Picture this. You are walking down a street lined with century old buildings, and you have a coffee in one hand from a motorcycle themed cafe. You pass a mural painted by an artist from Brazil. You stop to browse a vintage shop that has treasures you did not know you needed. A few blocks later, you catch a movie at a historic theatre that has been open since 1920. And then you sit down for dinner at a family owned Italian restaurant that has been serving the neighborhood for over 50 years.
That is Hertel Avenue. It is North Buffalo's heartbeat, and it has been the neighborhood's main drag for over a century. In recent years, it has become something even more special. From its "Little Italy" roots to its current mix of restaurants, boutiques, and world class public art, Hertel Avenue has become the destination in Buffalo to shop, eat, drink, and socialize.
If you have been curious about what makes this street so special, or if you are thinking about living nearby, here is why Hertel Avenue is one of Buffalo's best places to spend your time.
Key Takeaways
- Hertel Avenue has a Walk Score of 83, making it very walkable for errands, dining, and shopping.
- The street is known as "Little Italy" and is home to the Galbani Italian Heritage Festival, which celebrates its 50th anniversary July 24 through 26, 2026.
- The North Park Theatre, a historic single screen movie theatre, has been entertaining audiences since 1920.
- Dozens of murals from local and international artists have transformed Hertel Avenue into an outdoor art gallery.
- The street features classic Buffalo mixed use buildings with retail on the ground floor and apartments above.
- Hertel Alley, a one way alley between Traymore and Colvin, is covered in colorful murals from over 20 artists.
The Hertel Avenue Story: From Cornelius Creek to Little Italy
Hertel Avenue has a rich history that is written right into its name. The street was named for John Stephen Hertel, a former county supervisor from the old twelfth ward who owned land that is now Riverside Park. Before it was Hertel Avenue, the road was known as Cornelius Creek Road, named after the creek that once flowed alongside it. That creek is now buried in the city's storm sewer system, but its memory lives on.
The area between Hertel and Delaware Avenues developed into a vibrant middle class enclave between 1910 and 1930, with scores of mixed use buildings going up. From the 1920s through the 1970s, North Buffalo was the historic center of Buffalo's Jewish community, with Jewish developers building many of the single family homes and two flats in the area. Today, North Buffalo is heavily populated with Italian Americans, and Hertel Avenue is the heart of it all.
Here is a cool piece of trivia for you. Hertel Avenue once had a streetcar line running east and west, which began service around 1894. You can still see old photos of the intersection of Military Road and Hertel Avenue with electric streetcar lines from 1939.
The Little Italy Vibe That Makes Hertel Avenue Special
Hertel Avenue earned its "Little Italy" nickname for good reason. The strip is packed with Italian restaurants, bakeries, and stores. Many Italians in North Buffalo migrated from the West Side in the 1970s and 1980s, bringing their culinary traditions with them.
The Italian Village Festival, now called the Italian Heritage Festival, moved from Connecticut Street on the West Side to Hertel Avenue in 1988, and it has been a North Buffalo institution ever since. In 2025, the city officially dedicated a section of Hertel Avenue as "Italian Festival Way" to honor the festival's 50th anniversary. The 2026 festival runs July 24 through 26 between Delaware Avenue and Virgil Avenue. Expect Italian cuisine, grape stomping, Sicilian puppet shows, cooking classes, music, and a whole lot of community spirit.
Walkability and Getting to Hertel Avenue
Hertel Avenue is designed for strolling. The main commercial strip has a Walk Score of 83, meaning most errands can be accomplished on foot. Individual addresses along the avenue score even higher, with some hitting 85 to 89.
Transit options are solid too. The NFTA bus Route No. 23 runs along Hertel Avenue. Metro Rail stations at LaSalle and Amherst Street are nearby. Additional bus routes on Delaware, Colvin, Elmwood, and Main Street make it easy to get to and from the area.
Whether you are walking, biking, or taking the bus, Hertel Avenue is accessible and pedestrian friendly.
The Public Art Scene That Has Transformed the Street
This is where Hertel Avenue really shines. Over the last few years, the street has been transformed with dozens of new murals. Many are part of the Buffalo AKG Public Art Initiative, and they have turned a commercial strip into an open-air gallery.
Some of the must see murals include "Magic Buffalo" by Bunnie Reiss from 2017 at 1322 Hertel Avenue. "We Are Here" by White Bicycle from 2018 at 1260 Hertel Avenue. "weego" by Chuck Tingley and Matt Grote from 2018 at 1503 Hertel Avenue. A Mark Twain portrait by Eduardo Kobra from 2019 at 1188 Hertel Avenue. A Gord Downie tribute at 1669 Hertel Avenue. And a Goo Goo Dolls portrait by Philip Burke from 2019 at 1212 Hertel Avenue.
And then there is Hertel Alley. This once desolate alley running parallel to the main drag between Traymore and Colvin is now covered in colorful murals from over 20 artists. It is basically an Instagram goldmine and a testament to what community investment can do for a neighborhood.
Real Estate Along Hertel Avenue
Hertel Avenue is classic Buffalo mixed use. Retail and restaurants on the ground floor, apartments above. The commercial corridor is thriving, with strong neighboring businesses that drive consistent activity to the area.
Recent activity tells the story. A prime retail storefront at 1361 Hertel Avenue is available for lease. A mixed use building at 1537 Hertel Avenue called The Colvin offers nearly 8,000 square feet. A two unit property at 1164 Hertel Avenue recently sold for $420,000. Commercial properties at 1707 Hertel Avenue are listed at $1,450,000.
For renters, apartments on Hertel Avenue are highly desirable. A three bedroom updated unit at 1431 Hertel Avenue rents for $1,500 per month. The location puts you steps away from all the restaurants, shops, and bars. If you are looking for a place where you can walk to everything, Hertel Avenue delivers.
Local Businesses You Need to Know
Restaurants and Food
Bob and John's La Hacienda at 1545 Hertel Avenue is a North Buffalo staple since 1972 serving pizza, wings, subs, and Italian dinners. Lloyd Taco Factory at 1503 Hertel Avenue serves tacos, burritos, and has a full bar with a great patio. One local guide described it as "casual, affordable, where me and my wife end up most nights." The Garage Bar and Restaurant at 1127 Hertel Avenue is an auto repair shop for 25 years converted into a coffee shop serving coffee, espresso, pastries, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Their second phase is The Wrecking Yard, the largest beer garden on Hertel Avenue. Kostas serves Greek food done right. Fresh Catch is a clean, local lunch spot. Sterling Place Tavern is a neighborhood bar with good food. Bertha's Diner is a nostalgic 1950s style diner where breakfast is served whenever you want it. Je Ne Sais Quoi offers French inspired dining. And La Keuva is another Hertel favorite.
Coffee and Cafes
Spoke and Dagger Company at 1434 Hertel Avenue is a motorcycle themed cafe that is as cool as it sounds. The Garage Bar and Restaurant serves as a coffee shop by day and beer garden by night.
Shopping and Boutiques
October Vintage is a well curated vintage shop. One local described it as "the kind of well curated shop where you go in for five minutes and come out with something you did not know you needed." Buffalo Antiques at 1539 Hertel Avenue offers antiques and quality furniture. Buffalo Apparel Company at 1415 Hertel Avenue sells Buffalo T shirts and clothing. Clean Collective Refillery at 1251 Hertel Avenue carries all natural products. And Blackbird Sweets at 1547 Hertel Avenue is an independent bakery.
Entertainment and Culture
North Park Theatre at 1428 Hertel Avenue is a historic single screen movie theatre that opened November 21, 1920. It has been accepted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry. One local called it "a single screen historic theater that has no business being this good." Centro Culturale Italiano di Buffalo, or CCI, is located just off Hertel at 2351 Delaware Avenue. It is the hub of Italian culture in Buffalo with a hidden café, gift shop, and museum exhibits. Reach Power Yoga is a Best of Buffalo winner for yoga, steps from Hertel. And T Squared Tees and Taps at 1425 Hertel Avenue has golf simulators, a bar, and a restaurant.
Bars and Nightlife
Mes Que serves some of the best cocktails in all of Buffalo. The Wrecking Yard is the largest beer garden on Hertel Avenue. And Lloyd Taco Factory has a full bar with a deep tequila and mezcal selection.
Schools Near Hertel Avenue
Several educational options serve the Hertel Avenue area. Elmwood Village Charter School Hertel at 665 Hertel Avenue serves grades K through 8. West Hertel Elementary School at 489 Hertel Avenue is part of the Buffalo City School District and serves grades PK through 8. The historic School No. 21 once stood at 1000 Hertel Avenue, built in 1901 and later torn down, but the area continues to have strong educational options for families.
FAQ
Q: What is Hertel Avenue known for?
A: It is North Buffalo's main commercial strip, known as "Little Italy" for its many Italian restaurants, bakeries, and stores. It is also famous for its vibrant public art scene, historic North Park Theatre, and the annual Italian Heritage Festival.
Q: How walkable is Hertel Avenue?
A: Very walkable. It has a Walk Score of 83, which is "Very Walkable." Most errands can be accomplished on foot, and individual spots score even higher, up to 89.
Q: When is the Italian Heritage Festival?
A: July 24 through 26, 2026, along Hertel Avenue between Delaware and Virgil Avenues. It is the 50th anniversary celebration.
Q: What is the North Park Theatre?
A: A historic single screen movie theatre that opened in 1920. It has been accepted into the New York State Historic Business Preservation Registry and is a beloved neighborhood institution.
Q: What kind of businesses are on Hertel Avenue?
A: Everything. Boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, florists, gift shops, home décor showrooms, casual and fine dining restaurants, taverns, and coffee shops.
Q: Is there public art on Hertel Avenue?
A: Yes. Dozens of murals from local and world-renowned artists, plus Hertel Alley, a one-way alley between Traymore and Colvin covered in colorful murals from over 20 artists.
Q: What is the real estate market like on Hertel Avenue?
A: It is a mix of retail and restaurant spaces on the ground floor with apartments above. The commercial corridor is thriving with strong foot traffic. Rental units are in high demand given the walkable location.
Q: How do you get to Hertel Avenue via public transit?
A: NFTA bus Route No. 23 runs along Hertel Avenue. The Metro Rail's LaSalle and Amherst Street stations are nearby, and several other bus routes serve the area.
Q: Is Hertel Avenue good for families?
A: Yes. There are schools nearby including Elmwood Village Charter School Hertel and West Hertel Elementary, plus plenty of family friendly dining options and a safe, walkable environment.
Q: What is the history of Hertel Avenue?
A: It was originally Cornelius Creek Road, named after the creek, that ran alongside it. It was renamed for John Stephen Hertel, a former county supervisor. A streetcar line ran along Hertel starting around 1894.
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