If you work downtown, you know there’s no shortage of great places to grab a tasty lunch to fuel your afternoon. But don’t stop there. Rochester’s food scene is bursting with options for fun happy hours, delicious dinners and weekend cuisine adventures.
“It’s been exciting to see the energy downtown, with more people and families coming to check out new restaurants and visit old favorites,” said Patrick Seeb, DMC Economic Development Agency Executive Director. “There’s a lot of positive momentum and we’re happy to be part of it. It’s great to see our city flourish and grow.”
Here’s some tasty food for thought when you’re feeling hungry for a downtown experience.
Dining Delights
Bleu Duck Kitchen
Look no further than Bleu Duck Kitchen, a locally owned restaurant and event space where “white linens meet a casual feel” and every customer is treated as a friend. Choose from an ever-changing menu featuring fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, along with the largest oyster bar in Rochester. Want to learn their cooking secrets? No problem – cooking classes are available throughout the year.
Chester’s Kitchen and Bar
If you have a taste for savory American cuisine with a side of comfort, you can’t beat Chester’s. Nestled in the heart of Peace Plaza, Chester’s upscale fare features everything from salads and sandwiches to delicious burgers, seafood and steaks. If you’ve been there, you know why it consistently receives high marks not only for its food, but for its atmosphere and service as well.
Wanting Weekend Vibes?
Benedict’s
What’s more “weekend-y” than a modern diner that serves up the classics as well as new takes on old favorites? That’s Benedict’s, where contemporary chic meets comforting homestyle charm every day from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy familiar favorites for breakfast, brunch, and lunch, along with inventive pancakes, house-made tater tot hashes, and nine varieties of eggs Benedict. And don’t forget to toast your weekend with your choice of fresh morning cocktails.
Bitter and Pour
For those of you interested in the best nightlife has to offer, Rochester’s own Bitter and Pour has been rated one of the Top 50 speakeasies in the United States and Canada (as rated by Yelp). Housed in the Merchant Exchange building on Historic 3rd Street, visitors must enter via concealed bookcase after answering a riddle. The throwback-meets-modern drink menu includes house creations with fun names (Chubby Ginger and The Rich Uncle, for example), classics (also with fun names like First World Problem and Soul Crusher), mocktails like Virgin Ginger and Zero Expectation (“no alcohol but twice the love”) as well as wine and spirits. Come for the unique cocktails and stay for the great atmosphere!
Keeping it Quick and Easy
Al Madina Restaurant
Plan your next international food adventure just down the street at Al Madina Restaurant. Step through the doors of this family-owned oasis and you’re immersed in authentic Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean décor and tantalizing smells of flavorful shawarma, falafel, hummus and more. Dine or take out – and don’t forget their homemade desserts. You’ll definitely be booking a return trip this summer!
City Market
If an urban deli is your style, stop by City Market. With its big New York-style sandwiches featuring large portions of freshly sliced meats, gourmet cheeses, crisp vegetables and one-of-a-kind spreads on bakery fresh bread, it’s no wonder that City Market has been voted Rochester’s best deli and sandwiches for the past seven years. Not in the mood for a sandwich? They also have signature salads, soups, and homemade desserts. Come and go or linger in the outside seating area and enjoy the city sunshine.
The First Avenue Food Court
Can’t agree on a restaurant for lunch? Take the skyway cuisine tour in the First Avenue Food Court. Choose from six different global cuisines including Taste of Philippines, Cedar Taste Mediterranean Food for shawarma and falafel, Chinese Chinh’s Express, Thai Garden, Blue Diamond Indian Restaurant and Wabi Sabi for sushi and noodles. Quick, easy, tasty and convenient – and everyone gets what they want.
Are you hungry yet? Us, too! Bon Appetit.