While staying on campus is always a nice option, there is so much to go out and see in the city of Rochester. A very important part of every city is the culinary attractions and cafe scenes. So besides Starbucks, where do our students like to go for a coffee, lunch, or a study session?
A very popular location in Rochester is Park Avenue. Here, you can find various cafes and restaurants which are among the best in the city. These are just a few options on Park Avenue:
Pearson’s Cafe – This cafe has reached popularity recently for its Tiramisu Iced Latte. They also have an assortment of other specialty lattes, coffees, and matcha, and in addition various brunch foods and pastries to choose from. This spot does offer wifi and is a great place to grab a refreshment and get some studying done!
Cafe Sasso – This is among one of the favorite cafes in Rochester for URochester students! Inside there is vintage decor with indoor and outdoor seating. They have great pastries, dishes and coffees to choose from. While they do not offer wifi, this is a great place to read or spend time with a friend!
Chai Guy – If you are a chai tea lover or have been dying to try one, you definitely need to check out Chai Guy! This is an easy cafe to stop in and grab a beverage and then take a stroll down Park Ave. while you enjoy. There are various different chai flavors or you can get the classic!
All of these Park Avenue Cafe’s can be easily accessed utilizing the free campus shuttles! The Orange Line runs from 7:00 a.m. to 12 a.m. stopping on campus about every 15 minutes and will drop students on the corner of Culver and Park Avenue.
Next up, next to the Eastman School in Center City we have Javas cafe!
Javas – This is probably one of the most popular cafe spots in Rochester as it is located in the center of the city and next to the Eastman School of Music! If you are looking for a great cafe atmosphere to do work in, this is your place. The vast cafe space offers a wide arrange of seating and wifi accessibility. They also serve a variety of coffees, lattes, tea and specialty drinks as well. In addition, they have excellent pastries and other baked goods. This is 100% worth a visit when you’re in Rochester!
The Red Line and Orange Line of the campus shuttle both stop at the Eastman School area, so this can be taken when headed to Javas.
Moving on to the East Avenue area of Rochester, we have a plethora of specialty cafes that are very unique and have been spoken very highly about from students in Rochester.
Ugly Duck – This cafe has a very aesthetic interior to hang out in, but an even more aesthetic coffee menu. They have the classic iced and hot lattes, but they add their own twist on some of them in their seasonal menu. There is no wifi available at this location but it is a great place to hang out and soak in the atmosphere!
Hydra Coffeehouse – Located next to the iconic Dogtown on Monroe Avenue, Hydra Coffee House is another Rochester fan favorite! With two levels of seating, this is the perfect setting to get some work done, and enjoy specialty coffee drinks and popular breakfast sandwiches. They also have fun company merchandise for purchase!
Bookeater Cafe – Just a short walk down the street from Hydra, is a unique location called Bookeater Cafe. Here, you can grab a latte and a hardy breakfast sandwich, then head upstairs to get some work done or explore the books on display. The menu and atmosphere are like no other!
Albunn Coffee House – Located on the corner of East Avenue, Albunn serves Yemeni specialty coffee beverages. You can even try one of the specialty matcha latte’s as well! There is a lot of seating inside and outside, perfect for hanging out, or doing some work!
All of these locations can be accessed by the Red Line of the campus shuttle to the Eastman area, paired with a brief walk. They are also all within a 15 minute drive of the River campus.
Just off the Genesee River before Center City, Fuego Coffee resides on Woodbury Blvd.
Fuego Coffee Roasters – This cafe and coffee company, has a unique atmosphere, perfect for plugging in your laptop, hanging out with friends, and enjoying a new flavor latte!
Fuego can be accessed by foot just off of the Genesee River Trail, or by car, just about 10 minutes from the River Campus.
Neighborhood of the Arts (NOTA) is a very important part of the city of Rochester, and is certainly worth a visit. There are also several cafes to check out, such as these two:
Winter Swan – This location has gained so much attention in recent months for their unique interior as a cafe, and florist shop. You are also able to log into wifi and do work here as well. The specialty latte flavors as well as matcha choices are exceptional and worth the try!
Melo Cafe – At the heart of the NOTA district, lies Melo Cafe! This engaging space has great coffee and food options. Most notably the Avocado Toast is a popular pick. There is a plethora of seating both inside the cafe and outside as well. There is also great wifi access making this a great place to get work done!
Another notable spot in Rochester located in Henrietta, just about a 15-minute drive from River Campus is Layali Coffeehouse.
Layali Coffeehouse – This large and welcoming atmosphere has a wide variety of specialty lattes. Matcha, and tea’s. They also have Dubai Chocolate and various pastries. There is plenty of seating both inside and outside the cafe. This is also a great location to get some work done!
The University shuttles do not reach this location however, if you or a friend have a car, this just a short drive from campus!
These are only a handful of cafe locations in Rochester, but all of the above are among the most popular amongst URochester students. A great way to get to know the city of Rochester is to explore the culinary scene, so these are just a start!