DrinkDowntown

Big Ditch Brewing Company

Sure they're served in many a local bar and restaurant, but the best place to enjoy Big Ditch's roster of beers is in the pleasantly airy tasting room and restaurant just off their production space at the corner of Ellicott and Huron. Choose from any of three signature beers (the "Hayburner" IPA, whose citrusy flavor is balanced with an earthy, hoppy finish; the über-hoppy "Low Bridge" golden ale, and the "Excavator" rye brown ale wherein chocolate malt is the dominant flavor) or a couple dozen seasonal and limited-edition offerings to enjoy over a light menu of gourmet pub grub.

Address: 55 E. Huron St.
Getting there: Metro Rail: Fountain Plaza
Website: bigditchbrewing.com (opens in a new tab)

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Listing from Wikivoyage: Buffalo/Downtown, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Updated 28 Sept 2026. Something wrong? Tell us.

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Big Ditch Brewing Company
In the 19th century, "The Big Ditch" was a popular name for the Erie Canal, which, over the course of only a few decades, took Buffalo from a sleepy frontier backwater to one of America's foremost industrial centers. In much the same way, the Big Ditch Brewing Company's name pays homage to its role in the revival of Buffalo's proud brewing tradition, which was all but dead after the closure of Iroquois Brewing in 1972 but now comprises a growing legion of locally-owned craft microbreweries like the brand-new one on East Huron Street where they operate. During retail hours, Big Ditch's staff leads craft beer lovers on free tours of their production floor, where folks can watch two batches of beer a day get brewed, fermented, carbonated, and racked into kegs. Afterward, head over to the attached tap room and restaurant to sample the finished product.
Tours run hourly Mon, Tue & Fri 11AM-6PM, Wed & Sat 11AM-3PMBrewery tour free · Brews its own beer · Outdoor seating
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"Let's enjoy city dining again", implores Tappo's website, echoing the sentiment of a growing number of Western New Yorkers. Developer Rocco Termini and Buffalo restaurateur extraordinaire Mike Andrzejewski teamed up in 2013 to convert the former Horton Coffee building into this casual restaurant serving Italian fare that is familiar yet creative and well-prepared. Diners rave about delicious interpretations of classic favorites like lasagne, chicken cacciatore, and Italian wedding soup, as well as more imaginative options such as a basil prawn risotto and Tappo's lauded brasciole. The wine list features no fewer than 41 imported vintages, with a few domestic wines for good measure. Best of all, the value for what you get can't be beat — and neither can the view of the downtown skyline from the rooftop patio.
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