nenos mexican cover

Fun Family-Friendly Restaurants, Cafes, and Breweries

I asked the Day Trips Around Rochester, NY community this question presented to me by a new Rochesterian: “Do you know of any Rochester-area restaurants that are great for date night and kid friendly but not kid centric? A place that has a nice atmosphere, diverse menu, and maybe offers a play space or something interesting or entertaining for the kids?”

And here is what you said!

Please suggest more family-friendly—and pet-friendly—restaurants in the comments.

I’ve also added a list of restaurants at the bottom that serve international and ethnic cuisines, perfect for experiencing new foods together.

Cafes

pure imagination cafe
Pure Imagination

Cafe Sasso

Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe

Mamaste Cafe and Play

Pop Roc – Pop Culture Cafe

Pure Imagination Cafe

Tree Town Cafe

Food + Fun

New Years Eve: Radio Social Bowling
Radio Social

Bill Gray’s Skyliner Diner (inside Strong Museum)

Dave & Buster’s

Minnehan’s

The Playhouse / Swillburger

Radio Social

Tully’s Good Times

And, while it opened on Nov 9, 2022, in the Neighborhood of Play, there’s a strong desire to check out Nerdvana.

Traditional Restaurants

Hose 22
Hose 22

Many of these recommendations came with a note that the staff and the environment make them feel comfortable taking the littles out for a delicious meal.

Hose 22

Lucky’s

Nosh

Neno’s

Owl House

Salena’s

Squatcho’s (vegan)

Plus, dozens of international and ethic cuisines to try listed blow.

Breweries & Cideries

Blue Barn Cidery
Blue Barn Cidery

Again, these came with notes about having a family-friendly environment, often including games families can play together and fun-themed events.

Blue Barn Cidery

K2 Brothers Brewing

New York Beer Project

Other Half Brewing

Rising Storm Brewery

Sager Beer Works

Strangebird Brewery

Nine Maidens Brewing

International & Ethnic Cuisine

Naan-Tastic
Naan-Tastic

I also received a question about where to take kids starting from a young age to experience varied cuisines. Start with these!

There are several cuisines/kitchens to choose from at Mercantile on Main.

British

Caribbean/Jamaican

Cajun

Chinese

Ethiopian

German

Greek

Indian

Irish

Italian

Japanese

Jewish/Kosher

Korean

Latin American/Spanish/Puerto Rican/Dominican

Mediterranean/Afghan/Persian/Syrian/Turkish

Mexican

Polish

Thai / Vietnamese

Please suggest your favorite places to enjoy international and ethnic cuisines around Rochester in the comments, and I’ll happily add them to this list!

International Food Markets

Juan and Maria's Empanada Shop
Juan and Maria’s Empanada Shop

Have fun trying new ingredients, desserts, prepared foods, fruit, and vegetables. Years ago, we took our Girl Scout troop to Wegmans Calkins Rd, where they each selected foods from the hot bar they had never tasted. Then, we visited the various food markets so they could purchase something unique to bring home and try. To this day, it’s one of our most memorable field trips.

Asia Food Market

Asia Market Groceries

International Food Market

Rochester Public Market

Spice Bazaar

Wegmans

Regional Markets

Sauder’s Store, a Mennonite family-run grocery market in Seneca Falls

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nenos mexican cover
Article cover photo: Neno’s on Monroe Ave

Where are your favorite family-friendly restaurants 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 book Day Trips Around Rochester, New York.

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