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650+ Highly Recommended Restaurants Around Greater Rochester

By

Including Diners, Cafés, Pubs, Bars, Bakeries, Tap Rooms, Ice Cream Parlors, and more!

Rochestarians frequent these establishments because the food and atmosphere are consistently outstanding. Locals visit these places several times a year and recommend them to friends and visitors. As Rochester’s culinary scene continues to expand, some food destinations remain popular, while others emerge as new favorites.

If you plan to visit these establishments, check the restaurant’s website or social media pages for the most up-to-date hours and special announcements. This list is subject to change. I periodically review it and welcome your suggestions. If you have a recommendation or information about a closure, please do not hesitate to let me know.

This list represents over 40 years of experience dining in the Greater Rochester region, as well as highly recommended restaurants from friends, colleagues, and the Day Trips Around Rochester community.

City of Rochester

Highly recommended restaurants - Cafe Sasso
Cafe Sasso
  1. Abyssinia Ethiopian Restaurant
  2. Aladdin’s Natural Eatery
  3. The Alexander
  4. Amore Italian Restaurant & Lounge
  5. Angelinas
  6. Ardor Park Artisanal Pizza
  7. Aş Evi Turkish Cuisine
  8. Balsam Bagels
  9. Bar Bad Ending
  10. Bar Bantam
  11. BB.q Chicken
  12. Bitter Honey
  13. Boulder Cafe & Lounge 
  14. Branca Midtown
  15. Brown Hound Bistro
  16. Butterjoy Bakery
  17. Cafe Sasso
  18. Capri Wine Bar & Restaurant
  19. Captain Jim’s
  20. Carnegie Cellars Wine Bar & Kitchen
  21. Casa Campo
Crisp
Crisp
  1. Cedar Mediterranean Restaurant
  2. Char Steak and Lounge
  3. Cheesy Eddie’s
  4. Chortke
  5. Chuy’s Taqueria
  6. Country Sweet
  7. Crisp
  8. Crumpets
  9. Cure
  10. The Daily Refresher
  11. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
  12. The Distillery
  13. Dogtown Hots
  14. Donuts Delight
  15. Dorado
  16. Edibles Restaurant & Bar
  17. El Latino
  18. Fattey Beer Co.
  19. Fiamma Centro
  20. Fiorella
  21. Flavors of Asia
  22. Flight Wine Bar
  23. Flour City Bread Company
Hose 22 Firehouse Grill
Hose 22 Firehouse Grill
  1. Forno Tony
  2. Fox’s Bagels
  3. The French Quarter
  4. The Gate House
  5. Genesee Brew House
  6. Georgie’s Bakery
  7. Gio’s Prime 26
  8. Good Luck
  9. Goodman Bakes
  10. Han Noodle Bar
  11. Hattie’s Rooftop Cocktails
  12. Hedonist Artisan Ice Cream & Chocolates
  13. Heroes Brewing Company
  14. Highland Park Diner
  15. The Hideaway
  16. Hose 22 Firehouse Grill
  17. Hydra Coffeehouse
  18. Iron Tug Brewing
  19. JJ’s Pub
  20. Jack’s Extra Fancy
  21. Java’s Cafe
Highly recommended restaurants - Living Roots Wine Co
Living Roots Wine & Co.
  1. Jeremiah’s Tavern
  2. Jim’s on Main
  3. Jines Restaurant
  4. Joe Bean Roasters
  5. La Casa
  6. Lento
  7. Leonore’s
  8. Liberty Family Restaurant
  9. Lila’s
  10. Living Roots Wine & Co.
  11. Locals Only
  12. Lucky’s
  13. Magnolias Deli & Cafe
  14. Mamasan’s
  15. Martine Kocktails
  16. Max’s Chop House
  17. Max Bar & Bistro at Eastman Place
  18. Melo Coffee & Kitchen
  19. Mercantile on Main
  20. Montgomery Court
  21. Moo’d Burger Bar
  22. Mr. Dominic’s at the Lake
Highly recommended restaurants - Old Pueblo Grill
Old Pueblo Grill
  1. Mt. Hope Family Diner 
  2. Mullers Cider House
  3. Murphy’s Law Irish Pub
  4. Native Eatery & Bar
  5. Neno’s Gourmet Mexican Street Food
  6. Neutral Grounds Coffeehouse
  7. Nerdvana
  8. Nine Maidens Brewing
  9. Nosh
  10. Old Pueblo Grill
  11. Orange Glory Café
  12. Owl House
  13. Pane Vino on the River
  14. Park Ave Paninoteca
  15. Patron Saint Steakhouse
  16. Peach Blossom
  17. Peels On Wheels Pizza Garage
  18. The Peppermill
  19. Pizza Wizard
  20. Playhouse // Swillburger
  21. Polizzi’s
  22. Poke Sushi
  23. Public Provisions
  24. Que Chévere
  25. Rabbit Hole Tavern
  26. Radio Social
Highly recommended restaurants - Red Fern
Red Fern
  1. Red Fern
  2. Red, White, and Brew
  3. REDD Rochester
  4. Redd Wood
  5. Rella
  6. The Revelry
  7. The Richmond by Mortalis Brewing
  8. Ridge Donut Café
  9. Roam
  10. Roc City Ramen
  11. Rocco
  12. Rocky’s
  13. Rohrbach’s Beer Hall
  14. Rooney’s
  15. Roux
  16. Rubino’s
  17. Sager Beer Works
  18. Salena’s Mexican Restaurant
  19. SEA Restaurant
  20. Seasoning Thai Bistro
  21. Shema Sushi
  22. Shiki
  23. Silver Iguana
  24. Squatcho’s
  25. Strangebird Brewery
  26. Studio Lounge
  27. Swan Dive
  28. Swiftwater Brewing Company
  29. Tapas 177
  30. Sinbad’s Mediterranean Cuisine
  31. Sol Burrito
  32. Stromboli’s
  33. TacoDero
  34. Tavos Antojitos y Tequila
  35. Texas de Brazil
  36. Three Heads Brewing
  37. TRATA
  38. Tryon City Tavern
  39. Unwine’d
  40. Vault Cafe & Cabaret
  41. Velvet Belly
  42. Vern’s
  43. Vesper
  44. Village Bakery
  45. Vine & Tap Wine Bar
  46. Voula’s Greek Sweets
  47. Whiskey River Pub & Grill
  48. White Swans
  49. Wildflour
  50. Windjammers
  51. Winfield Grill
  52. Ziggy’s

Multiple Locations

Bill Gray's Tap Room glass
Bill Gray’s Tap Room
  1. Abbott’s Frozen Custard
  2. Bill Gray’s 
  3. Byrne Dairy Ice Cream
  4. Core Life Eatery
  5. DiBella’s
  6. Taichi Bubble Tea

Monroe County

foxs deli
Fox’s Deli

Brighton

  1. Amaya Indian Cuisine
  2. Avvino
  3. Basha Mediterranean Eatery
  4. Carmen’s Cooking
  5. Cerame’s Italian Villa
  6. Char Broil
  7. Chen Garden
  8. Delmonico’s
  9. Fox’s Deli
  10. Juicy Seafood
  11. Khong Thai Cuisine
  12. The Old Farm Cafe
  13. Phillips European
  14. Ristorante Lucano
  15. Rita’s Italian Ice
  16. Seoul Drop
  17. The Sheffield Tavern
  18. Thali of India
  19. The King and I
  20. Tom Wahl’s
58 Main
58 Main

Brockport

  1. 58 Main BBQ & Brew
  2. Barber’s Grille & Tap Room
  3. Brockport Diner
  4. Coleen’s Kitchen
  5. Custom House Bar & Grill
  6. Grinds Café & Sweet Shoppe
  7. Java Junction
  8. Piccolo Fazools Bistro
Richardsons Canal House historic marker
Richardson’s Canal House

Bushnell’s Basin

  1. Aurora Brewing Co.
  2. The Basin Pub
  3. Branca Basin
  4. Fruit & Salad Co.
  5. Richardson’s Canal House
  6. Tom Wahl’s
Leaf and Bean
Leaf and Bean

Chili

  1. Asia Nation
  2. Coronas III Authentic Mexican Restaurant
  3. Ferrari Pizza Bar
  4. Leaf & Bean Coffee Co
  5. The Original Steve’s Diner
  6. REV IT UP Bar and Grill
  7. Russell’s Ice Cream
  8. Sprinkles Ice Cream
  9. Town & Country Family Restaurant

Churchville

  1. Naughton’s Johnson House
Highly recommended restaurants - Leos Bakery and Deli
Leos Bakery and Deli

East Rochester

  1. Ferrari Pizza Bar
  2. Landmark Family Restaurant
  3. Lemoncello Italian Restaurant & Bar
  4. Leo’s Bakery & Deli
  5. Spritz 146
Mulconrys Irish Pub in Fairport fireplace
Mulconry’s Irish Pub

Fairport

  1. Bocaccini’s Italian Bistro
  2. Bonnie & Clyde
  3. Chakara Sushi & Bar
  4. Compané Trattoria
  5. Donnelly’s Public House
  6. Durf’s Family Restaurant
  7. Faircraft Brauhaus
  8. Fairport Brewing Company
  9. Fairpour Coffee Roasters
  10. Great American Diner
  11. Ice Cream Factory
  12. Iron Smoke Distillery
  13. LULU Taqueria + Mezcal
  14. McArdle’s Restaurant
  15. Mulconry’s Irish Pub and Restaurant
  16. Moonlight Creamery
  17. The Porterhouse Steak, Scotch, and Seafood
  18. Riki’s Family Restaurant
  19. Royal Cafe Gelato
  20. Rustic Taco
  21. Salt
  22. Tin Cup Social
  23. TK’s Pizzeria
  24. Tom Wahl’s
  25. Triphammer Bierwerks

Gates

  1. Agatina’s
  2. Ciaccia’s Delicatessen
  3. Cristo’s Wood Fired Pizza & Pasta
  4. Edoya
  5. JBC Rice Noodles and Ramen
  6. Levantine’s Syrian Cafe & Cuisine
  7. Mesquite Grill
  8. Monte Alban Mexican Grill
  9. Mr. Beenz Diner
  10. Papa Joe’s Italian Eatery
  11. Pura Vida Ville
  12. Pure Imagination Cafe
  13. Rohrbach’s Brewpub

Greece

  1. Asian Street Café
  2. Bella Pasta
  3. Bill’s Long Pond Diner
  4. Blue Ridge Grill
  5. Bozza Pasta
  6. BTB Wood-fired Pizza Bar & Grill
  7. Carbone’s Pizzeria
  8. Char Broil House
  9. Cinelli’s Pizza and Italian Kitchen
  10. Cocina Latina
  11. Cotoletta
  12. Davies Sea Food
  13. DaVinci’s
  14. Dell’s Market & Deli
  15. Dell’s Sweats & Treats
  16. Drip Ice Cream Shop
  17. Esquina Tropical
  18. Etna Italian Pastry Shop
  19. Ezzy’s at Latta
  20. Flight West Wine, Whiskey & Kitchen
  21. The Front Porch Ice Cream
  22. Go Frost Yourself
  23. Great American Diner
  24. The Grove House
  25. Honshu Hibachi
  26. Jackson’s Bakery
  27. Kobe Sushi Bar & Steak House
  28. La Famiglia Pizzeria
  29. Lamplighter Restaurant
  30. Los Gallos Mexican Grille
  31. Masters Seafood
  32. Mel’s Diner
  33. Mi Rancho Alegre
  34. New Roots Coffeehouse
  35. Olympia Family Restaurant
  36. Orien’s Café
  37. Parkway Family Restaurant
  38. Patti’s Place inside The Shops on West Ridge
  39. Perri’s Pizza
  40. Philly Steakout
  41. Pino’s Deli & Cafe
  42. The Pizza Stop
  43. Railway Station Diner
  44. Red Fedele’s Brook House
  45. The Retreat
  46. Ricci’s Family Restaurant
  47. Ricci’s Italian Imports
  48. Romig’s Tavern
  49. Salty Bread Pizza Cafe
  50. Schaller’s Drive-In
  51. Silo Brunch Bar
  52. Soho Bagels and Cafe
  53. Soulistic Sweets: Vegan Bakery
  54. Special T Cakes & Desserts
  55. The Sweet Retreat Bakery
  56. Tom Wahl’s
  57. TC Hooligans
  58. Triano’s Meat Market

Hamlin

  1. The Farmer’s Table
  2. Tavern 19
  3. Krony’s Pizza
Highly recommended restaurants - Naan-Tastic
Naan-Tastic

Henrietta

  1. 110 Grill
  2. Berlin’s Halal Doner Kebab & East of Chicago Pizza
  3. Blue Toad Hard Cider
  4. Bob’s Diner (no web presence)
  5. Coco Garden Malaysian Restaurant
  6. Dave’s Hot Chicken
  7. The Distillery
  8. Fireside Grill & Sports Bar
  9. Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe
  10. Haveli Indian Cuisine
  11. Hyderabad Biryani House
  12. Island Wraps
  13. Jay’s Diner
  14. JBC Rice Noodles and Ramen
  15. Just Chik’n
  16. Lovin’ Cup
  17. Mamma G’s
  18. Mecate Mexican Restaurant & Bar
  19. Mediterranean Kebab House
  20. Mission BBQ
  21. Naan-Tastic
  22. Nathan’s Soup & Salad
  23. OG Dumpling House
  24. The Original Steve’s Diner
  25. Osaka Sushi
  26. Peppermints
  27. Pi Craft
  28. Royal of India
  29. Seafood Harbor
  30. Seoul House
  31. Shake Shack
  32. Sodam
  33. Swan Market
  34. Tandoor of India
  35. Taisho Bistro
  36. Tsingtao House
  37. Youkoso Sushi
  38. Youngs Korean Restaurant (no web presence)
Blue Barn Cidery
Blue Barn Cidery

Hilton

  1. The Arlington
  2. Blue Barn Cidery
  3. Braddock Bay Tavern & Grill
  4. Foster’s
  5. North 2 South Cafe
Flaherty's Three Flags Inn
Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn

Honeoye Falls

  1. Dipper Dan Ice Cream
  2. Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn
  3. Main St. Cafe
  4. Okay Beer Company
  5. TK’s On The Falls
Shamrock Jacks
Shamrock Jack’s

Irondequoit

  1. Atlas Eats
  2. Blue Palm Grill
  3. Don’s Original
  4. Eastridge Family Restaurant
  5. Fish Face
  6. i-Scream for Ice Cream at I-Square
  7. Irondequoit Beer Company
  8. Monte Alban Mexican Grill (two locations)
  9. Netsins Ice Cream
  10. New Ethic Pizzaria & Cafe
  11. Pasta Villa
  12. Polska Chata
  13. Salty Bread Pizza Cafe
  14. Savoia Pastry Shoppe
  15. Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub
  16. Thai Mii Up
  17. Uncle Danny’s Family Restaurant
  18. Union Tavern
  19. Wild Elephant
Mendon 64 fireplace
Mendon 64

Mendon

  1. Cottage Hotel of Mendon
  2. Main St. Cafe
  3. Mendon 64

North Chili

  1. Itacate
  2. North Chili Family Restaurant

North Greece

  1. The Front Porch Ice Cream Shoppe
  2. Olympia Family Restaurant

Penfield

  1. Bar-Bill Tavern
  2. Elvio’s Coffee
  3. Five Mile Café
  4. George’s Family Restaurant
  5. Guacamole Authentic Mexican Taqueria
  6. Hong Wah Restaurant
  7. Joey’s Pasta House
  8. Michael’s Valley Grill
  9. Monte Alban Mexican Grill
  10. The Original Steve’s Diner
  11. South Bay Bar & Grill
Next Door
Next Door by Wegmans

Pittsford

  1. Aladdin’s Natural Eatery
  2. Black & Blue Steak and Crab
  3. Burger Bar by Wegmans
  4. Colliers Cafe
  5. Erie Grille
  6. Fattoush
  7. Favo Pizza and Draft House
  8. JBC Rice Noodles and Ramen
  9. JoJo Bistro & Wine Bar
  10. Label
  11. Lock 32 Brewing Company
  12. Monroe’s Restaurant
  13. Next Door by Wegmans
  14. Neutral Grounds Coffeehouse
  15. Olive’s Greek Taverna
  16. Pane Vino on the Avenue
  17. Pittsford Farms Dairy & Bakery
  18. Pittsford Pub
  19. Plum Garden
  20. Rosie
  21. Simply Crepes
  22. Umai Sushi
  23. Village Bakery
  24. Village Coal Tower Restaurant

Rush

  1. Creekside Inn
Scottsville Diner
Scottsville Diner

Scottsville

  1. Artisan Coffeehouse
  2. iKON Ice Cream
  3. Salvatore’s Saloon 
  4. Scottsville Diner
Bad Apples Bistro
Bad Apples Bistro

Spencerport

  1. Bad Apples Bistro
  2. Clutch on the Canal
  3. Galicia
  4. Griffs Brewery
  5. LuGia’s Ice Cream
  6. Sullivan’s Charbroil
  7. Union Street Eatery
  8. Union Street Coffee House
  9. Village Ice Cream Shop
Highly recommended restaurants - Castaways on the Lake
Castaways on the Lake

Webster

  1. BC’s Chicken Coop
  2. Bruster’s Real Ice Cream
  3. Castaways on the Lake
  4. Charlie’s Restaurant
  5. Empire Pizza
  6. Flaherty’s Three Flags Inn
  7. Garlic Pit
  8. Golden Boys Family Restaurant
  9. JoJo Bistro & Wine Bar
  10. K2 Brothers Brewing
  11. Knucklehead Craft Brewing
  12. La Bella Vita
  13. Maa’s Diner
  14. Mama Lor’s Café
  15. Maria’s Mexican Restaurant
  16. Mario’s Homemade Pasta Kitchen
  17. Mecate Mexican Restaurant & Bar
  18. Monte Alban Mexican Grill
  19. Nucci’s Italian Steak and Seafood
  20. Nutcracker Family Restaurant
  21. The Peppered Pig
  22. Proietti’s Italian Restaurant
  23. Seasoning Thai Bistro
  24. T’s Family Restaurant
  25. Village Bakery
  26. The Waffle Factory
  27. WhichCraft Brews

Greater Rochester

Indian Falls Log Cabin
Indian Falls Log Cabin

Genesee County

Batavia

  1. Alex’s Place
  2. Blondie’s Sip-n-Dip
  3. Bourbon & Burger Co
  4. Eden Cafe & Bakeshop
  5. Eli Fish Brewing Co.
  6. Main Street Pizza Company
  7. Miss Batavia Diner
  8. Pok-A-Dot
  9. Rancho Viejo Authentic Mex
  10. Settler’s Family Restaurant
  11. Sport Of Kings Family Restaurant
  12. T F Brown’s Restaurant
  13. Town & Country Restaurant

Darien Center

  1. Johnny Bear’s Restaurant

LeRoy

  1. Capish! Pizza-ristorante
  2. D & R Depot Restaurant
  3. Leroy’s No Finer Diner
  4. Smokin’ Eagle BBQ & Brew

Pembroke

  1. Indian Falls Log Cabin
The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant
The Original Red Osier Landmark Restaurant

Stafford

  1. The “Original” Red Osier Landmark Restaurant
Historic Inns Around Rochester Avon Inn
Avon Inn

Livingston County

Avon

  1. Avon Inn
  2. Avon Village Restaurant
  3. Avondale Pub
  4. Duffy’s Tavern
  5. Fratelli’s
  6. Peppermints
  7. Tom Wahl’s
  8. Sprinkles Ice Cream Parlor
Caledonia Village Inn
Caledonia Village Inn

Caledonia

  1. Angry Rooster Deli
  2. Caledonia Village Inn
  3. Cozy Kitchen
  4. Reminisce Soda Fountain
Sunrise Family Restaurant Dansville
Sunrise Family Restaurant

Dansville

  1. Angie’s Ice Cream Shoppe
  2. Battle Street Brewery
  3. Caffe Tazza
  4. The Coffee Cup
  5. Ice Cream Island
  6. Jack’s Place Gaslight Grill
  7. Java Jungle Cafe
  8. Middleton’s Frozen Custard
  9. Macfadden Coffee Co.
  10. Scovill’s Grill at Brae Burn Golf Course
  11. The Sugar Bowl
  12. Sunrise Family Restaurant
  13. Tony’s Pizzeria

Geneseo

  1. Aunt Cookie’s Sub Shop
  2. Bar-Eat-O
  3. Big Tree Inn
  4. Cricket’s Coffee Company
  5. Deer Run Winery
  6. Finger Lakes Cookie Company
  7. Intermissions Bar & Grill
  8. Kelly’s Saloon
  9. Mama Mia’s
  10. Village Tavern
  11. Sunset Scoops

Lakeville

  1. 3 Legged Pig BBQ
  2. Galene
  3. Lakeville Family Restaurant
  4. Minnehan’s Restaurant and Fun Center
Fanatics
Fanatics

Lima

  1. Fanatics Pub
  2. Lima Family Restaurant
  3. Milk & Honey Cafe
Highly recommended restaurants - Ember Woodfire
Ember Wood Fire Grill

Livonia

  1. Ember Wood Fire Grill
  2. Livonia Inn
  3. Twisters Ice Cream Shop
  4. Wanda’s Family Restaurant
Wendys Pantry Country Mouse Tea House seating
Wendy’s Pantry and Country Mouse Tea House

Mount Morris

  1. Brian’s USA Diner
  2. High Banks Tavern
  3. Country Mouse Tea House
  4. Letchworth Waffles
  5. Questa Lasagna
  6. Suzea’s Gluten Free Cafe
  7. Zeppo’s Ice Cream Parlor

Nunda

  1. Kish-a-wa Creamery
Yard of Ale Piffard
Yard of Ale

Piffard

  1. Yard of Ale
Clifton Springs Warfields
Warfield’s

Ontario County

Bloomfield

  1. Brady J’s
  2. Shark’s Ice Cream

Canandaigua

  1. A’s Diner & Desserts
  2. Bon Ami French Bistro
  3. Casa Italiana
  4. Charlie Riedel’s
  5. Cheshire Farms Creamery
  6. Eric’s Office Restaurant
  7. Flavors of India
  8. Green Front
  9. Il Posto Bistro
  10. KiX on Main
  11. Macri’s Deli & Café
  12. New York Kitchen
  13. Nolan’s
  14. Patty’s Place
  15. Ray’s Restaurant
  16. Rheinblick German Restaurant
  17. Rio Tomatlan
  18. Rose Tavern
  19. Sand Bar
  20. Simply Crepes Cafe
  21. Tom Wahl’s

Clifton Springs

  1. Warfield’s Restaurant, Lounge & Bakery

Farmington

  1. Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters
  2. Park Place Restaurant
Water Street Cafe Geneva
Water Street Cafe

Geneva

  1. Anorah
  2. Bagels & Cakes
  3. Captain’s Cafe
  4. Char Burrito Bar
  5. Cosentino’s Ristorante
  6. Deluxe
  7. El Morro Restaurant
  8. The Elephant
  9. F.L.X. Table
  10. Geneva on the Lake
  11. Ichiro Japanese Restaurant
  12. Kindred Fare
  13. Linden Social Club
  14. Long Pier Ice Cream & Rentals
  15. Microclimate Wine Bar
  16. Monaco’s Coffee
  17. Ports Cafe
  18. Stonecutter’s Tavern
  19. Three Brothers Wineries & Estates
  20. Torrey Park Grill
  21. Water Street Café

Honeoye

  1. Birdhouse Brewing Company
Small Family Restaurants Roots Cafe Naples
Roots Cafe in Naples

Naples

  1. Brew & Brats at Arbor Hill
  2. Caruso’s Cafe
  3. Lynnie Lou’s Homemade Ice Cream
  4. Naples Hotel Restaurant and Bar
  5. Naples Valley BBQ
  6. Neapolitan Pizzeria
  7. Old School Cafe
  8. Plenty the Bakery
  9. Redwood Restaurant
  10. Roots Café
  11. Sawmill Restaurant

Victor

  1. The Distillery
  2. East Izakaya
  3. Lucca Wood Fire Bistro
  4. New York Beer Project
  5. The Original Steve’s Diner
  6. Otto Tomotto’s
  7. Papa Jack’s Ice Cream
  8. Route 96 BBQ
  9. Seasoning Thai Bistro
  10. Sweet Basil Cafe
  11. Umai Sushi
  12. Village Bakery
Sams Diner Holley NY
Sam’s Diner

Orleans County

Albion

  1. Tinsel Sweets

Holley

  1. Sam’s Diner
  2. Holley Falls Bar and Grill

Lyndonnville

  1. The Hojack Ice Cream Shack & Snack Shack Grill

Medina

  1. Avanti Pizza & Wood-Fired Kitchen
  2. Country Club Family Restaurant
  3. Harvest Restaurant at Bent’s Opera House Hotel
  4. Mariachi De Oro
  5. Rudy’s Soda Bar & Cafe
  6. Shirt Factory
  7. Zambistro Restaurant
Middleport NY Alternative Grounds
Alternative Grounds Caffe

Middleport

  1. Alternative Grounds Caffe
Gould Hotel
Gould Hotel

Seneca County

Interlaken

  1. Cayuga Lake Creamery
El Bajio Mexican Grill and Bar Seneca Falls
El Bajio

Seneca Falls

  1. Cafe 19
  2. Downtown Deli
  3. El Bajio Mexican Restaurant
  4. Flint and Stave
  5. Gould Hotel
  6. Little Italy
  7. Parker’s on Fall
  8. Red Brick Pub
  9. Sauders Store
Highly recommended restaurants - Connies Diner
Connie’s Diner in Waterloo

Waterloo

  1. Abigail’s Restaurant
  2. Connie’s Diner
  3. Mac’s Drive-in
  4. Muranda Cheese Company
  5. Star Diner

Wayne County

Lyons

  1. The Mercantile @ Newberry

Macedon

  1. Flaherty’s Grille & Tap Room
  2. Log Cabin Family Restaurant
  3. Macedon Hills Family Restaurant
  4. Mecate Mexican Restaurant & Bar

Newark

  1. Bee Tee’s Drive-In
  2. Canal View Family Restaurant
  3. Craft120
  4. CrossPark Family Restaurant
  5. Mr. Coolee’s Ice Cream Shop
  6. Parker’s Grille & Tap House 
  7. Tom Wahl’s

Ontario

  1. Heintzelman’s BBQ Pit
  2. Mamia’s Island

Palmyra

  1. Akropolis Family Restaurant
  2. Chill & Grill
  3. Muddy Waters Café
  4. Yellow Mills Diner

Phelps

  1. Otis & Reds

Sodus Point

  1. The Bay Street
  2. Captain Jack’s
  3. El Rincon
  4. Hots Point
  5. Saltbox Smokehouse
  6. Six-50

Williamson

  1. Orbakers Drive-In
  2. Original Candy Kitchen
  3. Yia Yia’s Ice Cream Shoppe

Wolcott

  1. Skipper’s Landing Restaurant & Marina
Silver Lake drive in
Charcoal Corral

Wyoming County

Castile

  1. Castile Cider Mill

Perry

  1. Charcoal Corral
  2. John & Sarah’s
  3. Lumber Yard Restaurant
  4. Old Souls Bakery
  5. Silver Lake Brewing Project

Warsaw

  1. Silverlake Family Restaurant
  2. Yummies Ice Cream

Yates County

Penn Yan

  1. Amity Coffee Company
  2. Andy’s BBQ Shack
  3. Blue Heron Bakery
  4. Casa Mezcal Reserva
  5. Keuka Restaurant
  6. Oak Leaf Cafe
  7. The Olney Place
  8. Parker’s Grille
  9. Sans Dumplings
  10. Seneca Farms
  11. Spotted Duck Creamery
  12. Tavern Restaurant

Explore More

Enchanting Evenings: Rochester’s Most Romantic Restaurants Revealed

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

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Savor Local Flavor: 29 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.

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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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5 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.

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92 Ice Cream Shops Near Rochester, NY | 2025 Interactive Map

Discover 92 ice-cream, custard & gelato spots near Rochester, NY—see who churns their own flavors or scoops Perry’s, then plot your route on our 2025 interactive map.

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9 Wineries with Scenic Keuka Lake Views

Visit these wineries in Penn Yan, Dundee, and Hammondsport to taste award-winning wines paired with scenic Keuka Lake views.

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19 Historic Inns & Hotels Around Rochester

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

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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!

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Where are your favorite restaurants around the Rochester area?


I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

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.

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Debi

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7 thoughts on “650+ Highly Recommended Restaurants Around Greater Rochester”

  1. Fred

    Braddock Bay Tavern & Grill has new owner and excellent food. we have had steak/salmon/fish fry…the french onion soup is outstanding also.

    Reply
  2. Holly

    Nestico’s in Syracuse is very good Italian food. Their house specialty is pasta pie — an angel hair base with a mushroom topping. Getting it with marinara instead of the red sauce is the best. We go out of our way for Nestico’s.

    Reply

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  5. Sue W

    First thought was that this is a desperate list, with donut shops & coffee shops on it. But I understand the reasons. CHURCHVILLE: Stone’s Countryside burned recently. You can add Naughton’s Johnson’s House with about 10 $$ after it. The prices are ridiculous (maybe not as bad as they were?). HILTON: Add The Arlington, a very nice restaurant on Main Street with wonderful food.

    Reply
    1. Debi Bower

      Thank you for the recommendations, Sue! This is a list of places I would go or have gone myself and I’m happy to add your favorites to the list as well.

      Reply

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