Cornelia
1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222
$$
Contemporary
The Buffalo AKG Art Museum offers a fast-casual dining experience at Cornelia, located in the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Town Square. The menu was designed to push traditional boundaries by placing an artful spin on classic dishes. Enjoy morning pastries with tea, coffee, or espresso drinks. Stop in for fresh breakfast and lunch offerings served counter service, or make a reservation for table side dinner Thursday and Friday evenings, or Sunday Brunch. Please note that the cafe opens every day at 10AM and the kitchen opens every day at 11AM with the exception of Sunday Brunch. Cornelia will close from 4 to 5 pm for dinner reservations.
Hours of Operation:
Monday, 10 am–5 pm
Thursday, 10 am–8 pm (Dinner*: 5-8PM)
Friday, 10 am–8 pm (Dinner*: 5-8PM)
Saturday, 10 am–5 pm
Sunday Brunch, 10 am–3 pm*
*Denotes Table Service, reservations recommended but not required. From 3PM-5PM Sundays the kitchen will offer a small plates menu with grab and go options.
Reservations
Booking Notes:
Accepting reservations for Thursday and Friday dinner service and Sunday brunch.
Business Info
- Address: 1285 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14222
- Cross Street: between Elmwood Ave and Lincoln Parkway
- Cuisine: Contemporary | New American | Vegetarian |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Casual Dining
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Breakfast | Brunch | Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street | Underground Garage |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Discover | Diners Club | Cash | Apple Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: https://buffaloakg.org/visit/dining
- Phone: 7162708228
- Features: Full Bar, Outdoor Seating, Takeout Available, Tasting Menu, Wheelchair Access, Lounge / Bar, Healthy Options, Free Wi-Fi,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Dining Alone, Business Dining, Meet for a Drink, People Watching, Special Occasion, Vegetarian, Quick Bite, Trendy / Hip,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Monday Hours 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Saturday Hours 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Sunday
- Sunday Hours 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.25 out of 5 stars based on 315 votes
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Apr 30, 2024
Todd K.
We visit Buffalo often from Toronto and have recently joined the AKG as members. We have tried Cordelia a couple of times. What works is the space and the food is very good. The service was good (thanks Magnolia) with a couple of exceptions. Firstly, we arrived at 10am for our reservation and the food didn’t arrive till close to 11, despite the fact that others who arrived after us received their orders quite some time before we did. Secondly, when we arrived at 10, the manager (I assume) offered us a table right near the front desk…no one else had yet arrived and this is arguably the least desirable space in the restaurant. We asked to be moved and were moved, but why start out with worst table? Maybe the manager is trying to provide a superior experience for his regulars…hence the delay in our meals and the table. We are regulars in many places and have benefited from this sort of thing; but, I would say that it’s generally managed with more finesse. I’m sure you understand that creating new regulars requires that level of finesse.
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 2/10
- Service: 2/10
- Ambience: 2/10
- Value: 7/10
Nov 12, 2023
Victor G.
Sat for an hour after ordering asking where’s our meal. Only brought 1 appetizer out when 3 should have been brought out at same time. Food was sub-par. Got more service from water staff than waitress. Ruined our expectations of a lovely evening. If you’re not ready to open a restaurant, wait til you have your act together. Don’t use me as your Guinea pig; it’s too expensive nowadays to waste my time and money. Remember- FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE LASTING IMPRESSIONS.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 21, 2024
Robert M.
It was a pleasure to dine at Cornelia! Kevin D. took exceptional care of us and chef Jessica is a visionary with a talent. Thanks to all for a fine dining experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 15, 2024
David R.
Magnolia was our server; she was excellent. Nice relaxing pace for brunch
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 07, 2024
Kelly C.
Always amazing !
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 20, 2024
Sue C.
We had a great brunch! Food was outstanding as was the service! And as always, great to see Kevin!!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 08, 2024
Dot B.
the service was great. It was a really busy night at the AKG, loud
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 30, 2024
Laura R C.
Restaurant is too cold. Again. Best risotto ever though.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 22, 2024
Michael L.
Food was exquisite. Our party of 3 had 2 duck entrees and a scallop entree. A little pricey, but worth every penny.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 23, 2024
Mary K.
All of the above deserve a 10. Magnolia, our server was delightful.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Sep 14, 2024
Elizabeth H.
What a wonderful experience! The food was superb and the presentation was second to none of our previous dining experiences. The wait staff was attentive without being intrusive.
There was only one thing that was less than excellent. My partner ordered soup and the special salad and I ordered the hummus. We were expecting a very leisurely dinner. After some period of time we were asked if we were ready for our entree. We weren't, so we told the server we would be ready in 10 minutes. It would have been nice to have continued our leisurely meal.
Thanks so much for a very delightful dinner.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 3/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 3/10
Nov 10, 2023
Tom L.
Staff was super friendly. Atmosphere was great except music was too loud. But the primary criticism (shared by all four of us) was the food quality. The scallops were tasty but the accompaniment was too heavy-handed. Similarly the lamb dish was heavy and the lamb flavor totally overpowered. There should be a side element like a green vegetable or small salad. You get the scallops and starch and nothing else or the lamb and starch and nothing else. Less starch and add a vegetable. For the prices the food should be better. We've had lunch at Cornelia and that was better than the dinner.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 18, 2024
Lindsay K.
Everything was fabulous! Thank you so much for a great evening.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 12, 2023
Marg F.
You all did a great job on the first night of the jazz concerts. Continue to provide an excellent menu and good service,
Business Response:
Dear Ms Flynn, Thank you so much for your kind words.- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Aug 26, 2024
Todd K.
Very, very good…we both had the hash and it was excellent! Beautiful space and the service was awesome! Thanks, Ryan! Hope to see you again!
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 17, 2023
Monica S.
We arrived at 5:30, thinking that would be plenty of time for dinner prior to the 7PM concert right across the hall. We were the 2nd group there and ordered by 5:40. We ordered and watched all the tables around us being served. finally at 6:35, I asked why we were not being served. We were told that one at our table had ordered a meal (braised lamb) which took extra time. I’m not sure why, since braised lamb was surely prepared in advance and just re-heated. But at any rate, we could have been told that one meal was going much longer. but the service was otherwise great and the food, when it’s finally arrived was good. BTW, the bread was fantastic.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jan 22, 2024
Nadia G.
Cornelia is outstanding, even better than I'd expected. We'd arrived when just the lunch menu was available for the dinner service, but that got us incredibly excited about what the dinner menu is going to be! We loved the beet hummus, the cheese plate, and the scallops, the atmosphere was warm and lovely, and the service was attentive and prompt.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 5/10
- Ambience: 2/10
- Value: 5/10
Nov 11, 2023
Carl S.
It was a full house on Friday night, with a concert in the auditorium. We had 5:30 reservations with a concert starting at 7:00PM. The service was slow, we didn't receive our entrees until 6:30, so we felt rushed to eat our dinner. Water (iced tap water) was served with our bread, but the single bartender was overwhelmed, so there was no wine with the bread. My salmon dinner was delicious, but my partner's scallops were undercooked (she left a raw one on the plate). No NYS wine, WTF we don't live in France. Why aren't we showing off our own wine region? As we sat at our small table by the exit, we were distracted by a steady line of people streaming through the restaurant, using it as the entrance to the auditorium. What were the architects thinking with this arrangement?
Basically, a larger staff is needed for events at the gallery. I doubt that we'll be back.
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 4/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 6/10
Aug 20, 2024
Rick B.
Very disappointing that my date’s first two brunch choices were not available. The waiter told us about the first after she ordered, and instead of communicating what else was no longer available, he let her look over the menu to make an alternate choice, only to be told that wasn’t available either. Only then did he offer that there was a special available. The food that we did get was decent but the service coukd be better.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 7/10
Mar 08, 2024
Jess B.
The only thing really was disappointing with the cheese and charcuterie board was advertised falsely. Make that correction and 10/10
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 04, 2024
Paul C.
We had a great time. Thank you!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 25, 2024
Molly P.
Delicious brunch!!! We’ll definitely be back!!
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 3/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 5/10
Apr 12, 2024
Deborah R.
Service was very slow. We ordered appetizers/small plates and had to ask our server 1/2 hour later where they were. He checked and soon we got them. But the restaurant seemed understaffed. We did not like the whipped feta dish because it was too soupy and we could not even get much on the pita -- not like a dip but like a soup. Took a long time to get our main courses also. They were good but just took so long and we felt very neglected by a server who was either not trained well enough or overwhelmed. We hope you can improve because we'd like to see a good restaurant in the AKG for dinner.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 26, 2024
Joan B.
Excellent service. Would have been better if you had almond milk available for coffee.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 16, 2023
Molly R.
The scallops were wonderful
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 17, 2024
Marlyce J.
The overall experience was AMAZING!! The food was delicious! The service was great! Magnolia is super sweet!! It was a nice sunny day, so the ambience was perfect! Will definitely return for brunch soon!!
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 16, 2024
Tracey M.
What a great find! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The menu offered a little bit of everything and was well thought out. Service was excellent. Would have appreciated a quick run-down of what pastries were available (what a great partnership with Butter Block!). We had a reservation, but the staff was unprepared for us when we arrived. Sitting with a view to the atrium is lovely, but sitting with a view to the wall is not worthy of the rest of the excellent experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 10, 2024
April T.
We sat in the enclosed area, so between the music and full room it was hard to hear. I wish I had asked to be seated outside of the enclosed room.
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 6/10
- Service: 6/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
Apr 21, 2024
Lauren D.
We were super excited to try Cornelia! The restaurant itself is awesome as far as decor & location. It was a really cool date night to be able to walk around the gallery for a couple hrs and then have dinner. Overall the service was a bit slow for the number of tables in there, and no one came to ask how our apps, entrees or dessert were tasting. We were super excited about the octopus and unfortunately it was not great. Nearly flavorless, especially the base sauce/liquid. The best parts were the golden beets & Fresno chili. Entrees were overall pretty great - we had scallops, the strip steak, and the duck. We were extremely excited about the honey matcha crème brûlée - I am literally sold on dessert any time I see crème brûlée - and it was really not good. Borderline bad. The matcha custard was gritty, while also being straight liquid in most parts. Super watery. The strawberries used as garnish tasted like pure acetone. Super disappointing way to end our meal.
I typically would politely mention some of these things to the server, but we were never asked how things were tasting. Overall we had a nice date night with our friends, but the quality of the food & service missed the mark as far as value compared to many other restaurants in the area. We likely would not return for dinner
- Overall: 6/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 4/10
Apr 13, 2024
Monica S.
We came for dinner prior to the concert. We told our waitress at 5:32 that we had a concert (next door) at 7PM. Nevertheless one meal (Salmon) arrived late and was ice cold. We had the same experience the last time we ate at Cornelia's. One meal was very late so that one member of our party didn't have dinner prior to the concert.
The food the rest of us had (scallops and salmon) was very good.
- Overall: 3/10
- Food: 5/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 6/10
Mar 03, 2024
Julie W.
Service was terrible took 25 mins before server came to table. Charcuterie was great but little expensive. Main course was cold and my partners duck was overdone. Wine list by the glass all reds not good. Paid $132 for a California cab that was disappointing. Server never brought back our leftover charcuterie and by the time our 6pm reservation concluded because of the service museum was closed!! And to boot cost to park was $22.00!! Definitely will not be going back again for overpriced lack luster experience. Would have been better off eating elsewhere so we could have explored the museum and had a better wine list which is important to us.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 8/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 01, 2023
John W.
Wow! The food was wonderful. We weren't expecting to have such a sumptuous feast! Thank you!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 11, 2024
Karen S.
Service was excellent
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 29, 2024
Brian K.
A wonderful surprise for a first experience. Will be back
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Nov 04, 2023
JAN D.
Very pleasant meal. Really enjoyed the apple and walnut salad.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 29, 2024
Tamara D.
Really wonderful food and a beautiful intimate setting. Would highly recommend!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 25, 2024
Marc M.
Amazing artistry fusion of flavor with every plate, 10/10, recommend all your friends, and we will be back!
Service and staff was as expected for the dining experience, exceptional.
There was an extra treat of a live electric violin through dinner just outside the doors.
I would recommend to dress business casual at least for this fancy yet casual dining scene.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 26, 2024
Maggie N.
We were there on Sunday One, March 24 at 1:30. Party of 4. One of our party got a piece of plastic in her food. When she took it back the waitor said that had happened once before. So that was a bit disturbing. She didn't want another one, and she was not charged for her entre. We also got all of our drinks comped which was nice. Overall nice place except for that experience.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 21, 2024
Carol R.
Great Experience!! The entire staff was very attentive and professional! I will definitely return!!!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 18, 2024
Walidah A.
Would be nice if their were high tops or bar seating in the dining area!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 02, 2024
Anne D.
A little pricey but wonderful overall experience!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 29, 2024
Angela J.
Lovely experience, nice spot to have a drink and meal. Kind courteous staff, in an intimate setting.
- Overall: 0/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 0/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 11, 2024
Janet L.
Delicious brunch (generous servings) and friendly service! We'd dine again at Cornelia's.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 7/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Nov 05, 2023
Mary Ann B.
Venue is beyond compare! Dinner was great. Greeting upon arrival needs work. Service started off slow. All is forgiven as it was one of the opening nights
- Overall: 5/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 1/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Mar 04, 2024
Elyse W.
Loved the dining atmosphere and creative menu. The whipped feta was delicious and I loved the charred octopus. Unfortunately the limes used at the table to change the butterfly pea blossom were a bit dry so we never saw the color change happen. I might suggest squeezing fresh limes into a similar glass container used for the butterfly pea blossom? I would have loved to try the fennel vodka drink but we were told they were out of the ingredients. Our drinks took a surprisingly long time to arrive but we’re very good. Loved the bartenders hospitality as he poured our bottle of wine. The food arrived and I loved my salmon dish. My friends got the scallops and said they were very good but the risotto was cold and missing the fennel and greens that were described on the menu. We would have loved to try Ube crème brûlée but we were told they were out so we had the chocolate tart instead. It was a delicious dessert. After we finished our meal our server never came back over. Even during our meal she never came to check in on how things were. We ended up going up to the bar to ask for our check which took over 10 minutes get to us even though we were the only ones there. We work in the service industry and we know that sometimes we have off nights but unfortunately we won’t be returning soon for fear of another terrible server. Hope that things get better so we can properly enjoy ourselves there again.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 2/10
- Ambience: 7/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 30, 2024
ilana s.
Delicious food but really amateurish deplorable service with 45 minute wait for the appetizer and almost on top of that arrival of delicious entrée but not well timed. Also, there was absolutely deafening music coming from the atrium that made conversation difficult.
- Overall: 2/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 12, 2024
Sam M.
We arrived at 5:30 and didn’t get our food until 6:50.