If you’re new to Rochester, there are plenty of spots to go to check out in the surrounding areas! Here is a list of my favorite places to hang out, get away from campus for a bit, or go out for lunch and dinner.

During the past year, I have had the opportunity to go out on dinners and lunches with my friends and discover the great food (and coffee!) that the city has to offer. Some of those are mentioned below:

Han Noodle Bar 

Hands down one of the best place to grab some Asian food in the city. Very affordable, nothing over $13 with a variety of Asian cuisine! Check out the pork belly buns and crab rangoons. You won't be disappointed. Located next door to Dogtown.

Han Noodle Bar

Dorado

Small room vibe, nice outdoor seating on Park Ave. Excellent Mexican food and the best margaritas in town for those of age.

Sultan's Lebanese Cuisine and Bakery

This place serves Middle Eastern classics like shawarma and savory flatbreads in counter-serve digs with a warm vibe. If you ever visit, definitely try their Chicken Shawarma Pita wrap and Shawarma plate or you can also order this online through GrubHub!

Sultan's

Genesee Brew House

Iconic brewery and restaurant in Rochester overlooking High Falls. Excellent burgers, accompanied brews from the oldest brewery in NY if you are of age.

Brewhouse

Osaka Sushi

All you can eat sushi, expensive but very fun if you want to treat yourself or go out with a group. It's about 10 minutes from campus. Side note, all you can eat is about $10 if you go for lunch!

Osaka

 Royal of India

There are a number of Indian restaurants in the city but this one has to be my favorite in terms of its resemblance to the food we get back home. They have $10 all-you-can-eat lunch buffets and a special dinner buffet on Wednesday nights! This place is a treat for people who love Indian cuisine. Royal of India is located in Park Point.

Royal

If you get sick of the 7+ different places to get coffee at RIT’s campus, feel free to go to some of these locations. These are spots I have picked because they have tables and are study friendly places, with tables available to work at. A quick drive, with a nice place to study off campus and keep buzzing. All are within 20 minutes from campus.

Spot Coffee

Wide open tables which are great for meeting with a group to study or work, great coffee and also good, affordable food as well!

Glen Edith

Smaller building than Spot coffee, but also very good for meeting with study groups or for projects. Very brightly lit and good modern aesthetic.

Java's 

The original Java’s downtown, so if you like the coffee at Java’s on campus, go check this place out. Also very study friendly, or a good place for a date.

Javas

- Rashmi Jeswani, Information Science and Technologies MS student

 


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