Top 15 Affordable Restaurants in Rochester, NY

Rodd Riesenberger Excellent! Our first time visiting Roux and I was very impressed. The atmosphere is cozy with art deco architecture and dim lighting. Our table was waiting for us on our arrival and service was great. Craft cocktails and appetizers were fantastic. We had the Whipped ricotta toast and Potted chicken & foie mousse. They were both outstanding. The chicken cutlet and steak frites au poivre were very good. I’m going to make the frenchie cocktail at home because it was awesome. Thank you all for a great evening with our friends. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back!

Daniel Schiff While planning a last-minute wedding due to health issues and only one month to spare, we were hoping to find a lovely place to hold dinner after the ceremony. CRISP made it happen on such short notice, and we are incredibly grateful for everything they provided and more. Wendi helped us create a beautiful menu that accommodated everyone’s dietary restrictions, and there isn’t a single bad thing to say about any of the food. Even our non-vegetarian guests were snacking on crispy tofu and going back for seconds of the vegan meatloaf. The braised beef and carrots dish was absolutely delicious, and something I still think about. What really set them apart was the service. About an hour before dinner, we dropped off a few table décor items, planning to set them up ourselves after the ceremony. To our surprise, the servers went ahead and decorated the tables perfectly. It was such a thoughtful gesture that really helped relieve stress on our big day. They even set up a mini bar where guests could walk up and get drinks, another lovely touch that made the evening even more special. We can’t recommend this place enough. Wendi and the entire staff were wonderful, and CRISP can definitely expect us back in the future when we take day trips back to Rochester! (I wish we had taken more photos; the food was *chefs kiss*)

Cole Our dining experiences at Native have consistently been exceptional. The menu is thoughtfully curated, offering a diverse range of options that cater to all preferences. Every dish I’ve tried has been flavorful, made with high-quality ingredients, and served in well-balanced portions. The service is equally impressive. The staff, including both servers and bartenders, are attentive, personable, and professional. Ive particularly appreciated the engaging conversations with the bartenders while enjoying their expertly crafted cocktails and beverages. Their warmth and skill significantly enhance the overall dining experience. The ambiance of the restaurant is both comfortable and contemporary, making it suitable for a variety of guests—from families with children to couples on a romantic evening out. The space is always clean, well-maintained, and thoughtfully organized, reflecting the high standards of a professional establishment. Native continues to be a favorite, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a well-rounded and enjoyable dining experience.

Ariel Santillo I had a wonderful dining experience at The Alexander. The service was polite and attentive, and the atmosphere is just beautiful with warm lighting, candles, and inviting decor. Most importantly, the food was excellent! While the menu is certainly not the largest, they seem to have perfected the dishes they do offer. The crab fried rice and the Alexander burger were standouts. We will definitely return in the future!

Josh Pappas Absolutely incredible experience. Amazing communication to help plan a special executive work outing. The chef tasting menu food was full of unique flavors and creative combinations that you won’t find anywhere else in Rochester. Every dish paired perfectly with the wine selections, which the staff recommended with real care and knowledge. The service was warm and genuine, making the entire night unforgettable. Highly recommend.

Lilliana Delicious food! I got the romaine salad with beer-battered chicken and avocado, with strawberry vinaigrette. I would absolutely get it again. Next time I wouldnt get avocado, as it wasnt very good, but the rest of the salad made up for it x100. The chicken was really really good, and I wish there was more of it for the $5 price point. My table shared a couple desserts and I would definitely recommend the carrot cake. Our server, Lilliana, was very friendly. Would love to come here again!

Natalee Felten Its so good! Definitely the best or one of the best Italian restaurants in Rochester. We went for lunch and arrived sharply at 11AM to make sure we got a table. For lunch you order at the counter and then they bring the food out when ready. Loved the drink selection. Nice cocktails with ashwagana, nice Italian seltzers, San Pellegrino - much better than just Coke, etc. We got the cacio e pepe, breakfast pizza special, and the eggplant sandwich. I was impressed with the vegetarian food selection available. The pizza crust is nice light, fluffy, but thin. The sandwich was excellent, I got added provolone cheese. The cacio e pepe was not my favorite. A bit watery, when I am accustomed to the sauce being creamy vs watery. The portions were all big, we had to take some home. The staff is friendly, the decor artistic, and the vibe chill, with good music playing. I will be back.

Emily J. First time coming here and staff was friendly and attentive. It was earlier than the normal dinner crowd so not as loud as Im sure it can get. Food was incredibly fresh and beautifully plated. Higher quality ingredients were used and from what Ive heard the menu rotates seasonally. The garlic parm fries were so fresh & flavorful. The wings were crispy, a bit on the heavy side oil-wise, but also flavorful. Sauces all tasted homemade. Will definitely come back again.

Kathleen Moll I had oysters, strip loin with bone marrow, a blood orange martini, and a salted caramel budino with almonds. I was in heaven. Highly recommended. Plus, the atmosphere was so homey.

Jon Curry This is a 5 star restaurant. Absolutely superb ingredients and immaculate orchestration of them. The short rib beef and biscuit was phenomenal. Poached egg was done perfectly with yolk that walked out of the white, rather than ran. Biscuit was brown and flaky with buttery and salty goodness. Nailed the strawberry danish real proper like with flaky and soft pastry and wholesome compote. Came back for dinner a few days later and the scallops were delicious with the perfect juicy and soft (but not raw) texture. It had a basil and herbed beats that I could eat—and I don’t eat beats. Ricotta cnocchi was so damn smooth it slid down the gullet with ease; no heavy chewing or rich resistance. Haven’t even had the pork chop I ordered yet but suspect it will be on point. Regardless, the delivery of all the above warrants a 5 star rating. Highly recommend. Mad props to the chef and cooks.

Vlad Loenko You’d never expect that down a beaten path you’d find one of the best hidden gems in Rochester! A cozy, comfy spot with an incredible staff and food. The menu was small (always a great sign) and we got crab cake, escargot, salmon and Duck breast. Blown AWAY! Both chefs have been there for decades and take extreme pride in their hard work. We assumed there was a saucier (turns out there isn’t, and it’s just the handiwork of the extremely talented chefs!) because of how well the flavors came together. Will 100% be back and highly excited to share our experience.

Rachael Jones Had a great light lunch with a friend on a relaxed Friday. Medjool dates with prosciutto and gorgonzola were delicious! Just the right balance of sweet and salty, and the gorgonzola didnt overpower everything. The Thai coconut steamed mussels were outstanding. Lots of bread to sop up all the delicious broth! I stole one from my friend because it smelled so good! I had a standard glass of white, but the Smoking Jacket cocktail was beautiful and delicious! Our server Michele was attentive, friendly, upbeat, without being hover-y. Excellent vibe, great service, wonderful food and creative cocktails made it a great place to chat and catch up!

Taylor Wheaton Just amazing. Spicy lettuce is my favorite dish in rochester but everything is amazing. Dont sleep on the specials. Awesome cocktails and knowledgeable bartenders. They have often quoted over a 2 hour wait time but we have been seated within an hour- take them up on sitting in the little alcove by the door and they will grab you a drink while you wait! Consistently some of the best food, cocktails, and apps in the area

George Lama Great place to hang out with the kids. Eat and game can be fun. Options to select between Switch, Xbox or PS5. As far as game availability, on XBox they had Game Pass and over 100+ games, wide variety.

Patricia Trippi I got the turkey pesto melt. Super fresh and delicious. The service was fast and friendly! Atmosphere inviting, with lots of light and relaxing music. Prices weren’t too bad either. Menu somewhat limited.