Yelp’s Top 25 Places to Eat is a list unlike any other “best of” out there. Sure, you’ll see a few obvious local favorites on the list, but it’s also chock full of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path joints like the #10 ranked CRUMPETS on Monroe Ave, which opened up in April of 2021. From fine dining to shawarma (a LOT of shawarma!) — find them all in Yelp’s Top 25 Places to Eat in Rochester.
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Topping this year’s best place to eat list is the beloved Chortke, a Persian eatery focussed on fresh ingredients and big flavors, owned by husband and wife duo Yasha Aghdasi and Rana Rezaei. No stranger to accolades, they ranked 2nd on our Top 25 Spots for Takeout list last year.
Pro tip: You’re going to want to make a note of these spots, so we made it easy for you. For great businesses at your fingertips, get the Top 25 to-go. Follow this collection on Yelp.
Chortke (Neighborhood of the Arts)
Cuisine: Persian
What they’re known for: Great online ordering system, friendly service always, big flavors, roasted tomatoes.
Yelpers say: “The owners, Yasha and Rana are so nice and their food is amazing! I have tried the joojeh (chicken), chenjeh (steak), and the kubideh (ground beef), and my favorite is the kubideh, it is the most flavorful. Their rice is a must! And add on the eggplant yogurt, it’s so garlicky and delicious on the kubideh or chenjeh.” – Elite Yelper Audree M
2. Caramel Bakery and Bar (Park Avenue)
Cuisine: Bakery and Bar
What they’re known for: Custom pastry and dessert orders, brunch, delicious cannolis and coffee drinks, date nights.
Yelpers say: “What a great find for my wife and I after our dinner. Unique desserts and great cocktails/beer selection. We got the Ehermagad and The Blue Gramm for dessert. I had a NE IPA and my wife had an espresso martini which was really delicious!! A sweet gem hidden on Park Ave.” – Yelper Steve L
3. Cedar Mediterranean Restaurant (Monroe Avenue)
Cuisine: Lebanese
What they’re known for: House-baked pita, delicious pickles, gyros, flavorful manakeesh.
Yelpers say: “The pita is HOT PILLOWY PERFECTION. I loved everything I ordered where which included, the hummus and the falafal sandwich. The falafel were seasoned, crunchy, silky on the inside, and inside that pita, OMG I am not ashamed I ate that whole thing.” – Yelper Troy H
4. Voula’s Greek Sweets (Pearl-Meigs-Monroe Neighborhood)
Cuisine: Greek
What they’re known for: Vegan and vegetarian options, delicious lemony potatoes, spanokopita, brunch.
Yelpers say: “Service was friendly and fast with multiple different people checking in on us & bringing out our order. I got the special (Greek pie with feta and leeks) and it came with a huge Greek side salad, some tzatziki, bread, and lemon potatoes; all for $14 and change.” – Yelper Hannah R
5. Levantine’s Cafe & Bakery (Gates)
Cuisine: Syrian | Middle Eastern
What they’re known for: Delicious mezze menu, large Damascus-style wraps, artful presentation, baklava and other sweet treats.
Yelpers say: “I had been eyeing this place on yelp for a week or two and decided to pull the trigger and trek out to try it out myself. I got the chicken and beef rice plate, chicken shawarma, baklava, mehliyaeh pudding, gharaybeh cookies, and Arabic coffee. I must say, I wish I lived closer, I would go all the time!” – Elite Yelper Kimberly H
6. Chick Magnet (Penfield)
7. Swan Market (Beechwood)
8. Zemeta Ethiopian Restaurant (Clinton Avenue)
9. Atlas Eats Kitchen & Bake Shop (Irondequoit)
10. CRUMPETS (Monroe Avenue)
11. Avvino (Brighton)
12. Rella (Center City)
13. ThaiYada Restaurant (East End)
14. Master Falafel (Monroe Avenue)
15. Leaf & Bean (Chili)
16. Rebel Pi Global Pizza (Greece)
17. Jim’s On Main (Neighborhood of the Arts)
18. Dogtown (Monroe Avenue)
19. Basha Mediterranean Eatery (Pittsford)
20. Peels on Wheels (Beechwood)
21. The Peppered Pig (Penfield)
22. Balsam Bagels (North Winton Village)
23. BC’s Chicken Coop (Webster)
24. Orange Glory Cafe and Catering (Center City)
25. Fiorella (Public Market)
Methodology: This is an all-time list of the Top Places to Eat in the Rochester area according to Yelp. We identified businesses in the restaurant category on Yelp, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews. This list looked at businesses in and around the CITY area. All businesses were marked open on Yelp as of June 28th, 2022. When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of June 15th, 2022.
