Our picks for the best hidden gem restaurants in Rochester
Note: This article was published in 2020 and as a result may contain outdated information. Check with businesses for hours, locations, and other details.
Here is a statement that has not always held true: Rochester is filled with fantastic dining options. Be it impressive new(ish) eateries like Cameo, Bleu Duck and Le Petit Café; or stalwarts such as Redwood Room, Chester’s and Twigs; the city’s dining options hold their own for a city of its size.
But even with all of the buzz around the city’s emerging culinary scene, there are still too many places that don’t get their fair share of attention. Be it an obscure location, a small advertising budget or the appearance of a too-hard-to-overcome cultural barrier, these places oftentimes find themselves on the outside looking in when it comes to the annual accolades.
For this article, we set out to change that. Thus, absent from this article are some of my favorite spots — The Half Barrel, Porch, Mango Thai, Pasquale’s, Nupa, just to name a few. Also excluded from the list quality eateries we have given ink to recently, like Pho Chau, Taco JED, and El Gallo No. 2.
With that said, this should not be interpreted as an exhaustive guide. There are places I am sure we missed. But it is my hope this list can serve as a useful tool for the next time you want to mix things up a little.
Our methodology
Knowing we could not simply rely on our own experiences, we turned to crowd-sourcing to help inform this guide. The responses we received were then cross-checked with online reviews to ensure they were up to par. From there, we whittled the list down by removing places that have more than one location and/or are already generally-well known in the community. Once we had a robust list of restaurants to choose from, we reached out to some local industry leaders to get their perspective on what makes a place a hidden gem. What appears below is the result of that process.
ThaiPop
4 Third Street Southwest (below Grand Rounds Brewing Company)
After a series of successful stints at Forager Brewery, ThaiPop has gone underground — literally. Chef Annie Balow’s culinary creations are now being served in the speakeasy-style space below Grand Rounds, thanks to a new partnership with the brewery. The pop-up concept runs Monday through Wednesday nights (reservations required). And as Sarah Phelan, co-owner of Fiddlehead Coffee Company, shared with us, ThaiPop offers a weeknight experience worth getting out of the house for. “Flavors were shockingly delicious and true to traditional Thai cuisine, but with gorgeous modern presentations,” said Phelan. One other unique feature of the new space is that it is being shared with James Beard-winning chef Paul Berglund. His Fat Noodle concept runs Thursday through Saturday.
Thirsty Belgian
2650 South Broadway Avenue
Show up to the Belgian on the right Sunday, and you may find yourself in a sea of green and gold. That’s because Owner Jon Carisch, a diehard cheesehead, has worked hard to turn his establishment into the city’s only designated Packers bar (to the delight of this writer). All other days, though, a trip to the Belgian will have you feeling less like you are in Wisconsin and more like you are in a cozy pub many miles away from the Midwest. As Forager Brewery co-owner Annie Henderson shared: “The warm welcome from the bartender, patrons laughing at Johnny C's latest joke and the Belgian interior transport you to a small pub in Bruges.” As for the menu, Annie lauds the Belgian’s selection of naan pizzas, European toasties, large array of cheeses, and “an amazing wedge salad,” all of which, she says, pair perfectly with pub’s extensive list of beers from around the world.
Old Abe Coffee Shop
832 Seventh Street Northwest
This cozy coffee shop almost did not make the cut — simply because its owner, Abe Sauer, has garnered such a strong following locally. His tricycle coffee cart, which he began operating before opening a brick-and-mortar, has become a ubiquitous sight on the streets of Rochester. But for this list, it’s the menu inside his colorful café near Cooke Park that got our attention. Whether it be the bahn mi sandwich or one of the flavorful rice bowls — I recommend the Korean BBQ or spicy salmon — the food is as appetizing as it is nourishing. And you almost wouldn’t know it, but that meat you are eating is entirely plant-based, thanks to the business’s ongoing partnership with the Herbivorous Butcher in Minneapolis. In recommending Old Abe’s, Lindsay Zubay, co-owner of Hot Chip Vegan Burger Bar, told us: “It has such a cool and relaxed environment, and, being vegan, it’s one of the only places to get fully vegan meals in town. I’ve brought vegans and non-vegans alike, and everyone has loved it and want to return.”
Garden Express
100 First Ave Southwest (in the skyway food court)
It did not take long for Zach Ohly, co-owner of Cameo at the Castle, to make his pick for this list. “When I hear ‘hidden gems’ of Rochester, my first thought is Garden Express,” said Ohly, who also serves as Cameo’s executive chef. “The food is so flavorful, fresh and well executed. Their food is also consistently good, which is no easy task for any restaurant or food truck. The best part about it is that it is run by three immigrants who are making a name for themselves in the Rochester hospitality scene.”
Asia Fusion
2711 Commerce Drive Northwest
Tucked away in a strip mall off of West Circle Drive, it can be easy to miss this restaurant’s unassuming exterior. Trust me, though, there are few places I hear people rave about more than Asia Fusion. Known for its exceptional flavors, portion sizes, and service, this hidden gem opened in 2016 without much fanfare. But since then, it has earned a reputation for quality and consistency. Loyal patrons I talk with recommend the phô, green curry chicken, or roasted duck. Be warned, though — if you ask for spicy, expect spicy.
Prescott’s Grill
1201 South Broadway
‘Fine dining’ and ‘strip mall’ don’t necessarily go together, but Christopher and Jenna Rohe’s establishment will force you to reconsider. Chris is a certified executive chef with years of experience in the area, including stints at the Rochester Athletic Club and old Broadstreet Cafe. Match that with Jenna’s experience with the International Sommelier Guild, and you will know exactly which wine to pair with that culinary masterpiece coming out of the kitchen. Our recommendations: the tomato basil soup, and make sure to save room for some crème brulee — it’s worth it.
Middle East Restaurant
303 Elton Hills Drive Northwest
If you have driven along Elton Hills Drive at night over the past few months, you may have noticed the multi-colored string lights of Middle East Restaurant’s exterior calling to you. They are new to Rochester’s food scene, just opening this past April, but they have carved out a following with generous portions, reasonable prices, and long hours — 8 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. “This place plays all the hits — tabouleh, falafel, shawarma — and does them as authentically as anywhere in town,” said Abe Sauer, of Old Abe’s Coffee.
Brava Restaurant and Cafe
217 Marion Road Southeast
“Love and passion go into everything we prepare, down to every last grain of rice.” That is the motto of Brava’s owner Abdi Farah, and it shows in the product they put out. Reviews from customers rave about the food (get the sambusas and make sure to have some tea!), but they also say the service and smiles from the people behind the counter turn the experience into something to marvel at. Reading Brava’s Yelp is a day-brightener in itself: stories of extra-friendly and helpful wait staff, customers being offered free samples, all tied together with quality cuisine from the horn of Africa.
Hog Thai
3232 East River Road Northeast
Hog Thai started out of the back of a truck, but quickly grew to accommodate a catering service and small sit-down area on East River Road. They offer two fully different catering menus — one American, one Thai — but it’s this family-run business’s dine-in menu that earned them a spot on this list. “Authentic doesn’t say enough about the heart that clearly goes into this food,” said Old Abe. His personal recommendation: try the laab, a crumbled Laotian salad made with a lime, chili and mint.
Muna Halal
352 Third Avenue Southeast
We asked Shari Mukherjee, Rochester resident, @spicedupmom, and MasterChef Season 10 contestant, what places she considers hidden gems in Rochester. Without hesitation, Muna Halal was her choice for quality Somali food. “The portions are large and the food is delicious,” said Shari. “I really like the chicken breast combo which is very lightly spiced, almost reminiscent of chicken tikka. The rice is perfumed with spice and the flavor leaves you wanting more. Nothing is spicy but they do have a green sauce you can add if you'd like an extra kick.” Prefer to cook at home? There is also a small grocery store connected to the restaurant where, according to Shari, you can find some of the best goat meat in the city.
La Poblana
909 37th Street Northwest
This was an easy choice for me. La Poblana is one of my go-to restaurants in Rochester. In writing this guide, though, I knew it was also a favorite of our chief photographer, Will Forsman. He always has a way with words, so I decided to pass the baton on to him for this one. “The experience and reflection of culture present in the food carries more weight than what is just on the plate,” said Will, also the co-owner and general manager of Café Steam. That, he hailed, “coupled with an atmosphere that is laid back and welcoming,” provides for a truly authentic Mexican dining experience. Will’s favorite dish: huaraches, which consist of shredded chicken (his choice) centered on a thick masa corn tortilla, paired with lettuce, avocado, fried beans and rice. Mine: everything on the menu.
Nile Restaurant & Café
1205 Seventh Street Northwest
This restaurant is not to be confused with a Nile from Rochester’s past, which served Ethiopian food and closed in 2015. This restaurant, located in the same building as another local gem, Taqueria El Sueno, offers Somali food — and if you’ve got a crowd to feed, don’t miss the sports platter. Twenty-four dollars gets you enough food to feed a family. “There's just something super comforting about their food,” said Tiffany Alexandria, of the local Choochoo-ca-Chew food blog. She recommends the goat and rice platter — paired with a fresh pot of Somali tea. “Strong on cardamom, ginger and other spices, I can drink a whole pot on my own,” she said.
Kabab Restaurant
125 East Center Street
Shari, the MasterChef finalist, also added another locale that was not our initial list. But she talked it up so well, we did not have the heart to leave it off. “If my family and I are heading out for a curry, chances are that we're going to Kabab,” she told us. “I love the home-style curries that they serve and the staff is always so welcoming and helpful.” In addition to the first-rate curry dishes — and the “best authentic chai in Rochester” — Shari said her husband is big on the chicken chapli kebabs. “They're flat, spicy patties served with a delicious green yogurt based chutney.”
Know of a hidden gem that did not make our list? Head over to our Facebook page and join the conversation in the comment thread below this story.
Sean Baker is a Rochester journalist and the founder of Med City Beat.
[Reporter Isaac Jahns contributed to this report.]
