Whether planning an intimate evening for two, a special night out with friends, or celebrating a milestone occasion, Rochester’s vibrant culinary scene has you covered!
I recently asked the Day Trips Around Rochester community on Facebook and Instagram for recommendations on romantic dining spots. I was looking for places with soft lighting, gentle music, an intimate atmosphere, and fantastic food. The restaurants mentioned in this guide are based on the responses I received, and they showcase Rochester’s romantic spirit and culinary excellence. This is an ever-evolving list, and I would be delighted to add your recommendations anytime! Feel free to leave a comment below.
City of Rochester
- Apogee Wine Bar
- Branca Midtown
- Capri Wine Bar & Restaurant
- Carnegie Wine Cellars
- The Cub Room
- Cure
- Edibles
- Fiorella
- Flight Wine Bar
- Grace & Disgrace
- Leonore’s
- Lento
- Living Roots Wine & Co.
- Mr. Dominic’s at the Lake
- Native
- The Old Toad
- The Owl House
- Pane Vino on The River
- Park Avenue Pub *quiet
- Patron Saint
- Polizzi’s
- The Red Fern
- Redd
- The Revelry
- Roam
- Rocco
- Rooney’s *quiet
- Roux
- Ristorante Lucano
- Tapas 177
- Tournedos Steakhouse
- Velvet Belly
- Vern’s
- Vesper
Monroe County
BRIGHTON
BROCKPORT
BUSHNELL’S BASIN
CHURCHVILLE
EAST ROCHESTER
FAIRPORT
GATES
GREECE
HILTON
IRONDEQUOIT
- Atlas Eats
- The Pasta Villa *quiet
MENDON
PENFIELD
PITTSFORD
SEA BREEZE
SPENCERPORT
WEBSTER
Greater Rochester
BATAVIA
CALEDONIA
CANANDAIGUA
- Bon Ami French Bistro
- COHO Pizza & Wine Bar
- Ferona
- KiX ON MAIN
- Rio Tomatlan
- Rose Tavern at the Lake House
CASTILE
CLIFTON SPRINGS
CUYLERVILLE
EAST AURORA
FARMINGTON
GENEVA
HAMMONDSPORT
HIMROD
KEUKA PARK
- The Mansion at Keuka Lake (Esperanza)
LAKEVILLE
LEROY
LIVONIA
MEDINA
NAPLES
NUNDA
PIFFARD
ROMULUS
STAFFORD
VICTOR
WATERLOO
Surrounding Counties
AUBURN
BUFFALO
CAZENOVIA
LEONARDSVILLE
LOCKPORT
SKANEATELES
TRUMANSBURG
WATERTOWN
WILLIAMSVILLE
Explore More
Your Rochester Date Guide for Spending Quality Time Together, Day or Night
Whether it’s your first date or 50th anniversary, trying various activities with your partner is a great way to shake up your routine.
650+ Highly Recommended Restaurants Around Greater Rochester
Some food destinations are well-established, while others are quickly becoming favorites as Rochester’s culinary scene explodes.
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!
Savor Local Flavor: 28 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.
300+ Places to Shop Locally Around Rochester, New York
Shopping locally is about discovering something uniquely Rochester while directly impacting the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors.
The Village of Skaneateles is the perfect place to get away and enjoy the pace of lake life, surrounded by unique boutiques and restaurants.
Which are your favorite restaurants for a romantic meal?
This is an ever-evolving list, and I’m delighted to add your recommendations anytime!
I’d love to hear from you—please share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.
Help Support My Work
People often ask if I get free access to the places I visit. The answer is no—unless I’m invited to a special preview or offered behind-the-scenes access through my media role. Most of the time, I don’t even mention Day Trips Around Rochester, New York when I visit a place. I want to have the same experience you would.
I create and share this content because it brings me joy—and I hope it adds value to your adventures, too.
If my work has helped you explore and appreciate the Rochester area, please consider becoming a paid subscriber on Substack. You’ll receive an email whenever I publish new content and have the chance to connect with a growing community of local explorers.
Thank you for supporting my efforts to keep producing meaningful and helpful content.
Thank you!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
