Top 10 Must-Try Foods at the 2026 Taste of Ellicottville
Top 10 Must-Try Foods at the 2026 Taste of Ellicottville
From hometown favorites to creative new dishes, we share our top food and drink picks for this year's Taste of Ellicottville, plus tips to help you make the most of the village's biggest culinary weekend.
If there’s one weekend when it’s perfectly acceptable to eat pizza, meatballs, shrimp, French fries, and dessert all within a few hours, this is it! The Taste of Ellicottville returns this Saturday and Sunday, August 8-9 from noon-4:00pm each day. Washington and Monroe Streets will once again be lined with local restaurants serving small portions of their signature dishes, giving us the perfect excuse to sample a little bit of everything.
This year’s Taste also joins in the celebration of America’s 250th birthday. Expect plenty of red, white, and blue throughout the village, along with live music, outdoor dining, and menu items inspired by classic recipes and culinary traditions.
Tasting is simple: purchase Taste tickets for $1 each, check the menu (page 04 of this week’s issue), and start eating. Items range from one to five tickets.
Even better, tickets can now be purchased online in advance. Order ahead, skip the ticket line and pick them up at Will Call when you arrive. Tickets will also be available for purchase at several stations throughout the event, with both cash and card locations marked on the Taste map.
MY TOP 10 TASTE ITEMS
There are far too many good choices to try everything in one afternoon (or maybe even one weekend), so be sure to hit the pavement right at noon to give you plenty of time to digest and get in as many flavors as you can! After drooling over this year’s menu, these are the ten items at the top of my list:
1. Beef on Weck Sliders - Edna’s at the Tamarack/Holiday Valley: A Western New York classic in a Taste-sized portion, Edna’s Beef on Weck Sliders fit perfectly with this year’s America’s 250th theme. Tender beef and that salty kimmelweck flavor make these a must-try.
2. Nani’s Mini Meatballs - Villaggio: These are a Taste favorite for a reason. Villaggio’s homemade mini meatballs are always one of the first things I look for on the menu, and I’m happy to see them returning this year. Plus, I can’t wait to see Nani herself!
3. Tenderloin Skewers - Silver Fox Steakhouse: Silver Fox knows its steak, so the tenderloin skewers are an easy addition to my must-have list. They’re also a great option when you want something hearty without filling up too early.
4. Hot Honey Chicken Bacon & Ranch Pizza - Monroe St. Brick & Brew: This one has a little bit of everything: chicken, bacon, ranch, and that sweet-and-spicy hot honey finish. Monroe St. will also be serving their signature pepperoni, garlic white, and Buffalo chicken pizza.
5. Peanut Butter Fluff Stuffed Cookie - Alpine Bistro & Ellicottville Bake Shop: Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff stuffed inside a cookie… sign me up! This rich, gooey treat sounds like the perfect sweet break between all those savory samples.
6. Crocchette di Patate - Trattoria Partenope: I’ll be honest, I’ve never heard of this; I had to look it up! Traditionally, these Italian potato croquettes are made with mashed potatoes, eggs, and cheese, shaped into small cylinders, breaded, and deep-fried. Crispy potatoes are rarely a bad decision, and these will add something different to the lineup.
7. Blueberry Pecan Chicken Thighs - Ellicottville Brewing Co.: Blueberry and pecan paired with chicken sounds delish and just adventurous enough for Taste weekend. It’s one of the most interesting combinations (in my opinion) on this year’s menu.
8. Grilled Teriyaki Colossal Shrimp Skewer - Dina’s at the Mont: A grilled shrimp skewer will bring a lighter, summery flavor to the list. Dina’s is also offering lobster quesadillas, homemade mac ’n cheese (another Taste staple), birria tacos, and cannoli, so this booth may require more than one visit.
9. Watermelon Mojito Mocktail - The Banq Cocktail Lounge: After sampling pizza, meatballs, steak, and everything else on the list, you'll need something refreshing to wash it all down. The Banq’s Watermelon Mojito Mocktail sounds like my kind of drink, and it’s right next door to Dina’s!
10. Rice Pudding - Watson’s Chocolates: Clean your palate, it’s time for dessert! Watson’s creamy rice pudding has become a Taste tradition and is the perfect way to finish off a day of overindulging.
Of course, this is only my starting lineup. Smash Burger Tacos from Pour Taproom, Fried Ice Cream from Hidalgo Grill, and the Maraschino Cherry and Chocolate Chip Marlow from West Rose are also strong contenders. Food coma here we come!
SOMETHING NEW TO SIP
Food may be the main event, but this year there’s even more to sample. Head over to the Town Hall Lawn for specialty tastings from two of Ellicottville’s own beverage makers.
The Winery of Ellicottville will pour samples of Riesling, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangria 1820, and Snow Fox. Ellicottville Distillery will offer tastings of their signature Bourbon, Maple Bourbon Creme, Blueberry Vodka, and Appleshine. Tastings are just one ticket each, making it easy to try a locally crafted wine or spirit between food stops. (Guests participating in alcohol tastings must, of course, be 21 or older.)
Whether you follow my Top 10, create your own list, or simply start at one end of the village and see where your appetite takes you, come hungry! With more than 20 participating locations and dozens of dishes, you may want to make your visit an overnight stay. Find a list of accommodations, purchase Taste tickets, and learn more about other upcoming events at ellicottvilleny.com.
