Diners' Choice: Contemporary American restaurants in Upstate New York

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall Contemporary American cuisine in Upstate New York? You’re in the right place. Each month OpenTable analyzes more than 400,000 new diner reviews. We sort the results by category to help you discover new favorites. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Shepard's at Erlowest

4.8

4.8 (496)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Lake George

About the restaurant

Experience a truly exceptional dining opportunity at Shepard's at Erlowest, situated overlooking the picturesque Lake George.

Nestled within a historic stone mansion crafted in 1898, Shepards offers a serene ambiance for a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Immerse yourself in the captivating history of our Queen Anne mansion, where you can savor your meal in the cozy fireplace dining room or on the veranda which offers outstanding lake views.

Chef Scott Dewar, our talented culinary maestro, consistently delights diners with an array of daily specials, showcasing his culinary expertise and diverse menu offerings.

Please note the bar is open for lighter fare at 3pm daily. The restaurant serves dinner from Wednesday to Monday.

Reservations subject to $25/person cancellation fee within 48 hours.

Top review

JoleneVIP

Dined 7 days ago

Most amazing service and food is always spot on. Creative and tasty!!!

Park & Elm

4.9

4.9 (300)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Glens Falls

About the restaurant

Park & Elm is a multi-concept eatery featuring a gourmet food market, delicatessen and fine dining restaurant located in downtown Glens Falls.

Enjoy an elevated experience in our dining room, featuring a modern take on classic dishes made with fresh, seasonal ingredients. The dining room and bar also showcase a highly curated beverage program, with innovative twists on classic cocktails, plus a hand-picked selection of wines from across the globe.

Don't forget to check out our nightly happy hour, featuring a seasonal selection of small plates and drink specials.

Top review

DebbieVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Gorgeous ambiance. Fantastic service and delicious food and drinks

Wildflowers at Turning Stone

4.8

4.8 (1160)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Verona

About the restaurant

Honored with the AAA Four Diamond Award and the Forbes Travel Guide Four-Star Award, Wildflowers sets the standard for atmosphere and culinary excellence with locally sourced, seasonal dishes. Enjoy dishes like a seasonal
seafood catch or a dry-aged steak with your choice of scratch-made sauces and additional indulgences — all enhanced by a meticulously curated wine list.

Top review

Curtis

Dined 4 days ago

Everything was perfect...the staff were professional and very interactive. Food was phenomenal. Top notch...a very enjoyable experience.

Century House - Latham, NY

4.8

4.8 (1397)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Latham

About the restaurant

The Century House Restaurant, located in Latham, New York, is a premiere fine dining establishment well known in the Capital Region for its steak and lobster fare. Order online for pickup or delivery today or stop in and enjoy the comforting ambiance of a historic eatery on U.S. Route 9.

Our Federal-style restaurant allows our community to share a good meal, good company, and important celebrations in their lives. We offer several private dining rooms perfect for small parties and events for any occasion.

Speaking of community, our Enjoy One, Share One program has provided over one million meals to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. Dining with us helps to give back to the local community one meal at a time.

Top review

Shirley

Dined on Dec 4, 2024

Great service, great food. Will definitely go back.

Bacchus Wine Bar & Restaurant

4.7

4.7 (2786)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Bacchus wine bar and restaurant is located in the historic Calumet building in the heart of Buffalo's entertainment district. A seasonal menu highlights the best available ingredients from local and regional farms. Together with our Wine Spectator award winning wine list, this elegant yet casual restaurant has continually been ranked as one of Buffalo's best.

Top review

Michael

Dined 3 days ago

One of my very favorite restaurants. Awesome food, great service.

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4.8

4.8 (1101)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Albany

About the restaurant

Yono's, a two time Top 100 restaurants winner, has been Albany's premiere World Class restaurant for almost years. Owned and operated by second generation renowned restaurateur, Dominick Purnomo, the intimate, elegant split level dining room is has recently gone through a renovation modernizing the dining room now elegantly appointed with neutral colors, bronzed mirrors, a large fireplace, crystal chandelier, and floral displays. An innovative menu of blending French Technique, Asian Influence & American Ingredients pays homage to the rich culinary history of founding Chef Yono Purnomo. Managing partner & sommelier Josh Turo offers a wine list with some 1000 labels representing every major wine growing region in the world. Let the Yono's 4 star service staff anticipate your needs, while you experience the luxury and elegance of a bygone era.

Located adjacent to Yono's, is dp An American Brasserie, a decidedly more casual alternative. www.dpbrasserie.com

Top review

Ryan

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

We went here for our 15th Wedding Anniversary and chose the Grand tasting menu. The food was amazing we were very happy with our meal!!

Phoebe's Restaurant & Coffee Lounge

4.7

4.7 (588)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Originally known as Phoebe's Garden Café, the restaurant has a long and colorful history in Syracuse. Local lore claims that the building was originally a brothel, and Phoebe was its madam.
In the summer of 2004, Phoebe's experienced a refreshing makeover with a bright new look in the atrium dining room with fresh paint, new upholstery, and artwork. The coffee lounge also opened that year, and it became an instant hit with the surrounding university and business crowd. Those changes also warranted a new name to reflect the updated attitude and ambiance: Phoebe's Restaurant and Coffee Lounge. Classic elements of Phoebe's remain untouched—the French onion soup and enticing crème brulee, for example, but other menu items change seasonally.
The Lounge also has its own seating area and free wireless internet capabilities. Phoebe's old world charm is right at home in a revitalized area of the city.

Top review

KathleenVIP

Dined on Dec 12, 2024

Our salmon and lemon risotto dinners and carmel gelato desserts were innovative, tasty, and perfectly portioned. Table service was cheery and attentive. A really nice dinner, reasonably priced.

42N at The Flats

4.6

4.6 (38)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

42 North at The Flats is home to 42 North Brewing Company’s downtown taproom located in the historic Wurlitzer Flats building. In the heart of Buffalo’s theater district, craft beers and a full bar are complimented by creative and contemporary artisan fare from Queen City Bistro. Whether you are stopping in for a beverage or a full meal, 42 North at The Flats is designed to offer a great experience for all.

Reservations open 6 weeks in advance for bookings

Top review

Elwyn

Dined 2 days ago

We enjoyed a relaxing evening in a wonderful Buffalo dining spot. Our waitress, Sam, was fantastic as was our meal.

Panorama On Seven

4.7

4.7 (893)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Our guests and employees safety and health is our number one priority. We have implemented safety and health guidelines and procedures to do our part and Stop the Spread.
Hand-sanitizing stations have been installed throughout our hotel.
We have converted our menus to digital menu with QR code. To access our digital menus, guest can scan the QR code with their cell phone camera.
Complimentary disposable masks will be available for any guest.
All associates have completed a comprehensive Safety and Service Training Program. 716 852 0049

Top review

Mary Lou T

Dined 4 days ago

Delicious food, many choices, reasonably priced, great service & beautiful view of the skyline! looking forward to going back. Valet parking & server we’re most accommodating.

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4.6

4.6 (1538)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Buffalo

About the restaurant

Patina 250 serves seasonal menus using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, offering thoughtful, flavor-infused variations on the authentic tastes of Western New York. The restaurant interior offers a refined, welcoming atmosphere to enjoy drinks, shared plates or a full dining experience. Local artists’ work contributes to the modern mood with paintings, elaborate light fixtures and a sculptural wall installation. Owned by Delaware North, a global leader in hospitality.

Top review

Steven

Dined 7 days ago

Service was great... Food was good, but for the price I thought it could be better.

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