🍎 Apple Everything! Rochester’s best ciders, fry cakes, fritters, pies, and more

Come September, as sweater-weather season sets in, we 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 so fortunate to be surrounded by the freshest apples from local farms and talented artisans who know what to do with them. We spend September and October searching for the best.

I like to switch 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.

A note about Zarpentine Farms in Hilton: After announcing in September 2024 that they would not be reopening, there are now reports that the farm has been sold to Steve Bauman, a local farmer. Kim Zarpentine Francis and Robert Zarpentine, the previous owner’s children, will run the new Zarpentine Farms R&K market in the old barn on the property. [sources: Zarpentine Farms Facebook, WROC, D&C] We look forward to visiting in October 2024!

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.”

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 – According to their 2024 Facebook post, “Our wonderful Kim Zarpentine Francis is creating marvelous Zarpentine treats with her brother Rob, including their traditional apple fritters, apple pie bites, bread, and pies and those amazing fried cakes! Cinnamon sugar, glazed and Kim’s new and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate are big hits every morning.” According to WROC, as of 9/3/24, Zarpentine Farms has plans to reopen on October 1, 2024.

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

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 – According to their 2024 Facebook post, “Our wonderful Kim Zarpentine Francis is creating marvelous Zarpentine treats with her brother Rob, including their traditional apple fritters, apple pie bites, bread, and pies and those amazing fried cakes! Cinnamon sugar, glazed and Kim’s new and melt-in-your-mouth chocolate are big hits every morning.” According to WROC, as of 9/3/24, Zarpentine Farms has plans to reopen on October 1, 2024.

Golden Harvest Bakery & Cafe, Henrietta

Honeoye Falls Market Place, Honeoye Falls

Ridge Donut Cafe, Irondequoit

Wegmans, all locations

Best Hard Cider

Monroe County

Blue Barn Cidery, Hilton

Blue Toad Hard Cider, Henrietta

Oak and Apple Cidery, Penfield

Seed and Stone Cidery & Meadery, Rochester

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”

Best Pies (apple and other)

Monroe County

Powers Farm Market, Perinton – “has a to-die-for pie called Forbidden Fruit…it is life-changing!”

Greater Rochester

Hurd Orchards, Holley – “so many delicious varieties”

Lagoner Farms, Williamson – “an amazing caramel apple pie”

More Noteworthy Goodies

Though these aren’t apple products, they are seasonally relevant and amazing!

Kelly’s Farm Market, Hilton – “pumpkin chocolate chip bread and chocolate-covered chocolate donuts.”

Herman’s Farm Market, Webster – “pumpkin fry cakes”

Iron Smoke, Fairport – “pumpkin pie whiskey”

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. But some prefer the more globally used “doughnuts.”

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