Natural Oasis is an ethiopian budget eat in Monroe Avenue, Rochester.
Natural Oasis on Monroe Ave serves Ethiopian combination platters with 5 or more items on injera for under $15, one of Monroe Avenue's best-value group meals.
Editorially verified June 22, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Tip: The combo platter at $13-$15 is more than enough for one person and works well for sharing. Wednesday through Friday lunch specials include a drink.
Address: 288 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14607
Dogtown on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves 18 gourmet hot dog varieties for under $6 each on locally-baked rolls, with handcut fries for a filling budget meal.
Tip: Most dogs are under $6. Handcut fries are an additional $3-4. Closed Sundays. The German-style frank with mustard and sauerkraut is the fastest order.
Han Noodle Bar on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves Chinese broth noodles and stir-fry dishes for $10-$14, one of Monroe Avenue's best quick lunches.
Tip: Lunch is the budget-friendliest time; bowls run $10-$12. The ramen and hand-pulled noodle options are the best value. Counter seating available for solo diners.
Flour City Bread at Rochester Public Market sells organic sourdough and pastries for $3-$6 per item, the best-value morning stop for artisan bread.
Tip: A loaf runs $6-$9, pastries $3-$4 each. Saturday market stall sells out of popular loaves before 10:00. The cafe inside the market building is open for sit-down coffee and pastry.
Abbott's Frozen Custard at Lake Ave serves Rochester's original frozen custard for $4-$6, open late April through October with a dozen metro locations.
Tip: The Lake Ave location on Lake Ontario is the original; others are throughout the metro. Concrete mix-ins follow the custard base. Closes late October for the season.
Thali of India on South Winton Rd serves a lunch buffet daily for $13-$15 per person, covering 8 or more Indian dishes from dals to biryani.
Tip: Lunch buffet runs daily until 14:00. One of the best-value meals in the Rochester metro. The full buffet includes samosas, soup, rice, and fresh-baked naan.
Nick Tahou Hots on W. Main St in Rochester serves the original trademarked Garbage Plate for under $10, one of the best cheap meals in Upstate New York.
Tip: A two-item plate runs $8-$10 depending on protein. White hots, cheeseburgers, or eggs over the top. Cash preferred. Closed Mondays.
Dogtown on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves 18 gourmet hot dog varieties for under $6 each on locally-baked rolls, with handcut fries for a filling budget meal.
Tip: Most dogs are under $6. Handcut fries are an additional $3-4. Closed Sundays. The German-style frank with mustard and sauerkraut is the fastest order.
Han Noodle Bar on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves Chinese broth noodles and stir-fry dishes for $10-$14, one of Monroe Avenue's best quick lunches.
Tip: Lunch is the budget-friendliest time; bowls run $10-$12. The ramen and hand-pulled noodle options are the best value. Counter seating available for solo diners.
