Taste of Buffalo

On average, the Taste has over 50 restaurants, most of which are locally owned and operated. More than 13 different ethnic food groups are featured. All restaurants must serve three items, as well as a Healthy Option and one "Taste" item. Healthy Options are lower in fat, cholesterol and sodium. A "Taste" item is a smaller portion of a restaurant's signature menu item for only 4 tickets.

While there is no admission fee, all food items run between two tickets (with each ticket costing 50 cents a piece) to eight tickets. In addition, many of our sponsors offer free food samples or other giveaways.

On Our Menu
The mission of the Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops is "to provide an affordable and enjoyable weekend festival in a socially responsible manner for families of Western New York; to enhance the quality of life in the Niagara Frontier and promote downtown Buffalo."

Get A Taste
The Taste is a weekend festival filled with great food and entertainment. It is located in the heart of Downtown Buffalo along Delaware Avenue beginning just South of Niagara Square by City Hall and heading North almost all the way to Chippewa Street. It begins at 11 a.m. daily and there is no admission charge.

Music To Your Ears
The music never stops with three stages providing continuous entertainment. From Jazz to Top 40, from Pops to Blues, the best local, regional and national artists are always showcased. NEW this year, relax with a glass of wine from Hazlitt Vineyards at the Genesee tent where you can also dance to Spooky Business, voted Buffalo's Best DJ crew!

Food For Thought
More than 200 culinary specialties are served by WNY's best restaurants. All items are priced between $1.00 and $4.00. Pick your favorite food or sample something new like Avocado Cream Cheese Pie or Seafood Gnocchi in a White Truffle Cream Sauce. The Taste has it all.

Tasty Facts
The Taste of Buffalo presented by TOPS is the largest two-day food festival in the United States. It began in 1984 and now attracts almost 450,000 patrons annually. It has been voted WNY's premier outdoor festival. The Taste is a not-for-profit corporation registered with the State of New York and is run by an all-volunteer board of directors and a festival coordinator. The primary purpose of the event is to showcase downtown Buffalo and the wonderful restaurants that call our region home. As a rule, the Taste is designed to break even. Sponsorships help cover some of the expenses and food prices are set to make the event affordable for all families. The vast majority of the income from the Taste goes home with the restaurants and, after expenses (tents, electricity, permits, entertainment, trash collection, and more!), the Taste makes one or more contributions to local charitable organizations. Select charities and non-profit groups also partner with the Taste to staff ticket and beverage booths with volunteers in return for a small stipend. Up to five high school seniors residing in one of the eight counties in WNY, who intend to pursue a major in a culinary arts or hospitality curriculum, each receive $1,000 scholarships from the Taste each year.