Hoppin’Around: A Guide to North Buffalo’s Hertel Ave
North Buffalo’s Hertel Avenue is a highly walkable and diverse strip of businesses ranging from an Italian cultural center, Yemeni coffee shop, Syrian shwarma restaurant, Greek diner, old fashioned movie theater, skate shop, hair salons, pet store, and of course your handful of friendly watering holes.
Sitting about a half mile on top of the Buffalo Zoo and Delaware Park, Hertel Ave.’s photogenic murals fill up the street, giving you something to look at on every block.
Looking to spend a day bar hopping and grabbing snacks? Here are my top picks for a day on Hertel Ave.
Beer
Moor Room — This craft beer bar is one of my favorites in all of Buffalo. Vibes are always good, no matter what day or time you stop by. Beers rotate regularly and include hard-to-find breweries like Trillium, Widowmaker, and Fidens. For food, they have a great selection of chicken sandwiches, and I love the pretzels. Of note, the playlist is often 2000s pop/punk. You’ll feel right at home.
Burning Buffalo — Their recently renovated patio makes their outdoor space feel like an oasis, and the indoor bar brings year-round cozy vibes. Their Bavarian pretzel and burgers never disappoint. Burning Buffalo brings a solid beer selection between drafts and cans.
Sterling — A sports bar with trivia night and karaoke night, the Sterling draws in an unassuming crowd and well-rounded beer selection. I love their garage-style doors in the warmer months. Foodwise, I always order the chicken wings and pierogis.
Steel Leaf — Hertel’s only brewery! The charcuterie board and Honey Blonde are my favorite snack-and-beer combo.
Wine and Cocktails
The Little Club — This is one of those places that you walk in and feel chic. It’s a very aesthetically pleasing bar, specializing in wine (I love their orange wines) but with a solid cocktail lineup too. Their roasted vegetable dishes and bread with whipped ricotta and olive oil are a must.
Lloyd Taco Factory — Buffalo’s favorite taco truck’s brick and mortar location, the Lloyd cocktails don’t miss. I especially love the seasonal menu. The fall and winter cocktails are like a warm hug. For food, get the tricked out nachos! The ice cream next door at Churn is also top notch.
Food
All of the aforementioned drink spots, PLUS:
Kostas — A Greek diner with all the items you know and love. Very large space and a good place to bring your parents.
Falafel House - Syrian shwarma and Palestinian falafel. The falafel is shaped into mini donuts which makes it that much more satisfying to eat. Unsurprisingly, their baba ganoush and hummus are also incredible.
Joe’s Deli — Subs and sandwiches are my comfort food. Everything is delightful.
Coffee
Spoke and Dagger — A motorcycle shop with an variety of vintage Harley Davidson tees, leather jackets, and an incredible rotating coffee menu. Think rose cardamom or hot honey lattes, espresso tonics, mocha loganberry iced coffee, or my holiday favorite, orange chocolate.
