Barrel + Brine Cafe and Market

After enjoying Barrel + Brine’s various pickles over the two years I’ve lived in Buffalo, I finally got around to visiting the restaurant in person!! I’ve been disappointed by the lack of Jewish delis or sandwich shops in Buffalo- but Barrel + Brine’s “Mensch” sandwich fills that void in my heart!! I always appreciate a good sandwich, and this was one of THE BEST. In between two slices of marbled rye smeared with “beer mustard” (full of intact mustard seeds that added great texture and mouthfeel) is a few thick slices of perfectly spiced and cured corned beef- tender and meaty. Atop the beef was a slightly crunchy sauerkraut- lighter tasting, so the meat’s flavor could really shine through. I am not usually a sauerkraut fan, but this one made a great accent. The menu says Swiss cheese is involved here- I don’t have a memory of that, but that could have been because I was so distracted by the heavenly eating experience. I’d say this sandwich is up there with Katz’ deli, which I used to frequent when we lived in NYC. Less meat than a Katz’ serving but that just means I could eat it without hurting my jaw… I don’t drink so can’t personally comment on any of that— but they have a fun list of kombuchas on tap, and are helpfully clear about which are higher in alcohol. My partner enjoyed a couple kinds of beer on offer, and thought it was a great selection to choose from. I both love that Barrel + Brine’s killer sandwiches are always on the menu - and that a whole section of the menu is always changing. That way we’re lucky enough to experience way more of the B+B team’s creativity & culinary brilliance!! I’ve heard from several people that the Barrel + Brine entrance is hard to find, so I’ve included a map! Park on Chandler St across from Tappo and then walk in between the buildings into the grassy courtyard. Just follow the paved path I’ve drawn an arrow on- then look around and you can’t miss it.

I stopped in today for the first time to grab some pickles for a Christmas gift. I kinda just thought this was a store for pickles (lol) but to be fair I didn't do much research.. For starters, the gentleman who helped me was so helpful and went above and beyond. We got to talking about Kombucha and how I can't stand the stuff when he offered me a sample... I had to leave with a growler. (Which is already half gone because now the husband AND the kids are drinking it lol.) They have so many Kombucha options on tap. It's really impressive. What else I didn't realize is that this is also a sandwich shop and bar. This place has great vibes. This would also be a really great spot for a date night or meet-up because they have a bunch of board games out for everyone to make themselves at home. I wish I had more time to stay today because the menu looked amazing. Can't wait to go back.

First time trying @barrelnbrine 💖 but have wanted to check it out for ages. Totally hooked on their kombucha. It's so much lighter and more refreshing than most Kombucha that I have tried. And couldn’t help myself and ordered the Mensch sandwich. You can tell everything was homemade- the marble rye seeded bread, the kraut, the pastrami, the pickles. Seriously old world deli meets new cool young Buffalo:) So great. And perfect for open-air-socializing in their enormous courtyard 🌱🥯

Great little cafe. I've had their kombucha before in the Lexington Coop but it is a cute and quaint little spot in an up and coming area! They are super nice people too!

We hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner for 40 guests at Barrel and Brine and had the BEST experience! We got to work with the owners RJ and Lindsay from day one to craft our ideal menu. They let us dream big and they were just as excited as us to make it come to life! We had a stone fruit salad, eggplant caponata crostini, kimchi mac and cheese, lamb kofta with all the mediterranean fixings, Caribbean chicken and an amazing blueberry mason jar dessert. Don’t get it twisted - there’s way more than pickles here! Our guests loved the variety in the dishes and commented how it was so much better than a typical Buffalo bar food menu. On top of that, our signature drinks were out of this world and this is my formal petition for them to be put on the standing menu at the restaurant! In addition to the phenomenal food and service, our guests loved the courtyard that B&B is attached to. They got to mingle between the taproom and the outdoor area which was stocked with games and picnic tables. It made for the perfect flow of the evening. Everyone thought it was such a cool location and the perfect place to host an event. Even at the wedding our guests were still raving about the rehearsal! As if this wasn’t enough, the prices were very reasonable and RJ and Lindsay were happy to work within our budget. Can’t rate this experience highly enough, can’t wait to come back soon!

Claire Phelan

After enjoying Barrel + Brine’s various pickles over the two years I’ve lived in Buffalo, I finally got around to visiting the restaurant in person!! I’ve been disappointed by the lack of Jewish delis or sandwich shops in Buffalo- but Barrel + Brine’s “Mensch” sandwich fills that void in my heart!! I always appreciate a good sandwich, and this was one of THE BEST. In between two slices of marbled rye smeared with “beer mustard” (full of intact mustard seeds that added great texture and mouthfeel) is a few thick slices of perfectly spiced and cured corned beef- tender and meaty. Atop the beef was a slightly crunchy sauerkraut- lighter tasting, so the meat’s flavor could really shine through. I am not usually a sauerkraut fan, but this one made a great accent. The menu says Swiss cheese is involved here- I don’t have a memory of that, but that could have been because I was so distracted by the heavenly eating experience. I’d say this sandwich is up there with Katz’ deli, which I used to frequent when we lived in NYC. Less meat than a Katz’ serving but that just means I could eat it without hurting my jaw… I don’t drink so can’t personally comment on any of that— but they have a fun list of kombuchas on tap, and are helpfully clear about which are higher in alcohol. My partner enjoyed a couple kinds of beer on offer, and thought it was a great selection to choose from. I both love that Barrel + Brine’s killer sandwiches are always on the menu - and that a whole section of the menu is always changing. That way we’re lucky enough to experience way more of the B+B team’s creativity & culinary brilliance!! I’ve heard from several people that the Barrel + Brine entrance is hard to find, so I’ve included a map! Park on Chandler St across from Tappo and then walk in between the buildings into the grassy courtyard. Just follow the paved path I’ve drawn an arrow on- then look around and you can’t miss it.

Christine Abrams

We hosted our wedding rehearsal dinner for 40 guests at Barrel and Brine and had the BEST experience! We got to work with the owners RJ and Lindsay from day one to craft our ideal menu. They let us dream big and they were just as excited as us to make it come to life! We had a stone fruit salad, eggplant caponata crostini, kimchi mac and cheese, lamb kofta with all the mediterranean fixings, Caribbean chicken and an amazing blueberry mason jar dessert. Don’t get it twisted - there’s way more than pickles here! Our guests loved the variety in the dishes and commented how it was so much better than a typical Buffalo bar food menu. On top of that, our signature drinks were out of this world and this is my formal petition for them to be put on the standing menu at the restaurant! In addition to the phenomenal food and service, our guests loved the courtyard that B&B is attached to. They got to mingle between the taproom and the outdoor area which was stocked with games and picnic tables. It made for the perfect flow of the evening. Everyone thought it was such a cool location and the perfect place to host an event. Even at the wedding our guests were still raving about the rehearsal! As if this wasn’t enough, the prices were very reasonable and RJ and Lindsay were happy to work within our budget. Can’t rate this experience highly enough, can’t wait to come back soon!

Cecely Piatek

I stopped in today for the first time to grab some pickles for a Christmas gift. I kinda just thought this was a store for pickles (lol) but to be fair I didn't do much research.. For starters, the gentleman who helped me was so helpful and went above and beyond. We got to talking about Kombucha and how I can't stand the stuff when he offered me a sample... I had to leave with a growler. (Which is already half gone because now the husband AND the kids are drinking it lol.) They have so many Kombucha options on tap. It's really impressive. What else I didn't realize is that this is also a sandwich shop and bar. This place has great vibes. This would also be a really great spot for a date night or meet-up because they have a bunch of board games out for everyone to make themselves at home. I wish I had more time to stay today because the menu looked amazing. Can't wait to go back.

Lisa W

First time trying @barrelnbrine 💖 but have wanted to check it out for ages. Totally hooked on their kombucha. It's so much lighter and more refreshing than most Kombucha that I have tried. And couldn’t help myself and ordered the Mensch sandwich. You can tell everything was homemade- the marble rye seeded bread, the kraut, the pastrami, the pickles. Seriously old world deli meets new cool young Buffalo:) So great. And perfect for open-air-socializing in their enormous courtyard 🌱🥯

Samuel Bloomberg

Great little cafe. I've had their kombucha before in the Lexington Coop but it is a cute and quaint little spot in an up and coming area! They are super nice people too!