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Rochester, NY restaurant recs for all occasions and tastes
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items My kid is a student at RIT so we’ve had a chance to explore Rochester, NY. Here are some of our new favorite places. I will update as we visit over the next few years.
Sections
10
Coffee and Tea Drinks
Breakfast/Brunch
Lunch
People Pleaser
Family Dinner
Asian
Coffee and Tea Drinks
Your morning beverage of choice will taste great from these - our favorite Rochester coffee shops.
A family favorite stop for a bubble tea and a snack!
Taichi Bubble Tea – Your Bubble Tea & Bites Destination
We loved this cute place for a quick morning drink before heading over to RIT. Friendly, tasty, and great variety of drinks.
Coffee Roaster Rochester NY
Cute spot near RIT campus with a great cup of coffee and a menu filled with puns and song references for fun.
Lovin' Cup Bistro & Brews | Rochester NY
This cute spot is near RIT's campus and some of our other favorites, so it's easy to pop in for a boba drink and a quick pick me up.
Boba Mi
We love browsing bookstores, and this is a fun one with a great selection of coffee and other caffeinated beverages.
The Siren and the Sea
A very popular spot to get your daily coffee or tea or whatever you like!
Hydra Coffee House
Cute, comfy spot to pick up your favorite hot beverage and stay for a chat.
Winter Swan Coffee
Friendly place to sit down for a fresh sandwich and cup of tea or coffee, whatever your pleasure.
Neutral Ground Coffeehouse
Breakfast/Brunch
Rochester has some great diners for a traditional bacon and eggs morning but they’ve also got some creative spaces for something special. Here are some of our faves when we go out for breakfast.
This place has some great eggs Benedict options. My fave is the avocado and tomato. My college kiddo loves the country option.
Sunny’s
Family favorite for pancakes and eggs. It gets busy on the weekends but worth the wait.
Steve’s Family Diner
We love this one for the varied menu options and the amazing French toast.
Peppermints Restaurant
Who knew crepes were so versatile? Sweet, savory, with so many options. Obviously crepes are their specialty, but don't overlook the buttermilk biscuits with honey butter. The oatmeal creme brulee was a new one for me; I would definitely get it again...
Simply Crepes Craft Kitchen
Very affordable place for a good breakfast plate. No nonsense, delicious, and quick.
MT HOPE DINER, Rochester
Yum. Yum. Yum. Great value for a delicious omelette or pancake stack.
The Frog Pond on Park
I love a good Challah French toast. Mad Hatter has it in spades. I want to try their high tea next time we go!
The Mad Hatter Restaurant & Bakery
I admit I have not tried this place (yet) but it comes highly recommended for people looking for a halal restaurant by the experts - parents of RIT students!
The Halal Rooster
A unique take on brunch with a Southern flair.
The Toast Factory
Lunch
Favorite lunch haunts to skip the fast food chains.
Another big winner among the RIT crowd. The olive loaf is incredible.
Home - Village Bakery
This lunch spot has all the sandwiches - paninis, heros, wraps and a whole lot more. Sure to please everyone in your group.
Founders Cafe Rochester
Get yourself a fried chicken sandwich from the Chick Magnet, or if a lighter meal is your jam, the Thai Chicken Salad is fantastic.
Chick Magnet Chicken
People Pleaser
Sometimes you just need a simple spot with a menu of reliable favorites. These will fill the need.
The shrimp salad and the artichokes French are my two faves here. Save room for the Viennese merengue torte. Or order one of their impressive desserts for your next special occasion.
Phillips European Restaurant
This one's for the people in your life with allergies or restrictions. Their menu is separated to ensure that certain ingredients are avoided when needed.
The Red Fern | Vegan & Gluten-Free Restaurant & Catering | Rochester, NY
These people know burgers. And their pizzas and salads are pretty great too.
The Gate House - Rochester, NY
Family dinner with something for everyone. Easy peasy.
Family Restaurant and Sports Bar - Tully's Good Times
This is a great place for wings and other typical pub fare. One of our new favorites.
The Old Stone Tavern
This one won't win any gourmet awards but when you want some good diner food, Jay's it is. Great value and fun vibe.
Jay's Diner - The Northeastern Diner Experience in Rochester, NY
The food is great and service is quick. Great option for families.
Bob's Diner
Really great Mediterranean food for the health conscious.
Aladdin's Natural Eatery
Pasta, pizza, and a to-die-for chocolate cake make this a slam dunk option for the fam.
Vern's
The menu here is HUGE! Whether you're after some eggs and bacon, a great club sandwich, or some Greek fare, you could eat here for Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner!
Jines Restaurant
Simple menu, great value, with a self-serve beer and wine wall!
Trata Rochester
An extensive menu with burgers, barbecue, wings, and some uniquely ROC dishes to sample.
Rabbit Hole Tavern
A tavern with an extensive array of tap beer options to pair with the delicious pizzas on the menu.
Strangebird Brewing
A pub with sarnies, burgers, bangers and mash, and a delicious fruit crumble for dessert.
Sheffield Tavern
Family Dinner
Budget friendly options with a menu sure to please everyone in the family.
Great variety of food to please everyone in the family.
The Owl House
A very popular BBQ place in downtown ROC. People can’t stop raving about it. Even a server at a restaurant in Niagara Falls told us it was a must. Incredible.
Rochester BBQ | Restaurant & Catering NY | Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Known for their signature steak, but I really love the Chicken Sinatra with the garlic mashed potatoes. The salmon with risotto is wonderful too.
Delmonico's Italian Steakhouse - Italian Cuisine in the US
A little upscale, a little like home, great Italian food. Nice for special occasions too.
Home - Lemoncello
An eclectic menu with tacos, charcuterie boards, sandwiches and an aptly named Heaven in a Bowl.
Crisp Rochester
Asian
Asian restaurants need their own category. When you need some reliable favorites for Friday take-out, or some unique flavors when you’re feeling adventurous, or a special spot for your go-to date night, we’ve got some of the top recommended right her...
Absolutely everyone at RIT recommends this place, so much so that we couldn’t get in for dinner Sunday night during move-in weekend. But we went for lunch Monday and they did not disappoint. The pork bao buns and vegetarian dumplings were delicious t...
OG Dumpling House
Great sushi spot for a quick bite. Delicious high quality rolls to please your palate.
Home - E Suki
Delicious food in a low key corner neighborhood crepery that doubles as an Asian shop. My kids loved their savory and sweet crepes. And I loved my Thai green curry. Can't wait to go back. I love supporting a family restaurant and this one deserves al...
The Wok (formerly Crepe n Go)
My daughter wanted to try omurice, and this place came highly recommended. She loved the omelette with rice and chicken (omurice), I enjoyed my shrimp and vegetable lunch special, and my college kid had some delicious tofu fried rice. We will definit...
Taisho Bistro Japanese Izakaya Rochester | Henrietta NY
Another great spot that is recommended time after time by parents and students at RIT. We concur. Love the fusion menu; the Shrimp Xacuti was something I've never tried and loved.
Royal Of India
The Pho really hits the spot on a cool day in Rochester.
ROC Pho
Bibimbap, Udon, Ramen - the place for some delicious Korean favorites.
Seoul Drop
High End
Need a special place for a celebration dinner? I’ve got you covered.
Our first dinner in Rochester was at this beautiful eatery with the classy blue booths and cozy atmosphere. My teen tried the frog legs and was enthralled by this new delicacy. We also had the coconut shrimp, which I loved with the slight spicy vinda...
avvino - Rochester, NY
Upscale dinner place with a great brunch. Try both; the food is not to be missed.
Roux
For a special night out, this place offers some of the best steak and seafood in the area. Try the She-Crab soup!
Black and Blue: Fine Dining Experience
Have some steak or seafood by the seaside for a special night out!
HedgesNineMilePoint
Farm to table restaurant with incredible regional oysters and a delicious arctic char. Wine list is carefully tuned to pair with seafood throughout the menu.
Lento Restaurant
A Michelin star chef with a French forward style offers an elegant, creative menu. Don't skip the French Onion Soup. Ooh la la!
Redd Wood Rochester
Unique
These places are unique and local with great views and menus to please.
One of the best views in the city! Get yourself a table on the rooftop patio and order yourself one of their craft brews. The food is delicious and the vibe is trendy and hot.
Genesee Brewery
Play games and have dinner? Fun night!
Nerdvana Rochester
Unique for sure - try the garbage plate; some may imitate but none will duplicate.
GarbagePlate.com - Nick Tahou's Hots
New location in Rochester as good as the Buffalo original! Eclectic menu - from garbage plates to smash burgers to spaghetti. And of course, great beer if that’s your thing.
Spotted Octopus Brewing Company
Where else can you find a place with a bowling alley, lawn games, burgers, wings, and pizza? Fun for the whole group.
Radio Social
Treats
A little sweet treat is good for the soul. Rochester has some great places to hit up
Ice cream straight from the source
Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery
When you're used to Dairy Queen, Abbott's is a good comparable spot with custard treats with candy bits, similar to the Blizzard. So many choices; so rich and delicious.
Abbott's Frozen Custard
Chocolate confections galore!
Stever's Candy
Food Halls
A food hall with so many unique flavors, it's bound to please even the choosiest diner.
The Mercantile On Main
A farmer's market and lunch spot open year-round!
Rochester Public Market