Chef's Restaurant
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Chef's Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A Buffalo classic since 1923, Chef's offers hearty Italian comfort food with a legendary Spaghetti Parmesan and a nostalgic, family-friendly atmospher...

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Highlights

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Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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Chef's Restaurant

Chef's Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A Buffalo classic since 1923, Chef's offers hearty Italian comfort food with a legendary Spaghetti Parmesan and a nostalgic, family-friendly atmosphere.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"This place is a must-stop for anyone craving authentic Italian food with a side of Buffalo tradition."

TIP

Reservations Recommended

Make a reservation, especially for Friday afternoons, to avoid long wait times during peak hours.

Try the Parm Options

Explore various 'parmed' dishes like Chicken Parmigiano or Spaghetti Parm for an authentic taste.

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Quick Facts

Closed·Opens Tuesday 11AM

Cuisine

Italian

Price

$$ - $$$

Phone

(716) 856-9187

Address

291 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Spaghetti Parmesan

Spaghetti Parmesan

The iconic Spaghetti Parmesan, a cheesy, hearty classic that's been a crowd-pleaser since 1923.

Cheap Eats / Iconic Buffalo | Features21 of the Best Restaurants in Buffalo, NY - Reviewed by a Local10 Favorite Downtown Buffalo Restaurants to Visit l+2
Old-School Italian Ambiance

Old-School Italian Ambiance

Step back in time with checkered tablecloths, walls adorned with celebrity photos, and a warm, family-friendly vibe.

Best of 19 kid-friendly restaurants in BuffaloA Local's Guide: 10 Best Restaurants in Buffalo NYGoogle Review+1
Generous Portions

Generous Portions

Enjoy hearty, classic Italian comfort food with portions so big, you'll have delicious leftovers.

Google Review+1
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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Reservations Recommended

Make a reservation, especially for Friday afternoons, to avoid long wait times during peak hours.

Try the Parm Options

Explore various 'parmed' dishes like Chicken Parmigiano or Spaghetti Parm for an authentic taste.

Off-Peak Dining

Visit during off-peak hours for a quieter and more relaxed dining atmosphere.

Leftovers Guaranteed

Portions are generous, so be prepared for delicious leftovers to take home.

Tips

from all over the internet

Reservations Recommended

Make a reservation, especially for Friday afternoons, to avoid long wait times during peak hours.

Try the Parm Options

Explore various 'parmed' dishes like Chicken Parmigiano or Spaghetti Parm for an authentic taste.

Off-Peak Dining

Visit during off-peak hours for a quieter and more relaxed dining atmosphere.

Leftovers Guaranteed

Portions are generous, so be prepared for delicious leftovers to take home.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Chef's Restaurant is a beloved Buffalo institution praised for its classic Italian comfort food, generous portions, and old-school atmosphere. Diners rave about the iconic Spaghetti Parmesan and the flavorful red sauce, with many calling it one of the best meals they've ever had. While the food and ambiance are highly appreciated, some guests find the prices for certain items, like children's pasta, to be a bit steep.

"This restaurant is high on my list of favorites. The spaghetti parm is my favorite pasta I've ever had at a restaurant. The sauce and cheese taste very good, especially together. Everything tastes extremely fresh and made well. The mozzarella sticks are very good as well. The food came out very hot and the wait wasn't very long. Our waitress Rachel was attentive, kind, and all-around amazing. I would definitely recommend coming here!"

Mariah

"⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Buffalo Classic That Lives Up to the Hype!

We had an incredible meal at Chef’s in Buffalo, NY, and it absolutely lived up to its legendary reputation. The spaghetti parm with meatball was out of this world—perfectly cooked pasta smothered in gooey, melted cheese and topped with a rich, flavorful meatball. We also tried the sandwich parm, and it was just as delicious—crispy, hearty, and smothered in that unforgettable red sauce.

Speaking of the sauce—it was the real star of the show. Bold, savory, slightly sweet, and perfectly balanced. You can tell it’s a family recipe perfected over generations. The portions were generous, the service warm and welcoming, and the old-school Italian-American vibe made the experience even better.

Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Chef’s is a must-stop. You won’t be disappointed!"

Baiba Grazdina

"The food is delicious and large portions. It is understandable why this place is so popular/has such a cult following.

The spaghetti parm here is amazing. I got a small portion and it was still huge. You can ask for plain sauce if you are vegetarian.

I thought the fact their napkins can be worn as bibs was hilarious but it's also practical.

The walls are covered with pictures of famous guests and it really adds to the unique atmosphere.

You can also buy their sauce, gift sets, and napkin/bibs here."

R C

What People Like

Iconic Spaghetti Parmesan
Delicious and flavorful red sauce
Generous portions

What People Dislike

Price of children's portions

Frequently Asked Questions

Chef's Restaurant is most famous for its legendary Spaghetti Parmesan, a hearty dish loaded with cheese and their signature red sauce.

Cheap Eats / Iconic Buffalo | Features21 of the Best Restaurants in Buffalo, NY - Reviewed by a Local10 Favorite Downtown Buffalo Restaurants to Visit l

Reservations are recommended, especially during peak hours like Friday afternoons, to avoid long wait times.

Google Review

Yes, diners frequently mention the generous portions, making it a great value and often resulting in leftovers.

Google Review+1

Yes, you can ask for plain sauce if you are vegetarian, and dishes like Eggplant Parmesan are available.

Google Review+1

The atmosphere is described as old-school Italian, with a warm, nostalgic, and family-friendly vibe, often featuring walls covered in celebrity photos.

A Local's Guide: 10 Best Restaurants in Buffalo NYGoogle Review+1

Yes, you can purchase jars of their popular sauce to take home.

21 of the Best Restaurants in Buffalo, NY - Reviewed by a Local

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Buffalo Italian Food Restaurants: 10Best Restaurant Reviews

Known for its famous pasta sauce, Chef's has offered the neighborhood Italian classics since the 1920s. Menu items range from the Tuscany grilled chicken salad to vegetable lasagna to veal parmesan served with freshly baked bread. In addition, the kitchen's daily specials might include chicken broccoli alfredo over fettuccine or linguini calamari, and two of their most popular signature dishes are the Chicken a la Cacciatora and the spaghetti Parmesan.

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buffalospree.com

Cheap Eats / Iconic Buffalo | Features

Be honest: Have you ever ordered anything but "spag parm" at Chef’s?. The iconic Buffalo red sauce Italian joint offers a full menu of the kind of old-school stuff grandma simmered on the stove all Sunday, but most Buffalonians know it for the garbage-lid-sized spaghetti baked with an inch of parmesan on top that can probably feed a family of four. To slim down your bill (and your waistline), try an extra-small spaghetti parm for $10.25.

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Chef’s is adored by many and claimed to be “Buffalo’s favorite Italian Restaurant.” Consuming their food is truly a delightful (and indulgent!) experience. Chef’s is really well known for their sauce, which is even sold in jars at our local grocery stores!. They are also known for their spaghetti parm, aka spaghetti and tons of melted cheese on top.

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Family-owned and operated for over 90 years, voted best Italian restaurant in Buffalo. Tantalizing aromas, savory sauces, and melt-in-your-mouth cheese - these are the hallmarks of a dining experience at Chef's Restaurant. For over four years, I yearned to revisit this culinary gem in Buffalo, savoring memories of their exquisite chicken parmesan.

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Serving generous portions of Italian favorites, this restaurant dates back to 1923 though it has changed hands a few times over the years. While it appears a cozy little place from the outside, there is plenty of space inside to accommodate a large number of diners. There is also a nice bar area in the lobby if you’d care to sip a drink first.

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Another local favorite, Chef’s serves hearty Italian comfort food that packs a huge punch. Famous for their giant plate of cheese-smothered spaghetti parm, Chef’s has been a Buffalo favorite since 1923 on the corner of Seneca and Chicago Streets, downtown. In 2019 they were named a Top Gameday Restaurant for the Buffalo Sabres.

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Highest-rated Restaurants in Buffalo, According to Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (839 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.0/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Italian- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 291 Seneca St, Buffalo, NY 14204-2011- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Homes for sale in Buffalo at every price point

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Chef’s is a Buffalo classic and the best place for group dinners and family dining. Chef’s opened in 1923 as a simple Italian restaurant in downtown Buffalo. But over the years, Chef’s has grown in popularity and has become the go-to restaurant for community news events and local meat raffles.

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This local Italian hotspot opened its doors in 1923, and Lou Billittier has owned it since the 1950s. This restaurant offers all the Italian staple dishes, but the star is spaghetti Parmesan. Imagine a plate of spaghetti in sauce, covered with a mound of perfectly melted shredded mozzarella.

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Western New York’s premier golf course, with a fun bar, restaurant & banquet facility, offers country club quality in a public setting. Located off Genesee St. by the Buffalo Airport, Diamond Hawk is in the center of Greater Buffalo and minutes from anywhere in Western New York.

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Another “only in Buffalo” dish: a bowl of spaghetti covered in mozzarella cheese and accompanied by a side of marinara sauce. Served at long-time Italian restaurants like Chef’s, this is Buffalo comfort food at its finest.

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When it comes to classic Italian in Buffalo, Chef’s deserves a place at the top of the list. Since 1923, they have been serving up hearty Italian food which has captivated many generations of taste buds in Buffalo.

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We're both gluten free and they have a good selection of g/f options. We ordered a Tuscany salad, g/f pesto pasta and meatballs. They even had warm g/f bread for us to enjoy with their seasoned olive oil.

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Paisan from Chef’s, a founding Taste of Buffalo restaurant, will be roaming around the festival to meet and greet the children.

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