Living in Rochester means there’s an endless list of places to eat at, ranging from classic American food to fantastic cuisines from around the world. As a junior, I’ve had many of opportunities to explore the city and try the foods that Rochester offers, either with friends or during campus trips and catered events. Here are just a few of my favorites, and all of them are within a half an hour drive from Naz’s campus!
1) Pizzeria Favo and Draft House
Pizzeria Favo is a great place to hang out with your friends and chow down on some great personal pizzas. They have handcrafted brick oven pizzas that cost about the same as ordering any ordinary pizza, but taste so much fresher. You can check out their menu here, or you can build your own pizza with a bunch of different pizza dough choices; my personal favorite is the bar-b-q chicken pizza. Pizzeria Favo, located on Monroe Ave, is a 15 minute walk from campus, so after the basketball game or between classes, you can grab a pizza pretty quickly. There’s even an option to order a pizza online and pick it up as soon as 10 minutes later if your in a hurry. They also serve as a draft house, so when you go exploring on family weekend with your parents, they can try some local craft beers or Puck’s Craft Fountain Soda. Pizzeria Favo is a great place to go to when you want good quality, close to campus food.
2) Han Noodle Bar
Han Noodle Bar is the perfect place if you love Chinese food or noodle bowls. It’s about a 15 minute drive from campus and located in the city, but worth the short ride even if you take an Uber to get there. Han Noodle Bar is the perfect place to go and relax in a modern and cozy environment and, although it is busy, you can stay awhile and study or do homework. Their noodle bowls are fantastic, but they also have a large variety of Chinese food favorites, like orange chicken and fried rice. Han Noodle Bar is definitely a favorite for those who want a step above your average take-out place on a college budget.
3) Dogtown
Right next to Han Noodle Bar is a tiny little place called Dogtown, which serves up great burgers, sandwiches, and a Rochester staple, the garbage plate. When the weather is nice, Dogtown is a great place to go to in between adventures in the city. You can sit outside on the patio and soak in the sun with your friends, or work on group projects. Dogtown is also open late and delivers so it’s a great place to grab a night time bite after an activity on campus. They also cater, so clubs often use them for events.
4) The Waffle Factory
If you’re a lover of waffles and all things breakfast food, The Waffle Factory is the place to grab brunch. The Waffle Factory is located close to Lake Ontario, a 20 minute drive from Nazareth, and is a great place to go to before going to Seabreeze Amusement Park or exploring the Lake. They serve 38 different waffles including the “Strawbanella,” which is strawberries, bananas, and nutella smothered on a fluffy Belgian waffle and covered with whipped cream, or the “Cinny,” which is their cinnamon bun waffle. They also serve acai bowls, egg skillets, or, if you go in the evening, grab one of their speciality ice cream sundaes or shakes. The Waffle Factory is a must for breakfast lovers, and a great place to go with roommates on a slow weekend.
5) Java’s Cafe
Java’s Cafe is located in the heart of the city, and is a music major’s dream place. Located right next to the Eastman School of Music, Java’s caters to starving artists, college students from around Rochester, and people looking to soak up some arts and culture. I love going to Java’s to catch up on work or write a paper, and their ever-changing music selection is always interesting. They are open early and late, so if you’re awake, Java’s is likely open. They serve a wide assortment of espresso drinks, iced and hot teas, specialty drinks, as well as sandwiches and bakery items. With free wifi and a lot of seats and tables, Java’s is a great study place for any coffee or tea lover.
6) Pittsford Dairy
No matter what the season is, ice cream at Pittsford Dairy is a great idea. Those who live on campus can take the 10 minute walk or use the Naz’s Bikes@Naz to shave some time off the trip. During the holidays, Pittsford Dairy sells trees and a bunch of other small figurines in their mini winter wonderland. You can hang out by the fire and take pictures near the holiday themed backdrops. In the spring, and summer, you can indulge in their ice cream on one of the many outdoor benches or on the patio. Pittsford Dairy’s frozen custard is delicious, and their sundaes are perfect for sharing. Pastries and specialty breads are available throughout the day as well, and they also serve locally made coffee and other specialty items. Whether it’s the beginning of the semester and you take a roommate bonding trip, or its the weekend before midterms or finals, a short trip to Pittsford Dairy with your friends is a great way to relax during the busy semester.