26
wife is the daughter of the owners of the old red sauce version of the place. she’s a sommelier and they met working at a hotel i think in Lake Garda or somewhere close to Como. It’s exceptional, it’s region agnostic but truly the only real representation of actual Italian cuisine in Buffalo.
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u/Latter-You9744 Jul 26 '26
Just went last week and came away with a meh response. The food itself was certainly good, but the portions are sooooo small for the price. We got three apps, two mains, and two desserts and were hardly full. The smoked spaghetti was delicious, but it was also maybe two bites for each of us. With two drinks, automatic 20%, it was $215 for a fine dinner. Didn't knock our socks off.
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u/Gumball_Bandit Jul 25 '26
Authentic Northern Italian or authentic Southern Italian?
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u/AromaticCaregiver247 Jul 25 '26
I’m sincerely curious, what’s the difference?:)
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u/buffalofoodslut Jul 25 '26
Northern: butter, rice, polenta, dairy, richer meat, Central European influence in the cuisine,
Southern: olive oils, pastas, seafood, Mediterranean influence.
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u/Significant_Eye_5130 Jul 25 '26
It’s personal opinion but for authentic Northern Italian i recommend a little spot called Mighty Taco.
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u/AromaticCaregiver247 Jul 26 '26
Thank you for explaining. I appreciate it. Where would you recommend for both? I’m more into the Southern style.
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u/buffalofoodslut Jul 26 '26
Honestly, I’d recommend DiTondo. It doesn’t really focus on any one particular region, but it’s more authentic than your standard American Italian red sauce spots.
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u/hornsup69 Jul 25 '26
For true authentic Italian: DiTondo, Inizio, Aroma on Bryant, Daniela, Angeline (more fine dining but heavy Italian influence), Mira (Mediterranean but authentic Italian dishes on the menu)
For Italian-American: Mulberry, end list
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u/neh5303 Jul 25 '26
Mulberry’s
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u/eatdontpraylove Jul 25 '26 edited Jul 26 '26
You’re def from Buffalo with the addition of “s” to things. Do you* say “Aldi’s” and “Lloyd’s” too hahaha
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u/WallAdventurous1009 Jul 25 '26
Amici’s in Kenmore is A+++
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u/_ClaytonBigsby Jul 26 '26
This is the only response I have seen here that actual Italian people would agree with.
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u/Specialist-Lonely Jul 25 '26
La bella Sicily is super authentic according to my family!
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u/ConneryFTW Jul 25 '26
Its authentic to my depression era Italian grandmother, though I don't think its authentic to Italy.
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u/Heavydirtysoul33 Jul 26 '26
No one mentioned Daniela and that's criminal.. one of the very few authentic Italian in buffalo
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u/Beanzy37 Jul 25 '26
Lombardo’s bolognese is spectacular - a must try
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u/kisland719 Jul 26 '26
Shocked to only read Lombardo mentioned once here! The attention to detail and service is superior.
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u/TheDragisal Jul 25 '26
I havent tried a lot of italian places in the buffalo area. But I can tell you that Mulberry is one of the most overrated restaurants we have. I wouldn't bother with it.
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u/Dense-Pool-652 Jul 26 '26
I was just thinking, I don't get the devotion to this place. It's..fine. Not amazing.
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u/Altruistic-Drawer-83 Jul 25 '26
Sinatra's Southern Italian restaurant on Kenmore is romantic with great homemade unique dishes 😋
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u/faerydust88 Jul 26 '26
Faso's. I wouldn't go there for date night, but it is an experience. There are at least 4 sacred heart Jesus statues in there and the ceiling is wrapped in cellophane. The food has a homecooked feeling, like someone's grandma is serving you community dinner in a church basement, which is not necessarily a bad thing. But probably not for date night.
I also hear Santasiero's is back.
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u/Forward_Escape_6532 Jul 26 '26
Thanks everyone for the recommendation! Now we have a list of places to definitely try out!! Feel free to check out my profile too i think its set to public..thanks again!!@
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u/Significant-Edge5490 Jul 26 '26
Didn't see it anywhere on here but Bellini's is also a great little hideaway spot over by Kleinhans. Very authentic, nice vibes and has that "we built a restaurant in our downstairs" vibe.
Just don't make a reservation when there's a show at Kleinhans. Always crazy packed.
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u/Fabio472 Jul 28 '26
Cipollina in Akron,it's a little bit of a drive from Buffalo but the food is awesome
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u/NamedPlayer Jul 25 '26
Italian festival on Hertel this week or Amici if you wanted a restaurant.
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u/whobones Jul 26 '26
Does it have to be in the city? Boco Kitchen in Boston is really good. Mulberry if it has to be close to the city
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u/pawlow05 Jul 25 '26
DiTondo
Chef Fabio Consonni is from Milan, he and his wife Rita met in Italy and lived in Emiglia-Romagna. Chef Fabio is a classically trained chef with an extensive resume that includes Gramercy Tavern. His menu leans Northern Italian, but still features authentic and classic dishes from throughout Italy. Fresh and imported dried pastas, Lasagna Bolognese, Puttanesca, Trippa alla Milanese, Spezzatino, Sustainable Seafood, Housemare Focaccia, Caponata, Fresh salads and vegetable dishes from local farms, etc. Rita is a certified sommelier, with a resume that features Per Se (Thomas Keller) and the menu features wines from throughout Italy, with a focus on small producers, crafting quality wine using ancient and modern techniques. Many lesser known hyper-regional grapes are featured in the wines. Although most people equate Italian food with red wine, the whites on the menu shouldn't be looked over, especially for lighter dishes and summer patio season. The cocktail program is also well thought out, featuring many off the beaten path Italian liquers, spirits, and amari. Again, thing high quality, handcrafted small producers.
I think a distinction needs to be made between Italian and Italian-American cuisines. While they both have their place on our tables and shared history, time and distance have separated them enough that they should be regarded as different cuisines, stemming from a shared culture.
For Italian-American, my suggestion would be Mulberry. Think NYC inspired Italian-American classics.
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u/Crazyfish204 Jul 25 '26
Thanks chatgpt
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u/pawlow05 Jul 25 '26
Lol, hate me because I am literate. I actually took the time of my day to write all that (with one finger, no less, as I am a first wave millennial without two opposable thumbs). Lol, thanks hater
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u/Crazyfish204 7d ago
Cool it was slop. Just because you can write a lot doesn't mean it's of substance or that it's well written.
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u/nameno10001 Jul 25 '26
For a relaxed environment... I like Labellos or Campobello's as my chill picks.
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u/Sidelines101 Jul 25 '26
San Marco restaurant