Here are the finalists for the 2015 Best Places in Rochester
Our search for the best places in Rochester continues into the second and final round of voting. We're looking for those special spots — from restaurants and bars to parks and golf courses — that give this community its identity.
We received more than 500 submissions in the first round of voting, allowing us to narrow down the top five picks in each category. The final round of voting will begin Monday, June 22 and end Tuesday, June 30.
Each person who participates in either round of voting will be entered to win:
- 4 passes to Noah's Ark Waterpark in the Wisconsin Dells ($132 value)
- $150 advertising package from the Med City Beat (can be donated)
- Med City Beat t-shirts and coffee mugs
We'll announce the winners of the 2015 Best Places in Rochester competition Thursday, July 2 on our Facebook page. Prize winners will be revealed Friday, July 3 at 8:30 a.m. on 97.5 Pulse FM.
Full list of finalists:
Best overall restaurant:
- Chester's (111 S Broadway Ave)
- Pescara (150 S Broadway Ave)
- The Loop (318 1st Ave SW)
- Victoria's (7 1st Ave SW)
- ZZest (1190 16th Street SW)
Beth ethnic restaurant:
- El Carambas (1503 12th Street SE)
- Ichi Tokyo (two locations)
- Mango Thai (318 S Broadway Ave)
- Nupa (two locations)
- Pho Chau (1014 N Broadway Ave)
Best formal restaurant:
- 300 First (300 1st Ave NW)
- Chester's (111 S Broadway Ave)
- Pescara (150 S Broadway Ave)
- Prescott's (1201 S Broadway Ave)
- Terza & La Vetta (30 3rd Street SE)
Best casual restaurant:
- Grand Rounds Brewpub (4 3rd Street SW)
- Newt's (four locations)
- The Loop (318 1st Ave SW)
- Tinn's Philly Steak Subs (three locations)
- Whistle Binkies (two locations)
Best overall bar:
- Dooley's (255 1st Ave SW)
- Kathy's (307 S Broadway Ave)
- The Doggery (18 3rd Street SW)
- The Loop (318 1st Ave SW)
- The Tap House (10 3rd Street SW)
Best bar for craft cocktails and/or beer:
- Grand Rounds Brewpub (4 3rd Street SW)
- The Doggery (18 3rd Street SW)
- The Tap House (10 3rd Street SW)
- Thirsty Belgian (2650 S Broadway Ave)
- Whistle Binkies (two locations)
Best bar for nightlife:
- Dooley's (255 1st Ave SW)
- Kathy's (307 S Broadway Ave)
- Legend's (11 4th Street SE)
- The Loop (318 1st Ave SW)
- The Doggery (18 3rd Street SW)
Best outdoor patio:
- Chester's (111 S Broadway Ave)
- Kathy's (307 S Broadway Ave)
- The Tap House (10 3rd Street SW)
- Twigs (401 6th Street SW)
- ZZest (1190 16th Street SW)
Best coffee shop:
- Bravo Espresso (111 S Broadway Ave)
- Café Steam (315 S Broadway Ave)
- Caribou (eight locations)
- Dunn Brothers (three locations)
- Moka (306 12th Street SE)
Best venue for live music:
- Kathy's (307 S Broadway Ave)
- Mayo Civic Center (30 Civic Center Drive SE)
- North Star (503 N Broadway Ave)
- Redwood Room (300 1st Ave NW)
- Wicked Moose (1201 Eastgate Drive SE)
Best entertainment venue (non-music):
- Bowlocity (2810 N Broadway Ave)
- Goonie's Comedy Club (7 2nd Street SW)
- Mayo Park — Rochester Honkers (307 E Center Street)
- Rochester Art Center (40 Civic Center Drive SE)
- Rochester Civic Theatre (20 Civic Center Drive SE)
Best shopping center:
- Apache Mall (1201 12th Street SW)
- Crossroads (1201 S Broadway Ave)
- Miracle Mile (44 17th Ave NW)
- Shoppes on Maine (4611 Maine Avenue SE)
- Shops at University Square (111 S Broadway Ave)
Best grocery store:
- ALDI (two locations)
- Fareway (3964 E Frontage Road)
- Hy-Vee (three locations)
- People's Food Co-op (519 1st Ave SW)
- Trader Joe's (1200 16th Street SW)
Best car repair shop:
- 37th Street Tire & Auto Service (923 37th Street NW)
- Babcock Auto Care (5335 Highway 52 North)
- Joe's Auto Care (two locations)
- Rochester Service on Second (2009 2nd Street SW)
- Virgil's Auto Clinic (1101 2nd Street NW)
Best fitness center:
- Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center (565 1st Street SW)
- Northgate Fitness & Wellness Center (1112 7th Street NW)
- Rochester Area Family YMCA (709 1st Ave)
- Rochester Athletic Club (3100 19th Street NW)
- Planet Fitness (1021 15th Ave SE)
Best specialty retailer:
- A Child's Kingdom (1621 N Broadway Ave)
- Avalon Music (301 N Broadway Ave)
- Dwell Local (602 7th Street NW)
- Mandala Tea (119 N Broadway Ave)
- Tangerine Gifts (110 1st Ave SW)
Best golf course:
- Eastwood (3505 Eastwood Road SE)
- Maple Valley (8600 Maple Valley Road SE)
- Rochester Golf and Country Club (3100 Country Club Road SW)
- Soldiers Field (244 Soldiers Field Drive SW)
- Willow Creek (1700 48th Street SW)
Best park or public area:
Best place for a picnic:
Best community event:
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