Do you live in Rochester, MI, or are you here for a short visit? Either way, you are lucky! Even though it has a population of a small town of under 15,000 people, Rochester has a great variety of restaurants to choose from.
If you run a Google maps search for the best restaurants in Rochester, you’ll encounter a sizable list, and it can be hard to decide where to eat. But don’t worry, we did the hard work for you and picked the 13 best of all the best restaurants in Rochester!
We covered different cuisines, from American to European and Asian, and incorporated price options and food choices, such as vegan and vegetarian. This meant that we couldn’t include all of our favorites. But we believe our list will give you a good idea of what’s out there. So let’s get to it!
1. The Meeting House Rochester
$$ | (248) 759 4825 | WEBSITE
The Meeting House opened in 2012, yet it has already become one of the essential eating spaces in Rochester. Owned by its young general manager and award-winning chef, the restaurant serves modern American dishes and unique cocktails in a cozy, chic space.
Their imaginative menu includes delicious items for vegans and gluten-free guests too. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, open on weekdays for dinner, and all day at the weekend, including brunch. They also have a special event floor available for parties which you can book on their website.
2. Kruse and Muer on Main
$$ | (248) 652 9400 | WEBSITE
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Kruse and Muer on Main is a family-friendly restaurant with tasteful, softly lit decor. They serve seafood, Italian pasta and pizza, a variety of American dishes, and special hot bread. Pasta can be prepared gluten-free by request.
Kruse and Muer on Main has been a branch of local chain restaurants since the 1980s, each with its own vibe. Check out the other branches, including Kruse’s Paint Creek Tavern and Rochester Chop House & Bar, an elegant space for steak and seafood where you can listen to live piano during your fine dining experience.
3. Bologna Via Cucina
$$ | (248) 651 3300 | WEBSITE
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A traditional Italian restaurant owned by a family that migrated from Italy three generations ago. Genuine Italian flavors and the cozy space transport you to modern Northern Italy.
The service is flawless. Their menu incorporates dishes from 20 different regions of Italy, but they are mainly known for Casalinga, Lasagna, Bolognese sauce, Calamari, meatballs, and their good wine selections.
Perfect for date nights. Don’t forget to try the Tiramisu! It is closed on Sundays and they don’t make reservations, so try to go early!
4. Paul’s On Main Street
$$ | (248) 656 0066 | WEBSITE
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Paul’s On Main is another long-standing, family-operated, traditional American restaurant in Rochester. It has indoor and outdoor seating areas. It’s squeaky clean; the service is fast and friendly.
They are open from 7 am to 10 pm every day except for Sundays and serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They have a large menu that includes the most loved classical American comfort foods. The portions are quite large, while the prices are affordable. Locals love their bottomless coffee.
5. Hibachi House Grill & Bar
$$$ | (248) 266 6055 | WEBSITE
A fine Japanese steakhouse experience right in the heart of Rochester. The skilled chefs of Hibachi House don’t only cook your food in front of you, but they also entertain you with their jokes and fiery shows while you enjoy your delicious meal.
If you have allergies, there’s no need to worry here because the chefs are well-trained and they accommodate your food preferences extremely well.
Apart from grilled meat, they serve sushi, noodles, and a variety of cocktails. It can get a bit crowded at weekends so don’t forget to reserve in advance.
6. O’Connor’s Public House
$$ | (248) 608 2537 | WEBSITE
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O’Connor’s is a traditional Irish pub with authentic decor, appetizing bar food, good drinks such as craft beers, a lovely atmosphere, live music 4 days a week and, of course, friendly conversations. The pub intends to continue the Irish tradition of public houses which is considered the heart of the community.
You can find delicious burgers, sandwiches, and salads as well as traditional Irish “boxties,” meaning potato pancakes, and other authentic Irish meals here. They also serve brunch on Saturdays and Sundays between 11 am and 4 pm.
7. Chomp Rochester
$$ | (248) 608 1054 | WEBSITE
Chomp has been a family-owned and operated restaurant in Rochester since 2010. It has a comfortable, inviting atmosphere with an outdoor area. The staff is friendly and professional.
It is one of the top vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurants in Rochester, even though it has a large variety of foods including gourmet burgers, quesadillas, and meat sandwiches. They also offer amazing salads, smoothies, and raw juices. Their brand emphasizes health, convenience, and great taste.
They serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Most items on their menu are made in-house from locally grown vegetables.
8. Rochester Bistro
$$ | 248–923–2724 | WEBSITE
The Bistro is a comfy venue with lovely decor and a warm atmosphere. They sometimes have live music, and the servers are outstanding.
They have a decent wine selection and offer a fine dining experience with a small but delicious menu and small plates. Always ask for their specials, but remember to ask for the prices too, before you order off the menu. Tiramisu and lemon sorbet are highly recommended!
9. Rochester Brunch House
$$ | (248) 656–1600 | WEBSITE
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You can have luxury brunches 7 days a week at Rochester Brunch House! And we encourage you to go on weekdays because they are rather popular. Since they don’t make reservations, you might have to wait for a while to get seated.
But it definitely will be worth the wait. The space is elegant, a perfect mixture of modern and vintage decor. It also has a calm outdoor area.
The large, scrumptious menu and the luxurious presentation of the sweet and savory dishes will blow your mind! You can find multiple versions of egg benedict, french toast, burgers, sandwiches, wraps, and refreshing cocktails with champagne on the menu. Oh, and you must try the red velvet pancakes!
10. Bangkok Cuisine
$$ | (248) 652 8841 | WEBSITE
Bangkok Cuisine is part of a local chain of restaurants serving traditional Thai food, opened by a Thai couple who migrated to the US in the 1970s. The restaurant is in a clean, cute building with a relaxing, friendly atmosphere.
The menu includes classical Thai items like Pad Thai, but you can try anything else since they are all delicious and served in large portions. Just be careful if you are sensitive to spicy food. Fortunately, the menu has warning signs for the spicy items!
11. Tonia’s Victorian Rose
$$ | 248-652-8595 | WEBSITE
Tonia’s Victorian Rose is a “tea house and more.” It’s a cute, creative local business, a lovely space for events, such as birthdays, tea parties for kids, or Harry Potter dinners. It has a marvelous atmosphere, and the attention to detail is outstanding.
If you prefer privacy, you can also choose their private dining option in their Victorian parlor room, where they offer contactless service.
The food is homemade and delicious. Try the unique beverages, crepes, quiches, and pies from the oven, and, of course, delicious desserts such as lemon cakes. The menu includes gluten-free options too.
12. Lettuce
$ | 248–608–9669 | WEBSITE
Lettuce is a lunch restaurant that opens at 11 am and closes at 4 pm. While it’s not strictly a vegan restaurant, it offers a variety of salads and is certainly vegan-friendly, allowing patrons to substitute ingredients as they like. It has been a regular lunch stop for vegans, vegetarians, and other health enthusiasts who work in downtown Rochester.
The restaurant has a fresh decor with green highlights that reflect their fresh and healthy brand. The menu includes grain bowls, wraps, smoothies, and, of course, a wide range of salads containing 6 different lettuce varieties among all the other healthy ingredients.
13. Too • Ra • Loo
$$ | (248) 453 5291 | WEBSITE
Too • Ra • Loo is a casual sports bar with TV screens and a friendly atmosphere. They offer delicious food and a wide selection of drinks, especially beer. When the weather is nice, they open the sides and you can enjoy fresh air too.
It can get a bit too loud for conversations, especially on Saturday nights when important games are on. But you’ll still enjoy your time and the young energy. The food is special, mainly Italian.
The Neapolitan thin crust pizzas (from a brick oven) are spot on, with gluten-free options available in small sizes. Vegetarian options include grilled asparagus and “impossible burger” with a delicious sauce. They serve cheesecake daily, and brunch on Sundays.
Summary
There you have it! We hope you enjoy our selection of the best restaurants in Rochester. But as we mentioned before, there is more to discover and taste in Rochester, so don’t stop here. Good luck to you with your culinary adventures!
Hayden has been a digital director for years. He has five years of experience editing and writing about food, restaurant, and recipe review content. At Birch Restaurant, he’s in charge of scouting, showing up unannounced in different restaurants, and writing a thorough food guide!
