Dining Guide: The Best Waterfront Restaurants on Lake Erie — New York

64 on the Rocks
64 on the Rocks combines a big-city feel with the comfort of home. During warmer months, it’s bustling with family and friends enjoying food and drinks on one of the outdoor patios or around the gorgeous fire pit. The pub-style menu includes appetizers, burgers, sandwiches, personalized pizzas and chicken wings, while the bar offers a wide selection of beer, cocktails and specialty drinks. Stay and swing to the rhythm of live music or participate in a friendly game of cornhole or darts. 64 W. Main St., Fredonia, New York

Cabana Sam’s Sunset Bay Grill (seasonal)
Dip your toes in the water and stroll in the sand before snagging a spot at this beach hangout, offering some of the best patio views that Western New York has to offer. The menu offers something for everyone, from tons of appetizers and kids’ meals to burgers, sandwiches, salads, seafood, pasta and steaks, as well as frozen tropical drinks and beach cocktails. Don’t miss the nearby video game arcade, ice cream stand and clothing and beach boutique. Next door, Sunset Bay Beach Club keeps the party alive as one of the area’s best waterfront nightclubs offering indoor dancing and a massive patio bar. 1028 S. Shore Drive, Irving, New York, 716-934-9953

Castaway’s Waterfront Bar and Grill
Drop by this sandy hidden gem featuring a classic pub-grub menu with generous portions, happy hour bites and small pates, as well as entertainment, bar games and sports on TV. Head to the second-floor patio for front row seats and unobstructed views of a spectacular Lake Erie sunset. 188 Kennedy Ave., Angola, New York, 716-549-6090

Turtle Joe’s Sandbar
If you’re sporting anything but flip flops and swim trunks, you’re overdressed at this ultra-casual beachfront cafe located just south of Angola on the Lake. It’s perfect for those looking for a laid-back spot to enjoy live entertainment, cheer on your favorite sports team or relax and grab a bite of cheap eats pub grub after a day of swimming or strolling along the water’s edge. 8966 Lakeshore Road, Angola, New York, 716-549-3026

The Public House on the Lake
Take in astounding views and the Buffalo skyline while dining on chef-inspired eclectic pub fare, cocktails and more than 20 rotating beers on tap at this upbeat waterfront locale featuring a deck and live entertainment. Surf lovers should try the seafood lasagna, house-made with shrimp and scallops and a lemon cream sauce. Or opt for the lobster pasta, which includes fresh lobster, linguini, red peppers and a roasted red pepper Sambuca cream sauce. 4914 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, New York, 716-627-5551

Hoak’s Lakeshore Restaurant
Nearly 75 years after the Hoak brothers opened their restaurant, the fish fryers are still flying out of the kitchen seven days a week, and people still crowd the patio to catch summer sunsets and lovely views of the Buffalo skyline and Canadian shore. Known for serving up great food and good times in a family-friendly environment, Hoak’s pleases patrons with a menu filled with elevated sandwiches — think Chicken Cordon Bleu, Corned Beef, Reuben and Chicken Florentine — seafood and steak specialties and children’s options, including a kids fish fry or kids broiled fish. 4100 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, New York, 716-627-4570

Lucia’s on the Lake
Reservations are recommended at this popular upscale-casual space featuring Italian fare. Ask for a seat on the rooftop patio, where spectacular lake views and cool freshwater breezes set the backdrop for a fantastic afternoon or evening. When it comes to seafood, the jambalaya pasta, truffle crab penne, lobster ravioli and jumbo scallop risotto are must tries. Those who prefer turf over surf will appreciate the Bolognese, beef Stroganoff and 32-ounce prime tomahawk ribeye. 4151 Lake Shore Road, Hamburg, New York, 716-627-9752

Lago 210
Take a pause from the hustle and bustle of daily life and unwind with friends and family on the shore. Live music entertains patrons Thursday through Saturday at the beach bar, while a menu of sharable plates and satisfying entrees complement mixed drinks, beer, wine and mocktails. During the summer, stop by for brunch and indulge in a loaded bloody Mary, bananas fosters pancakes, short rib hash or Nashville hot chicken and waffles. 4038 Hoover Road, Hamburg, New York, 716-246-3022

Charlie’s Boat Yard (seasonal)
Weekly entertainment and a big, bustling patio make Charlie’s Boat Yard a waterfront favorite during warmer weather. Choose from a selection of casual American fare — including wings, salads, sandwiches, burgers and fish dishes — and discover why everything is better on the water. 1111 Fuhrmann Blvd., Buffalo, 716-828-1600

Buffalo RiverWorks Brewing Co. and The Ward
Whether you need somewhere to take the family for the day, are seeking adventures with friends or looking for a unique date-night experience, RiverWorks has you covered with a massive, 60,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor event center. Get on the water by renting a kayak or paddleboard or hop on the Buffalo Tiki Tour. Catch an action-packed roller derby, jam out at a concert or spend some time at the amusement park. Or get a bird’s-eye-view with ziplining or rock climbing before grabbing a drink at the world’s first silo brewery — RiverWorks Brewing Co. Meanwhile, The Ward offers contemporary American cuisine in an industrial, rustic setting with plenty of patio seating. 359 Ganson St., Buffalo, 716-342-2292

The Liberty Hound (seasonal)
Liberty Hound's 1,519-square-foot patio rocks one of the most unique places to get a brew with a view in Western New York. Not only is it adjacent to three historic naval vessels, it’s also directly across from the nightly light show projected on Buffalo’s Connecting Grain Elevator. While you’ll find Buffalonian favorites, like wings and Beef on Weck, Liberty Hound’s seafood specialties are the most popular menu items. Asian-inspired tuna nachos, lobster grilled cheese and the shrimp po' boy also hit the mark. 1 Naval Park Cove, Buffalo, 716-845-9173

Top of the Falls Restaurant (seasonal)
Top of the Falls Restaurant famously boasts a panoramic view of Niagara Falls from its prime location in the Niagara Fall State Park on the U.S. side of the border. The burger selection, named after features in the park, includes Bridal, which oozes with New York-made cheese and a loganberry-white wine barbecue sauce. Goat Island Road, Niagara Falls, New York, 716-278-0340