American Steakhouse$$$$park-avenueMon-Fri 06:00-00:00, Sat-Sun 07:00-00:00
Char Steak and Lounge at the Strathallan on East Ave in Rochester holds the 2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, the only such honor in greater Rochester.
Signature: Prime dry-aged steaks, Homemade pasta, Seasonal fresh fish
Order: The prime dry-aged steak with a wine pairing from the Spectator-recognized cellar.
Tip: Hattie's sushi bar operates within the same space Thursday through Saturday. Reservations strongly recommended for dinner. The Char Bar opens for lunch and stays open late.
Italian-American$$$north-rochesterWed 16:00-21:00, Thu-Fri 11:00-14:00 and 16:00-21:00, Sat-Sun 16:00-21:00
Mr. Dominic's at the Lake on Lake Ave serves Chicken French and Italian-American fine dining with patio views of Lake Ontario. Named Best Chicken French 2025.
Signature: Chicken French, Veal piccata, House seafood
Order: The Chicken French, the dish Rochester's Italian-American restaurants made famous, executed at its most refined here.
Tip: Patio seats overlook Lake Ontario Park and the Port of Rochester. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Reservations recommended for Friday and Saturday dinner.
New American$$$downtownWed-Sat 16:30-23:00
Good Luck on Anderson Ave in Rochester opened 2008 as one of the city's top rooms, writing menus around seasonal availability with a serious cocktail program.
Signature: Seasonal market menu, Chef's cocktails
Order: The seasonal tasting menu or the cocktail pairing with whatever the kitchen is featuring.
Tip: Best reserved four to six weeks ahead for Friday or Saturday. The bar is the most interesting seat in the room.
Farm-to-Table New American$$$notaTue-Thu 17:00-20:30, Fri-Sat 17:00-21:00
Lento in the Neighborhood of the Arts built its reputation on Rochester Public Market sourcing, pickling in-house, and a tightly curated seasonal menu.
Signature: Vegetable-forward tasting, House-pickled seasonal vegetables, Market fish preparation
Order: The seasonal vegetable course or whatever protein is centered on a local farm ingredient that week.
Tip: Menu changes weekly. Check the website or Instagram before booking to see what is currently on the seasonal menu.
New American$$$downtownWed-Thu 15:00-22:00, Fri 14:00-23:00, Sat 12:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-18:00
Carnegie Cellars Wine Bar and Kitchen on W. Main St won Best Local Wine List in Best of Rochester 2025, with global wines and seasonal entrees.
Signature: Wine flight pairings, Chef-inspired tapas, Seasonal entrees
Order: The wine flight paired with the rotating seasonal entree from the chef.
Tip: The kitchen closes earlier than the bar. Reservations on Tock.
BBQ$$downtownMon-Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 11:00-00:00, Sun 12:00-22:00
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on Court St occupies the 1905 Lehigh Valley Railroad Station with Genesee River views, named Best BBQ in Best of Rochester 2025.
Signature: Prime brisket, St. Louis ribs, Smoked half-chicken
Order: The prime brisket platter with mac and cheese and collard greens.
Tip: Live blues music on weekends. The bar occupies the original station waiting room. Reservations on Resy.
Italian$$downtownTue-Thu 11:30-21:00, Fri-Sat 17:00-22:00
Branca Midtown on E. Broad St is a polished downtown Italian room serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizza and hand-cut pasta in central Rochester.
Signature: Neapolitan pizza, Hand-cut pasta, Seasonal antipasti
Order: The Neapolitan pizza from the wood-burning oven and the pasta of the day.
Tip: Lunch only Wednesday and Thursday. Bar stays open after kitchen closes. Reservations via Resy.
New American$$notaTue-Thu 16:00-23:00, Fri-Sat 16:00-02:00, Sun 11:00-14:30
The Revelry on University Ave in Rochester is a cocktail-and-kitchen room with a late-night bar program and Sunday brunch in the Neighborhood of the Arts.
Signature: Seasonal dinner menu, Craft cocktails
Order: The seasonal dinner special and a cocktail from the bar.
Tip: Friday and Saturday bar until 02:00. Sunday brunch a local favorite. Reservations on Resy.
Italian$$public-marketWed-Sat 11:30-14:00 and 17:00-21:00
Restaurant Fiorella at Rochester Public Market serves Italian cuisine built from market ingredients, named Best Italian in Best of Rochester 2025 by Roc City.
Signature: Market-sourced pasta, Seasonal antipasti
Order: The pasta of the day, sourced from produce in the surrounding market stalls.
Tip: Located inside the market building. Best experience on Saturday when the full market operates. Call ahead for reservations.
Indian$$brightonMon-Sun 11:30-14:30 and 16:30-20:30
Thali of India on South Winton Rd is the city's most-recognized Indian kitchen, named Best Indian Restaurant in Best of Rochester 2025 with a daily buffet.
Signature: Lunch buffet, Lamb biryani, Chicken tikka masala
Order: The lunch buffet for variety, or lamb biryani for single dishes.
Tip: Monday evening buffet a good value. Takeout available by phone. No reservations needed for lunch.