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.
Editorially verified June 24, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Signature dishes: Wine flight pairings, Chef-inspired tapas, Seasonal entrees
Must order: The wine flight paired with the rotating seasonal entree from the chef.
Tip: The kitchen closes earlier than the bar. Reservations on Tock.
Address: 16 W Main St, Rochester, NY 14614
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
