It’s one of the largest events in downtown Buffalo every summer: the two-day Taste of Buffalo, giving restaurants, food trucks and wineries a chance to wow thousands of people with samples and sips.

This year, 53 restaurants and six wineries will converge on Niagara Square for the 35th annual event, scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. The festivities start at 11 a.m. and end at 9 p.m. on Saturday, picking up again at 11 a.m. Sunday and ending at 7 p.m. Admission is free but samples require between two and 10 tickets, which are sold for $0.50 each.

New to the Taste this year:

·         A Gust of Sun Winery & Vineyard of Ransomville

·         Alex’s Place from Batavia

·         Carmine’s from East Amherst

·         Dirty Bird Chicken n’ Waffles, a Niagara Falls-based food truck

·         Niagara Café from Buffalo

·         Ru’s Pierogi food truck from Buffalo

·         Souped Up, a Tonawanda-based food truck

Buffalo’s food festival is the largest two-day food event in the country, with nearly half a million people expected to eat their way through the offerings.
 

Insider tips: 

Go early, go hungry, go prepared. 

  • The judges' choice awards are announced around 4 p.m. on Saturday afternoon and there might be a rush on the winners after the prizes are announced. If you're around to see some of those certificates go up, and you want to try one of the event's best foods, jump right in line. 
  • Among the Spectrum Newsroom's top picks to try this year: the beef on weck garbage plate from Riverstone Grill, combining two WNY favorites; the peanut butter cream and marshmallow topping from Paula's Donuts; the deep-fried PB&J with loganberry whipped cream from Stack Burger and the watermelon gazpacho from Souped Up. 
  • Looking for something a little healthier? Remember that each booth must offer a healthy option, indicated with a heart-shaped icon. Among your selections will be caramelized brussel sprouts from Schnitzel & Co. and crispy cauliflower from Patina 250.
  • Two words: wine slushies. 

Going to the Taste? Here’s what you need to know:

Tickets:

Tops Markets, the event’s largest sponsor, is selling food ticket vouchers available in $10 or $50 increments. Each $50 voucher comes with a coupon that can be turned in for four non-alcoholic beverages. The vouchers have to be turned in for tickets at the event. Otherwise, tickets must be purchased for sampling and can be purchased in $5 sheets at three ticket booths located around Niagara Square.

 

Insider tips:

  • You don't need cash, but you do need tickets. No money will be exchanged at the tables. Buying vouchers ahead of time might save a few minutes before you start your taste adventure. 
  • Samples range in "cost" from two to 10 tickets. Most booths will offer a "Taste" size verison of their popular dishes for a few more tickets. 

 

Parking:

The Taste of Buffalo SpotHero parking page identifies a number of parking lots in downtown Buffalo that are a short walk to the Taste.  Drivers can pre-book their parking spot at a discount – up to 50 percent — compared with driving up and not pre-paying.  Among the participating lots are 254 Franklin Street ($10); 117 Lower Terrace ($4) and 2 Pearl Street ($3).

There are also surface lots available near Niagara Square on Pearl, Franklin and other nearby streets parallel to Delaware Avenue.

NFTA bus and rail will be operational during the festival and offer a way to get there without the headache of trying to find parking.

Insider tips:

  • If you don't mind walking, free street parking is available within a few blocks of the event. 
  • Another option is the Patina 250 Taste of Buffalo Courtyard Bash: For $10 per person, guests get valet parking, all-day access to courtyard and bathrooms. 

 

 

Weather:

Early forecasts are calling for pleasant weather all weekend, with temperatures in the high 70s on Saturday and low 80s on Sunday with zero chance of precipitation. Remember to grab the sunscreen!

 

Entertainment:

The Taste of Buffalo is about more the just food.

The Tops Stage inside the “Big Beer Tent” on Delaware Avenue near Chippewa Street will feature live music starting at noon both days. Tradewinds will play until 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by Denzell Ward & Cool Platinum from 2:30 – 5:30 p.m., with Joyride starting at 6 p.m. to end the evening.

Strictly Hip takes the stage at noon Sunday and will play until 3 p.m., followed by ‘80s band Nerds Gone Wild at 3: 30 p.m.

In the Hometown Beer Tent, on Delaware Avenue and Niagara Street, Half a Herd starts Saturday at noon, followed by Hintz of Thunder at 3 p.m. and Common Love at 6 p.m. Sunday has Singlecoils Duo at noon, followed by Acoustified Duo.

There’s also DJ P-Nasty in the AT&T DJ Dance Party Tent on Huron Street and the Mohawk Street Beer Tent will offer D&B Karaoke all weekend.

For the kids, there’s the Taste of Fun Kidzone inside Niagara Square with activities, story time, crafts and a scavenger hunt.