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ROC List: Rochester Foodie
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items As a longtime Rochester resident and local food tour guide, I love exploring everything this city has to offer—especially the food. From hidden gems to local staples, these are my go-to spots and must-try bites around Rochester.
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ROC List: Rochester Sweets
ROC List: Rochester Restaurants
ROC List: Affordable Eats
ROC List: Coffee Culture
ROC List: Rochester Sweets
Rochester, NY. For a city this size, we have soooo many good places to eat! Take a look at all of the sweet treats you can find! Read my notes for some specific recommendations!
My favorite Rochester bakery. Get the cookies by the pound. Get the Ding Dong cake! Breads and pizzas are amazing too!
Savoia Pastry Shoppe
Their cheesecakes are the creamiest I've ever had. Choose any flavor - you can't go wrong. I personally like their key lime cheesecake or their classic plain and I add their homemade raspberry sauce to the top. They make an incredible carrot cake as well.
Cheesy Eddie's
Their sponge candy is a must try!
Stever's Candies ~ Homemade Candy Since 1946
Chocolate almond is a local favorite. Honestly, every flavor is good!
Abbott's Frozen Custard
Yum! Homemade ice cream and baked goods!
Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery
Best Greek baked goods!
Voula's Greek Sweets
A little bit of England in Rochester. Get the crumpets and jam. All of the jams, marmalades, curds, and clotted cream are made in-house.
CRUMPETS
Amazing cupcakes in a cute neighborhood! They always have a gluten free menu available too.
Get Caked Bakery Inc
You're probably wondering why a movie theater is on the “Rochester sweets” list. Trust me - go to the concession stand and but the homemade nanaimo bar! Out of this world!
The Little Theatre
Classic bakery; made fresh daily. On a nice day, grab a treat and walk it off with a stroll around Park Avenue!
Baker Street Bakery
High quality, hand crafted chocolates. They have ice cream too!
Hedonist Artisan Chocolates
The prettiest desserts! Buy a whole cake or grab a slice after dinner!
Scratch Bakeshop
They create small batches of baked goods. Menu changes with the season. Stop by regularly to see their latest concoctions! regardless, they are always delicious!
Goodman Bakes
Buttery pâtisserie is the name of the game here! That includes scones, broche, croissant, and the like. Check their website weekly for their rotating options. For example, two recent offerings were a Strawberry Rhubarb scone and a Blueberry Lilac bri...
Butterjoy
If you want something sweet, but are trying to eat healthy, this is a great option! Get the Beautyberry or the Me Espresso. They alos have smoothie bowls. The space is adorable and has room for you to work while you sip!
Energia Smoothie Bar
I love the Kale Ale and Anti Inflam juices. If you want something a little more substantial, try a fresh and organic smoothie bowl!
Just Juice 4 Life
ROC List: Rochester Restaurants
Rochester, NY has a little bit of everything. These restaurants are in the city, not thesurrounding suburbs. I am a foodie and a food tour guide, so my recommendations come from eating at all of these restaurants! This list consists of restaurants on...
This restaurant has been around for a while because it is THAT good. Vibe is a little European, a little SOHO. I recommend getting a bunch of small plates and sharing. Try a fun cocktail and get their banana dessert. If you like to Salsa dance, they ...
Tapas 177
One of the best vibes of all the Rochester restaurants. They use fresh, local ingredients in the dishses and cocktails. I love their version of a cosmo. I recommend the lettuce wraps. It's across from GEVA theater, so it makes a great dinner/theater spot.
Native
The owner was inspired to start this business after her travels to Capri. Get the Lemoncello Spritz, the bolognese and her homemade tiramisu!
Capri Wine Bar & Restaurant
Tucked away on a quiet side street, if you are “in-the-know” you know about Rooney's. From their website, “High ceilings, a welcoming dining room fireplace, and an impressive Victorian wooden bar give today’s diners a feeling of speak-easy comfort.”
Rooney's Restaurant
Rochester's first farm-to-table restaurant. The menu changes depending on what's in season. Tuesdays are $1.00 oysters. I love to sit at their bar with a cocktail and some small plates. Their bread service is wonderful and they make my favorite calam...
Lento Restaurant
Absolutely adorable little restaurant. They don't take reservations, and people start lining up at 4:00 to get a table. I like to snag a spot at the bar and order their espresso martini - the best espresso martini in Rochester. Get the Lost Meatball ...
Vern’s
If you hear someone with an Australian accent, it's probably the owner who has been expertly running this NOTA mainstay for over 2 decades. I recommend the truffle tots!
Edibles Restaurant and Bar
A unique menu in a cool neighborhood. Parking is pretty easy here unlike many city restaurants. I love the Ahi Noshos and the Korean Sit Down.
Nosh
A great place for before or after a show. An anchor of this area; beautiful outdoor dining; a key part of the Rochester Jazz festival too!
Max Of Eastman Place
Cozy italina restaurant with a wood burining pizza oven! Try their Positano pizza with butternut squash on it! Sunday Sauce on Sundays!
Fiamma Centro
Yum! Homemade Italian, fram-to-table restaurant. In the Public Market space.
Fiorella
Everyone loves the Good Luck burger. Order a bunch of dishes to share!
Good Luck
Delicious, classic, Italian restaurant.
Rocco
Good food, live music - come here for a romantic evening near the water!
Pane Vino On The River
Beautiful restaurant and bar. It has a great happy hour. I love the eggplant “meatballs” with penne and the Gumbo!
The Alexander
Delicious steak and amazing cocktails. What more could you want?
Char Steak & Lounge
Great spot for creative cocktails and delicious food. I've gone there for many special events.
The Vesper
ROC List: Affordable Eats
At least 18 different varieties of hot dogs available each day. The bread is locally sourced, baked fresh and hand cut. The dog's are classic Rochester Zweigle's. You can order a few things without breaking the bank. Do what I do, order a bunch of di...
dogTown Hots – Where the best hot dogs live.
This is a wonderful family-ownded restaurant in the very cool NOTA neighborhood. This restaurant is part of the Flower City Food Tours, NOTA Tour. Everyone “in-the-know” loves their sushi. Enjoy some warm saki with your meal!
Maru Izakaya
So, so good. Rochester has quite a few restaurants that specialize in middle eastern and Mediterranean cuisine. This is hands-doen one pf my favorites. Everything is fresh. I like to get a combo plate and their fresh pita bread with it.
Cedar Lebanese Restaurant
This is very much a “dive” style restaurant. Order your food as take-out. Huge portions! I recommend the breakfast sandwiches, BLTs, and the chicken teryaki with fried rice.
Mitch's Restaurant
Strombolis and more! What is a stromboli, you ask? A stromboli is similar to a calzone except it is log-shaped, more meat usually and the sauce is on the inside. You can order take-out or sit at one of the many indoor/outdoor tabes. If you're lucky y...
Stromboli's Restaurant
Get your Puerto-Rican comfort food here!
Casa Campo Restaurant
Burgers and shakes with a side of vintage video games! So fun!
THE PLAYHOUSE // SWILLBURGER
This is affordable but you can easily get carried away because you'll want to order a little of everything! Great ambiance as well! Everyone's favorite BBQ joint!
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
This is an architectural gem built in 1948. Try their apple pie - it's one of the best!
Highland Park Diner
Get a garbage plate and a shake. You'll probably be full for days after this! A great family-owned establishment that you can learn more about here: https://www.vaskosonpark.com/about.php They are part of Flower City Food Tour's Park Ave Tour!
Vaskos on Park, Shakes, Burgers, and Plates
Fresh and authentic Thai food! This is a quaint restaurant, open for dine-in or takeout.
Khong Thai Cuisine
They have great pizza, wings, and more! You can dine in or get delivery! Great area to check out other places while you're down there too!
Lina's
Creative pizzas, sandwiches, salads, and soups. Everything is fresh and made from scratch. The the Farmer's Lettuce Salad!
Wildflour
A great place for a lunch break - right inside the Eastman Museum!
Open Face
It's New Orleans has come to Rochester! Try the Gumbo for sure! This is one of the many vendors inside the Mercantile on Main.
Frenchman Street at The Mercantile On Main
ROC List: Coffee Culture
Rochester has so many cool coffee shops! Each one has their distinct vibe, so keep trying until you find the perfect one for you!
This is the OG of coffee shops in Rochester, established in 1992. Right next to Eastman Theater and the Eastman School of music, so it's a hangout for students and instructors. This is open late and you can frequent;ly catch some live music, or play ...
Java's Cafe
This is my favorite coffee shop at the moment. You can get the standard lattes and such, but what unique here are the many Asian inspired flavors and beverages on the menu. Its also nestled between Scratch Bakeshop and StacieK Floral. It has a great section at the back for working or gathering with friends. Parking is plentiful too!
Winter Swan Coffee
One of Rochester's newest coffee spots. It serves organic Yemeni specialty coffee. They also have a wide selection of desserts. They are open morning until late at night; indoor and outdoor tables. I tried the Iced Pink Latte and loved it!
Albunn Coffee House
Cute coffee shop with high quality coffee. Plenty of spots to sit and relax. Try the Snug or Grandma's Kisses. Go to the OpShop after for some vintage clothes shopping!
Ugly Duck Coffee
Serving coffee and celebrating diversity!
Equal Grounds Community Cafe
Another OG coffee spot in Rochester. They were one of the first to bring “gourmet coffee” options to Rochester. They have a loyal following because of the high quality coffee. Enjoy a decadent dessert while you are there, too!
Canaltown Coffee Roasters
Check out their seasonal offerings like February's strawberry mocha with vanilla cold foam or the strawberry match affogato.
Neutral Ground Coffeehouse -Corn Hill
Coffee, food and smoothies. Plenty of space to sit inside and outside. I like the blueberry cadamom latte and the purple smoothie:)
Pearson's
Inside the Mercantile on Main. Get your coffee here and then visit the other food and tapas stalls!
RoCoCo Cafe
Located in a charming 2-story house in the eclectic Monroe Avenue neighborhood. Many tables for relaxing or working. They also offer gelato and Italian sodas.
Hydra Coffeehouse
Coffee AND cocktails! Try the Maple Cinnamon Crunch Latte or their espresso martini!
Locals Only
Near the Geva Theater and Roc City Skate Park. They offer a variety of espresso drinks, drip and pour-over coffees, tea and kombucha; as well as sweets and light lunches.
Fuego Coffee Roasters