• Buffalo & Niagara Falls

  The second most populous city in New York state, Buffalo is a city of architectural gems and industry lost, of gorgeous neighborhoods alongside derelict streets, of snow-buried winters and spectacular summers. It’s a working-class rust-belt city of extremes, scrappy and rightfully proud of its graceful Frederick Law Olmsted-contrived parks (he of Central Park fame), arresting Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings, splendid Victorian homes and mansions, tranquil Lake Erie sunsets, and unique regional cuisine—which, by the way, extends far past the ubiquitous hot wing. Located in the far northwest reaches of New York, just a bridge span from Canada and 20 minutes from Niagara Falls, Buffalo is, in the words of one local, like a playful pup in a cage: “We just want people to pay attention to us.” Take notice and you may be surprised at what you find.

  Note: Because of Buffalo’s close proximity to Niagara Falls, we’re lumping the two areas together—we strongly recommend that if you’re visiting one, you should visit the other. Just keep in mind that this includes not only New York state but also Ontario, Canada, where some of our favorite wineries are located.

  Find local foods in Buffalo & Niagara Falls.

  (Buffalo) wings

  Beef on weck

  Buffalo-style pizza

  Chicken finger sandwich

  Fish fry

  Montauk, Long Island

  It’s the end of the LIRR line; the very eastern tip of Long Island jutting out into the teeming Atlantic, much closer to New England (by ferry) than New York City, 120 miles away—and it indeed feels far away from anything resembling hustle and bustle. Long the laid-back, clam-shack-dotted, surfer-friendly alternative to the posh Hamptons, Montauk is ruggedly beautiful year-round (though certainly quieter in the winter). Recent years have brought more modern accoutrements, with big-name Manhattan hoteliers and the like renovating old-school restaurants and bars into hip establishments, but the surfers and fishermen aren’t going anywhere. And while Montauk has its fair share of celebrity-spottings and jaw-dropping mansions, the area’s six state parks remain well protected against rampant development. So don’t worry about the “Hamptonization” of Montauk too much. You should be more concerned with choosing your next meal—soft-shell crab sandwich or local fish tacos?—whilst debating another ocean swim versus cliff hike. This is the summertime life.

  Find local foods in Montauk, Long Island.

  Beach eats

  Clam pie

  Local lobster roll

  Local craft beer

  Local fish

  New York City

  It’s hard not to fall for New York City. The bright lights, the great heights, the hustle and bustle, the diversity, the glamour, the grit: It collectively represents different things to different people, but for many, it smells distinctly of possibility. It’s a scent that has historically attracted an incredibly wide range of people—artists and entrepreneurs, immigrants and misfits—who in turn make the city what it is, imbuing it with the intoxicating energy and innovative spirit that inspire and enchant the next generation of New Yorkers. But let’s focus on the immigrants, for it’s no surprise that this deeply multicultural city has them to thank for its most traditional foods: the bagels (Eastern Europe/Jewish), the pizza (Italy), the hot dogs (Germany), even the more recently popular falafel and “street meat” (Middle East). The Big Apple? More like the Big Knish!
   
  Note: New York’s culturally significant foods extend far beyond these historical and/or ubiquitous basics, of course: The city’s five boroughs represent less of a melting pot than a 24-hour all-you-can-eat global buffet. Since we at EYW are lucky enough to eat in this city daily, this section of general NYC foods is only the beginning. Stay tuned for our micro-regional NYC-by-neighborhood food coverage.

  Find local foods in New York City.

  Bagel

  Black-and-white cookie

  Burger, custom-blend

  Cheesecake

  Delmonico steak

• User Content

Below is user-submitted content for this region. Have something to contribute? Upload your regional-food photo or food memory.

• 

  Salted Caramel Apple Pie

  Brooklyn
  fkanhayuwa
• 

  Pizza Slice

  Flushing
  srosen
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  NYC pizza slice

  New York
  louis
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  Traditional Mooncake

  New York
  changahroo

• • Ah, Eggrolls...

    lisa_ferber
    New York, New York, United States
    

    While it is true that I crave truffle oil on just about everything, and I’ll cook fish in white wine and lime juice any chance I get, there is no greater all-purpose evening-at-home food…    Read more

  • Train Wreck Fries

    baismais
    New York, New York, United States
    

    As is our custom, our group went to Jimmy's Corner (a neighborhood "joint" located on W.44th St one block from Times Square) for a Bloody Mary, to kill time while waiting for our…    Read more