3 Best Restaurants in Niagara Falls and Western New York, New York

With its Italian–Latin American fusion menu focusing on simple dishes made with local, fresh, and organic ingredients, and an Old-World-meets-urban-café decor—exposed-brick walls, local art, a gleaming cappuccino machine on the bar—this place is quite the cosmopolitan departure in this pocket of the state. The San Francisco–trained chef might whip up seared scallops over ginger-marinated cabbage or pappardelle topped with tomatoes and cracked-pepper mascarpone. Sapore is open all day as a café, and also serves breakfast.

At this historic B&B you can eat in one of the two tiny floral dining rooms, one with a fireplace, seating 16 each, or on the petite front patio. The chef, formerly of the Peek'n Peak Resort, is praised in particular for his seared Chilean sea bass with a citrus beurre blanc and for Stilton-encrusted beef tenderloin in merlot sauce. These favorites are always on the menu; other entrées, salads, and appetizers—such as the watermelon gazpacho—change seasonally.

Locals admit that only the fish fry is stellar at this casual local joint, but the view of sparkling Lake Erie from the outdoor patio, just 100 feet from the rocky waterfront, is what keeps them coming back, particularly around sunset. Plus, it's the only place in town open on Monday. The menu is largely seafood, and portions are huge. The concrete patio with metal tables, and the dark, carpeted dining room are nothing to gawk at; keep your gaze fixed lakeward. Dinner is only served until 8 pm Sunday. Reserve for a sunset-hour table.