Based on Reddit discussions, travel forums, and local blogs.
Locals and travelers praise Buffalo for its small-town, locally owned dining scene: Busy Bee (breakfast), Pie Zanos (pizza/Italian), Bozeman Trail (steakhouse) and Bond's (brewery) are frequently recommended. Common cautions: wait times and inconsistent service/quality during events, earlier closing hours at some sit-down restaurants, and typical small-town variability in hours and inventory.
Occidental Saloon / The Historic Occidental Hotel & Saloon
Overall sentiment: mixed
Historic, authentic western saloon with live music and strong ambiance — come for the experience; food/service can be inconsistent and waits get long during events.
"Hit Occidental Hotel for dinner one night and they had some local musicians playing plus steaks were decent."
"service was slow"
"two hours for terrible food."
Sources: tripadvisor.com · tripadvisor.com · reddit.com
Busy Bee Cafe
Overall sentiment: mixed
Classic local breakfast/comfort food staple tied to the Occidental building; hearty community breakfasts and popular with Longmire/history visitors — can be busy and enforce strict breakfast cutoffs.
"Pancakes, eggs, and sausage. GREAT!!!"
Sources: tripadvisor.com · occidentalwyoming.com · usarestaurants.info
Bozeman Trail Steakhouse
Overall sentiment: positive
Dependable western steakhouse with steaks and game-meat options (bison/elk), family-friendly vibe and large bar; popular but can close earlier than expected and gets busy on peak nights.
"This is hands down one of the best steakhouses I have ever been to."
Sources: thebozemantrailsteakhouse.com · tripadvisor.com · mapquest.com
Pie Zanos
Overall sentiment: mixed
Wood-fired pizzas and scratch-made Italian dishes frequently recommended as a must-try in town, with gluten-free options — busy nights and occasional quality misses mean consider reservations or timed takeout.
"one pizza was black and burned."
Sources: tripadvisor.com · visitbuffalowy.com
The Breadboard
Overall sentiment: positive
Reliable sandwich shop/deli known for fresh homemade bread — a top choice for quick lunches or picnic provisions; expect lunchtime queues.
Sources: tripadvisor.com · visitbuffalowy.com
Bond's Brewing Company
Overall sentiment: positive
Friendly local brewery/taproom with rotating taps, events and a relaxed daytime/family-friendly vibe; small-scale operation means a more local-brewery tasting experience rather than huge variety.
"The bartender Ben knows what he is doing behind the bar!!"
Sources: bondsbrewing.com · visitbuffalowy.com · chamberofcommerce.com
The Virginian Restaurant
Overall sentiment: positive
Sit-down restaurant offering classic American entrees and steaks with historical ties to the town; listed among Buffalo's dining options for a slightly fancier meal.
Sources: the-virginian-restaurant.bartgrocerybbq.com · tripadvisor.com
Dash Inn
Overall sentiment: mixed
Local quick-bite and family spot commonly recommended for casual meals and burgers; reviews vary so check current reviews and hours.
Sources: en.tripadvisor.com.hk
Cowboy Bar & Grill
Overall sentiment: mixed
Appears in local lists for burgers and casual meals; typical small-town review variance — check recent feedback and hours.
Sources: tripadvisor.com
Main Street Diner
Overall sentiment: mixed
Listed among local casual dining options; often recommended for diner-style meals but experiences vary — verify hours and recent reviews.
Sources: tripadvisor.com