Forget chain restaurants or frozen imitations—Buffalo wings here are crisp, saucy, and deeply rooted in local food culture. If you’re planning a trip, here’s where locals (and smart travelers) go to find the best wings in Buffalo.
1. Anchor Bar
The legend started here in 1964 when Teressa Bellissimo tossed fried wings in hot sauce and butter. While some argue other spots have surpassed it in flavor, Anchor Bar remains a must-visit for history and atmosphere.
🔗 Anchor Bar Buffalo
2. Duff’s Famous Wings
Locals swear by Duff’s for their crispy skin and extra saucy finish. Be warned: when they say “medium hot,” they really mean it. Their wings pack flavor and heat without sacrificing crunch.
🔗 Duff’s Famous Wings
3. Gabriel’s Gate
Set inside a charming Allentown tavern, Gabriel’s Gate is a cozy spot with a wood-paneled interior and perfectly cooked wings. Their medium sauce is a local favorite—balanced, tangy, and addictive.
🔗 Gabriel’s Gate
4. Bar-Bill Tavern
A Clarence institution, Bar-Bill has a reputation for consistently delivering some of the juiciest wings in the region. Each order is hand-painted with sauce, giving them an even coat and intense flavor.
🔗 Bar-Bill Tavern
5. Elmo’s Bar & Restaurant
Don’t let its suburban strip mall location fool you—Elmo’s wings are the stuff of legend. Known for unique flavors like Cajun Honey Butter BBQ, this is a spot where locals happily drive out of their way to eat.
🔗 Elmo’s Bar & Restaurant
6. Nine-Eleven Tavern
Hidden away in South Buffalo, Nine-Eleven Tavern is an old-school bar where the wings are big, juicy, and always cooked to perfection. Their medium sauce is house-made and one-of-a-kind.
🔗 Nine-Eleven Tavern
7. Mammoser’s Tavern & Restaurant
Located in Hamburg, just south of Buffalo, Mammoser’s is worth the short drive. Their wings are oversized and packed with flavor, making them a favorite for anyone exploring beyond the city limits.
🔗 Mammoser’s Tavern
8. Big Tree Inn
A Bills Mafia favorite near the stadium, Big Tree Inn serves up hearty plates of wings alongside the game day energy that makes Buffalo special. A great stop if you’re catching football in Orchard Park.
🔗 Big Tree Inn
9. Doc Sullivan’s
South Buffalo’s Doc Sullivan’s is famous for its “Smitty-style” wings—a dry rub with a spicy, garlicky kick. It’s a unique twist you won’t find anywhere else.
🔗 Doc Sullivan’s
10. Lenox Grill
A hidden gem near Allentown, Lenox Grill offers over 50 craft beers alongside crispy, saucy wings that locals rave about. A great stop if you’re looking for wings plus a serious beer selection.
🔗 Lenox Grill
Final Bite
Buffalo’s wing scene is as rich and varied as the city itself. From historic spots like Anchor Bar to hidden gems like Nine-Eleven Tavern, every stop has its own take on the dish that put Buffalo on the culinary map. Whether you like them fiery hot, saucy and sweet, or rubbed with spices, you’ll find wings here that set the standard for the rest of the world.
