Burgers$$south-wedgeWed-Thu 11:30-00:00, Fri-Sat 11:30-01:00, Sun 11:30-00:00
Swillburger at The Playhouse on S. Clinton Ave combines smash burgers, bar games, and a cocktail program in a South Wedge space popular with locals.
Signature: Double smash burger, House pub fries, Milkshake
Order: The double smash burger with American cheese and house fries.
Tip: Bar games available all evening. Kitchen closes before bar. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
New American$$notaTue-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-14:30
The Revelry on University Ave in Rochester runs a cocktail-driven New American kitchen in the Neighborhood of the Arts with late-night bar hours on weekends.
Signature: Seasonal dinner plates, Craft cocktails
Order: The seasonal specials with a cocktail from the bar.
Tip: Sunday brunch with reservations is a quieter option than weekend dinner. Friday and Saturday bar open until 02:00.
American Diner$monroe-avenueMon-Thu 10:30-04:00, Fri-Sat 00:00-24:00, Sun 10:30-04:00
Mark's Texas Hots on Monroe Ave in Rochester is a no-frills diner open until 04:00 on weekends, the go-to late-night stop on the Monroe Avenue corridor.
Signature: Texas hots, Diner breakfast, Late-night plates
Order: The Texas hots with meat sauce, or the diner breakfast plate at any hour.
Tip: Friday and Saturday open 24 hours. Cash preferred. Extremely busy after bar close at 02:00.
Ethiopian Vegan$monroe-avenueMon-Fri 11:00-14:00, Wed-Sat 17:00-20:00
Natural Oasis on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves all-vegan Ethiopian food with a weekday lunch buffet and dinner service, plus a wellness market on-site.
Signature: Ethiopian vegan buffet, Injera with stews, Lentil dishes
Order: The lunch buffet featuring rotating injera-based Ethiopian stews and lentil dishes.
Tip: Buffet runs weekdays until 14:00. No meat ever served. Most dishes are also gluten-free. The attached market sells Ethiopian food items.
American Diner$downtownTue-Fri 11:00-19:00, Sat 11:00-19:00
Nick Tahou Hots on W. Main St in Rochester has served the original Garbage Plate since 1918, the dish that defines the city's food identity.
Signature: Garbage Plate, White hot, Red hot
Order: The Garbage Plate with white hots, home fries, mac salad, and meat sauce. Order it at the counter; no substitutions needed.
Tip: Cash is preferred. The restaurant is a no-frills diner; the dish is the destination. Closed Mondays.
American$$south-wedgeTue-Sun 17:00-21:30, Sat-Sun 10:30-14:30
The Owl House on Marshall St in Rochester serves American food with a large vegetarian and vegan selection, named Best Gluten-Free in Best of Rochester 2025.
Signature: Seasonal vegetarian plates, Brunch dishes, Weekend specials
Order: The seasonal vegetarian entree and the weekend brunch menu.
Tip: Free parking at the end of Marshall Street. Reservations on Tock. Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30-14:30.