Hello, are you a resident or a visitor in Rochester, Minnesota? Relax while I take you around some restaurants that are worth visiting. Being the home of the renowned Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota is well-known as a center for healthcare and medical innovation. But in addition to its first-rate medical facilities, Rochester has a thriving culinary scene with a wide selection of top-notch eateries.
Restaurants in Rochester may satisfy almost any kind of appetite, from fine dining places providing well prepared cuisine to small, quiet cafes selling freshly baked goodies. Additionally, Rochester’s culinary options feature tastes and flavors from all over the world because of its diverse population and strong economy. Whether you are a resident searching for a fantastic supper out or a guest come to tour the Mayo Clinic, Rochester’s restaurants are sure to please.
13 Best Restaurants in Rochester, Minnesota (2024)
1. Porch and Cellar
Repurposed wood pieces, exposed masonry, and warm lighting give Porch and Cellar a rustic wine bar appeal. Porch and Cellar is situated outside of Rochester’s downtown area, this quaint eatery gets its ingredients locally whenever feasible for its recipes that are influenced by the seasons. Spreadable dishes encourage tastings of different flavors, such as the cheddar and jalapeño-baked skillet cornbread with honey butter.
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The menu features approachable foods that fit a wide range of palates, from hearty pan-seared meatloaf to fresh flatbreads straight from the stone oven. Porch and Cellar provides plenty of matches, with 48 wines available by the glass or bottle in addition to regional craft beers and cocktails like their Grapefruit Honey Paloma. The enormous s’mores cookie is freshly cooked every day for those who are in the mood for something delicious.
Lingering over wine on the covered patio, which is open year-round and offers a view of the Zumbro River, is encouraged by the laid-back, neighborhood atmosphere. Every visit is simply made to feel welcome by the helpful, kind staff. Whether you’re having a casual dinner with relatives or meeting friends for small plates at happy hour, this is the ideal neighborhood hangout.
2. Chester’s Bar & Grill
Chester’s in downtown Rochester is a great place to have great pub grub in a busy sports bar setting. This large restaurant features a full bar with whiskey and mixed drinks in addition to an excellent array of craft beers available on tap. Enjoy your drink with some of Chester’s renowned, luscious disco fries, which are topped with cheese, bacon, jalapeños, and sautéed onions.
In addition to appetizers, half-pound Black Angus beef patties can be customized with your favorite toppings thanks to build-your-own burger possibilities. Even the most voracious palates are satisfied by other sandwiches like the Buffalo chicken pizza subs or the French dip with succulent slow-roasted beef.
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Chester’s draws large audiences for important matchups since it has many UHD TVs that broadcast sports events and games. When weather permits, meals and drinks can also be enjoyed outside on a patio that overlooks Peace Plaza. Chester’s lively atmosphere and reasonable rates and menus are well-liked by both locals and tourists.
3. Canadian Honker
A talk about famous eateries in Rochester wouldn’t be complete without bringing about Canadian Honker. This beloved local landmark, which overlooks the Zumbro River, has been serving traditional American fare in a rustic, Northwoods-style setting since 1969.
Famous for its in-house cherrywood smoked meats, Canadian Honker also offers prime rib sliced to order, smoked chicken, and ribs basted in a sweet-tangy barbecue sauce. Walleye and giant shrimp are two examples of the seafood options served with skill.
At Canadian Honker, desserts manage to steal the show despite the menu’s hundreds of options. Savor their famous Honker pie, which is topped with caramel and chocolate, or their traditional cheesecake that is covered with berry compote. Additionally, tableside preparation of bananas foster adds a fiery element of drama to the dining experience.
Comfort food classics are served with a warm and inviting atmosphere at Canadian Honker, which attracts both locals and visitors with its well-appointed booths, impressive vaulted ceilings, and river vistas. Its cozy, enduring appeal serves as the cornerstone of Rochester’s thriving, developing restaurant industry.
4. Sakura
Sakura is regarded as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Minnesota, constantly wowing customers with its remarkably fresh sushi and creative presentations. Award-winning sushi chefs create customized rolls that combine traditional and unusual flavors with nigiri and sashimi alternatives.
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Sakura’s varied menu offers more than just sushi; hot appetizers like gyoza potstickers and takoyaki, fried octopus balls, are particularly good. Highlights of the menu include teriyaki and hibachi meals with ingredients including succulent shrimp and juicy ribeye steak. Additionally, their famous fruit puree-infused saketinis give Japanese drinks a playful twist.
As you watch the sushi chefs create edible artwork, you can enjoy lots of entertainment in Sakura’s sleek, contemporary setting, which revolves around a sizable sushi bar. When your food arrives, attentive service makes time for a quiet chat while assisting you in navigating the numerous menu options. Sakura offers a modern interpretation of Japanese cuisine that is ideal for a great evening out.
5. Fiddlehead Coffee
As the top coffee store in Rochester, Fiddlehead Coffee Co. serves only the best small-batch coffee that is roasted locally but sourced from around the world. In addition, the skilled baristas make amazing lattes, cold brews, pourovers, and espresso beverages.
For lunch, get an artisan sandwich or a fresh pastry like a guava empanada to go with your caffeine fix. For a fast breakfast or a relaxed lunch, you can also choose from paninis, breakfast sandwiches, oatmeal bowls, and yogurt parfaits.
The interior of Fiddlehead catches the eye with its profusion of greenery, exposed brickwork, grand fireplace, and windows that let in plenty of natural light. When the weather permits, you can enjoy a seat outside and enjoy the sunshine. Conveniences like free internet and USB ports at seats are also appreciated by customers.
Whether you’re taking a quiet break, eating a light dinner, or just refueling with coffee, Fiddlehead’s atmosphere encourages discussion and relaxation. Any trip to Rochester must include a stop to Fiddlehead Coffee Co. because of their delicious cuisine and drinks.
6. The Loop
The Loop, Rochester’s first food hall with five local restaurant owners’ stalls under one roof, offers a distinctive gastronomic experience. Lola’s Venezuelan Kitchen, Chicken Little wood-fired rotisserie, Smack Shack lobster rolls and crab shack fare, Marco Zupas Tuscan soups and sandwiches, and Sassy Spoon gourmet gelato are all located in the light-filled industrial building.
The Loop is ideal for groups with a range of preferences because of its communal tables and extensive menu. Mixing and mingling are also encouraged by the bars serving up locally created wines, beers, and cocktails. Savor Venezuelan arepas filled with flavorful fillings from Lola’s and then head to Chicken Little for their rotisserie-style citrus permanents.
The Loop uses weekly activities like Sunday Fundays to capitalize on the social aspect of getting together over meals. Overall, this new dining hall is a hit because to its wide menus, informal counter-service style, and contemporary decor. It embodies the bold and cooperative dining scene of Rochester.
7. Mac’s Restaurant
Without the cherished Mac’s Restaurant, no list of the best restaurants in Rochester could be considered complete. Since 1931, this family-run cafe has been providing freshly baked pies and hearty comfort meals. Mac’s has solidified its reputation as a Rochester institution with its attention to small-town charm and from-scratch food, earning them numerous awards and accolades.
Mac’s is known for its breakfast specialties, which include heaping platters of traditional dishes including crispy bacon, farm-fresh eggs, fluffy buttermilk pancakes, and endless coffee. Menu favorites including fried chicken baskets, bacon-loaded burgers, and pot roast dinners are available for lunch and dinner, satisfying any craving. And with so many delectable and savory types made every day, making room for pie is essential.
At Mac’s, the warm, nostalgic ambiance encourages a sense of community by providing booths and counter chairs that facilitate casual discussion between guests. While you wait for your homestyle dinner, there are plenty of things to look at on the walls, including pictures chronicling Rochester history and souvenir coins. The care and quality that go into the food and service are guaranteed by three generations of family supervision.
8. Cafe Steam
Cafe Steam in downtown Rochester is a favorite place for comforting meals served for breakfast and lunch in a friendly cafe environment. With their counter-service arrangement, you may select from a variety of freshly created salads, rice bowls, and sandwiches that go well with house-baked goodies and espresso drinks.
Cafe Steam’s expertise with comfort cuisine classics is evident in its well-known sandwiches, such as the Drive Thru wrap, which combines bacon, eggs, cheddar, and pesto mayo, or the Steam Burger, which has a juicy beef patty topped with Beehive Cheese Curds. A filling and nutritious lunch may be made with bowls like the Millennial Falcon, which is packed with kale, sweet potatoes, ancient grains, and two poached eggs. And to go with your coffee or tea, you can’t go wrong with sweets like enormous cinnamon rolls dripping with frosting or orange cranberry scones.
Fast counter service and limited indoor and outdoor seating make Cafe Steam a great spot for a quick bite. However, you might want to stay as long as you can to enjoy the warm, retro atmosphere and take use of their free internet. Cafe Steam demonstrates that comfort and quality don’t have to be compromised in order to serve food quickly.
9. Terza
Terza is the place to go in downtown Rochester for a classy Italian dining experience. In order to produce authentic Italian cuisine matched with an exclusively Italian wine list, they seek excellent ingredients from Italy and, where possible, locally.
Commence with appetizers that can be shared, such as imported cheese and salumi boards or fried calamari and mussels.filling dishes such as the shrimp piccata served over handmade gnocchi or the short rib brasato. Gelato and tiramisu, two traditional Italian sweets, make the ideal sweet finale.
With dramatic lighting, dark wood, exposed brick, and stainless steel accents, Terza has a sleek, modern atmosphere. Booking is essential as the dining room and bar get busy quite often. Terza’s specialty is small-group dining, but they also throw great events in their private rooms. The central position is a wonderful anchor for a night exploring the area’s culinary choices because it’s flanked by other well-liked Downtown Rochester eateries and pubs.
10. Bleu Duck Kitchen
Bleu Duck Kitchen, located downtown along the Zumbro River and offering inventive American regional cuisine, is frequently ranked among Rochester’s greatest fine dining establishments. Its food is focused on the market and offers carefully prepared and presented locally sourced ingredients.
The kitchen’s skill at blending flavors is evident in appetizers like the duck confit flatbread with truffle oil and béchamel sauce and entrees like the espresso-crusted filet mignon topped with Gorgonzola butter. Bleu Duck has a wide selection of wines that are specifically focused on regional varietals, or you can choose one of their famous martinis to go with your meal.
The late 1890s historic structure that houses Bleu Duck Kitchen still has its exposed brick walls, which are accentuated by warm lighting and dark wood accents. The ambiance is chic yet contemporary, and the service is excellent. It’s the ideal location for a formal evening that calls for exquisite food and beverages or a business supper.
11. Forager Brewery
Craft beer enthusiasts traveling to Rochester should definitely check out Forager Brewery. Situated in close proximity to the Mayo Clinic campus, Forager Brewery provides a wide array of distinctive craft beers in addition to a locally-sourced menu featuring pizza, sandwiches, salads, and appetizers that go well with the beers.
Long communal tables in the industrial-chic taproom are ideal for interacting with other guests and brewery employees. When the weather permits, the outside patio that looks out over the Zumbro River is a great place to be. Popular menu items include wood-fired pizzas piled high with inventive toppings, such as the Crisbee Pizza with honey, apples, bacon, arugula, prosciutto, and brie, and the Sweet Heat Pizza with spicy sausage and pickled jalapeños.
Beer enthusiasts will enjoy tasting flights with speciality brews like Minute Man New England IPA, Velvet Hammer Imperial Stout, and Cherry Spruce Sour, among other 19 rotating taps of house-brewed beers. The focus on fostering community and the rustic gastropub atmosphere make Forager Brewery a favorite among residents and tourists alike.
Conclusion
When it comes to fine dining selections that can accommodate almost any preference, Rochester, Minnesota excels far beyond its weight class. The 13 eateries included here, which range from quaint cafés to opulent cocktail bars and all in between, epitomize Rochester’s culinary landscape.
Due to its wealth and diversity, Rochester is able to draw in talented chefs that serve international food using, if feasible, products that are acquired locally.
Discovering the tasting menus at these excellent restaurants offers amazing dining experiences wherever your cravings lead, whether you live in Rochester or are just visiting.