Italian Restaurants in Rochester (2025)
Farm-to-table Italian in the Public Market, with naturally leavened pizzas, handmade pastas, and house gelato. Named Best Italian Restaurant in City Magazine’s Best of Rochester 2024—proof that local sourcing and skill still lead the pack.
A neighborhood osteria that locals adore for housemade ricotta, wood-fired pies, and Italian-leaning wines. Listed in Visit Rochester’s foodie guide and still going strong with a simple, seasonal playbook and warm hospitality.
Neighborhood of the Arts favorite featuring Monroe County’s first true Neapolitan wood-burning oven, blistering pies in seconds and turning out hearty Campania-inspired plates. A reliable pick for pizza lovers and pasta traditionalists alike.
An enduring downtown destination for classic Italian dinners and river views. Recognized by New York State’s official tourism site, it’s popular for celebratory evenings, live music, and a crowd-pleasing menu from Chicken French to fra diavolo.
Family-run by the Formoso family, this refined spot channels both northern and southern traditions—think seafood pastas, seasonal specials, and a thoughtful Italian wine list. A long-running Rochester standard for a relaxed, polished night out.
Coal-fired pizza and Italian comfort fare in a roomy University Avenue home. City Magazine reported the 2023 move from Corn Hill; today it’s buzzing again with crisp pies, wings, and a lively bar.
Guido family hospitality meets generous, time-tested plates—carbonara, parmigiana, and the city’s beloved Chicken French. City Magazine’s Best of Rochester spotlighted its Chicken French, and regulars swear by the house-made pastas.
More than 35 years of family ownership and hearty Italian-American staples, from seafood fra diavolo to jarred house sauce you can take home. A westside tradition known for friendly service and dependable comfort.
An Italian-American mainstay near the Port of Rochester, drawing crowds for escarole and beans, calamari, and big-portion pastas. Family-run hospitality and a lively bar keep the Charlotte location buzzing nightly.
Modern Italian downtown: house-made pastas, fresh cheeses, and a sharp cocktail and Italian wine program. The restaurant notes its role in the area’s resurgence, and locals love the polished yet lively vibe.
A compact East End fixture where the wood-fired oven anchors everything from pizzas to nightly pasta specials. WXXI News covered its 2023 fire and successful reopening; today it’s back to turning out flavorful, blistered-crust pies.
Since 1949, a lunchtime institution with changing daily menus, sturdy pastas, and a beloved red sauce. Named a USA Today Restaurants of the Year pick, it’s a living slice of Rochester’s Italian-American story.