The Flower City is the third biggest city in the state of New York. This diverse city is boasting with restaurants that you should definitely have to try. You can expect restaurants that offer something new to the palate. They have American cuisine, fresh farm-to-table food, delectable craft beers, and cocktails.
That is why we’ve listed down some of the best restaurants in Rochester that will blow your taste buds. Take a look:
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que or what most locals call “Dinosaur” is a blues bar, biker-themed restaurant. With over 1000 review on Yelp, this restaurant truly deserves the top spot. They are also famous for their rustic ambiance and their special barbecue sauce.
Customers just can’t get enough of their menu and how unique their barbecue flavor is. Even locals from St. Louis thinks that their ribs are close to perfection. You can click here to reserve ahead of time because the place is usually packed.
Best Sellers:
- Rack of Ribs
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Pulled Pork and Chopped Brisket Sliders
- Dino Cheesecake
Price range: $12-$30
Required Attire: Casual
Operating Hours: 11 AM – 11 PM; Open Daily
Lento
One of the most sought-after restaurants in Rochester is Lento. They offer farm-to-table cuisine which guarantees fresh-tasting food every single time. Their executive chef and owner, Art Rogers was one of the finalists on James Beard Award’s Best Chef Northeast which makes this quaint restaurant even more exciting.
Customers are always offered something unique every time they visit. While the price may be a bit high, it’s still worth it. They also have an impressive bar list, with an extensive list of wine and craft cocktails.
Best Sellers:
- Poutine
- Alaskan Sockeye Salmon
- Oysters
- House Made Ravioli
Price range: $30-$60
Required Attire: Casual
Operating Hours: 5 PM – 9 PM; Closed on Sundays.
The Owl House
This restaurant is known for their bohemian vibes and craft beers. Another healthy farm- -to-table type of American resto. The place was originally a residential house and converted into a little restaurant with a bar to boast. The food is always fresh, and customer service is top-notch.
The overall ambiance at The Owl House is romantic and rustic with low hanging lights to complete the look. Reservations are needed as the place can be packed especially on the weekends. More importantly, all their food options can be prepared gluten or dairy free.
Best Sellers:
- Polenta Fries
- Buffalo Cauli Wings
- Sirloin
- Tofu Scramble
Price range: $11-$30
Required Attire: Casual
Operating Hours: 11:30 AM – 3 PM and 5 PM – 10 PM; Closed on Mondays.
Rocco
If you’re in Rochester and you’re looking for a place to wear something formal on a night out, you can never go wrong with Rocco. The restaurant is owned by a local chef, Marc Cupolo and his partner, Dan Richards. They opened the restaurant back in 2008, and it’s still one of the best in the city.
They initially just offered pizza but later on ventured to provide a full-course meal. It’s the perfect spot in the city to get a genuine taste of Italy. The ambiance is covered in warm hues of very soft lighting. They only have 13 tables, so it gets full fast. They also have an exclusively Italian wine list for the wine-lovers.
Best Sellers:
- Linguine with White Clam Sauce
- Costola Di Maiale Con Mozzarella Fritte (Pork ribs with fried mozzarella)
- Pizza
- Porchetta Sandwich
Price range: $30-$60
Required Attire: Dressy to Casual
Operating Hours: 5 PM – 9:30 PM; Closed on Sundays.
The Revelry
Located in University Avenue, this restaurant is a little gem in the city. They offer authentic American menu with a twist of country style cooking. This is because the owner, Josh Miles hailed from South Carolina and he brought his love of the mountains to this fantastic restaurant.
The first floor of the restaurant is more of a bar for guests who’d like to get a drink. The second floor is the dining space, but with limited seating capacity. They also offer artisanal beer and wine to reflect high-quality products that are made with love. More than anything else, The Revelry is all about southern hospitality and making sure that guests are always comfortable.
Best Sellers:
- Fried Chicken
- Beet Deviled Eggs
- Salmon Belly Tartare
- Alaskan Halibut
Price range: $40-$60
Required Attire: Casual
Operating Hours: 5 PM – 10 PM; Closed on Mondays.
Conclusion
Whether you live or just visiting Rochester, there are plenty of places to dine out with friends and family. Date nights will never be boring as there are always choices for different types of cuisine. From American to Italian or fresh farm to table food, this place has all that covered.
