Eat Drink Roam restaurant Park Ave cover

Food & Beverage Guide

Exploring Rochester’s food and beverage scene promises a delectable journey filled with diverse culinary experiences. Whether savoring a gourmet meal, enjoying local delicacies, or embarking on a culinary adventure, Rochester’s dining scene offers many options to suit every palate and create memorable moments.

Caledonia Village Inn
Caledonia Village Inn

Highly Recommended Restaurants

Some food destinations are well-established, while others quickly become favorites as Rochester’s culinary scene explodes.

abbots ice cream
Abbott’s

The Best Ice Cream Shops

Ice cream, gelato, Italian ice, frozen yogurt, and custard—we love these shops’ outstanding atmosphere, taste, and innovation.

Winter Swan inside Stacy K Floral
Winter Swan inside Stacy K Floral

Coffee Roasters and Cozy Cafes

Rochester is well known for its robust coffee culture, with unique roasts and inviting cafes known for their sense of community.

Mullers Cider
Muller’s Cider

Craft Breweries 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.

Highland Park Diner milkshakes
Highland Park Diner – Photo by Sara Cerame

Authentic Dining-Car Diners

Carefully preserved and restored to their former glory, these authentic dining-car diners will delight anyone who loves a bit of nostalgia.

The Cub Room bar
The Cub Room

Rochester’s Most Romantic Restaurants

Discover the most romantic restaurants for date nights, milestones, and memorable culinary delights within a two-hour drive of Rochester.

Rochester-Area Chocolatiers: Stevers on Park Ave
Stever’s

Chocolatiers

Many of our fine Rochester-area chocolatiers are 3rd- and 4th-generation descendants using traditional family recipes with modern twists.

Nenos Gourmet Mexican Street Food 642 Monroe Ave Rochester, NY
Nenos on Monroe Ave

Fun, Family-Friendly Restaurants, Cafes, and Breweries

I asked our day-trip community: “Do you know of any Rochester-area restaurants that are great for date night and kid-friendly but not kid-centric?” Here’s what you said!

Montezuma Winery
Montezuma Winery

Breweries, Wineries, Cideries, and Distilleries

Grab a designated driver and follow these craft beverage trails around Rochester to enjoy a day trip visiting our region’s talented artisans.

Scenic Keuka Lake Views Bully Hill
Bully Hill Vineyards

Wineries with Scenic Keuka Lake Views

For your Finger Lakes wine tour, we prioritize showing you which wineries have the most spectacular scenic Keuka Lake views.

new york maple syrup bottles
Pick-your-own blueberries

Sweet Maple Sugar Shacks

During Maple Weekends, March 16-17 and 23-24, 2024, producers open their sugar shacks to honor the art and science of turning sap into syrup.

apple cider
Apple season

Apple Everything!

Come mid-September, we begin to crave all things apple: apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple fritters, apple pie, and warm fry cakes.

basket of blueberries
Pick-your-own blueberries

Pick Your Own Produce

There are U-Pick farms all around the Greater Rochester Area. Oftentimes, picking your own product is as much a family adventure as it is entertainment.

Josephs Wayside Market
Joseph’s Wayside Market

Farms & Farmers’ Markets

Exploring local markets and roadside produce stands is a great way to immerse yourself in the community and support family farms.

Date Night in Rochester: Historic Inns Around Rochester: Inn on Broadway
Historic Inn on Broadway

Historic Inns & Hotels

These historic inns around Rochester will take you back to a time when it was a frontier town, accessible only by train, boat, or stagecoach.

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Our Most Popular Guides

Discover the best restaurants, lesser-known attractions, secluded hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, and more.

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Shop Like a Local: Embark on a Retail Expedition through Rochester’s Neighborhoods

When exploring Rochester’s residential areas, you’ll find unique boutiques, bookstores, and shops scattered among restaurants and cafes.

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Kindling Community: A Guide to Finding Rochester’s Cozy Fireplaces

I’ve curated a list of spots around the city perfect for quiet reading or community engagement next to a comforting fireplace.

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Grand Adventures: 10 Rochester Skip-Gen Day Trip Ideas

This guide offers ten skip-gen day trip ideas for grandparents and grandchildren to spend quality time exploring the Rochester area together.

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Where are your favorite spots to enjoy delicious foods and beverages around Rochester?

Your insights and experiences are valuable. Please share them in the comments.

Debi Bower, Day Trips Around Rochester NY

Debi Bower is the founder and creative director of daytrippingroc.com and author of the award-winning book Day Trips Around Rochester, New York.

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. I would appreciate your support—a cup of coffee or two to help fuel future field trips—if you have found valuable information here that has helped you explore the Rochester area.

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