Gate 18’s sit-down option before the early-morning rush
Right by Gate 18, The Market on Elmwood opens at 4:30 a.m. daily and catches the first wave of BUF departures. It runs through the day until 8:00 p.m., so you can get a real meal before both 6:00 a.m. boards and the early evening bank. This is a full restaurant inside the concourse, not just a grab-and-go fridge.
The spot sits post-security in the Gate 18 area, so you’re locked in to this side of the terminal once you choose it. Figure on typical airport pricing: mains in the low-to-mid teens and coffee a couple dollars higher than off-airport. It works when you want an actual table instead of trying to balance a sandwich on a gate seat armrest.
Hours are consistent: 4:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., seven days a week, which matters at BUF where some other options sleep in on weekends. Early flights can actually get eggs and hot breakfast here instead of just packaged pastries. Later in the day, you’ll see the menu flip toward burgers, salads, and bar-style plates.
You’ll usually spot it as you walk toward the high-teens gates; the sign for Gate 18 is your landmark. If your flight leaves from 1–10, this is a bit of a hike, so check your boarding time before committing. The practical move: hit the restroom near Gate 18 first, then sit down here so you’re not backtracking right before boarding.