Location: Rochester
Top Restaurants in Rochester
Where to Eat in Rochester: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Rochester is a city founded in 1854 in the U.S. State of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County located on the Zumbro River's south fork in Southeast Minnesota. It is Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest city located outside the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2015, the Rochester metropolitan area has a population of 215,884. According to the 2010 United States Census the city has a population of 106,769. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the 2016 population was 114,011. It is the home of the Mayo Clinic and formerly, one of IBM's largest facilities. The city has long been rated as one of the best places to live in the United States by multiple publications such as Money and is one of the most educated cities in the world.
Things to do in Rochester
1. Pho Chau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 250 reviews
Reviewed By bryand548 - Lubbock, Texas, United States
Am a Mayo patient, third visit to Rochester, but only now made it to Pho Chau. Service was pleasant and efficient. The combination pho was outstanding- as was the crepe filled with meat, seafood, and sprouts. Very generous portions. Very reasonably priced. Very satisfied.
2. Chester's
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
"Why Chester's?" We get asked this often and the answer is quite simple...it's a friendly, comfortable and traditional name. This is a direct reflection of how we want you to feel in our restaurant. The other connection we made is a tribute to the city, Ro-Chester's! We love Rochester and we're glad to be a part of this community. Comfort food, steaks, fresh fish, pasta you name it we have it!
Reviewed By Bob H - Atlanta, Georgia
Stopped in for lunch and the rotisserie chicken was excellent. The salad was also delicious. Great atmosphere and our server was excellent. Will definitely go back when in the area again!We look forward to seeing you again. Thank you for the most excellent review!
3. Canadian Honker Restaurant & Lounge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By coappleby1 - Parker, Colorado
The Canadian Honker is right next door to our hotel - Aspen Suites. We ate lunch and dinner there, several times. They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Having grown up in Iowa, I have fished for walleye and rate it with Pacific cod as the two best fish around. The Honker serves walleye in a variety of ways - all delicious! Our family had burgers, walleye, and chicken - all very good. The wait staff is very friendly and hard working. And the desserts - raspberry chocolate cake, coconut cake, cheese cake, and more. All decadent and delicious! It's a little pricey, but well worth a visit!
4. Forager Brewing Company
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 234 reviews
Reviewed By John M - Raleigh, North Carolina
We had terrific 12 inch pizzas. Mine was with tomato sauce (very light), and three cheeses - Parmesan, shredded mozzarella,a fresh mozzarella. One of the best I've ever eaten. My wife had one with olive oil, mozzarella, mushrooms, spinach, and capers. She loved it. And we had their delicious beer. The ambiance is very friendly as is the service.
5. Pescara
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 736 reviews
Pescara invites those with an appetite for fresh, forward food to share small plates, savor fine wine and enjoy selections from sea and land. Located in the newly renovated DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Rochester, it"s the perfect place to gather for business lunches, pre-theater appetizers or romantic dinners.
Reviewed By kennykelme - Rochester, Minnesota
My wife and I didn't have a reservation, we were a bit worried about not having one. We approached the host stand and checked in. We were asked if we had a reservation, we told her "no". The kind host said give me a minute and let me see what I can do. She came back and said that she had a booth near the kitchen and asked if it was ok, or we could wait a bit for a different table. We were thrilled that they had something available. We took the table near the kitchen. How can we expect a perfect table on a busy night with no reservations, you CAN'T!! I did notice on our way in a few empty tables, but the common sense I have I knew those were reserved for upcoming reservations. Our server was just as nice as the host. He knew the menu well and made great suggestions. I had the Ciopino and my wife had the Grouper with Lemon Sauce. We ordered mashed potatoes to share. The food was amazing, very flavorful and the perfect temperature. We finished the night with warm bread pudding, which this the best we have ever had. Kudos to the team at Pescara, they are doing everything right!! We will be back!!!
6. Victoria's Restaurant and Wine Bar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Victoria's is an award winning Italian Restaurant with over 100 menu options to choose from. We scratch make each dish and offer over four private dining rooms. We have a full bar and an extensive wine list.
Reviewed By bigsky918 - Montana
We went here based on a recommendation. The menu looked amazing and we were excited to have a great dinner after a long day at the Mayo Clinic. We were hoping it would be better after we tried the bread which tasted stale. I ordered the Veal Marsala, it was over cooked and sauce was very salty. My daughter had the shrimp scampi and it didn’t have any flavor at all, very bland. She never uses salt and used quite a bit just to have some flavor. Not sure what the others had who gave good reviews, but our meal was pretty bad. The service was great though. Restaurant could use updating, maintenance. Not sure if we’ll be back.
7. Nupa Mediterranean Cuisine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 222 reviews
Reviewed By Kathy B - Rochester, Minnesota
Though not a lot of seating space in the Civic Center Dr Nupa is worth the visit. There is more seating at the south Nupa but it can be loud in there. Still the food at both is delicious.
8. Terza Ristorante
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 414 reviews
Reviewed By clg031568 - Rochester, Minnesota
This is our first time at Terza. They don’t usually serve brunch but since it’s Easter, they offered Sunday brunch. The food selections in their buffet were good. It taste good too. They offered an omelette station which was nice. The dessert selections were fantastic.... I like the pana cotta. As with the staff.... very accommodating and attentive... makes the experience more pleasant. Definitely we will come back.
9. Twigs Tavern & Grille
Overall Ratings
4 based on 377 reviews
Rochester's only restaurant with a dedicated Gluten-Free kitchen. Discover a unique and exciting dining experience at Twigs Tavern and Grille. Locally owned, Twigs offers many delectable menu options in a warm atmosphere. Gather around our Hot Rock Grilling or enjoy several small plates. You and your guests will enjoy a truly memorable dining experience.
Reviewed By abensteinjp - abensteinjp
Better than bar food. Fish and chips very good. Pork and steaks very tasty. Inside kind of dark and nothing special. However, their patio is one of the best in Rochester. Lots of plants, very pretty, and quiet street. Finally, the wait staff are great, friendly and helpful.
10. Newt's
Overall Ratings
4 based on 730 reviews
Reviewed By Joni15 - Black Hills South Dakota
Starting with the service; everything was great!!! But the cheese curds are out of this world. They were so exceptional, That my husband and I couldn’t figure out how to describe them ... so we’ll go with something out-of-this-world and say they tasted like white clouds of unicorn fluff; amazing!
