Another Buffalo Restaurant is Shutting Its Doors

Just as news broke about one Buffalo coffee shop and restaurant that was getting ready to close its doors, Western New Yorkers are reminded that another downtown favorite eateries is also closing up shop.

Nick Pitillo and Ed Gurbacki, the owners of Osteria 166, announced a few weeks ago that they are locking the doors of the Italian fine dining restaurant on Saturday, March 28, 2026, and are leaving thier Franklin Street location after 13 years.

The last few weeks have been a bit of an emotional roller coaster for us – excitement about what’s ahead, sadness saying goodbye to this location, but most of all gratitude... In so many ways, it seems like it was just yesterday that we opened the doors. We want these next few days to be very special, and I know they will be.
-Nick Pitillo, Co-Owner of Osteria 166 (speaking with WGRZ-TV)

While people looking for a bite to eat in the central business district are losing out on another restaurant, we haven't heard the last of Osteria 166. According to WIVB-TV and WGRZ-TV, Osteria 166 is being reimagined and will relaunch with a new concept inside Ulrich’s 1868 Tavern on Ellicott Street in the Buffalo Medical Campus neighborhood.

The new location in Ulrich's on Ellicott Street, which is expected to be open in the late spring or early summer of 2026, will offer casual lunch on site and dinner options to go for people, with the new spot expected to wow folks when they see it for the first time.

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