10 Best Rochester Restaurants

Rochester is famous for the Garbage Plate, a dish that includes a combination of cheeseburgers, hamburgers, or hot dogs served over a base of home fries, macaroni salad, and baked beans, all topped with meat hot sauce, mustard, and onions. This hearty meal is a cornerstone of the local food in Rochester. Another signature  food is the "white hot," a type of hot dog made from a combination of uncured and unsmoked pork, beef, and veal, giving it a white color. Zweigle's is the primary local producer of this regional specialty. The city's culinary identity is built on these specific, locally created comfort foods rather than a particular cooking technique.

The average cost for a meal at an inexpensive restaurant in Rochester is between $15 and $25 per person. A three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant costs between $60 and $100. For high-end dining establishments, the price for a meal can start at $50 per person and go higher depending on the specific restaurant and menu selections.

Rochester has a strong local fast-food scene, with regional chains like Bill Gray's and Tom Wahl's being local favorites. These establishments are known for their ground steak burgers, hot dogs, and frozen custard. Other popular fast food joints are shown below:

• Bill Gray's: A local chain famous for its "World's Greatest Cheeseburger," white hots, and Abbott's Frozen Custard.
• Tom Wahl's: Known for its Wahlburger, homemade root beer, and classic car cruise-ins at its locations.
• Abbott's Frozen Custard: A Rochester institution since 1902, celebrated for its rich, creamy frozen custard, especially the vanilla and chocolate almond flavors.
• DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines: Founded in Rochester, this chain is popular for its classic, hearth-baked submarine sandwiches.
• Salvatore's "Original" Pizzeria: A local pizza chain that started in Rochester and is known for its "SuperSlice" and traditional New York-style pizza.
• Wegmans Market Cafe: The prepared foods section of the Rochester-based supermarket giant is a popular spot for quick meals, including subs, pizza, and sushi.
• Dogtown: A specialty hot dog shop offering a large menu of hot dogs, including the local white hots, with many topping combinations.
• Schaller's Drive-In: A classic drive-in restaurant that has been serving burgers, hot dogs, and onion rings since 1956.
• Country Sweet: A restaurant based on its signature sweet and tangy "Country Sweet" sauce, served on chicken wings, ribs, and sandwiches.
• Nick Tahou Hots: The originator of the Garbage Plate, offering the authentic fast-food version of this Rochester classic.

Yes, there are many good restaurants located near the University of Rochester. The most convenient area is College Town, a development adjacent to the campus that was specifically designed to serve the university community and local residents. It features a mix of restaurants, shops, and services. Popular places to eat in Rochester NY in and around the College Town area include Grappa, which serves modern Italian cuisine in an upscale setting; the Beerhead Bar & Eatery which offers a large selection of craft beers and pub food; and Dinosaur Bar-B-Que which is a short drive away and is a well-known establishment with a lively atmosphere. 

Recently opened restaurants in Rochester NY include Redd Wood, The Hideaway, and others shown below:

• Redd Wood: Located at 1690 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618, this restaurant focuses on European cuisine cooked over an open hearth.
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• The Hideaway: Situated at 1970 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623, this spot offers creative cocktails and upscale American pub food.
• Cleo's: Found at 280 N Union St, Rochester, NY 14609, this restaurant in the Public Market serves Roman-inspired dishes.
• Babydoll's: Located at 689 South Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, this bar and kitchen offers a menu of creative small plates and drinks in the South Wedge neighborhood.
• Crisp: An eatery at 819 S Clinton Ave, Rochester, NY 14620, specializing in made-to-order salads, wraps, and grain bowls.

Yes, Rochester offers a great selection of places for a midday meal, from classic delis to modern fast-casual eateries. The lunch spots in Rochester NY include DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines, a chain that originated in the city and is known for its hearth-baked subs. For a classic deli experience, Brownstein's Delicatessen serves traditional sandwiches like pastrami and corned beef. Crisp is a popular choice for fresh, made-to-order salads and wraps, while The Red Fern offers a full vegan menu with lunch items like its signature "Compost Plate," a vegan version of the Garbage Plate.

Yes, Rochester has many excellent restaurants for dinner, ranging from casual eateries to upscale fine dining establishments. Many dinner restaurants in Rochester NY are concentrated in neighborhoods like the Neighborhood of the Arts and the South Wedge. For an upscale experience, Good Luck is a popular choice with a focus on shared plates and craft cocktails, and Lento Restaurant provides a farm-to-table fine dining experience with a seasonal menu. Redd Wood offers European-inspired dishes cooked over an open hearth in an upscale casual setting. For a more laid-back meal, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is one of the most popular dinner places Rochester NY for Southern-style barbecue in a lively, music-filled environment.

Rochester has several restaurants that are either fully vegan or offer extensive vegan menus. The Red Fern is a 100% vegan restaurant in the South Wedge neighborhood, known for its creative plant-based comfort food. The Owl House, while not exclusively vegan, is celebrated for its large and inventive vegan menu that runs parallel to its meat-based offerings. Allah's Kitchen serves vegan Caribbean and soul food dishes. For pizza lovers, New Ethic Pizzeria & Public House is a fully vegan pizzeria. Natural Oasis Cafe specializes in Ethiopian and Mediterranean vegan cuisine, providing a range of plant-based options in the city.

Many restaurants in Rochester accommodate gluten-free diets, including some that are dedicated gluten-free establishments. Something Delicious Bake Shop is a dedicated gluten-free bakery offering a safe option for celiac-safe cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. The Owl House is well-regarded for its ability to cater to dietary restrictions and maintains dedicated gluten-free fryers, making it a reliable choice. The Red Fern, being a health-conscious vegan restaurant, also has a large selection of gluten-free dishes on its menu. Upscale restaurants like Lento and Good Luck can also accommodate gluten-free requests with their fresh, from-scratch cooking.

Rochester's most famous cuisines are American comfort food and Italian-American food, reflecting the city's heritage. Listed below are the most common and popular cuisines in Rochester:

• Regional American: This is the most distinct cuisine in Rochester, defined by local inventions. The Garbage Plate from Nick Tahou Hots is the city's most famous dish. White hots from producers like Zweigle's are another local specialty found at diners and hot dog shops across the city.
• Italian: Rochester has a large Italian-American population, which is reflected in its food. This includes classic red-sauce restaurants like Angelina's, as well as numerous pizzerias and submarine shops. DiBella's Old Fashioned Submarines is a Rochester original that has become a regional chain.
• Pizza: While a subcategory of Italian, pizza has a strong identity in the city. Local chains like Salvatore's "Original" Pizzeria are institutions, known for their large "SuperSlices" and classic New York-style pies.
• Barbecue: The presence of the highly popular Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, a prominent restaurant on the Genesee River, has made Southern-style barbecue a significant part of the local dining scene.
• Deli: The city has a tradition of quality delicatessens. Establishments like Brownstein's Delicatessen maintain the classic Jewish deli experience with staples like corned beef and pastrami sandwiches.