Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Rochester

OpenTable

Updated April 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Rochester? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Thai Pop

4.9

4.9 (695)

$31 to $50

Thai

Rochester

About the restaurant

Bringing the past to the present, Thailand to Minnesota, and the passion for good food and drinks to you.

Top review

DavidVIP

Dined 4 days ago

Another great dinner date at Thai Pop! Food was amazing and the service was exceptional!

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Experience

Authentic Thai cuisine in Rochester!

Bleu Duck Kitchen

4.8

4.8 (1334)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Our Chef’s take inspiration from Billy Madison who drew a blue duck because he had never seen one before, and he wanted to see a blue duck! Well, since our chefs love classic Adam Sandler humor and innovative cooking, we thought that Bleu Duck was the perfect name to showcase our fun environment and staff as well as our unique and creative menu. Just like Billy, we like to try things that you’ve never seen before!

Bleu Duck Kitchen and Oyster Bar is a full service restaurant that provides a fun and welcoming atmosphere where white linens meet a casual feel to create the new concept of “fun-dining”. Co-Owners Erik Kleven and Jennifer Lester regard each customer as a welcomed friend, and aim to provide them with an experience that is both personal and unique every time they visit.

Top review

Lynn

Dined 2 days ago

Outstanding as always and Benjamin was on his game even though they were also serving a party in the back room! His recommendation of the steak was spot on! Can’t wait to be back.

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4.8

4.8 (279)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Chefs Nick Diaz and Kiefer Manning have been hard at work renovating the historic Chicago & Great Western Railroad Depot into a cozy and inviting restaurant for you to enjoy. Our Paladar offers a locally sourced, seasonal dinner menu most evenings. You can look forward to handmade breads and pastas along with small and main plates. Patio seating is available when the season allows. The team at Our Paladar cannot wait to welcome you!

Top review

EricVIP

Dined 1 day ago

I like the creativity of the chef. The oysters were succulent. The choices of the main course were interesting. I need to go back there and try other dishes

Latitude 44

4.8

4.8 (263)

$31 to $50

Contemporary American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Latitude 44 is a Modern American restaurant, featuring thoughtful food and beverage offerings within an energetic, casual chic ambiance. Our service driven mentality provides a welcoming and memorable experience for each guest.

Located in the historic Castle building in downtown Rochester, MN, Latitude 44 delivers an unparalleled atmosphere whether our guests are dining or enjoying an evening of cocktails in our comfortably appointed cocktail lounge.

The kitchen creations are driven by award winning “Chef Spiccoli” who utilizes his talents to bring an elevated, yet welcoming approach to both traditional and modern cuisine.

The cocktail program consists of an array of offerings from playful to sophisticated. Our mixologists have an extensive knowledge of both wine and spirts.

Simply stated, Latitude 44 is a "vibe" you don't want to miss.

Top review

Dennis

Dined 4 days ago

Great decor, excellent food, and outstanding service (by Andrew). The only negative was the music playlist; it detached from the overall ambience.

Chester's Kitchen & Bar

4.7

4.7 (1525)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Welcome to Chester's .
WE ARE OPEN!
***Please know we are experiencing technical difficulties.
Please call the restaurant for any and all reservations or come in!
We are working directly with Open Table to get back online as soon as possible.
Call us at 507-424-1211 for your reservation needs today.
Casual Upscale Dining in the Heart of Downtown Rochester, Minnesota. Made-from-scratch food with layers of flavor.

Large Patio Seating (In season), Garden Atrium and Private Dining.
Named Rochester's Best Restaurant 2018!
Rochester's Favorite Dessert 2020 - Banana Cream Pie!
Serving Rotisserie Chicken, Lavash Pizza, Steaks, Seafood, Burgers, Salads and Much More... Made Fresh Daily!!
Specific tables are never guaranteed. Due to popularity and weather conditions, we do not accept reservations for the Patio or Bar Booths (first come first serve basis).

Top review

Lawrence

Dined 5 days ago

Nice place to have a casual meal. Waiting staff attentive and food very good 👍

Five West Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (1009)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Contemporary American comfort food in an exciting atmosphere.

Top review

Diana

Dined 2 days ago

Food was awesome great place and our server was great. Super attentive.

Smoak BBQ - Rochester

4.7

4.7 (159)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Rochester

About the restaurant

SMOAK mixes a modern and casual ambiance with traditional Texas-style BBQ. We want our BBQ to be the ultimate comfort food – flavorful and memorable. Our open dining room features spacious farm tables for large parties, a beautiful bar with smoked handcrafted cocktails, and vast windows and garage doors. SMOAK also features a beautiful patio with a large pergola, string lights, and outdoor bar seating – the perfect spot to relax during those warm summer months.

Top review

Robert

Dined on Apr 19, 2025

Outstanding food and service during our annual pre easter family diner. Always outstanding bbq and service. Looking forward to our next visit!

Twigs Tavern & Grille

4.7

4.7 (896)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Fresh American Fare at Twigs
In July 2008, Twigs Tavern and Grille opened to bring fresh flavors in a relaxing atmosphere to Rochester, Minnesota. Featuring Rochester's only restaurant with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen and a diverse menu of small plates, entrées, and the Hot Rock, our dishes feature an innovative mix of cultural flavors from around the world and fresh ingredients. Share small plates with your friends or fill up with one amazing entrée. Find a personalized and memorable dining experience waiting for you at Twigs Tavern and Grille.

Gluten-Free Dining
In addition to our lunch and dinner menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrées, our restaurant offers one of the most extensive gluten-free menus in Rochester. All gluten-free meals are prepared by our specially trained staff in a separate kitchen area with dedicated equipment to help prevent cross contamination.

Top review

Angela

Dined 3 days ago

Great service! Great food! Wonderful company that I shared it all with! We shall return!

CRAVE - Rochester

4.5

4.5 (991)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

Top review

Jessi

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

Excellent good and service. Favorite restaurant in Rochester.

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Popular dish

Chicken Stir Fry

Pappys Place

4.2

4.2 (36)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Pappy's Place a Pappas Family Restaurant, Midwest fare with a Flare, Steaks, Seafood, Chops, Burgers, and Rochester's premier salad bar, runner up for Best Steaks, great craft beer, full bar, T.V.S, Weekly and Daily food specials, We are a scratch kitchen and make all our salads, soups and dressings in house, Let Chef Chris and his wife Sheila and there staff take care of all your dinning needs, Locally owned, we live here, hire here, bank here and love it here.

Top review

Dennis

Dined on Apr 18, 2025

Good food and great service. Nice little local restaurant. We will be back.

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