Explore the Vibrant Festival Town of Ellicottville, New York

Dining and Culinary Delights 

Dining in Ellicottville is an experience in itself. With a wide array of options to suit any palate, from gourmet meals to casual bites, every meal promises to be a highlight of your day trip. The town’s culinary scene is a testament to its diversity and quality, ensuring that every visitor finds something to love.

For breakfast Tim Horton’s is available for drive thru, but if you want to sit and enjoy, then there are several choices. Kat’s Cafe & Cake Design has a tremendous coffee bar, outdoor seating and both sit down meals and to-go breakfast burritos. Dina’s is located right in the heart of downtown and offers a unique take on American food. For example you can order a sun-dried tomatoes, basil pesto, spinach, and cheddar-jack cheese omelette. Or try two over easy eggs, fresh spinach, tomato, choice of applewood smoked bacon or canadian bacon and choice of provolone cheese, swiss cheese, or cheddar cheese. Served on a dopest dough plain or everything bagel with a side of fresh fruit. Maybe treat yourself to a decadent, freshly baked chocolate chip muffin from the Ellicottville Bake Shop which also offers jalapeño scones if you want to spice up your morning.

Now lunch choices start to get decidedly more tough because of the numerous options and overall excellent level of quality that you get while dining in Ellicottville. Balloons restaurant must be doing something right because they have a very solid reputation with the locals and with just one look at their menu and you’ll know why!  Smoked meatloaf, pecan chicken, chicken n biscuits, poutine, pork nachos just to name a few of their menu items. Next store to Balloons is the Ellicotville Brewing Company that offers two indoor bars, including table seating and an outdoor bar with patio seating. The patio is a rollicking place to enjoy lunch especially on a sunny day. With many of their own craft brews to choose from, you have an excellent array to choose from if you desire a nice beer with lunch. It’s a Trip Advisor top pick as well. As long as were talking breweries, the Steelbound Brewery likes to keep it local when it comes to their cuisine. So along with seasonal craft beers to choose from, you get local ingredients “Our carefully chosen menu features local purveyors which creates a fresh and seasonal snap shot of all the truly amazing tastes WNY has to offer. We are here to be a part of that WNY community for years to come and would be humbled if you chose us.” If you crave excellent traditional American food then the Gin Mill is your place. 1/3lb burgers, jumbo wings, classic club sandwich, seasonal homemade chili and numerous other classic American cuisine. Plus they have a full bar as well. You’re not going to get a bad meal in Ellicottville, but if you are on a budget, try Madigan’s. They also have a patio and offer $10 lunches that include either soup or salad and a soft drink. 

Dinner time is a wonderful experience in Ellicottville, because combining the charming ambience of downtown with fine dining just doesn’t get better. Steak is always a favorite and the only true steakhouse in Ellicottville is The Silver Fox. Steaks are seasoned and char-grilled. Dry-aged ribeye, New York strip, or maybe go all in with the Cab Calloway which is a filet on bordelaise topped with shrimp which is then topped with a Maytag blu cheese sauce! As with any good steakhouse, they have an extensive wine list as well. For a change of pace from American and pub food there is the Italian restaurant of Villaggio. Classic Italian fare like osso bucco, chicken or eggplant parmesan, rigatoni bolognese, or try the cinghiale (wild boar) ragu for an interesting change of pace. Holiday Valley Resort, in Ellicottville, has Edna’s at the Tamarack Club restaurant that serves a very wide array of choices, from stone fire pizzas to steaks, pot roast, seafood and pasta dishes. The beautiful mountain setting is unique and unmatched in Ellicottville. Now the lunch locations, mentioned above, also serve dinner, Balloons goes late night too.

Shopping and Local Crafts 

Sprinkled among the many restaurants and bars are 24 charming shops to enhance your Ellicottville activities. Unique and or exotic boutiques, clothing stores and much more, all within walking distance. Or spoil yourself and visit one of the two day spas in town. So let’s get down to it. Alexandra is an: “Eclectic collection of jewelry, gifts, pottery, books, cards, stationary, party ware and toys for all ages. Create an atmosphere with an array of scented candles, incense and aromatic bath and beauty treatments.” For women’s apparel there is Ava Grace Fashions: “Ava Grace Fashions is a women’s clothing & accessory boutique with a focus on comfortable, easy style for busy women.” Who isn’t a sucker for a consignment store? You just never know what you might find. Betsy’s Consignment is the spot: “High-end consignments for men, women & children… One of the most unique stores. Patterned after Aspen’s best consignment shop. Betsy’s has high-end items for men, women, and children.” Need some snow activity sports gear? The Boardroom is the spot: “The best brands in the industry, including Lib Tech, Nike Snowboarding, Burton, Under Armour, GoPro, Oakley, Smith, Never Summer, Volcom, Stance, Outdoor Tech, anon and more… High-performance ski and snowboard rentals, lots of parking and a full service shop. Just a short walk from Holiday Valley and the only off-site location for their lift tickets!” City Garage is another sports gear retailer: “Salomon, K2, Atomic, Lange telemark and XC equipment.  Specializing in unique clothing brands such as Kuhl & Scoop & “Hippie Tree”.  The area’s source for functional footwear brands such as Keen, Birkenstock, Salomon.  Located 53 steps off the main street.” Now any place that advertises itself as “Drygoods Boots & Shoes” gets my attention and hopefully, yours. Daffs is just that store: “Daff Dry Goods, Boots, & Shoes. Apparel for women and men by Kavu, Icelandic Designs, Montanaco Leathers, Outback Trading Co., Patagonia, Pendleton, Royal Robbins, and Wooly Bully. Footwear for comfort by Ariat, Dansko, Frye, Jambu, Teva, and Ugg. Accessories by Brighton, Dorfman Cowboy Hats, Hot Sox, Jeanne Simmons Hats, K.Bell Socks, and Mad Bomber. Housewares including blankets, pillows, and towels by Pendleton Woolen Mills and Woolrich.”  How about some really unique home decor, sprinkled with a selection of timeless toys and other interesting knick knacks? Kazoo II is a fun shop to snoop around in: “Gifts to celebrate an ever changing life style, home decor, folk art, books, jewelry, Americana and American Southwestern items, even a room of timeless toys.” Gado-Gado also satisfies: “For a fabulous shopping experience, come to Gado-Gado.  We have the latest fashions, the most unique gifts and exceptional jewelry and accessories from all over the world.” A neighbor nearby does quilting, it takes her months and months to complete one and each and every one is a work of love and art. Plus they keep you warm on a cold winter’s night. If you enjoy the art of quilting try a visit to the Ellicottville Quilt Shop: “Featuring a large selection of the finest 100% cotton fabrics for quiltmaking, clothing and home decorating. Books, patterns, notions and supplies for quiltmaking. Classes for all levels of quilters. A variety of handmade quilts, wallhangings and quilt related gifts by the owner.” 

Planning Your Day Trip 

Known as a festival town, Ellicotville does not disappoint: there are 30 festivals & events planned for 2024!  You can park anywhere in downtown Ellicottville and just walk around, or start at the Chamber of Commerce located at: 9 W Washington St, Ellicottville, NY 14731 to get a map of downtown, a list of Ellicottville cultural events, and dining, shopping or activities suggestions.