Solid Italian anchor on Chippewa Street
Allentown · Buffalo · Italian · Visit Website ↗
Updated June 2026
Reviewed April 24, 2026
Wingman Metrics
The wine list at Tappo lands with the confidence of a restaurant that actually thought about it — Italian-forward, regionally coherent, and priced accessibly enough that you won't feel punished for ordering a second bottle. It's not going to blow any minds, but it's clearly not an afterthought either. For Allentown on a Friday night, this is a genuinely decent place to drink.
The list runs 80-plus bottles with a smart spine through Italy — Veneto, Tuscany, Friuli, Abruzzo, and Marche all get representation, which tells you someone did their homework on the boot. Highlights include the Jermann Pinot Grigio from Friuli (the good Pinot Grigio, not the grocery store stuff) and the Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino for when you're feeling serious. Stags' Leap Cab and a Mendoza section give the list some New World breathing room without going overboard. The gaps are minor — Piedmont could use more love, and the Champagne section is essentially just Veuve Clicquot — but for a neighborhood Italian in Buffalo, the depth is real.
Twelve by-the-glass options is a respectable number, and the floor starts at $7, which is refreshingly honest for a sit-down Italian spot. The selection skews safe and crowd-pleasing rather than adventurous, but that's not necessarily a crime when the room is buzzing and people want wine with pizza. We'd love to see more rotation — the list feels like it hasn't moved much recently.
Carpineto Chianti Classico Riserva — $18-$99 range
Carpineto is a serious producer in Chianti Classico — this isn't a filler wine dressed up in a fancy bottle. If it's priced in the lower-mid tier of the list, it's the move for anyone eating the house-made pasta or a wood-fired red sauce dish.
Jermann Pinot Grigio
Most people hear Pinot Grigio and think Santa Margherita at a hotel bar. Jermann is a different conversation entirely — it's one of Friuli's top producers and makes a version of this grape that's actually worth paying attention to. Order it and watch people at your table ask what you're drinking.
Brotherhood Brut NY
At $29 on the list against a $12 retail price, this is a 142% markup on a sparkling wine that's perfectly fine but nothing special. If you want bubbles, spend the extra dollars on the Veuve Clicquot and at least get something worth the splurge.
Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino + Wood-fired pizza
Brunello with pizza sounds like overkill until you remember that Sangiovese and tomato were basically made for each other — the acidity locks in, the wood char on the crust plays off the wine's earthiness, and suddenly a casual Friday dinner feels like a minor occasion.
✔️ The Bottom Line
Tappo isn't going to be the reason you plan a wine trip to Buffalo, but it's a genuinely solid Italian list with real producers and approachable prices — just watch the sparkling markups. Send your friends here; they won't be disappointed.
Downtown · Buffalo · Mediterranean / New American
Lucida is doing something quietly interesting in a city where wine lists tend to coast. It's not a deep cellar or a destination wine program, but the Mediterranean focus is genuine and the value is real — and that's more than most downtown spots can say.
Small but Thoughtful
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown · Buffalo · Upscale Steakhouse
Buffalo Chophouse is a reliable, if unadventurous, steakhouse wine program — it'll satisfy anyone who wants a big Napa red with a serious piece of beef, but don't come here looking to be surprised. Steer toward Jordan, avoid the Caymus trap, and you'll have a very good night.
Plays It Safe
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Cheektowaga · Buffalo · Fondue / American
The Melting Pot Cheektowaga is a dependable date-night destination where the wine list plays a supporting role — and knows it. Order the Riesling, enjoy the fondue, and don't expect the list to surprise you.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Orchard Park · Buffalo · Italian
Mangia isn't a destination wine list, but it's a genuinely fair one — priced reasonably, Italian-focused where it counts, and easy to navigate without a cheat sheet. Send your friends here when they want a nice bottle with dinner and aren't looking to make an event of it.
Solid Range
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Downtown Buffalo · Buffalo · Steakhouse
Black & Blue is a reliable wine stop for steakhouse traditionalists who want a familiar face on the label and aren't hunting for adventure. Send a friend here if they love California Cabs and aren't worried about the markup — just point them away from the Caymus.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
South Buffalo · Buffalo · Italian
Ilio DiPaolo's isn't trying to be a wine destination, and it doesn't need to be — it's a beloved Buffalo institution that stocks enough Italian bottles to do its kitchen justice. Come for the veal, order the Barolo, and don't overthink it.
Solid Range
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
I-10 South · Beaumont · Italian
Carrabba's Beaumont isn't where you go when wine is the point — but for a chain Italian dinner, the list is priced fairly and the pours are honest. Send a friend here for the Chicken Bryan, not the wine program, but they won't suffer.
Crowd Pleasers
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Telshor / East Las Cruces · Las Cruces · Italian
Mi Piaci isn't a wine destination, but it's a reliable neighborhood Italian with a list that won't let you down if you know what to order. Grab the Chianti, seriously consider the Amarone, and save room for the tiramisu.
Plays It Safe
Fair
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
Telshor · Las Cruces · Italian
The wine list at Olive Garden Las Cruces is a corporate formality, not a feature — overpriced for what it is, with zero ambition and zero discovery. Order the breadsticks, order the Chianti if you must, but don't come here expecting anything from the wine program.
Crowd Pleasers
Steep
Basic Stemmed
Willing but Green
Set & Forget
Acceptable
One wine list review, one adventure pick, one quick tip, and a personal note. Every week. Under 500 words.