I partnered with Valerie at roccitycoffee to compile this list of Rochester’s best coffee roasters and cafes. Each cup is more than just a beverage; it is a celebration of dedication, craftsmanship, and community spirit.
Rochester is well known for its robust coffee culture, with unique blends and inviting spaces known for their sense of community. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee aficionado or a casual enthusiast seeking your next favorite brew, you’ll find a wealth of options to tantalize your taste buds and ignite your passion for exceptional coffee.
From cozy neighborhood cafes serving up meticulously crafted pour-overs to innovative roasteries pushing the boundaries of flavor experimentation, Rochester offers something to satisfy every palate and preference. Enjoy!
Coffee Roasters
Rochester is home to several coffee roasters who not only roast coffee but also run cafes where they serve their coffee with a variety of food options. Some other roasters distribute their coffee beans to local shops and sell them directly to consumers through online shops and subscription services. In any case, you can expect to have an exceptional coffee experience. To discover more about what makes each of these roasters unique, visit their respective websites.
City of Rochester
- Aporia Coffee Co.* also owns AM:fm Coffee Cocktails Vinyl
- The Best Coffee at the Market
- Bold & Gritty*
- Boulder Coffee Cafe and Lounge
- Canaltown Coffee Roasters
- Coffee Connection
- Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters
- Fuego Coffee Roasters
- Java’s Cafe
- Java’s at the Market
- Joe Bean Roasters
- Legendary Beans Coffee
- Melo Coffee & Kitchen
- Language of Coffee (served at Montgomery Court)
- New City Cafe & Roastery
- Pearson’s Market & Café
- Ugly Duck
*direct-to-consumer wholesale or secondary retail only
Monroe County
- FairPour Coffee Roasters, Fairport
- Java Junction Coffee Roasters & Bakery, Brockport
- Leaf & Bean Coffee Co., Chili
- Localist Coffee, Chili
- Union Place Coffee Roasters, Henrietta
Greater Rochester
- Cobblestone Coffee Roasters, Waterloo*
- Grounded, Geneva
- Evening Star Coffee Roasters, Avon*
- Imprint Coffee Roasters, Sodus
- Keuka Lake Coffee Roasters, Penn Yan
- little Lake Brewing, Lakeville
- Monaco’s Coffee, Geneva
- Simple Roast Coffee, Geneva
- Steamworks Coffee Roasters, Lockport
- Working Class Coffee, Canandaigua
Surrounding Counties
- Bell’s Country Coffee, Elmira
- Buffalo Coffee Roastery, Sanborn*
- Cafe Kubal, multiple Syracuse locations
- Copper Horse Coffee Roasters, Ithaca*
- The Cracked Bean Roastery, Syracuse
- Crown City Roasters, Auburn*
- Ellicottville Coffee Co., Ellicottville
- Forty Weight Coffee Roasters, Ithaca
- Gimme! Coffee, Ithaca
- Great Lakes Coffee Roasters, multiple Buffalo locations
- Kornerstone Coffee, multiple Buffalo locations
- New Day Coffee Roasters, North Tonawanda*
- Overlook Coffee Company, Burdett*
- Peaks Coffee Company, Syracuse
- Premium Coffee Company, Buffalo
- Recess Coffee, multiple Syracuse locations
- Seneca Sunrise Coffee, Watkins Glen
- Simple Roast, Auburn
- Tipico Coffee & Cafe, Buffalo
- Undergrounds Coffee House and Roastery, Buffalo
- White Rabbit Roastery, Weedsport
*direct-to-consumer wholesale or secondary retail only
Cozy Cafes & Coffee Shops
From cozy nooks to bustling hubs, Rochester’s coffee scene offers diverse experiences to satisfy every coffee enthusiast. These charming shops are not coffee roasters themselves, but they serve unique blends from local roasters while building a sense of community. Add these to your day-trip itinerary as you’re exploring the region.
City of Rochester
- 1872 Cafe
- AM:fm Coffee Cocktails Vinyl
- Bookeater
- Cafe Sasso
- Equal Grounds Community Cafe
- Founder’s Cafe
- Happy Gut Sanctuary
- Hydra Coffee House
- Neutral Ground Coffee Corn Hill
- Pandamonium Coffee
- RoCoCo Coffee Co.
- Spot Coffee
- Village Bakery & Cafe
- Winter Swan Coffee
Monroe County
- Artisan Coffeehouse, Scottsville
- Busy Bean Cafe, Penfield
- Clementine Coffee, Fairport
- Coffee Corner, Hilton
- Grinds 122 Café, Brockport
- Jitters, North Chili
- Junction361, Fairport
- Lovin’ Cup, Henrietta
- Luigis Coffee, East Rochester
- Main St. Cafe, Honeoye Falls & Mendon
- Mamaste Cafe and Play, Hilton
- Neutral Ground, Pittsford
- New Roots Coffeehouse, Greece
- The Old Farm Cafe, Brighton
- Pure Imagination Cafe, Gates
- Quigley’s Cafe, Penfield
- Rise & Grind Cafe and Diner, North Chili
- Sips Coffee & Cafe, Irondequoit
- Steven James Coffee Co., East Rochester
- Tree Town Cafe, Brighton
- Union Street Coffee House, Spencerport
- Village Bakery & Cafe, Webster & Pittsford
Greater Rochester
- Busy Bean Cafe, Victor
- Coffee Cures Everything, Canandaigua (drive-thru)
- Coffee Press, Batavia
- Cricket’s Coffee, Kitchen, Cocktails, Geneseo
- The Dali Java, Canandaigua
- Elm Street Bakery, East Aurora
- Grind-On Coffee Co., Newark
- Homegrown Coffee Bar, Dansville
- Lazy Cat Lounge and Cafe, Victor
- MacFadden Coffee Co., Dansville
- Mambrino King Wine Coffee Chocolate Cafe, East Aurora
- North Star Cafe, Canandaigua
- Sweet Arts Bakery, Geneseo
- Talk of the Town Cafe, Clifton Springs
- Taste Bistro & Coffee Bar, East Aurora
- Village Bakery & Cafe, Victor
Surrounding Counties
- Across The Hall Cafe, Syracuse
- Babes and Buds Coffee Lounge & Boutique, Watkins Glen
- Brandy’s Cup of Joe, Hornell
- Cafe Blue, Syracuse
- Cafe Postscript, Buffalo
- Caffe Aroma, Buffalo
- Coffee & Stone, North Tonawanda
- Dog Ears Bookstore & Cafe, Buffalo
- The Healing Grounds Cooperative Cafe, Buffalo
- Hope Cafe, Syracuse
- Ithaca Bakery, Ithaca
- The Intersection Cafe, Buffalo
- Jacks Corner Cafe, Buffalo
- Market Street Coffee & Tea, Corning
- Orange Cat Coffee Co, Lewiston
- Public Espresso, Buffalo
- Raha Coffee House, Buffalo
- Soul Full Cup Coffeehouse, Corning
- Wonder Coffeehouse, Buffalo
Pop-Up Coffee
Whether you prefer a dark roast with bold intensity or a specialty single-origin bean with delicate nuances, Rochester offers an abundance of options to explore and enjoy.
Google Map of Coffee Roasters and Shops
What is third-wave coffee?
The terms “first-wave,” “second-wave,” and “third-wave” are used to describe different phases or movements within the coffee industry, each characterized by specific approaches to coffee production, consumption, and culture. Let’s break them down:
First-wave coffee refers to the initial phase of coffee consumption in the 19th and early 20th centuries when coffee became a widely available commodity. This period is often associated with mass production, instant coffee, and large-scale brands like Folgers and Maxwell House. Convenience and accessibility were key factors during this period.
Second-wave coffee emerged in the latter half of the 20th century, around the 1960s and 1970s. This phase shifted towards higher-quality coffee and popularized espresso-based drinks like cappuccinos and lattes. Companies like Starbucks played a significant role in this wave by introducing specialty coffee drinks to a broader audience. The focus was creating a café experience and educating consumers about coffee varieties and brewing methods.
Third-wave coffee began in the early 2000s and is characterized by a deep emphasis on quality, sustainability, and artisanal aspects of coffee production. Third-wave coffee roasters prioritize direct relationships with coffee growers, single-origin coffees, lighter roasts highlighting the bean’s unique flavors, and manual brewing methods such as pour-over and French press. This wave also promotes sourcing transparency, showcasing the coffee’s journey from farm to cup.
Each wave represents a distinct evolution in how coffee is produced, consumed, and appreciated. It reflects changing consumer preferences and a deeper appreciation for the complexities of coffee as a beverage and a cultural experience.
Fun fact: Every cup of Tim Hortons coffee sold in the United States and parts of Canada is roasted in Rochester. According to an article published by the Rochester D&C, the plant produces 20 to 30 million pounds of beans yearly and supplies all the stores in the United States and some in Canada. The Canadian counterpart processes beans for the remaining stores in the home country. The 40,000-square-foot processing facility in Henrietta provides a one-stop shop for roasting, grinding, and packaging beans that are shipped throughout the country. Previously, the plant was utilized by Chock Full o’Nuts.
Explore More
Colorful Places: Day Trip Ideas to Brighten a Gray Rochester Day
In a city where weather often impacts our mental health, exposing yourself to vibrant hues can help dispel the gloom of a gray Rochester day.
Whether savoring a gourmet meal, enjoying local delicacies, or embarking on a culinary adventure, you’ll love Rochester’s dining scene.
Savor Local Flavor: 30 Breweries & Cideries in Monroe County
Considering all the breweries that call the Greater Rochester area home can be overwhelming. Let’s focus on the ones here in Monroe County.
Do you have a favorite place to enjoy coffee in and around Rochester?
Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.
Help Support My Work
People often ask me if I get free access to places while exploring. The answer is no unless I’m invited to previews or granted behind-the-scenes access as part of my media role. Generally, I don’t mention my project, Day Trips Around Rochester, NY, because I want the same experience you would have. I create and share content simply because it brings me joy.
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Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
Layali Coffee just opened in Henrietta on Jefferson. It’s a cool Yemeni cafe
You are missing a great single origin roaster who has been in business for over 6 years. I am referring to “little Lake Brewing” in Lakeville NY. It is at the north end of Conesus Lake in Livingston county. Don roasts many different beans from South America, Africa, and the Far East. He has a large local following and sometimes can’t keep the shelves stocked. He also bakes his own muffins, pastries, and offers a delicious breakfast menu.
Wonderful! I’m not familiar with them and can’t wait to check it out!
little Lake Brewing – Lakeville, NY. little Lake Brewing is dedicated to serving year-round artisan craft beverages, including house-roasted coffee, craft beer, seltzer, and homemade sodas. https://www.littlelakebrewing.com/
Quigley’s Cafe in Penfield! They serve the best coffee and have the yummiest treats. They are heavily focused on their community. Great place to meet friends too! In the summer they have ice cream and Food Truck Wednesdays!
Thank you so much for the recommendation, Michelle!
Grounded Geneva in, where else, Geneva!
https://www.groundedgeneva.com
68 Castle St., right across from the post office.
I would also add Pearson’s on Somerton off Park Ave in Rochester. It’s where Glen Edith used to be.
Pearson’s is definitely on our list!
Hi Debi- My huband’s(and mine) favorite coffee is Gimmie coffee in Ithaca and also brewed at Ugly Duck in Rochester. His favorite in Syracuse is Peaks Coffee Co. roasted in Cazenovia they have only one storefront in a student apartment building on E. Genesee st. Several blocks south from the SU campus.
I have bookmarked your comprehensive listing and it will be fun to incorporate cafes with our adventures.
I’m excited to learn about Peaks Coffee Co, Anne! I went to college in Caz 🙂 Thank you to you and your husband, and feel free to share any new shops while you’re out daytripping. I plan day trips around (or at least incorporate stops for) coffee, ice cream, and diners.