Guidebook for Rochester
Food Scene
A Simple evenings dinner in a casual setting with consistently good food and friendly atmosphere. Garlic Parm chicken wings are the best in town!
Elmwood Inn
1256 Mt Hope AveA Simple evenings dinner in a casual setting with consistently good food and friendly atmosphere. Garlic Parm chicken wings are the best in town!
Upscale trendy rustic contemporary restaurant with
outstanding food, drinks, atmosphere and good peeps!
Everything on the menu is super tasty.
23 locals recommend
The Cub Room
739 S Clinton AveUpscale trendy rustic contemporary restaurant with
outstanding food, drinks, atmosphere and good peeps!
Everything on the menu is super tasty.
This century-old, brick-&-wood brewery features a tasting bar, a rooftop deck & pub fare with breathtaking views of high falls and the downtown skyline.
74 locals recommend
Genesee Brew House
25 Cataract StThis century-old, brick-&-wood brewery features a tasting bar, a rooftop deck & pub fare with breathtaking views of high falls and the downtown skyline.
Lento
274 N Goodman St$1 Oysters on Tuesdays nights. It gets packed so get
there early.
The Red Fern
283 Oxford StBest vegan restaurant in town! (love the steak bomber!)
The Owl House
75 Marshall StAnother tasty vegetarian restaurant with meat dish
options as well.
Rocco
165 Monroe AveUpscale, romantic and cozy. One of the best Italian
restaurants in town.
Sticky Lips BBQ Juke Joint
830 Jefferson RdFinger licken good BBQ.
The Soup Spoon
1378 Mt Hope AveTasty Asian dishes in a casual atmosphere.
Chocolate and Vines
757 University AveDessert and Wine Bar
Shiki
1054 S Clinton AveVery very very casual with amazingly fresh sushi at a
great price.
Soups, salads & sandwiches, plus breakfast & a kids'
menu, in a casual cafe with sidewalk tables. President
Obama visited here once a few years ago. His special is
on the menu.
23 locals recommend
Magnolia's Deli & Cafe
366 Park AveSoups, salads & sandwiches, plus breakfast & a kids'
menu, in a casual cafe with sidewalk tables. President
Obama visited here once a few years ago. His special is
on the menu.
Veneto Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta
318 East AveCozy atmosphere, tasty food and great prices.
Upscale, Latin-inspired kitchen with craft cocktails & a
candlelit atmosphere in a historic 1880s mansion. We've
always had tasty meals here.
19 locals recommend
Ox And Stone
282 Alexander StUpscale, Latin-inspired kitchen with craft cocktails & a
candlelit atmosphere in a historic 1880s mansion. We've
always had tasty meals here.
Vast offerings include pitas, kebabs & Mediterranean
platters at this buzzy, earth-toned eatery. Outdoor
seating in the summer.
28 locals recommend
Sinbad's Mediterranean Cuisine
719 Park AveVast offerings include pitas, kebabs & Mediterranean
platters at this buzzy, earth-toned eatery. Outdoor
seating in the summer.
Homemade family-run bagel shop offering a wide
selection of healthy alternatives to fast food chains. Fresh
bagels made in house for breakfast or lunch.
Balsam Bagels
288 Winton Rd NHomemade family-run bagel shop offering a wide
selection of healthy alternatives to fast food chains. Fresh
bagels made in house for breakfast or lunch.
Aja noodle co. offers a new twist on the classic "noodle house" theme. Enjoy our traditional Asian noodles that we combine with abundant fresh flavors at affordable prices.
Aja Cantina
2602 Elmwood AveAja noodle co. offers a new twist on the classic "noodle house" theme. Enjoy our traditional Asian noodles that we combine with abundant fresh flavors at affordable prices.
AMAZING place to go for brunch. Old-school
luncheonette features a big breakfast menu and energetic atmosphere.
11 locals recommend
James Brown's Place
1356 Culver RdAMAZING place to go for brunch. Old-school
luncheonette features a big breakfast menu and energetic atmosphere.
Highland Park Diner
960 S Clinton AveOld fashioned diner foods and fantastic breakfast.
Thali of India
3259 S Winton RdIncredible lunch buffet with delicious choices
Chen Garden
1750 Monroe AveThe best Chinese cooking in city. Lunches are GREAT!
Arts & Culture
Geva Theatre Center
75 Woodbury BlvdRochester’s premier theatre house
A must see for Kids and Adults. The Strong is the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame and more. Explore a highly interactive museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. Toys and games from every generation- from video-game exhibits to a walk down "Sesame Street."
198 locals recommend
The Strong Museum
1 Manhattan Square DrA must see for Kids and Adults. The Strong is the world’s largest and most comprehensive collection of historical materials related to play and is home to the International Center for the History of Electronic Games, the National Toy Hall of Fame and more. Explore a highly interactive museum devoted to the history and exploration of play. Toys and games from every generation- from video-game exhibits to a walk down "Sesame Street."
World's foremost museum of photography and cinema
located on the historic estate of George Eastman, the
pioneer of popular photography.
163 locals recommend
George Eastman Museum
900 East AveWorld's foremost museum of photography and cinema
located on the historic estate of George Eastman, the
pioneer of popular photography.
The theatre is the principal performance venue for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Eastman Opera Theatre presents fully staged operatic productions each spring. The theatre is the primary hall for the Eastman School's larger ensembles, including its orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and chorale.
48 locals recommend
Eastman Theatre
26 Gibbs StThe theatre is the principal performance venue for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Eastman Opera Theatre presents fully staged operatic productions each spring. The theatre is the primary hall for the Eastman School's larger ensembles, including its orchestras, wind ensembles, jazz ensembles, and chorale.
A one-of-a-kind, collection of art in a very unique setting.
Perfect place to check out on a rainy day.
36 locals recommend
Artisanworks
565 Blossom RdA one-of-a-kind, collection of art in a very unique setting.
Perfect place to check out on a rainy day.
Sprawling collection from medieval to contemporary works, with paintings by Rembrandt & Monet.
101 locals recommend
Memorial Art Gallery
500 University AveSprawling collection from medieval to contemporary works, with paintings by Rembrandt & Monet.
Rochester Museum & Science Center
657 East AveParks & Nature
Highland Park is a beautiful 150 acre park that is host to many fun activities, events and interesting attractions including short hiking trails. Highland Park is the home of the Lilac Festival in May. The Lamberton Conservatory, which is a beautiful collection of plants from many different places and is is open all year around. Many memorials and gardens are located in the park, including The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Workers' Memorial, Victims' Rights Memorial, and the AIDS Remembrance Garden.
105 locals recommend
Highland Park
Highland Park is a beautiful 150 acre park that is host to many fun activities, events and interesting attractions including short hiking trails. Highland Park is the home of the Lilac Festival in May. The Lamberton Conservatory, which is a beautiful collection of plants from many different places and is is open all year around. Many memorials and gardens are located in the park, including The Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Workers' Memorial, Victims' Rights Memorial, and the AIDS Remembrance Garden.
Drinks & Nightlife
50 beers on tap from around the world. Tasty fish fries, bangers and mash offered every day of the week!
21 locals recommend
Tap and Mallet
381 Gregory St50 beers on tap from around the world. Tasty fish fries, bangers and mash offered every day of the week!
Good Luck is a restaurant and popular nightspot
offering cuisine made from seasonal, local ingredients,
and craft cocktails.
61 locals recommend
Good Luck
50 Anderson AveGood Luck is a restaurant and popular nightspot
offering cuisine made from seasonal, local ingredients,
and craft cocktails.
Mullers Cider House
1344 University AveTasty hard ciders from all over the world.
Premium Craft Beer/Sports Bar with over 500
specialty and craft beers, 50 on tap. Signature food items
include personal gourmet pizzas and their Barbarian
Pretzel.
9 locals recommend
The Beer Market - Rochester
1401 Mt Hope AvePremium Craft Beer/Sports Bar with over 500
specialty and craft beers, 50 on tap. Signature food items
include personal gourmet pizzas and their Barbarian
Pretzel.
Traditional British Pub serving authentic British fare & fine
craft beer. BEST fish fry in town!
14 locals recommend
The Old Toad
277 Alexander StTraditional British Pub serving authentic British fare & fine
craft beer. BEST fish fry in town!
Sightseeing
High Falls Center And Interpretative Museum
74 Browns RaceShopping
One of kind, contemporary fine crafts 100% handmade in
the United States and Canada.
10 locals recommend
Craft Company No. 6
785 University AveOne of kind, contemporary fine crafts 100% handmade in
the United States and Canada.
Over 300 vendors on Saturdays! Offering fresh produce, ethnic delicacies, specialty items, cafes, coffee shops,
breweries, and more. Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 6am- 1pm. Saturdays from 5am - 3pm.
38 locals recommend
City of Rochester Public Market
280 Union St NOver 300 vendors on Saturdays! Offering fresh produce, ethnic delicacies, specialty items, cafes, coffee shops,
breweries, and more. Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays
from 6am- 1pm. Saturdays from 5am - 3pm.
Wegmans
1750 East AveThe Disneyland of grocery stores.
Entertainment & Activities
Little Theatre
240 East AveIndy movies
Galleries, studios, good eat, & boutiques. Many artists in
Anderson Alley (250 N. Goodman) open their studios for
the FREE First Fridays or Second Saturday of each month. A 4 stories building filled with artistry.
24 locals recommend
Village Gate Square
274 N Goodman StGalleries, studios, good eat, & boutiques. Many artists in
Anderson Alley (250 N. Goodman) open their studios for
the FREE First Fridays or Second Saturday of each month. A 4 stories building filled with artistry.
One of Rochester's best-known neighborhoods for
strolling and shopping in an urban environment. Traveling
east from Meigs to Culver you’ll
16 locals recommend
Park Avenue
One of Rochester's best-known neighborhoods for
strolling and shopping in an urban environment. Traveling
east from Meigs to Culver you’ll
Veteran nonprofit staging a variety of innovative
theatrical productions, plus jazz concerts.
11 locals recommend
Downstairs Cabaret Theatre
20 Windsor StVeteran nonprofit staging a variety of innovative
theatrical productions, plus jazz concerts.
The area also has many small green spaces, nifty old
buildings, and is in walking distance to Highland Park and
Mount Hope Cemetery. South Avenue and Gregory
Street converge in the heart of South Wedge. This
intersection marks the centerpoint of the locally-owned
shops, cafes, bars, and other small businesses the Wedge
is known for. You will not find one single national chain
here. The Wedge has successfully developed a locavore
culture that maintains its unique vibe and reinforces
neighborhood pride. For food and drink, your options
include a wine bar, a brewery, bakeries, wood-fried pizza,
several funky coffee shops, a couple of good cheap
diners, and Jamaican, Mexican, New Orleans, and Asian
Fusion cuisine. For shopping you have several grocery
options, plus small gift shops and clothing stores.
20 locals recommend
South Wedge
The area also has many small green spaces, nifty old
buildings, and is in walking distance to Highland Park and
Mount Hope Cemetery. South Avenue and Gregory
Street converge in the heart of South Wedge. This
intersection marks the centerpoint of the locally-owned
shops, cafes, bars, and other small businesses the Wedge
is known for. You will not find one single national chain
here. The Wedge has successfully developed a locavore
culture that maintains its unique vibe and reinforces
neighborhood pride. For food and drink, your options
include a wine bar, a brewery, bakeries, wood-fried pizza,
several funky coffee shops, a couple of good cheap
diners, and Jamaican, Mexican, New Orleans, and Asian
Fusion cuisine. For shopping you have several grocery
options, plus small gift shops and clothing stores.
The Playhouse is a bar, arcade and burger joint in
Rochester, that opened in 2015 in a historic church.
31 locals recommend
Swillburger
820 S Clinton AveThe Playhouse is a bar, arcade and burger joint in
Rochester, that opened in 2015 in a historic church.