Downtown

For a quick lunch, visit the DiBella’s Old Fashioned Submarines (420 Jefferson Rd., 585/475-1831), serving hot and cold subs on hand-shaped rolls since 1918.Another good lunch spot is Orange Glory Café (240 East Ave., 585/232-7340, lunch only, Mon.–Fri.) which offers tasty homemade organic dishes, gourmet sandwiches and cookies—head to this little eatery early for the best selection.

In the heart of downtown, Dinosaur Bar-B-Q (99 Court St., 585/325-7090, $10, sister restaurant to Syracuse) offers great ribs and Cajun and Cuban food, along with live blues on the weekends.Romantic Tapas 177 (177 St. Paul St., 585/262-2090, $16) is a very popular spot, serving an eclectic menu by candlelight, a wide variety of martinis, salsa lessons and live music on the weekends.

Nestled into the East End entertainment district is the popular 2 Vine (24 Winthrop St., 585/454-6020, $18), serving lots of fresh seafood that’s flown in daily, fresh local produce, and homemade pastries. It was voted “Best Restaurant” in a City Newspaper survey.

Southeast Rochester

For a simple salad or tofu burger, step into the no-frills Aladdin’s Natural Eatery (646 Monroe Ave., 585/442-5000). On Clinton Avenue, parallel to Monroe, is the Highland Park Diner (960 S. Clinton Ave., 585/461-5040), a classic 1948 art deco Orleans diner.

Back on Monroe Avenue, you’ll find the Olive Tree (165 Monroe Ave., 585/454-3510, #16), serving an imaginative “nouvelle Greek cuisine.” Housed in a renovated 1864 brick storefront, the eatery uses fresh local ingredients and also serves Greek wines and beer.Not far away is another good ethnic spot, the Raj Mahal (324 Monroe Ave., 585/546-2315, $14), known for its tandoori and vegetarian dishes and fresh breads. Chefs prepare dishes behind a glass window while guests look on.

© Avalon Travel and Sascha Zuger from Moon New York State, 5th Edition