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Rochester is worth exploring.
Rochester is worth exploring.
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Where to Eat and Drink in Rochester

This city more than the Mayo Clinic and the parking lot for the Mayo Clinic

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Rochester is worth exploring.
| Shutterstock

Rochester, about an hour south of the Twin Cities is known for housing one of the world-renowned medical hospitals and research facilities: the Mayo Clinic. However, like a crate digger flipping through record store shelves to find gems, downtown Rochester, along with other spots on its outskirts, are known for housing some tasty wares. Whether its pizza, or some kabobs and rice, Rochester’s got something to fit every hunger pang possible.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

Pi Wood-Fired Pizza

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With a wood-fired oven churning out traditional favorites like the margherita, or upping the ante for the Buffalo chicken, Pi Wood-Fired Pizza satisfies all the taste buds inside a very casual and chill atmosphere.

Pi Wood-Fired’s Margherita
Official Website

Flapdoodles Ice Cream

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Nearby Woodside Park, Rochester’s own Flapdoodles serves up an endless array of ice cream treats, from scoops to cakes, and with flavors like White Chocolate Raspberry and Cookie Monster to satiate any sweet tooth in its vicinity.

Ootori Sushi

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A stones throw away from Valleyhigh Drive, Ootori Sushi has a wondrous and flavorful array of sushi selections and high quality Japanese fare. Enjoy it all on the patio outside, or inside some simple and quaint seating.

Smoak BBQ - Rochester

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Smoak (a mix of the word Smoke and Oak) is a Texas styled barbecue establishment that serves anything from shared plates to delectable sandwiches such as their Alabama Chicken Sandwich, served with an Alabama white Barbecue sauce, which is a simple sweet and tangy sauce known to make anything good, especially chicken.

Grandma's Kitchen

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Adjacent to Rochester’s Mill Race Park, Grandma’s Kitchen has been serving up awesome diner fare since 1977, whether its standard breakfast fare, or a fantastic hot beef sandwich with potatoes and gravy.

John Hardy's BBQ

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John Hardy’s has been serving Rochester with delectable Southern-styled BBQ since 1972, and while John Hardy may have past on, his legacy of barbecue still lives strong.

Pho Chau

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Located near Silver Lake Park in Rochester, Pho Chau is not only serving freshly made Vietnamese fare, but the best pho Rochester offers.

Pho Chau’s Pho
Yelp

Hunan Garden

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A couple of blocks from Forager Brewery on the outskirts of Rochester, Hunan Garden is serving up classical takes on American Chinese fare such as the General Tso’s Chicken.

Tacos Mi Pueblo

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On North Broadway in Rochester, Tacos Mi Pueblo has been providing tacos, tortas, and more to scores of hungry patrons outside of a converted trailer truck. Don’t sleep on their elotes, a perfect side item that pairs perfectly with any of the main menu staples!

Tacos & Tortas from Tacos Mi Pueblo
Google

Almadina restaurant

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A short distance away from the Mayo, Almadina has any type of Middle Eastern fare to satiate any appetite. If it’s the first stop made after a long trek from the Twin Cities, and the appetite yearns, tackle one of three Almadina feast meals, filled with kabobs, gyros, and shawarma seated on a plentiful bed of rice.

Chocolaterie Stam

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Chocolaterie Stam inside the Galleria Square has an endless display of chocolates, candies, and more to make anyone do the Homer drool. When with a significant other? Splurge on the chocolate covered strawberries.

Francisco's Restaurant

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Next to the Mayo Clinic campus, Franciscos has been satisfying slews of patrons cravings for various Cuban and Jamaican fare. From a traditional Cubano sandwich to jerk chicken and braised ox tails, Francisco’s has plenty to choose from. It’s like a mini-vacation within a staycation!

In the heart of downtown, Terza is serving up mouth-watering Italian fare, whether its grilled goods such as steak and fish, to pasta and pizza whether sitting outdoors with the downtown Rochester soundtrack, or a quiet and romantic seating inside.

Snappy Stop

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A short distance away from Slatterly Park, Snappy Stop is a no-frills burger and fries drive-thru that has been serving up thin-pattied smashburgers, fries, shakes, and nuggets. Check out the rotating monthly burger.

Taqueria El Kora

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Nearby Graham Park, Taqueria El Kora has plenty of wonderful taco and torta selections, served in simple street-styled fashion. Particularly, their Torta Cubana with salsa verde is a sandwich of marvel and wonder.

Tacos from Taqueria El Kora
Postmates

Los Arcos Kitchen & Cantina

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Boasting everything from sizzling fajitas, to a burrito menu known to make eyes pop, Los Arcos has been serving countless Rochester residents with tasty Mexican fare. Don’t sleep on the tableside guacamole.

Fajitas from Los Arcos
Yelp

Pi Wood-Fired Pizza

With a wood-fired oven churning out traditional favorites like the margherita, or upping the ante for the Buffalo chicken, Pi Wood-Fired Pizza satisfies all the taste buds inside a very casual and chill atmosphere.

Pi Wood-Fired’s Margherita
Official Website

Flapdoodles Ice Cream

Nearby Woodside Park, Rochester’s own Flapdoodles serves up an endless array of ice cream treats, from scoops to cakes, and with flavors like White Chocolate Raspberry and Cookie Monster to satiate any sweet tooth in its vicinity.

Ootori Sushi

A stones throw away from Valleyhigh Drive, Ootori Sushi has a wondrous and flavorful array of sushi selections and high quality Japanese fare. Enjoy it all on the patio outside, or inside some simple and quaint seating.

Smoak BBQ - Rochester

Smoak (a mix of the word Smoke and Oak) is a Texas styled barbecue establishment that serves anything from shared plates to delectable sandwiches such as their Alabama Chicken Sandwich, served with an Alabama white Barbecue sauce, which is a simple sweet and tangy sauce known to make anything good, especially chicken.

Grandma's Kitchen

Adjacent to Rochester’s Mill Race Park, Grandma’s Kitchen has been serving up awesome diner fare since 1977, whether its standard breakfast fare, or a fantastic hot beef sandwich with potatoes and gravy.

John Hardy's BBQ

John Hardy’s has been serving Rochester with delectable Southern-styled BBQ since 1972, and while John Hardy may have past on, his legacy of barbecue still lives strong.

Pho Chau

Located near Silver Lake Park in Rochester, Pho Chau is not only serving freshly made Vietnamese fare, but the best pho Rochester offers.

Pho Chau’s Pho
Yelp

Hunan Garden

A couple of blocks from Forager Brewery on the outskirts of Rochester, Hunan Garden is serving up classical takes on American Chinese fare such as the General Tso’s Chicken.

Tacos Mi Pueblo

On North Broadway in Rochester, Tacos Mi Pueblo has been providing tacos, tortas, and more to scores of hungry patrons outside of a converted trailer truck. Don’t sleep on their elotes, a perfect side item that pairs perfectly with any of the main menu staples!

Tacos & Tortas from Tacos Mi Pueblo
Google

Almadina restaurant

A short distance away from the Mayo, Almadina has any type of Middle Eastern fare to satiate any appetite. If it’s the first stop made after a long trek from the Twin Cities, and the appetite yearns, tackle one of three Almadina feast meals, filled with kabobs, gyros, and shawarma seated on a plentiful bed of rice.

Chocolaterie Stam

Chocolaterie Stam inside the Galleria Square has an endless display of chocolates, candies, and more to make anyone do the Homer drool. When with a significant other? Splurge on the chocolate covered strawberries.

Francisco's Restaurant

Next to the Mayo Clinic campus, Franciscos has been satisfying slews of patrons cravings for various Cuban and Jamaican fare. From a traditional Cubano sandwich to jerk chicken and braised ox tails, Francisco’s has plenty to choose from. It’s like a mini-vacation within a staycation!

Terza

In the heart of downtown, Terza is serving up mouth-watering Italian fare, whether its grilled goods such as steak and fish, to pasta and pizza whether sitting outdoors with the downtown Rochester soundtrack, or a quiet and romantic seating inside.

Snappy Stop

A short distance away from Slatterly Park, Snappy Stop is a no-frills burger and fries drive-thru that has been serving up thin-pattied smashburgers, fries, shakes, and nuggets. Check out the rotating monthly burger.

Taqueria El Kora

Nearby Graham Park, Taqueria El Kora has plenty of wonderful taco and torta selections, served in simple street-styled fashion. Particularly, their Torta Cubana with salsa verde is a sandwich of marvel and wonder.

Tacos from Taqueria El Kora
Postmates

Related Maps

Los Arcos Kitchen & Cantina

Boasting everything from sizzling fajitas, to a burrito menu known to make eyes pop, Los Arcos has been serving countless Rochester residents with tasty Mexican fare. Don’t sleep on the tableside guacamole.

Fajitas from Los Arcos
Yelp

Related Maps