Budget
El Carambas
Hole-in-the-wall type casual in the best sense of the word. Great soft shell tacos.
Daube's
Bakery, also serves sandwiches and quiche and such.
Newt's
Voted best burgers in Rochester. Beetles Bar and Brother's are also popular similar restaurants. Also has second location on the north side right off hwy 52.
Nupa
Mediterranean fast food. Gyros, hummus, muffaletta, florettas, etc.
Pho Tai
Vietnamese. In addition to sit-down meals, bahn mi, inexpensive Vietnamese sandwiches on French bread, are usually available for takeout.
Pi
Wood-fired Pizza. Somewhat limited menu, with very unusual ingredients.
The majority of budget dining options are fast-food chain restaurants. A variety of chains exist. Downtown on the second floor of the University Shopps are several other budget restaurants, many open only for lunch.
Good Food Deli
Vegan.
Midrange
While mid-range dining is not dominated by chains, there are a number of popular chains in town as well.
Roscoe's Barbecue
BBQ, award-winning ribs, and home-made root beer. Given how far north Rochester is, the BBQ in town is surprising good. Roscoe's is one of the two local places, along with John Hardy's. The chain Famous Dave's also has a branch in town. Ask a Rochester local, odds are they'll have a strong opinion on which of the three BBQ places is the best.
Top end
City Cafe
Modern American. Voted Best Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2006, 2007, 2008.
Michael's
Traditional American, steaks. Go for the pictures of famous people on the wall who have eaten there. Voted Best Steak Dinner in Rochester Magazine poll in 2009.
Chester's Kitchen and Bar
Traditional American with a twist, most popular restaurant in town. Voted Best Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Pescara
Opened May 2009, probably the best seafood in town. Smallish but fancy dining area.
Prescott
Bistro-style French, casual but with great food. Smaller but excellent wine list. Voted Best Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2009.
Söntés
Tapas with extensive wine list, gourmet cheeses.
Sushi Nishikiâ
Wide variety of traditional and modern Sushi. Good selection of dishes, including some not very common dishes
Pazzo
Traditional and modern Italian. Below 300 First. Voted Best New Restaurant in Rochester Magazine poll in 2011.
ZZest Market and Wine Café
New American. Most creative menu in town, changes daily. Part of a gourmet grocery store.
Grocery stores
Cub Foods
Based on a warehouse model of business.
Good Food Store
Rochester's primary source of organic food. Also includes a bulk food room for spices, flours, pasta, beans, etc. Also home to a deli restaurant and delicious hot bar & salad bar!
Asian Food Store
Rochester's largest Asian grocery store. Also has more East Asian China, Japan, Korea food items than others in town, others focus more on SE Asia.
Rice and Spice
Indian groceries.
Trader Joe's
Specialty grocery store with items that you likely won't find elsewhere.