Directory/Food & Drink

Food & Drink

283 locations in Rochester, NY

Bachelor Forum

(Sept. 2012) The Bachelor Forum opened in 1973, making it Rochester's oldest gay-owned and operated bar. They were originally on East Main Street but moved to their current location in the Neighborhood of the Arts in 1989. The Bachelor Forum is a gathering place for the area's leather/levi and bear communities. They are the official home of the Rochester Rams and Empire Bears. (Admin note: the first site appears to have adult material.) The rainbow-colored gender symbols outside their doors are famous monuments to the GLBT liberation movement. The interior and exterior underwent extensive renovation during the summer of 2012. See also The Bachelor Forum: Life Begins at Forty! post by Andreas Rau on the Democrat and Chronicle Rochester Blog (2013-09-26)

Eagle Vale Golf Course

Eagle Vale Golf Course is a public golf course located in Fairport, and offering 18 hole golf course, driving range with 33 stalls, large, undulated practice putting green, short game practice areas with sand traps, chipping green, and pitching area. Lighted for night time use. Scorecard Front and Back 9 Book a Tee Time Eagle Vale has two restaurants. The first, Argyle Grill, a bar and grill, that has live music on Saturday nights. There is also a Pro Shop at the Eagle Vale Golf Club and Learning Center that takes trade-ins, and the course advertises in the publication, Golf Week Rochester

Harry G's NY Deli & Cafe

Exterior, Jan. 2013 Harry G's NY Deli & Cafe is a cafe, bar, and deli in the South Wedge for take-out or dine-in. They serve breakfast sandwiches and specialize in corned beef, pastrami and reuben. They also offer a wide selection of sides, salads, homemade soups (chicken noodle and matzoh ball) and soft drinks. Everything is made to order. They also sell meat by the pound and also feature homemade desserts. Free wifi available. Harry G's opened on May 16, 2012. Their "Pittsburgh" sandwich won critics' pick in the City newspaper as being the "Best Meal in Your Mitts" later that year. In 2015 Harry G's broke through the wall and expanded into the previous location of Banzai Sushi Bar & Lounge, which added extra seating and a new bar. Links Photos on SouthWedge.com

Country Sweet

Country Sweet Chicken and Ribs Mt Hope Location There are several reasons to like this place but being that I've been going there since I was a kid I'm sort of biased. Through my college days I found a few friends and an order of 50 wings made for a perfect ending to bar night. These days I try to stop by when I can and get a Chicken Patty Sandwich and I usually bring friends with me still. Country Sweet is "Rochestarian" and I think you'll enjoy it as much as I do. Menu Great menu with a lot of items to choose from Dinner: (includes bread and two side orders) Chicken or Chicken Fingers $10.49 Chicken Wing or Pork Ribs $10.99 Shrimp or Shrimp & wings $10.79 Also, Fish Fry, Gizzards, and other combos Lunch: (11am - 4pm; includes two sides & soda) Chicken & Chicken Fingers $10.49 Chicken Wing Lunch $10.99 Chicken Patty Sandwich $6.40 (my favorite!) Sides Macaroni, Coleslaw, Baked beans & French Fries ($1.19, $2.50 & $3.50) Chili Cheese Fries $3.50 Sweet Potato Fries $2.60 Potato Wedges $2.70 Biscuits $.60 each Other Wings 10pc-$8.50, 20pc-$15.50, 100 & over $.70 Snack size Chicken Tenders $3.95 (includes 1 side) Snack size Ribs (includes 1 side) 8-pc chicken w/ sides $19.35 12-pc w/ sides $27 16-pc w/ side $34.75 About Feel free to comment on age or history of Country Sweet. :)

Hillside Cafe

Hillside Cafe, located in the Susan B. Anthony Residence Hall at the University of Rochester is one of many dining options offered to students. This cafe provides University of Rochester students with a late night dining option, staying open until 2am. Its main feature is a coffee bar, with various pastries as well as hot foods that vary on a daily basis. To satisfy ones sweet tooth, there is a Hershey's ice cream bar that students can pay for on their meal plans.

Inn On Broadway

The ballroom, set up for a wedding, May 2009 The Inn On Broadway is a historic inn located in the East End of the city, near the Sagamore on East. The Inn was built in 1929 as the University Club. Rooms range from traditional hotel rooms for the business traveler, to Deluxe rooms with fireplaces and/or jacuzzi tubs, to Suites. The Inn also houses Gio's Prime 26 which is a rebranding and remodeling of the former Tournedo's Restaurant. In 2022, new owners (Giovanni LiDestri of Lidestri Foods bought the inn and started a remodel. A Jazz lounge called Vanni's Jazz Lounge opened on July 17, 2025. The steakhouse Gio's Prime 26 and the jazz lounge Vanni's Jazz Lounge are named after the owner of the Inn. The inn used to host an adjacent outdoor stage as part of the Rochester International Jazz Festival but in 2025 moved the stage indoors to the second floor.

Itacate

Grilled Pollo in Axiote at Itacate-Penfield Itacate, also known as El Itacate, is a Mexican restaurant with multiple locations. Locations consists of different level of service. There was a full service restaurant in Penfield. Itacate Express is a fast-food Mexican restaurant under the same ownership and is located in a gas station in Gates. The one on Jefferson Road closed in the fall of 2019. A Fast Casual version of "Itacate" is scheduled to open in Chili in Towne Plaza Itacate originally opened in 2011 as a fast-food establishment within a gas station on Buffalo Road in Chili. This closed in December 2015 but reopened in October 2016 (as "Itacate Express") within another gas station in Gates. A second Express location opened in Henrietta on June 30, 2018. The full-service Penfield restaurant opened on September 6, 2012 and closed October 9 2018. Old Photos - Chili

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que (aka Dinosaur BBQ and just Dinosaur) is a barbeque restaurant located in the 1905 Lehigh Valley Train Station on Court Street in downtown Rochester. In 1983 three bikers, including John Stage, set off on the road to cater festivals, fairs, and motorcycle shows. By 1988 they had traveled and seen lots, and decided to settle down in Syracuse to open a barbecue joint. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que quickly became the place in upstate for blues, bikes, and barbecue. In 1998 they opened a second location, in the 1905 Lehigh Valley Train Station in downtown Rochester. In 2004 they opened a third location in Harlem. The Dinosaur gains credit as one of the places to bring barbecue into style in the manner Cajun 'got style' in the 1990's. One popular cookbook about the best diners across the US featured two Rochester restaurants including the Dinosaur. In 2001 John Stage and coauthor Nancy Radke completed a cookbook, ''Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse''. They now sell sauces through supermarkets. Nowadays the Dinosaur brings more families and fewer bikers, but at least two things have stayed the same: good ribs and live blues. Awards Voted "Best Barbecue" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of' Awards in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2015.1234 Voted "Best Graffiti'd Women's Bathroom" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of Rochester' Critics' Choice Awards in 2008.5

Paola's Burrito Place

Paola's Mobile Kitchen, August 2012 Paola's Burrito Place was a family-run Mexican food truck. They could usually be found at the Public Market on Saturdays and in the Strong Memorial Hospital area at lunchtime during the week. They also would show up at various festivals and events around the city. They also did catering. History Breakfast available on the weekends, December 2013 Paola's used to have a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 1011 Culver Road. They opened there in October 2010, having previously been on South Avenue and East Henrietta. They closed again in 2012 but started the food truck. They officially re-reopened on December 2, 2013. The restaurant finally closed for good in September 2015. In June 2017 re-opened a new brick-and-mortar store called Mi Barrio in Corn Hill.

Lil-m Sari Sari Filipino Store

Lil-m Sari Sari Filipino Store is a Filipino grocery store in Gates. Most of its products are imported. Opened in May 2015. Owner is Merle Snow, who also runs the Philippine Dance Company of Rochester. on January 27, 2018 she also opened Casa Merlita Philippine Cuisine, one of the few or only Philippine restaurants in Rochester. In October of 2018, Lil-m relocated to 750 Elmgrove Road, inside the Casa Merlita Philippine Cuisine restaurant. Links Filipino store fills need for food, socializing - Democrat and Chronicle (2015-07-29)

Mamasan's

Named after the Asian expression for a supervisory women 1, Mamasan's is a midscale and well respected Vietnamese- and Thai- inspired restaurant. History Mamasan's started out in 1984 in a former donut shop on University Avenue. After years of success there they opened up a second location in 2003 on Monroe Avenue. The original restaurant on University closed in 2008. Mamasan's had also opened an "Express" location at 1330 Mt. Hope Avenue in September 2010 (formerly the home of Mykonos Express), but that closed in the summer of 2012. The Monroe Avenue location closed June 22, 2020 as the building was to be demolished to make way for the proposed Whole Foods Center. During the summer of 2020, they reopened temporarily at their previous "Express" location as they worked on their new location across from College Town. During July, 2021, they opened their permanent location in College Town area at 1400 Mt. Hope Avenue. This location also has a drive thru window for take out orders.

250 South Ave.

An empty lot and a decrepit building sit on a 2/3 acre lot at 250 South Ave. Behind the now closed Brickyard Pub, it was the site of a city public bathhouse and a public swimming pool, the Natatorium. The building in the rear of the complex probably served as shipping/receiving for the Natatorium when it was operational. The pool closed in 1975 after the City ceased repairing the roof (damaged by humidity of the pool and the weather), and was demolished in 1977. The remaining building stored voting machines at one time but now only supports an electronic billboard facing I-490. In March 2007, the large building in the right side of the photo below, was purchased by a group of local developers known as Riverview Lofts, LLC. Located at 1 Capron Street (aka 228 South Avenue), the construction of the 19 residential loft condos has begun and the only loft condos in Rochester, NY are for sale. 1 Bedrooms start at $139,000 and 2 bedrooms start at $179,000. The project was developed by Riverview Lofts, LLC and managed by Belmont Properties until it was completed in 2012. Google Maps shows a satellite photo of the building. According to City property details, as of 2006-Feb-8 the city owns the property, but a group of architects have since bought it, plan to cut additional windows, and convert it into downtown lofts. The interior features a grand staircase. In January 2009 the renovation of the building is completed. Plan Architectural Studio moved from High Falls and will occupy space on the first floor. The second floor of the building also contains office space. There are two (1,200 square feet) one-bedroom lofts on the third floor. The newly added fourth floor, contains a two-bedroom penthouse apartment (over 2,000 square feet). Also added were a four-story elevator, stair tower and outdoor spiral staircase. The two lofts each have 1-1/2 baths, 13- to 15-foot-high ceilings, exposed brick on the interior walls, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, contemporary plumbing fixtures, gas fireplaces, spa-style bathrooms (designed to allow natural light into the shower through translucent glass) with large walk-in showers and two-person soap tubs. The penthouse includes many of the same features, in addition to another full bathroom, an area with an open floor-plan, called a “great room,” and 400-foot roof terrace. There’s also private on-site parking. Here are some updated photos: view from the South Wedge one of the kitchens

Insomnia Cookies

Corporate logo Insomnia Cookies is a national chain bakery that specializes in delivering cookies at late-night and early-morning hours. Delivery minimum is $6. Cookies can also be picked up or purchased individually in the shop. They also have ice cream. The business was founded in 2003 by a University of Pennsylvania undergraduate. College students are still its primary customer base, and most of its locations are near universities. Their Rochester location is in UR's College Town and opened on December 2, 2014. They also serve RIT.

Cherrys European

Cherrys European at the Market, 6-2008 Cherry's Menu, 1-2009 Cherry's Potato Pancakes, 1-2009 Cherry's Pierogies, 1-2009 Cherrys European is a restaurant serving "Polish Ukrainian American Cuisine" (from their sign) at the Public Market, located near the Railroad Street entrance, very close to Juan and Maria's Empanada Stop. They serve pierogies, crepes, potato pancakes, polish sausages, cabbage rolls, and much more. Awards Cherry's was awarded "Best Place to Feed Your Family on the Cheap" in City Newspaper's 'Best Of Rochester' Critics' Choice Awards in 2008.1

Jay's Diner

Jay's Diner, Jan 2011 Retro Interior (sorta), Jan 2011 Free Wifi! Jay's Diner, located on West Henrietta Road in Brighton, is a 1950's style diner serving fresh food 24 hours a day. In the mood for a quick cup of coffee, a quick bite, or breakfast? Stop in to Jays any hour of the day and you can get these. All of the meals come with large portions, and all fountain drinks & coffee come with unlimited refills. It was originally built in 1966. RIT students can receive a 10% discount here by displaying their RIT student ID card and paying their bill with cash. Awards Jay's was voted 'Best Meal After 1AM' in City Newspaper's 'Best Of Rochester' awards in 2009.1