The Taste of Buffalo held annually in Buffalo

Buffalo, New York

Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...

, New York

New York

New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...

 is presented by Tops Supermarkets

Tops Markets LLC

Tops Friendly Markets is an American supermarket chain based in Williamsville, New York, with stores in the western and central regions of that state and in northern Pennsylvania-Early years:...

 and is the largest two-day food festival in the United States

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

. It began in 1984 and now attracts almost 450,000 patrons annually. It has been voted WNY's premier outdoor festival. The mission of the Taste of Buffalo is "to provide an affordable and enjoyable weekend festival in a socially responsible manner for families of Western New York; to enhance the quality of life in the Niagara Frontier and promote downtown Buffalo."

The event is centered in the heart of Downtown Buffalo along Delaware Avenue beginning just south of Niagara Square by City Hall. It stretches from Niagara Square northward around Delaware Avenue with a northern boundary stopping just before W. Chippewa Street. It begins at 11 a.m. daily and there is no admission charge.

Three stages provide continuous entertainment and music from Jazz to the Top 40 and from Pops to Blues. Local, regional and national artists are part of the event's main entertainment theme. The event includes an exclusive children's area with special entertainment and activities featuring clowns and an interactive playground. In addition to local restaurants, national food product vendors can be found either with roaming representatives or kiosks set up offering samples.

More than 150 culinary specialties are served by participating vendors in "taste size" portions, priced between US$1.00 and US$4.00. Vendors are primarily local restaurants from in and around the Buffalo area, but the event attracts the participation of a few restaurants from nearby cities such as Rochester and Syracuse, as well as local franchises of some national chains.

In 2009, the Taste of Buffalo was held on July 11-12 on Delaware Avenue from Chippewa running south to Niagara Square. In 2010, it was held on July 10th from 11am-9pm and July 11th from 11am-7pm.