🍎 Apple Everything! Rochester’s Best Ciders, Fry Cakes, Fritters, Pies, and More

Come September, as sweater-weather season sets in, I begin to crave all things apple: apple cider, apple cider donuts, apple fritters, hard cider, and apple pie. And while not apple-based, warm cinnamon fry cakes are the perfect pairing.

We are fortunate to be surrounded by the freshest apples from local farms and talented artisans who know how to utilize them to their fullest potential. I spend September and October searching for the best.

I like to change things up each year by visiting my favorite spots and trying new ones. These suggestions are purely alphabetical—you’ll likely enjoy them all. The list is continuously updated, and I’m always open to adding new ones. Share your favorites in the comments.

Best Apple Cider

Monroe County

• Herman’s Farm Market, Webster
• Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton
• Mayer’s Cider Mill, Webster
• Robb Farms, Ogden
• Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield – “Right around Thanksgiving, Schutt’s makes a Russet cider for a limited time that is really special.”
• Zarpentine Farms, Hilton

Greater Rochester

• The Apple Shed, Newark
• Lagoner Farms, Williamson
• Lains Cider Mill, Canisteo
• McPherson Orchards, LeRoy
• Wager’s Cider Mill, Penn Yan

Best Fry Cakes (or Fried Cakes)

• Bauman’s Farm Market, Penfield
• Blodgett Family Farm, Hilton
• Duke’s Donuts, Rochester Public Market
• Green Acre Farm & Nursery, Greece
• Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton
• McPherson Orchards, LeRoy
• Robb Farms, Ogden – “so many flavors! Cinnamon sugar, blueberry, sour cream, apple crisp, and pumpkin fry cakes!”
• Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield
• Zarpentine Farms, Hilton

Surrounding Counties

These may be two or three hours away, but they make excellent destinations if you find yourself in the area or in the mood for a scenic fall drive.

• Beak & Skiff Orchards, LaFayette
• Burrville Cider Mill, Watertown
• Cider Mill, Endicott
• Fly Creek Cider Mill & Orchard, Fly Creek (near Cooperstown), was awarded first place on the USA TODAY 10 best cideries in the US for 2024.
• Mayer Bros Cider Mill, West Seneca

Best Apple Cider Donuts

Monroe County

• Herman’s Farm Market, Webster
• Robb Farms, Ogden
• Stokoe Farms, Wheatland
• Wickham Farms, Penfield

Greater Rochester

• Lains Cider Mill, Canisteo

Best Apple Fritters

• Blodgett Family Farm, Hilton
• Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe, Henrietta
• Honeoye Falls Market Place, Honeoye Falls
• Ridge Donut Cafe, Irondequoit
• Wegmans, all locations
• Zarpentine Farms, Hilton

Best Hard Cider

Monroe County

• Blue Barn Cidery, Hilton
• Blue Toad Hard Cider, Henrietta
• Oak and Apple Cidery, Penfield

Greater Rochester

• Buried Barrel Hard Cider, Castile
• Castile Cider Mill, Castile
• Embark Craft Ciderworks, Williamson (Lagoner Farms)
• Old Goat Cidery, Newark (The Apple Shed)

Best Cider Slushies & Other Concoctions

Monroe County

• Herman’s Farm Market, Webster – cider slushies
• Iron Smoke, Fairport – “Rattlesnake Rosie’s apple pie whiskey”
• Robb Farms, Ogden – cider slushies
• Schutt’s Apple Mill, Webster/Penfield – “their apple frost is a creamy apple cider soft-serve vanilla ice cream”
• Wickham Farms, Penfield – “apple cider slushee, layered with creamy vanilla ice cream, and a fresh apple cider donut”

Greater Rochester

• Star Cider, Canandaigua – “they add a cider donut to their bourbon cream root beer float”

Articles for More Ideas

• 10 places to go for apple cider and doughnuts in the Rochester area this fall by Tracy Schuhmacher, 2021
• Best Apple Cider Donuts Near Me in Rochester, NY by Yelp
• Cider donut season is here: 12 places in Upstate NY to get this fall favorite by Sunny Hernandez, 2020
• Fried cakes: A sacred Rochester tradition By Katherine Stathis
• Taste the Flavors of Fall in Rochester by Visit Rochester, 2021

Where is your favorite place to buy apple cider, fry cakes, fitters, and more tasty treats?

Also, do you prefer to spell the tasty breakfast cake as “doughnut” or “donut”? I’ve always spelled it the shorter way, as used in Dunkin’ Donuts. However, some prefer the more widely used term “doughnuts.”

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