The best restaurants in Rochester
57 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.
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Lucky's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsNeed a midweek win? Lucky's Bar & Grill brings expertly crafted bar classics with a twist, like Buffalo Mac & Cheese, Crack Beef Sliders,…
Lucky's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsPurple Goat
RestaurantsPurple Goat nails American classics with playful flavor moves. Think the Purple Goat Burger stacked with pickled beets, fried goat cheese,…
Purple Goat
RestaurantsBerries & Bubbles Daytime Cafe
RestaurantsIf your weekend crew is craving clean, feel-good food, Berries & Bubbles Daytime Cafe is a family-owned spot doing organic, seasonal plates…
Berries & Bubbles Daytime Cafe
RestaurantsCRAVE Food & Drink Rochester
RestaurantsWhen you want a maki roll and your friend wants a steak, Crave Food & Drink Rochester nails both with a lively vibe, a big menu that runs…
CRAVE Food & Drink Rochester
RestaurantsLumi Restaurant and Bar
RestaurantsLumi Restaurant and Bar is serving Turkish favorites like kebabs and other traditional plates, with a playful international twist and…
Lumi Restaurant and Bar
RestaurantsCharlie’s Eatery & Pub
RestaurantsWhen you want comfort food, cold pints, and karaoke, Charlie’s Eatery & Pub delivers. Breakfast plates worth waking up for, daily specials,…
Charlie’s Eatery & Pub
RestaurantsIchi Tokyo (South) | Japanese
RestaurantsIchi Tokyo (South) keeps Rochester fed with a full bar, classic teriyaki or hibachi plates, bento boxes, and a deep sushi lineup from maki…
Ichi Tokyo (South) | Japanese
RestaurantsKumo Sushi
RestaurantsWhen your dinner rut needs rescuing, Kumo Sushi rolls out fresh Japanese flavors from sizzling hibachi to expertly crafted maki and hand…
Kumo Sushi
RestaurantsHollandberry Pannekoeken
RestaurantsHomey diner & coffee shop serving up a menu of sandwiches, Dutch-style pancakes & baked goods.
Hollandberry Pannekoeken
RestaurantsFive West
RestaurantsFive West keeps everyone happy with a big-tent menu, from pizzas and sandwiches to a ribeye or the salmon rice bowl. Circle August 27 for…
Five West
RestaurantsNorth Mr. Pizza
RestaurantsNorth Mr. Pizza has been doing takeout and delivery since 1963, and the menu still nails the comforting stuff you actually crave, from…
North Mr. Pizza
RestaurantsWildwood Sports Bar and Grill
RestaurantsWhether you're chasing seriously good boneless wings, Street Corn Empanadas, or that melty The Ham & Jammers moment, Wildwood Sports Bar &…
Wildwood Sports Bar and Grill
RestaurantsEddie's Rey de la Birria
RestaurantsWhen the craving hits, Eddie's Rey de la Birria brings crisp, cheesy birria with rich consomme, slow-cooked from a family recipe. Round it…
Eddie's Rey de la Birria
RestaurantsFamous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsOutlet of a BBQ chain serving wood-smoked meats & sides in an American West-themed space.
Famous Dave's Bar-B-Que
RestaurantsNovios Café
RestaurantsNovios Café roasts its coffee in house using beans from Minnesota-based Cafe Imports, then pairs the cups with comforting, thoughtfully…
Novios Café
RestaurantsThaiPop
RestaurantsThaiPop keeps Rochester buzzing with vibrant Thai flavors and a drink list, including mocktails recognized as Best Bar for Mocktails in the…
ThaiPop
RestaurantsOur Paladar
RestaurantsOur Paladar brings Chef Nick’s Cuban roots to Rochester with a New American menu of pastas, pork chops, and market-driven plates. Housed in…
Our Paladar
RestaurantsBleu Duck Kitchen
RestaurantsBleu Duck Kitchen is locally owned and known for an innovative, approachable menu that changes often with fresh, local, seasonal…
Bleu Duck Kitchen
RestaurantsWabi Sabi Express
RestaurantsWabi Sabi Express keeps downtown lunches interesting with counter-service Japanese poke and sushi rice bowls, slurpable ramen and udon,…
Wabi Sabi Express
RestaurantsVictoria's Restaurant & Wine Bar
RestaurantsVictoria's Restaurant & Wine Bar has been treating Rochester like family for over 25 years, serving comforting Italian plates that make…
Victoria's Restaurant & Wine Bar
RestaurantsSmoak BBQ
RestaurantsRochester's own Smoak BBQ obsesses over the low-and-slow details, from house rubs to sauces, after road-tripping the South to study the…
Smoak BBQ
RestaurantsNorth Stone Kitchen
RestaurantsNorth Stone Kitchen serves thoughtful, locally inspired plates in a warm, modern space in the heart of Rochester that begs you to linger.…
North Stone Kitchen
RestaurantsTexas Roadhouse
RestaurantsLively chain steakhouse serving American fare with a Southwestern spin amid Texas-themed decor.
Texas Roadhouse
RestaurantsSnappy Stop
RestaurantsSnappy Stop keeps Rochester running on classic burgers plus a rotating burger-of-the-month, with fries and nuggets that actually taste like…
Snappy Stop
RestaurantsOotori Sushi
RestaurantsOotori Sushi nails that “something for everyone” vibe with creative rolls, a big lineup of veggie options, and plenty of tasty cooked…
Ootori Sushi
RestaurantsPasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
RestaurantsChef Pasquale Presa brings a Bari-to-NYC-to-Rochester pedigree to Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria, turning out authentic NY-style pies,…
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria
RestaurantsSorellina’s Italian By Victoria's
RestaurantsLine up a midweek pasta win. Sorellina's Italian by Victoria's is Rochester's vibrant 'little sister' spot for traditional Italian with a…
Sorellina’s Italian By Victoria's
RestaurantsTownies Philly Kitchen + Bar
RestaurantsTownies Philly Kitchen + Bar does the classics right, from griddled Philly cheesesteaks piled high to juicy burgers and saucy wings that…
Townies Philly Kitchen + Bar
RestaurantsLord Essex Tavern and Grill
RestaurantsWith nearly a century of Rochester history baked in, Lord Essex Tavern and Grill nails that English pub feel, hearty Midwestern fare, and a…
Lord Essex Tavern and Grill
RestaurantsPerkins American Food Co.
RestaurantsKid-friendly chain known for baked goods, breakfasts & other standards in dinerlike digs.
Perkins American Food Co.
RestaurantsJenpachi Japanese Steak House
RestaurantsWhether you want the sizzle show at the grill or a sushi fix, Jenpachi Japanese Steak House is Rochester’s only hibachi specialty…
Jenpachi Japanese Steak House
RestaurantsBuffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsChain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.
Buffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsBenedict's
RestaurantsWhether you're rallying for a weekday pick-me-up or lingering on a slow Sunday, Benedict's serves creative takes on familiar breakfast and…
Benedict's
RestaurantsJohn Hardy's BBQ
RestaurantsFifty-plus years of pit know-how shows up in ribs, pulled pork, and brisket at John Hardy's BBQ, with signature sauces, rotating monthly…
John Hardy's BBQ
RestaurantsRosati's Pizza
RestaurantsItalian chain eatery featuring Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, plus pasta & sandwiches.
Rosati's Pizza
RestaurantsBB's Pizzaria
RestaurantsBB's Pizzaria keeps it classic with traditional pies plus their Minnesota style that hits the sweet spot between crispy and comforting, and…
BB's Pizzaria
RestaurantsThe Loaded Baked Potato Bar Rochester
RestaurantsCraving comfort without the fuss, The Loaded Baked Potato Bar Rochester turns humble spuds into full-on meals, from brisket-and-mac or BBQ…
The Loaded Baked Potato Bar Rochester
RestaurantsChester's Kitchen & Bar
RestaurantsWhen you want simply classic American food that actually feels special, Chester's Kitchen & Bar delivers with well-executed comfort dishes,…
Chester's Kitchen & Bar
RestaurantsHot Chip Burger Bar
RestaurantsHot Chip Burger Bar keeps it relaxed and self-service with craveable patties, a DIY-spirited menu full of cheeky references, and plenty for…
Hot Chip Burger Bar
RestaurantsToppers Pizza
RestaurantsPizzeria chain making pies with unusual toppings (wings too), offered at counter or via delivery.
Toppers Pizza
RestaurantsIchi Tokyo
RestaurantsCraving variety that actually hits? Ichi Tokyo lines up maki and hand rolls, sushi entrées, noodles, teriyaki or hibachi dinners, plus…
Ichi Tokyo
RestaurantsOutback Steakhouse
RestaurantsBoisterous Australian-themed chain serving steaks, seafood & other hearty steakhouse fare.
Outback Steakhouse
RestaurantsThe Original Mr. Pizza South
RestaurantsThree generations in, The Original Mr. Pizza South still rocks the same 1963 dough and signature sauce, turning out thin, thick, and…
The Original Mr. Pizza South
RestaurantsOllin Cocina & Tequila
RestaurantsWhether you're chasing bright salsas, slow-cooked meats, and a curated tequila lineup, Ollin Cocina & Tequila turns dinner into a mini…
Ollin Cocina & Tequila
RestaurantsFat Willy's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsCraving a burger that actually tastes like someone cared? Fat Willy's Bar & Grill brings the garage-themed fun with handcrafted burgers, a…
Fat Willy's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsPittsburgh Blue Steakhouse
RestaurantsRelaxed steak house with a menu including seafood, desserts and cocktails, plus friendly service.
Pittsburgh Blue Steakhouse
RestaurantsBrother's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsLocally-owned sports bar serving casual American eats in a party atmosphere.
Brother's Bar & Grill
RestaurantsToppers Pizza
RestaurantsPizzeria chain making pies with unusual toppings (wings too), offered at counter or via delivery.
Toppers Pizza
RestaurantsRed's Savoy Pizza
RestaurantsCasual pizzeria chain serving classic & creative pies, plus wings, sandwiches & pasta.
Red's Savoy Pizza
RestaurantsMarrow
RestaurantsModern eatery featuring creative menus of American food with French influences, plus a bar featuring cocktails.
Marrow
RestaurantsLatitude 44
RestaurantsLatitude 44 pairs New American plates with a creative cocktail list inside downtown’s historic Castle, and it somehow feels both special…
Latitude 44
RestaurantsCanadian Honker Restaurant
RestaurantsBusy veteran eatery serving breakfast as well as a menu of American eats including prime rib.
Canadian Honker Restaurant
RestaurantsBuffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsChain dishing up wings, tenders & burgers, plus sauces ranging from sweet to very spicy.
Buffalo Wild Wings
RestaurantsZen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge
RestaurantsZen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge nails the trifecta with lively teppanyaki from humorous, talented chefs, polished sushi, and an approachable…
Zen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge
RestaurantsRed Cow Rochester
RestaurantsRed Cow Rochester nails the neighborhood tavern feel with handcrafted burgers that hit the spot, a smart craft beer lineup, and wine that…
Red Cow Rochester
RestaurantsThe Workshop Food Hall & Bar
RestaurantsThe Workshop Food Hall & Bar gathers four restaurants, a dessert shop, and a full-service bar into one roomy, historic spot, so your crew…
The Workshop Food Hall & Bar
RestaurantsTerza
RestaurantsTerza keeps it classic with hand-crafted pastas and desserts made in-house with amore, plus quality touches like Organic Glen plum…
Terza
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