Cafe Bewilderment — Restaurant in Buffalo

Cafe Bewilderment is a beautiful little oasis nook in an unexpected location- the lower (subterranean) floor of the painted-all-black building on Hertel, otherwise known as The Monocle- a store most known among my acquaintances for selling expensive furniture (though I also get great, affordable haircuts at their barbershop)! Cafe Bewilderment's look is in keeping with the carefully designed beauty of the rest of the building's interior (a deliberate throwback to the old-school department store, only elevated), only with more whimsy.

There are a good number of little tables in the banquette-walled cafe, well-spaced from each other, and the space includes lots of artful little touches, like the fact that the chairs are each cushioned with a fur cover, an interestingly wallpapered accent wall, sconces with diffusers- and most admired by me, are the gatherings of high quality faux-ferns and other similar greenery hanging from the ceiling beside the modern chandeliers and sections of crafted cardboard tree. It’s hard to describe, but it’s giving definite Narnia vibes. Or maybe Through the Looking Glass. The end result is immersive- it feels calming just stepping away from the rest of the room’s priced couches and coffee tables books, and past the light wooden divider into the lush, peaceful “cafe space.”

There is also a bar against the far wall of the cafe, small but appropriately-sized for the space, and also beautiful, of course. A handful of guests can sit there and enjoy a well-made cocktail or mocktail while facing their mirrored wall and shelving- or anyone can bring their drink to one of the tables, to enjoy alongside friends. Now that the Cafe is officially open for regular hours as of yesterday, there’s also a limited but delicious menu. Like everything else, it is well considered and high quality, featuring local/farm-to-table and B-Corp Certified ingredients whenever possible. The coffee drinks are all fantastic, with all syrups made from scratch- my favorite order is the lavender latte, which always has a few fresh buds in the bottom of the mug when I’m finished, a nice reminder of how real it is. In addition to cow milk, they offer Minor Figures Oat Milk (no additives) and Macadamia Nut Milk (sustainable). All of the alcoholic drinks are made with small-batch spirits, wine and beers, rather than the big box brands.

But the best part of the Cafe Bewilderment experience is the owners! Paris and Avery are both lovely people who always seem to be brimming over with genuine smiles and positive energy. Anyone who’s worked in the food industry or customer service knows how draining it can be- you’d never know it chatting with these two. They definitely set the tone and reflect the welcoming, peaceful vibes of the physical space.

I think it’s pretty clear that I’m obsessed with Cafe Bewilderment, and plan to essentially live there now. Y’all should come...

Sitting in this place, you could easily pretend you're in a globally relevant metropolis (I love Buffalo, but it's not NYC or Melbourne). But despite the high prices that come with that quality, it does NOT feel snobby. I'm thrilled Hertel has this. Also, looking at the menu, it appears to be a must-visit for anyone looking for a nuanced mocktail that isn't basically just a fruity sugar bomb. (Side note, the mocktails are asterisks next to about four of their regular cocktails to indicate virgin availability, but I didn't see anything about price. I would HOPE they would be a little cheaper than their alcoholic counterparts; surely they must be?). Anyway, check this place out for sure. Haven't tried the coffee yet but looks very very very...

A good place to go solo or with others. I was alone but many people were with a friend or group. It’s also not a bad place to work/study. Laptop friendly, outlets, and free wifi. It’s not quiet but it’s not overwhelming loud with music. A perfect chill but aesthetically pleasing vibe.

I got a vanilla latte and it’s one of the best lattes I ever had.

There’s not an overwhelming amount of tables and it does get a bit packed but people do come and go so you may find a free table when you arrive. And there’s also bar seating and chairs in the immediate area.

The workers are friendly and nice.

There’s a parking lot but not a lot of spaces so you might have to do street parking. I was lucky to get a space.

I will definitely...