The best restaurants in Rochester

53 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 53 places · showing the latest additions first

SEA Restaurant

Restaurants

SEA Restaurant is the move when you need a big, slurpable reset, from rich Pho DAC Biet with tripe and cozy Chicken Pho to Fresh Tofu…

1675 Mt Hope Ave · ✓ checked Jul 31

“SEA Restaurant is the move when you need a big, slurpable reset, from rich Pho DAC Biet with tripe and cozy Chicken Pho to Fresh Tofu Springrolls and House Vermicelli. Vegan-friendly options keep the whole crew happy, and service is quick enough to rescue your midweek hunger.”

Linda's New York Pizzeria

Restaurants

When your crew can't agree, Linda's New York Pizzeria saves the day with pizzas alongside subs, pasta dinners, wraps, sausage rolls,…

1219 Lyell Ave · ✓ checked Jul 29

“When your crew can't agree, Linda's New York Pizzeria saves the day with pizzas alongside subs, pasta dinners, wraps, sausage rolls, strombolis, garlic bread, fresh salads, desserts and wings. A dependable Rochester go-to when you want something everyone will crush without overthinking.”

From the Rochester newsletter, August 4, 2026

Mercantile on Main

Restaurants

Mercantile on Main is downtown’s urban eatery for when nobody can decide what to eat. Sip ethically sourced coffee, wind down with…

240 E Main St · ✓ checked Jul 31

“Mercantile on Main is downtown’s urban eatery for when nobody can decide what to eat. Sip ethically sourced coffee, wind down with cocktails, and mix and match from Rococo Café, Frenchman Street, La Bola, Red Zone Pizza, and Seasons’ Noodle. Big communal energy, rotating events at The Duke.”

From the Rochester newsletter, August 7, 2026

The Mad Hatter Restaurant & Bakery

Restaurants

Charming place offering cafe fare for breakfast & lunch along with British high tea & baked goods.

176 S Goodman St

“Charming place offering cafe fare for breakfast & lunch along with British high tea & baked goods.”

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Wind Japanese & Thai

Restaurants

All-you-can-eat Japanese & Thai cuisine, plus à la carte menu options, in a modern setting.

7566 Transit Rd (Buffalo)

“All-you-can-eat Japanese & Thai cuisine, plus à la carte menu options, in a modern setting.”

The Owl House

Restaurants

Creative, vegan-friendly American plates & craft beer served in a snug house with a bohemian vibe.

75 Marshall St

“Creative, vegan-friendly American plates & craft beer served in a snug house with a bohemian vibe.”

E Suki

Restaurants

Counter-serve cafe for sushi, shaved ice, and teppanyaki rice bowls, plus some vegan options.

1370 Mt Hope Ave

“Counter-serve cafe for sushi, shaved ice, and teppanyaki rice bowls, plus some vegan options.”

Fiorella

Restaurants

Minimalist-chic bistro plating wood-fired pizza & housemade pastas made with local ingredients.

5 Rochester Public Market

“Minimalist-chic bistro plating wood-fired pizza & housemade pastas made with local ingredients.”

Wings Over Rochester

Restaurants

Popular restaurant chain with a variety of chicken wings, chicken tenders, boneless wings & sides for dine-in, takeout & delivery.

2973 W Henrietta Rd

“Popular restaurant chain with a variety of chicken wings, chicken tenders, boneless wings & sides for dine-in, takeout & delivery.”

MISSION BBQ

Restaurants

Casual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.

100 Marketplace Dr Ste 100

“Casual chain featuring BBQ & classic sides, plus memorabilia honoring soldiers & first responders.”

Pane Vino On The River

Restaurants

Italian fare served in a quaint eatery with a fireplace, tree-topped courtyard & weekly live music.

175 N Water St

“Italian fare served in a quaint eatery with a fireplace, tree-topped courtyard & weekly live music.”

Sushi585

Restaurants

Relaxed, all-you-can-eat sushi joint featuring steak skewers, hot entrées, hand rolls and sushi.

381 Gregory St

“Relaxed, all-you-can-eat sushi joint featuring steak skewers, hot entrées, hand rolls and sushi.”

Char Steak & Lounge

Restaurants

Upscale restaurant offering gourmet dishes all day, including steakhouse & raw bar fare for dinner.

550 East Ave

“Upscale restaurant offering gourmet dishes all day, including steakhouse & raw bar fare for dinner.”

Golden Corral Buffet & Grill

Restaurants

Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.

450 Jefferson Rd

“Family-friendly buffet chain featuring all-you-can-eat American fare, plus salad & dessert bars.”

Moo'd Burger Bar

Restaurants

Casual, family-run eatery, known for burgers and fries, plus milkshakes, beer and cocktails.

1344 University Ave Ste 110

“Casual, family-run eatery, known for burgers and fries, plus milkshakes, beer and cocktails.”

REV BBQ

Restaurants

South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine & craft cocktails in a rustic-chic setting with chandeliers.

1290 University Ave

“South Carolina Lowcountry cuisine & craft cocktails in a rustic-chic setting with chandeliers.”

Brown Hound Downtown

Restaurants

Chill American bistro & bakery serving craft coffee drinks & seasonal cocktails during the day.

Memorial Art Gallery, 500 University Ave

“Chill American bistro & bakery serving craft coffee drinks & seasonal cocktails during the day.”

Native Rochester

Restaurants

Stylish restaurant & bar serving locally sourced New American fare & handcrafted cocktails.

180 S Clinton Ave

“Stylish restaurant & bar serving locally sourced New American fare & handcrafted cocktails.”

Lucano

Restaurants

Old-world murals & textured walls adorn this upscale Northern & Southern Italian establishment.

1815 East Ave

“Old-world murals & textured walls adorn this upscale Northern & Southern Italian establishment.”

Fuji Sushi Station

Restaurants

Casual conveyor belt sushi restaurant offering all-you-can-eat buffet options.

2425 W Henrietta Rd

“Casual conveyor belt sushi restaurant offering all-you-can-eat buffet options.”

Bella Pasta Restaurant and Catering

Restaurants

Casual restaurant offering Italian standards such as lasagna and pizza, plus wood-fired options.

2500 Ridgeway Ave · ✓ checked Aug 7

“Casual restaurant offering Italian standards such as lasagna and pizza, plus wood-fired options.”

Jines Restaurant

Restaurants

All-day breakfast & Sunday brunch draw crowds to this friendly Greek diner with sidewalk seating.

658 Park Ave

“All-day breakfast & Sunday brunch draw crowds to this friendly Greek diner with sidewalk seating.”

Lento Restaurant

Restaurants

Warm, softly lit space serving creative, upscale New American fare made from local meats & produce.

274 N Goodman St

“Warm, softly lit space serving creative, upscale New American fare made from local meats & produce.”

Youkoso Sushi

Restaurants

Japanese eateries that offer traditional rolls as well as unique offerings.

1455 E Henrietta Rd Ste A

“Japanese eateries that offer traditional rolls as well as unique offerings.”

The Frog Pond on Park

Restaurants

Funky bistro, lined with frog-skin wallpaper & local art, serving up American fare & weekend brunch.

652 Park Ave

“Funky bistro, lined with frog-skin wallpaper & local art, serving up American fare & weekend brunch.”

Wildflour

Restaurants

Laid-back spot for artisanal pizza, pasta, and sandwiches offered alongside Italian groceries.

620 Winton Rd N

“Laid-back spot for artisanal pizza, pasta, and sandwiches offered alongside Italian groceries.”

Pizza Wizard

Restaurants

Basic cafe dishing up pan-cooked pizzas with a variety of meat & veggie toppings, plus wings & beer.

760 S Clinton Ave

“Basic cafe dishing up pan-cooked pizzas with a variety of meat & veggie toppings, plus wings & beer.”

Edibles Restaurant and Bar

Restaurants

Brick- & wood-accented American bistro with a local, organic focus has a lively bar for cocktails.

704 University Ave

“Brick- & wood-accented American bistro with a local, organic focus has a lively bar for cocktails.”

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Restaurants

Barbecue chain serving Southern-style meats & draft brews in a retro setting (most have live music).

99 Court St

“Barbecue chain serving Southern-style meats & draft brews in a retro setting (most have live music).”

Jim's On Main

Restaurants

Relaxed booth & table eatery serving traditional American meals for breakfast & lunch.

785 E Main St

“Relaxed booth & table eatery serving traditional American meals for breakfast & lunch.”

Good Smoke BBQ & Pub

Restaurants

Modern & traditional BBQ dishes, from crispy ribs to pulled-pork egg rolls, in no-frills environs.

135 W Commercial St (East Rochester)

“Modern & traditional BBQ dishes, from crispy ribs to pulled-pork egg rolls, in no-frills environs.”

Good Luck

Restaurants

Innovative, upscale American plates to share in an industrial yet intimate warehouse-style space.

50 Anderson Ave

“Innovative, upscale American plates to share in an industrial yet intimate warehouse-style space.”

Blu Wolf Bistro

Restaurants

Stylish gastropub featuring updated American comfort food, cocktails, milkshakes & sidewalk seating.

657 Park Ave

“Stylish gastropub featuring updated American comfort food, cocktails, milkshakes & sidewalk seating.”

Rocco

Restaurants

Compact eatery serves old-world fare like housemade ricotta cheese & a rotating Italian wine list.

165 Monroe Ave #169

“Compact eatery serves old-world fare like housemade ricotta cheese & a rotating Italian wine list.”

Mamma G's

Restaurants

Classic Italian fare & American comfort foods share the menu at this humble, long-standing eatery.

2133 E Henrietta Rd

“Classic Italian fare & American comfort foods share the menu at this humble, long-standing eatery.”

Nosh

Restaurants

Modern American fare & craft cocktails served in a restored factory with industrial-chic decor.

47 Russell St

“Modern American fare & craft cocktails served in a restored factory with industrial-chic decor.”

The Gate House

Restaurants

Creative burgers & wood-fired pizzas served in a casual, kid-friendly American cafe.

274 N Goodman St

“Creative burgers & wood-fired pizzas served in a casual, kid-friendly American cafe.”

Angelinas

Restaurants

Laid-back restaurant serving dishes for sharing, plus cocktails and pasta.

689 South Ave

“Laid-back restaurant serving dishes for sharing, plus cocktails and pasta.”

Shema Sushi

Restaurants

Calm, urban nook since 2007 offering Japanese noodle dishes, along with beer & sake.

277 Alexander St Apartment 102

“Calm, urban nook since 2007 offering Japanese noodle dishes, along with beer & sake.”

Tony D's

Restaurants

Coal-fired ovens turn out thin-crust pizzas in a bustling spot with Italian entrees & a river view.

1290 University Ave

“Coal-fired ovens turn out thin-crust pizzas in a bustling spot with Italian entrees & a river view.”

Redd

Restaurants

Haute restaurant serving California wine country-inspired fare & wine in a sleek, roomy environment.

24 Winthrop St · ✓ checked Aug 7

“Haute restaurant serving California wine country-inspired fare & wine in a sleek, roomy environment.”

Voula's

Restaurants

Comfortable, modest Greek cafe & bakery with specialty desserts & vegetarian sandwiches.

850 Merchants Rd

“Comfortable, modest Greek cafe & bakery with specialty desserts & vegetarian sandwiches.”

The Playhouse // Swillburger

Restaurants

Set in an old church building, this trendy hangout offers burgers, cocktails & vintage arcade games.

820 S Clinton Ave

“Set in an old church building, this trendy hangout offers burgers, cocktails & vintage arcade games.”

Chortke

Restaurants

Spacious, elegant restaurant offering New American fare with a touch of Persian influence.

352 N Goodman St

“Spacious, elegant restaurant offering New American fare with a touch of Persian influence.”

Tapas 177

Restaurants

Global small plates from egg rolls to empanadas in a dimly lit space with courtyard & salsa dancing.

177 St Paul St

“Global small plates from egg rolls to empanadas in a dimly lit space with courtyard & salsa dancing.”

Atlas Eats

Restaurants

Casual, neighborhood nook with a bakeshop offering a rotating, international menu, plus wine & beer.

2185 N Clinton Ave

“Casual, neighborhood nook with a bakeshop offering a rotating, international menu, plus wine & beer.”

Ardor Park Artisanal Pizza

Restaurants

Casual eatery serving wood-fired pies with vegan options, plus beer and wine.

117 Park Ave · ✓ checked Aug 7

“Casual eatery serving wood-fired pies with vegan options, plus beer and wine.”

White Swans

Restaurants

Casual Chinese eatery serving dim sum, pad thai and other familiar items.

798 S Clinton Ave

“Casual Chinese eatery serving dim sum, pad thai and other familiar items.”

The Pasta Villa

Restaurants

Quaint, welcoming destination for simple Italian cooking draws buzzing locals on weekends.

1313 East Ridge Road

“Quaint, welcoming destination for simple Italian cooking draws buzzing locals on weekends.”

Umai Revolving Sushi

Restaurants

Trendy spot serving sushi - from rolls to nigiri - alongside Japanese steaks, hot items and udon noodle soup.

2833 Monroe Ave

“Trendy spot serving sushi - from rolls to nigiri - alongside Japanese steaks, hot items and udon noodle soup.”

Peels On Wheels Pizza Garage

Restaurants

Counter-serve pizzeria dishing up a variety of styles, including New York- and Detroit-style pies.

1157 Culver Rd

“Counter-serve pizzeria dishing up a variety of styles, including New York- and Detroit-style pies.”

Locals Only

Restaurants

Airy breakfast & lunch cafe with a bohemian vibe serving coffee, cocktails & hearty classic fare.

311 Alexander St

“Airy breakfast & lunch cafe with a bohemian vibe serving coffee, cocktails & hearty classic fare.”

Create A Pizza

Restaurants

Casual pizzeria featuring create-your-own pies, including gluten-free and vegan options.

766 Monroe Ave

“Casual pizzeria featuring create-your-own pies, including gluten-free and vegan options.”

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