Madeline’s guidebook
Food/Drink in Downtown Rochester
Here are a couple of diners, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and snack shops I enjoy in the downtown Rochester area! For more recommendations, search the Park Avenue, Southwedge, or Public Market areas.
This article is also helpful: https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/new-york/articles/10-of-the-best-restaurants-in-rochester-ny-top-local-eats/
Good for a quick, cheap breakfast. Very fast service, and is in a cute airstream trailer!
31 locals recommend
Highland Park Diner
960 S Clinton AveGood for a quick, cheap breakfast. Very fast service, and is in a cute airstream trailer!
Probably the best sushi in Rochester, but has somewhat irregular hours (not open Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday)
12 locals recommend
Shiki
1054 S Clinton AveProbably the best sushi in Rochester, but has somewhat irregular hours (not open Sunday, Monday, or Tuesday)
Great ice cream in downtown Rochester! Very fresh flavors
15 locals recommend
Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream
672 South AveGreat ice cream in downtown Rochester! Very fresh flavors
Popular coffee spot in the Park Avenue neighborhood. Lots of restaurants and bars in this area -- very walkable.
19 locals recommend
Glen Edith Coffee Roasters
23 Somerton StPopular coffee spot in the Park Avenue neighborhood. Lots of restaurants and bars in this area -- very walkable.
Another popular coffee shop -- more of a minimalist aesthetic (no wifi!)
12 locals recommend
Ugly Duck Coffee
89 Charlotte StAnother popular coffee shop -- more of a minimalist aesthetic (no wifi!)
Dogtown
691 Monroe AveWhere to go if you want the infamous, Rochester "Garbage Plate"!
More upscale restaurant and bar; usually very busy, so reservations are recommended! If not, you can usually get a seat at the bar. Good to go with large groups, as the menu is intended for sharing.
61 locals recommend
Good Luck
50 Anderson AveMore upscale restaurant and bar; usually very busy, so reservations are recommended! If not, you can usually get a seat at the bar. Good to go with large groups, as the menu is intended for sharing.
Fiorella
5 Rochester Public MarketGreat Italian spot with fresh, handmade pasta
Good spot for appetizers and great cocktails. I usually go here when I'm waiting for a table at Fiorella -- it's a few doors down!
14 locals recommend
Cure
50 Rochester Public MarketGood spot for appetizers and great cocktails. I usually go here when I'm waiting for a table at Fiorella -- it's a few doors down!
One of the more popular bars in Rochester for cocktails; also has beer and wine. Usually busier later in the evenings; also has a food truck out back!
10 locals recommend
The Daily Refresher
293 Alexander StOne of the more popular bars in Rochester for cocktails; also has beer and wine. Usually busier later in the evenings; also has a food truck out back!
Quirky pizza joint and cocktail bar; also turns into a late night bar as well.
7 locals recommend
Swan Dive
289 Alexander StQuirky pizza joint and cocktail bar; also turns into a late night bar as well.
Vegan and non-vegan food in a historic house. Great patio out back in summer!
33 locals recommend
The Owl House
75 Marshall StVegan and non-vegan food in a historic house. Great patio out back in summer!
Another great vegan restaurant and bakery in the Park Ave. neighborhood.
26 locals recommend
The Red Fern
283 Oxford StAnother great vegan restaurant and bakery in the Park Ave. neighborhood.
Great stop for a quick sandwich, soup, or salad -- very casual.
23 locals recommend
Magnolia's Deli & Cafe
366 Park AveGreat stop for a quick sandwich, soup, or salad -- very casual.
Wine bar in the Southwedge neighborhood. Also has a cocktail bar (Cheshire) upstairs!
15 locals recommend
Solera Wine Bar
647 South AveWine bar in the Southwedge neighborhood. Also has a cocktail bar (Cheshire) upstairs!
Relish
651 South AveA newer, upscale restaurant in the Southwedge. Very intimate space with special, set menu.
Boxcar
127 Railroad StQuirky donut and fried chicken spot in the Public Market area
Rochester Breweries
Rochester is not a huge brewery town, but it's growing! Here are a few options.
Roc Brewing Co.
56 S Union StSwiftwater Brewing Company
378 Mt Hope AveFifth Frame Brewing Co.
155 Saint Paul StreetRohrbachs Railroad Street Brewery
97 Railroad StGenesee Brew House
25 Cataract StThree Heads Brewing
186 Atlantic AveMuseums/Attractions
Rochester has a few museums and historic spots worth visiting! Here is a short list.
Amazing collection of photography and photography history. Housed in former Eastman Kodak founder, George Eastman's mansion. Also houses the Dryden Theater, one of the only nitrate film theaters in the country. Definitely worth a visit if you have never been!
163 locals recommend
George Eastman Museum
900 East AveAmazing collection of photography and photography history. Housed in former Eastman Kodak founder, George Eastman's mansion. Also houses the Dryden Theater, one of the only nitrate film theaters in the country. Definitely worth a visit if you have never been!
Small collection of (mostly) American Art, in the Neighborhood of the Arts area.
101 locals recommend
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University AveSmall collection of (mostly) American Art, in the Neighborhood of the Arts area.
The Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play.
198 locals recommend
The Strong Museum
1 Manhattan Square DrThe Strong is a highly interactive, collections-based museum devoted to the history and exploration of play.
Museum dedicated to community education in science, technology and local history. The museum also operates the Strasenburgh Planetarium, located next to the museum.
119 locals recommend
Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East AveMuseum dedicated to community education in science, technology and local history. The museum also operates the Strasenburgh Planetarium, located next to the museum.