22 Cant-Miss Best Restaurants in Rochester New York

Restaurants in Rochester are some of the best things to happen to the city, and here is why.

The city is the fourth-most populated metropolitan region in New York State and is located on the shore of Lake Ontario.

Rochester is a well-liked vacation getaway with stunning sights, tranquil outdoor places, and a fantastic food scene.

Rochester offers a wide variety of cuisine, including one-of-a-kind BBQ, traditional Italian fare, upmarket farm-to-table American dishes, and vibrant Caribbean-inspired dishes.

There are also restaurants in Rochester that appeal to people who enjoy seafood, burgers, pizza, and freshly baked pastries.

Wondering where to start or where to visit? This guide is all you need to navigate Rochester’s food scene.

Best Restaurants in Rochester NY

1. Pasta Villa, Rochester

If you are looking for Italian food done traditionally and generously, Pasta Villa is one of the best restaurants in Rochester to get that.

Pasta Villa is solid home-style Italian, serving all the standards, and is busy every night with locals ‘in the know.

Pasta Villa has a legendary following in the Northside of Rochester. The restaurant is easily one of the premier Italian restaurants in Rochester! The atmosphere is always welcoming and cozy, and the food is out-of-this-world delicious!

The place does not accept reservations, and people “in the know” come at odd hours (before 5:00 pm or after 8:00) in order to avoid impossible waits.

Thursday is lasagna night, and their Haddock on Spinich is also legendary and valuable.

However, specify that you want the homemade to your server.

The restaurant is cozy and busy, so if you need a lot of room between you and the next table, you might want to choose another destination.

Address: 1313 East Ridge Road, Rochester, NY 14621, United States

2. Tapas 177

Tapas 177 is a fun restaurant with a lot of interesting tapas dishes.

From the moment you walk through the doorway, you will know you are somewhere special.

It does not look like much from the outside (a little dark in the evening to find), but once you enter, you feel like you’re in a different city!

You enter through the bar. The dining room is down a flight of stairs, or you can use the rear entrance of the parking lot.

First, you notice tranquility; you can easily converse with others at your table.

The menu is beyond exciting, with options for vegans, vegetarians, and those who might enjoy a fantastic steak too.

Be prepared to share for two reasons: the portions are BIG, and you’re going to want to try as many different items as you can!

They also offer creative drinks and vegan/vegetarian/gluten-free menu offerings.

Whether it’s your first date or your twentieth-anniversary celebration, Tapas always impresses.

Address: 177 St Paul St, Rochester, NY 14604, United States

3. Edibles Restaurant and Bar

Edibles restaurant is one of the fascinating restaurants in Rochester.

The atmosphere makes you feel like you’re eating at a bistro in NYC. The interior/dining room is cozy and looks out onto University for some great people-watching.

Whether it’s a random date night, a brunch with friends, or dinner before a show, Edibles should be at the top of your list.

The restaurant is housed in the 1850s-era Flatiron structure, and little internal remodeling has occurred there.

The original tin ceiling and wooden floor are still present. There is a full menu at Edibles Restaurant & Bar and happy hour discounts.

There are vegetarian dishes, and dessert is highly recommended too.

If you’re here, don’t forget to try the Flourless lava cake, it’s heavenly.

Address: 704 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

4. The Owl House

If you are looking for some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Rochester, you should not miss Owl House.

Located on a small, quiet side street near downtown Rochester, this restaurant is housed in a two-story house with work by local artists on its walls.

You’d never know it was there unless you were looking for it.

There is a bar downstairs and a solid variety of choices on the drinks front.

The Owl House menu offers weekly specials, creative entrees, soups, salads, sandwiches, and small plates.

A wide variety of artisan wines, craft beers, cocktails, sweet treats, and locally roasted coffee are available to complete the meal.

There is a sizable selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free items on the Owl House menu (such as the beloved BVE burger with a choice of beef or house-made chickpea patty).

Have your supper in the quaint dining room or, if the weather permits, on the backyard patio at this delightful old house.

Address: 75 Marshall St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

5. The Revelry

Established in 2013, The Revelry is a restaurant and bar in Rochester’s Neighborhood of the Arts. It is one of the best cocktail bars in the city.

The Revelry is so unique – its combination of mixology, the seasonal menu, tremendously flavorful options, and fantastic service makes it stand out.

It makes for a wonderful spot to bring out-of-town guests; especially foodies and people who truly appreciate the excellence Revelry has to offer

When you walk in the front door, you have the bar which is not very spacious.

The ambiance is delightful-low lights, exposed brick walls, and a steady hum of conversation that lulls as much as excites.

The craft cocktails are impeccable, and the tenders pay close and steady attention to guests.

The restaurant changes its cocktail menu frequently with a selection of creative cocktails of its own invention.

The servers here are exceptional. In fact, they do a wonderful job guiding the picky eater to the best choices in food and drink for their mood.

And on top of the great cocktails, the Revelry has an exciting menu of fine food with a Southern influence. While all the foods are exceptional, their duck tacos are to die for.

The menu also involves items such as tofu and brussels sprouts.

Address: 1290 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

6. Good luck

Good luck is the way to go if you enjoy creative food with a fun atmosphere.

The restaurant is discretely set into an unassuming brick building on a side street.

It has a cozy atmosphere thanks to its tranquil blue abstract mural covering the entire back wall and its clean wooden tables surrounding the restaurant’s central bar.

With special attention to homemade pasta, smokehouse dishes, and vegetables reflecting the region, Good Luck crafts “Food to Share,” along with their award-winning cocktails.

They have a nice wine list and a reasonable number of brews on tap, including a rotating sour from local microbreweries.

If you are a cocktail drinker, they also have that covered with a fully stocked bar.

Additionally, they have a huge burger that is quartered and meant to be shared with others: a single diner will be challenged to eat it solo.

The only caveat here is that it is sometimes difficult to figure out how to get into this restaurant and where to park.

So you are apt to start out frustrated. Maybe look on Google Street View before you head there so you don’t drive around in circles.

Overall, this is not a restaurant if you’re on a budget, but Good Luck is one of the best if you’re looking for restaurants in Rochester for a special occasion.

Address: 50 Anderson Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

7. Rooney’s Restaurant

Rooney’s restaurant is one you do not want to miss.

Since 1995, Rooney’s Restaurant has been a one-of-a-kind dining experience.

It is located on a mainly residential street, with primarily on-street parking. It appears to be in an old home with dark, comfortable furnishings.

Rooney’s is one of the most romantic places in Rochester, and the staffs are professional and impeccable.

Entering the building, the bar is to the right, and the dining is to the left.

The bar is long, cozy, and well-stocked, with good beer and wine selections. The mixed drinks are good and have a fair pour.

The exposed brick interior is timeless and tasteful, and hung throughout the restaurant and bar are canvases of art.

Furthermore, the dining room is eloquent, with nice table settings.

You have the choice of eating in the main dining room or bar area. You can’t help but feel like you’re in someone’s cozy dining room.

The menus are heavy, and the french influences are apparent, with escargot, frog legs, and tartar appetizers.

There are also some good salad options, but all the main entrees are meat dishes, such as lamb, steak, pike, and Chicken.

Address: 90 Henrietta St, Rochester, NY 14620, United States

8. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is one of the top chain restaurants in Rochester. It is local to New York.

It is located in the heart of Rochester in the former Lehigh Valley Railroad Station.

The dim walls of the restaurant are dotted floor to ceiling with all manner of silly barbecue paraphernalia, including a cartoon pig overhead, mysteriously labeled “Mr. W.

Once you get settled, you begin to understand the joy of the cooks yelling out entrees ready for collection from behind the line.

How delicious would this dish be, you have to wonder? But you are in for a treat of your life.

The mood is casual and relaxed, the food never disappoints, the seating is comfortable, and some booths overlook the falls.

They serve Chicken, brisket, pulled pork, and ribs. All meats brim with flavor and are cooked to perfection in smokers outside the front door.

In fact, the pulled pork here is outstanding, and of course, it’s a favorite here.

All sides are also made freshly made, with a southern, sometimes spicy spin to them.

Address: 99 Court St, Rochester, NY 14604, United States

9. Nosh

Tucked away in a new area near the Gleason Works on University Ave, Nosh is one of the best restaurants in Rochester.

Nosh is located in a former warehouse and manufacturing building with brick walls and a high ceiling. The space is a large, first-floor loft space with an ample amount of parking.

The bar is “U” shaped and is just to your right as you enter the dining area. There is seating adjacent to the bar. It is a pleasant place to rest if you need to wait for a table.

The menu is limited but offers something for everyone, and they make very good cocktails and offer beer and wine.

They provide an absurdly diverse range of cuisines, including American, Hawaiian, Asian fusion, BBQ, Mexican and Tex-Mex, Italian, Korean, Southern, seafood, Vietnamese, gourmet wood-fired pizza, and steakhouse.

The menu categories are salads, “pickings,” pizza, and entreés. The portions of everything, including the pickings, are generous and easy to share.

The Entreés are exceptional. You should try the Crazy Chicken, a katsu-style breaded chicken cutlet with avocado, tomato, cucumber, jalapeno, crema, cotija, arugula, and a black bean puree.

The drink offerings are also eclectic, with unique cocktails, a wine list heavy on French and Upstate offerings, and some California and Italian favorites.

Address: 47 Russell St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

10. The Vesper

In the shadow of the 490 overpasses, back behind Geva, sniffing distance from Dinosaur, you will find the lovely restaurant there.

The food does take some time to prepare, so adjust your schedule. The menu is small but has sufficient variety to please most diners.

The outside of Vesper is very understated, but as soon as you walk into the restaurant, you will fall in love. You will immediately see a bar area with chalk menus listening to their beers.

The aesthetics fit a certain vibe that many like. Along the directly/dimly lit candles, dark-finished bar, and exposed brick and beam interior. It says, “come on in and stay for a while.

The menu covers a variety of current/creative apps, comfort food items, and appropriately built seafood selections at reasonable pricing.

Try the chopped Apple salad; it’s quite large and good. The Asian chicken wings are also delicious – crispy and golden with an excellent sesame sauce.

Address: 1 Capron St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

11. Branca Midtown

Branca Midtown is a fantastic Italian restaurant in Rochester.

Nestled between tall buildings, the restaurant is in a refurbished downtown building.

The vibrant room displays the clash of industrial, architectural ceilings with hanging lamps and a marble countertop bar with wooden tables and chairs covered in leather.

Similarly, the patio feels like an urban American reimagination of the cozy alleyway eateries of Italy.

The delicious food at Branca is the ideal match for the outstanding atmosphere.

The menu is a perfect size also: well-designed, varied, and seasonal.

It’s a combination of skillfully prepared, high-quality ingredients, appealingly attentive preparation, and near-perfect service.

You can also enjoy their assortment of carefully selected Italian wines for various tastes.

Address: 280 E Broad St #100, Rochester, NY 14604, United States

12. The Cub Room

Tired of the boring eggs, hashbrowns, and bacon on a Sunday morning? Well, it’s time to explore the brunches at the Cub Room.

The Cub Room is an American Restaurant located in the South Wedge Area of Rochester.

The Cub Room is in a big, formerly industrial building on South Clinton avenue, an area that has become very trendy.

This design produces a somewhat noisy environment but is not over the top, so you’ll be fine.

The menu is not huge, but the ingredients are cooked and combined in an original and tasty way.

The dishes look very elegant and in moderate portions (moderate to small, some of them). But at the end of the meal, after ordering an appetizer, main dish, and dessert, you are full!

The Amish Chicken remains a favorite here. The S’mores dessert is to die for. The bar is one of the best, with a wide variety of gin, bourbon, etc.

In fact, when a restaurant takes the time and effort to put together a high-end bourbon menu and offers wine by the glass from Seghesio, you know you came to the right place. So, no worries.

Address: 739 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, United States

13. Swan Market

Are you a fan of German cuisine? If yes, then you need to visit Swan Market. It is one of the best German restaurants in Rochester.

Swan Market is a German meat market and deli. It is a place you have to look for as it is in a neighborhood that is outside of the trendy Park Avenue.

Barry Ted, current owner, and his competent staff run a first-rate authentic German/Bavarian sausage and meat counter!

From Wednesday through Saturday, this is as good as it gets. It is a small place, and arriving as early as possible is good.

Everything is homemade from the numerous German specialties, the sausages, and some of the best liverwurst and potato salad.

If you are eating in, you will be asked to sit at one of four communal tables, so be ready to share a table.

The extensive menu is spelled out on a whiteboard above the sausage case, and the waitstaff gives specials of the day.

There’s also a big counter at the opposite end of the restaurant, with all the sausages, German-made products, jams, and bread for sale.

All selections include schnitzels, rouladen with sides of sauerkraut, red cabbage, potato salad, dumplings, spaetzle, noodles, etc.

Sometimes (seems to vary by season), there is German music at lunch, with a beer toast every half-hour.

Address: 231 Parsells Ave, Rochester, NY 14609, United States

14. Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant

PAP is one of the very best Restaurants in Rochester. It’s a go-to Pub to relax, have good wine, and have a fabulous dinner.

If you are a wine lover but also enjoy value, the Pub is your place. The owner is always on the lookout for exceptional vintages at aggressive pricing and extends that to the customer.

It is one of the few places left that greets you, takes your coat, pulls out your chair, and makes you feel special.

In fact, it has that NYC dining feels to it that you can’t describe, and everyone treats you like a king or queen.

The dining is modest and cozy for an intimate, romantic ambiance, while the bar area is comfortable and casual.

While there is a cute little bar, there’s no tv, darts, or jukebox—just a cozy and comfortable place for a good drink.

The Pub offers a varied menu, with choices for most palates and portion sizes. Many plates come in two sizes; food allergies are accommodated.

The menu includes sesame-crusted Scottish salmon, prosciutto-wrapped Chicken, and Gemelli pasta. For a complete supper, select the fixed-price three-course menu.

The prix fixe menu has three courses, including three choices for the appetizer and dessert and many choices for the main course.

To guarantee a table at Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant, reservations are advised. Tuesday through Sunday, the Park Avenue Pub and Restaurant are open every night.

Address: 650 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

15. The Original Charbroil Restaurant & Catering

This restaurant is one of those go-to places when you want great food and burgers at the right price.

Where else can you get a chicken-parm sandwich on a grilled hard roll with Charlie’s meat hot sauce instead of the regular tomato sauce?

The Original Charbroil Restaurant & Catering is a family-owned catering business serving Rochester since 1962.

The restaurant is a nice, unpretentious spot with good diner fare, prepared as you like it.

Similarly, the atmosphere here is always relaxed & informal, whether you stop in at the odd hour and have the place to yourself or find yourself part of a boisterous, jolly crowd.

From their homemade Italian sausage patty to their famed lobster bake with cajun sauce, it’s obvious to understand why this is one of the best-rated restaurants in Rochester.

So, grab a seat under a tent and enjoy the beautiful fresh air as you take in a glass of wine or bite down on your meal; It’s one of those restaurants in Rochester you don’t want to miss.

Address: 1395 Island Cottage Rd, Rochester, NY 14612, United States

16. Native Rochester

Located at the bustling corner of Woodbury Blvd and Clinton Ave, Native offers a casual upscale dining experience.

The atmosphere is lovely and cozy, with the many windows looking out onto snow-covered grounds.

The bar is in the restaurant’s center, and the tables and booths are arranged around it. So there is plenty of room for table space.

There is also outdoor seating during the pleasant months.

Menu well configured with modern/trendy options + traditional popular fare.

The menu features locally sourced, New-Age American cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, local microbrews, and a vast array of wines.

Address: 180 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14604, United States

17. Tournedos Steakhouse

Tournedos Steakhouse is one of the best steakhouses in Rochester. Why?

First, the venue is quite elegant. Located in a historic building with lovely woodwork, marble, and architectural details – it makes you feel ‘special’ just walking in.

The old building offers a taste of what life was like in the 1930s and ‘40s, and the overall atmosphere is wonderfully comfortable.

As a renowned steak house, Tournedos lives up to its reputation.

The style is old-fashioned, with some food service on push carts, which you don’t see much anymore.

Tournedos Steakhouse serves two categories of beef; dry-aged prime and domestic Wagyu beef from identified Texas. Both are very capably prepared.

They also have a wide variety of great choices of seafood. Salads are fresh, and sides are designed to be shared.

The wine list also has an extensive range of old and new world vintages (Bordeaux, Burgundy., Rhône, Napa, and Sonoma).

Although Tournedos is pricey, you get what you pay for, and if it is a fine dining experience you seek, that you will get.

Overall, tournedos is a cozy, classy, elegant restaurant, from the warm greeting of the valet taking the car to the superb meals.

Address: 26 Broadway, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

18. Voula’s Greek Sweets

Voula’s Greek Sweets opened its doors in 2012 as a vegan and vegetarian restaurant.

If you are not familiar with Greek food other than gyros, then be ready to explore.

It’s tucked away a bit out of view on Monroe Avenue, and the parking is a little limited, but be sure to find Voula’s and give it a try.

They have your typical Greek go-to’s and many with a vegan or vegetarian option. The restaurant itself is a funky little space reminiscent of a Greek taverna.

Similarly, they have a nice dining room with some seating outside. The on-site parking lot is small, except for street parking or off-site parking.

This delightful restaurant should be on everyone’s ‘must-go’ list. You’ll be welcomed and treated like family.

Voula’s menu is simple and full of many mouth-watering Greek dishes.

Voula’s vegetarian/vegan Greek food and pastries are so good. Don’t miss the lemon potatoes or the tzatziki.

If you are full from lunch, having dessert boxed up “for later is a smart idea. They also offer specials that alternate daily.

Address: 439 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

Going towards NYC? Check out some of the best rooftop restaurants in NYC to dine at while taking in the best view of the city!

19. Rella

This is the place if you’re looking for fresh, well-prepared, and creative seafood dishes with a fun artsy atmosphere!

The restaurant provides an intimate dining experience that puts you in a conversation space with the chef.

At Wadsworth Square, Rella is a cozy small plate wine, oyster, and seafood pub.

Mark Cupolo, a chef and restaurateur from the area who also owns Rocco, a few doors away, is the eatery’s proprietor.

More than just having dinner, it’s a great place to hang out, socialize with other customers and the staff, and enjoy some outstanding food.

The place is so hidden that you may walk by without noticing it.

The theme is like a chef’s table seafood bar. Fifteen chairs face the chefs. You can talk with the chefs as they prepare your food and ask about what each dish is made of.

The menu focuses on a few dishes done excellently!

The food is very good; you MUST try the shrimp roll also. You will never find one better! And the salads are incredible.

It’s a unique place; everyone dines at a boomerang-shaped counter facing the kitchen.

Address: 181 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

20. Redd, Rochester

Redds is an absolute compliment to the Rochester area.

The restaurant is one of the best upscale American restaurants in Rochester, if not the best.

The Chef, Richard Reddington, has created an inspired menu in this downtown restaurant. Tucked behind the Little Theater, there is plenty of parking.

The look is contemporary with a hint of industrial and some milk glass art decor.

Additionally, they have a large patio area if you are more comfortable outdoors, with an area that is covered with heaters.

The menu is not overly extensive, but every appetizer and the main dish is so full of flavor and perfectly crafted that you will not wish for more options.

In fact, a meal at Redd helps you realize what a dining experience should be.

You should reserve early if you want to request outdoor seating.

If you are looking for a casual night out, this is probably not your place. But if you are looking for a unique, delicious dinner, do not hesitate to come.

Address: 24 Winthrop St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

21. Lento

Lento specializes in farm-to-table, regional, seasonal, and sustainable cuisine. The daily menu is based on what is available from local farms and in season.

After walking down a dingy carpeted subterranean hall, enter Lento, and experience an ambiance you will find in the best restaurants in the best cities anywhere.

Lento pioneered the great concept of Farm to Table for the Rochester area, which can be overly expensive to the point of instability.

However, upstate NY has a plethora of great farmers-both organic and not, wineries, creameries, and even meat and poultry farms.

Lento utilizes this opportunity and capitalizes on success with reasonably priced entrees and locally sourced appetizers.

The location in Village Gate is very hip, and with Lentos, several years in the same place.

The dining room is very well decorated with elegant accents to give an up-do to a dull area.

Additionally, the eatery takes pride in serving locally butchered, smoked, and cured meat and house-pickled veggies, bread, and pastries.

The pan-seared Bedford monkfish and grilled butcher steak are excellent choices for a warm night in Rochester.

Address: 274 N Goodman St, Rochester, NY 14607, United States

22. Pane Vino

Pane Vino is another Rochester restaurant that consistently delivers a delicious meal.

In the St. Paul District, there is the Italian restaurant Pane Vino.

Their dining room has exposed brick, a fireplace, and a view of the western city skyline. It is described as rustic/modern.

They also have an outdoor dining patio located right on the Genesee River, which is nice during the warmer months.

In fact, this Rochester downtown restaurant has it all: a great view, warm and cozy space, lots of choices, and friendly and efficient service.

Take advantage of a huge selection of unmatched Italian dishes and the best steaks, chops, and seafood.

The restaurant delivers unequaled Italian cuisine, starting with some traditional antipasto, such as hot calamari, lamb lollipops, and coconut shrimp.

Also, don’t worry about finding a parking spot; they offer complimentary valet.

Address: 3400 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618, United States

Final Remark

With a wide variety of cuisine, including one-of-a-kind BBQ, traditional Italian fare, and vibrant Caribbean-inspired dishes, restaurants in Rochester wouldn’t disappoint.

Bon Appetite!