Swan Market

The food is amazing, like being in Germany . Nice, cozy atmosphere. Large selection of Germany groceries. The deli meat is the best.

It's a very straight forward place. There is a deli counter in the back, and the rest of the floor space is tables and chairs (with a small German / European grocery section along one wall. They have good authentic food and a pretty solid beer selection. (They also have sodas and such if that's more your speed). I wouldn't go everyday, but it's a nice hearty meal as often as you want that. Parking can be a bit tough. There are only 3? spaces in their lot out front, but there is street parking if you are willing to walk a few hundred feet. It's more of a lunch place, so they aren't open all day, which means if you go at the wrong time, you are gonna be waiting in line for a seat. The staff have always been nice and on top of things.

This is one of my favorite places in the world. Do yourself a favor and eat here at least once in your life.

Swan market is a great place to pick up food to bring home, but it's also a fantastic place to eat in. The space is small but the atmosphere is cozy and everyone is so friendly! I absolutely recommend this place, whether you're stocking up for a cookout at home or looking for a place to grab lunch. Just pay attention to which days they're open because they're not open every day.

We wanted to stay for lunch but every seat was taken, if you don't get here early you won't get a seat. We did buy lots of sausage, bacon, and purple sweet and sour cabbage (its so good). We don't go here often, not from the area but when we get a chance Swan Market is on the list of places to go!

Stopped last weekend to get my sausage fix. They are all so delicious. Weisswurst are my fave. Next time I must sit for a meal. All the diners last week were having a blast and were clearly happy with their food and drink.

Best German food in New York State. Their Jaeger schnitzel is my favorite. Very small place, with limited seating... but worth any wait. Great deli too. Staff is wonderful.

They made venison sausage for me. It was done very quickly and it is really good. I should have done this years ago. They are good at what they do. The seasoning on the bratwurst is perfect as is the texture.

Two words, old school. Group seating at long wooden table, close quarters, but just right. Good German fare, reasonably priced, nice wait staff. Celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary, sitting next to two lovely ladies whom we'd never met. My wife and I had a warm conversation with these ladies, coming to find out that one of the ladies, shared our anniversary date with her late husband. We surprised them by paying for their meals, something I've done without mentioning or fanfare on numerous occasions, but felt this time it weaved together a grand anniversary experience we won't soon forget. Highly recommend, this fun restaurant.

A small, indoor Bavarian garden / butcher / corner shop vibe. Service was impeccable. Food was delicious. Price v reasonable.

A Rochester secret tucked away where most wouldn't know it existed. A real authentic German restaurant and butcher shop. While I've never sat down and eaten there, it's always packed. I go and get an assortment of their homemade sausages, rouladen, sauerkraut, and red cabbage to take home, and pick up some the bread and mustard brought in from Germany. Well worth the trip to eat there or take out.

If you haven't gone to Swan's and enjoy real authentic German food then get up and...go! Yes, go! A small restaurant that is set-up similar to family style- where everyone sits next to you weather you know them or not. The goulash is my absolute favorite, not like American red sauce goulash, it's more like a stew or roast, and the spetzel taste like my grandmothers. Service is always fast and pleasant. A must try!

This was my first time here and when my kids say, "Be there when the store opens"... they're not wrong. Such a great atmosphere with family style seating and by 11:06am when we arrived, tables were already full. We ordered some meat from the deli counter for dinner tomorrow and they were super helpful with recommendations. I would highly suggest checking it out!

Great friendly Polish food with a simple picnic Table Atmosphere.Great to meet new friends And Neibhors. I wait til the regular pick from the display case for takeout to get new finds. No labels on the meats can be a challenge.

A friend ordered through Grub Hub. Food came right on time. We ordered a little of a lot of things: Roladen, Pork schnitzel, Cordon bleu, German Potato Salad, Sauerkraut, Red Cabbage, Spaetzle, Bread Dumplings. The Roladen was so good. I would go back just for the red cabbage and the potato salad! Best ever! The portions were large. Highly recommend.

No matter how many times I come here it never disappoints me. This place is an old school German market and restaurant. I day I had the fine ground liverwurst and bread for an appetizer followed by Sauerbraten, red cabbage and German potato salad. It was absolutely delicious. When you leave make sure you get a pound of their bacon and a few sticks of house made pepperoni.

We bring in our venison and they make red hotdogs with the meat and they are so delicious!! Definitely recommend this meat market!!

Seems to always be bustling with good reason--they serve delicious and authentic meals. Ordered the schnitzel for takeout and I was surprised how crispy it was by the time I got back and ate it. Be sure to ask for the mushroom sauce with it--it's really savory and delicious. All of the sides were great, but the bread dumplings and red cabbage really stood out! The red cabbage was slightly sweeter than the sauerkraut and suited my tastes better. Be sure to try some sausages as well. We got a slice of the butter cake (their dessert selection rotates frequently) and it was so rich and delicious, although slightly on the sweet side. The shop hosts an assortment of snacks and German pantry staples, so lots to explore while you're there. The staff is super friendly and helpful with suggestions. Definitely worth catching this place when it's open!

Love places like this, history, atmosphere, quality food. Service is great and friendly. Get something from the counter for the way out. I grabbed potato salad and Leberkäse. I'll be back.

Great place for lunch Awesome German food. Servers are fast and efficient. Great Deli counter. More selection of sausage than anywhere. One whole wall of bread, pickles and other food items. Thank you so much.

This place is a fantastic place to get a Stammtisch together and enjoy a high quality lunch or prepared meats. Add in the fact that this place serves draft beers and I am a return customer for sure!

We got there right at opening and it was already starting to get busy! Definitely go early if you want seating. The service was fast and friendly. We loved everything we got and of course the beer!! Brownie points to the guys who broke out singing in a German song and then chugged their beer, definitely added to the vibe.

We used to go to this market (50 to 55 years) ago. Looked it up while I was in Rochester, The food is so delicious!!! they have a great sampler plate if you do not know what you would like. I enjoyed the food very much and the staff is so friendly and helpfulpful.

A well hidden gem. The German food is excellent. Be prepared to be shoulder to shoulder with other diners. You always leave having gotten to know other people. Service is very good. They even brought me a beer while I was in line waiting to be seated. Also, be prepared to sing a German song - omp-pah-pah.

Great place for a satisfying lunch or comfort food, and they have a great selection of fresh and cured sausage.

We were in Rochester for a night and I found Swan Market via Google maps. We knew before we even walked in that it was our kind of place. It was jam packed, everyone was talking and smiling and it smelled heavenly. It was cramped and we weren't sure where to go or stand but when the waitress came over and explained how it works and asked if we wanted a liter we were sold! We ended up getting sat at a table full of locales including the former owner. The current owner eventually made his way over to the table as well. What a fantastic group! We were regaled with jokes and stories and left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. Yes it's small. A little chaotic sure. But everyone else in the place knew the drill and it didn't take us very long to catch on and fit in. We cannot wait to go back.

Oh my goodness!! I haven't good German food for several years, and this food was amazing! The restaurant is small and everyone shares long tables to eat from. There was a brief wait around noon for a table to open. We had the large wheat beer stein, four wonderful pretzel sticks, jagerschnitzel platter and sausage platter. Spatzle and german dumplings were the sides we both chose. I liked the spatzle a little better than the dumplings. The jagerschnitzel, sausages and pretzels were just fantastic. They also had some fabulous looking cake, but we were too full to try. Next time!

Food is great. The sampler plate is a winner. Eat in or take out. The people are super nice but you may have to wait for a place to sit. It is worth the wait.

OMG! Who doesn't love swan market! Their attention to quality and adhearance to proven ways to produce and smoke awesome products is second to none. Absolutely the best in Rochester for sausage, bacon and German foods. Anybody who has not tried swans hasn't lived yet!

Great, small family restaurant with lots of soul. Man behind the counter was very helpful when I wasn't sure what to order!

Seriously, I can't believe that the this place doesn't have a five star rating straight up. Out of all of the places to eat in Rochester (fancy or not) it is far and away the best. Carol And Caroline are the best servers in town, the food is delicious and the soups will leave you speechless. I can't rave about it enough. It is that good!!

Authentic as you can get. Old school quality and classic. Don't make em like this anymore.

Cozy but absolutely delicious. We came during the peak of Saturday lunch and were able to find the 3 seats we needed at one of 4 or 5 large communal tables. I thought it was rather quaint and reminiscent of my restaurant experiences in Germany. It promotes community and socialization. The food was awesome. We got one sampler, one Jager schnitzel and one goulash. All the portions were generous and the quality was spot on. We truly enjoyed our meal and took some extra potato salad to go. The only... challenge... is the tight squeeze. When the tables are full and the deli counter is hopping, don't be surprised for some bumping and shoving.

We absolutely LOVE German food and Swan! We had takeout when you could not eat there and it was amazing. Today we went to get stuff at the deli and saw they had opened up for lunch again! YAY! The food is amazing, the service is friendly and prompt and it makes my heart and stomach happy!!

Almost like being in the heart of a small German town. Great food, community seating, excellent service even though short staffed! Reasonably priced.

Great place! Reasonable prices. Food is excellent. Small but cozy. Good variety of German foods. Unique location havevfoods you can't get anywhere else.

I wish I would've known about Swan Market sooner! They were at Fairport Octoberfest serving some awesome plates. Friendly people & delicious food! Can't wait to check out the actual market.

Stepping back in time. Go here for sit down lunch and the very best German Meats and products.

Absolutely fantastic german food. My favorite is the goulash they serve. Can't get over the feeling of hoisting a full stein of real deal imported German beer! 10/10 If it's your first time be aware it is family style seating, so you will likely be placed with other patrons. Come in ready to mingle! Sampler platter is a great choice to try many of their offerings.

If you like German food this is the place to go. It has Authentic German food prepared right in front of you. Including large beer Steins for your beer and an occasional guy playing accordion in the corner. What a great place to go and eat whether you were German or not!

The end all be all of classic German deli cuisine. This place has so much going on. A million kinds of German and other European sausages, delicious sides like spaetzle, potato salad and stuffing. The schnitzel is incredible and the sausage is the best in town. Get the sausage appetizer and sample several. Communal tables in an old world style deli with German kitsch adorning the walls. Atmosphere and community are fantastic. And don't forget a German beer to go with it. Grab a 32 ounce Stein if you're game. Can get super crowded as there is only room to seat about two dozen people. Lines can be long, but well worth the wait. European foods available for purchase to take home as well, rye bread, chocolates, jams, etc. You owe yourself a visit.

I do not enjoy this place at all. I don't know I it was because it was hyped up to me and it wasn't what I expected or I just didn't like it. I prefer to make these foods at home but to each their own

Such a cool and unique experience in Rochester. Super authentic food compared to what I had during my recent trip to Germany. Highly recommend the sampler platter to try a little bit of everything on the menu, except the sausages. The jager schnitzel stood out, but everything was great. Would love to return to try the sausages and the beer!

I spent my undergrad years in Rochester (Meliora!) and recently visited for alumni weekend. Swan Market was one of the first places I scheduled to visit because it really is the best German place in town. I always get the sausage platter with the same sides- noodles with gravy and potato salad. It's absolutely worth the price and you also get two sausages with it. I normally alternate between the smoked bratwurst, andouille, and Cajun. The last two are on the spicy side, but the andouille is more flavorful while the Cajun is more mild. The smoked bratwurst is blander but has a great smokey flavor. My friends and I normally try to come right when it opens at 11am on a Saturday to beat the crowd. This place fills up fast but you may ask for a beer while you wait. The staff is very friendly and started recognizing us after the first few times. They also sing you a German birthday song if you tell them it's your birthday! Swan Market serves a friendly crowd so don't be afraid to strike a conversation with your neighbors. Nothing also beats the small nap you take after finishing off your sausage platter to start off your weekend.

I feel like if I wore leder hosen they would have just got tighter, or I'd have to loosen the ties on my dirndl. Wow how delicious this little spot is. The sampler platter is the way to go for your first time, there are many items that will make you want to come back for more. For me the kraut, red cabbage, curry wurst and schnitzel did it but what really sealed the deal was the German potato salad, its nearly like my grandmothers (but not quite as good). Also I wish I could have managed a stein but the small dunkel did the trick.

There is only one way to describe this my amazing meal, and that is by calling it German Soul Food! Definitely a place to return back to over and over. And why wouldn't I when there's much to enjoy? Like their Schnitzel served with brown mushroom gravy with egg noodles (w/extra gravy obvi!) and fresh sauerkraut. Let's not forget about the delishiz ales that can wash down all that gourmet goodness! My Jager Schnitzel was very thick but really tender. I am used to the thin cutlets that have been pound flatter than a pancake --but Swan Market's thicker and juicy cutlet is by far something to commend. It's going to be very hard not to order this again on my next trip there. They are very small and I do not want to say I wish they move to a bigger facility if it will lose its unique atmosphere...and taste! The place seemed to have its Saturday morning regulars waiting in line for some quality meats, and others that simply come to enjoy a tall glass of life's elixir. I am looking forward to my next visit so that I can try all the other promising goodies on the menu!

The German food is good as well as the beer. The menu is authentic. You'll find something that you'll like. People go there for the German ambience I'm sure. Plenty of regulars. Picnic table sitting. Lots of German foods and novelties for sale. And a full deli and meat of course. Modest pricing.

Well, well, well....my new favorite place! If your yodelin' down through Merchants or Culver around lunch time, you should definitely check out this place. You know its good when half the people in here are speaking German; this stuff is not only authentic, it is frickin' delicious. They are only open for lunch and they made it very clear you do not have to wear lederhosen to come through the door and sit at the communal tables. The red cabbage will make you wonder "how the hell could cabbage taste so good?!?!" If you are vegetarian, do not fret, because Deutschland is even friendly to our non-meet eating friends. Cured meats: CHECK Pork: CHECK German stuff: CHECK Beer: CHECK Pork: CHYAAA

Swan's Market holds a special place in my heart, and a ton of childhood memories. My mother used to take me here all the time when I was a little boy (when the were just a deli), and it was great to recently rediscover this place. Deli Counter: The meats and sausages here are ridiculously good. As for as the cold cuts go, It's hard to make suggestions here, everything is so good and dependent on personal tastes. Leberkase is a good start for most who are unfamiliar with traditional German meats, unless you want to be completely unadventurous and go with bologna. Actually, a good thing to try for those non-adventurous souls would be Jagdwurst. It's basically bologna with extra garlic. Their Leberwurst (AKA Liverwurst AKA Meat Paste) is amazing. They have three versions, coarse, fine, and Hausmacher Leberwurst (coarse ground in natural casing, like a sausage). You really can't go wrong here, but things like Head Cheese and Zungenwurst aren't for the faint of heart and/or stomach. The Bierschinken and Kraukauer are both silly good too. The Lachs Schinken and Black Forest Ham are highly recommended as well. The side dishes are outstanding too. The Red Cabbage is awesome, and this is from a guy who is a sucker for red cabbage. There's is my favorite. Their German Potato Salad is very good (although, not to sound arrogant, but mine is better, hahaha!). The German Potato Salad is the style my Mom used to make and taught me to make - no sugar. I'm not a fan of sweetened potato salads, so I like Swan's version a lot. The sausages are all the best in town in my opinion. Some of my favorites are Mettwurst, Curry Wurst, Landjaeger, and smoked Bratwurst. The Chorizo, Cajun, and Andouille are relatively new additions, they weren't around when I was a kid, and I have not tried any of them...yet. My advice is to look at the descriptions on their web page to see what sounds good to you! I will say only this about their bacon: GO GET SOME NOW. The staff are always very nice, and are always extraordinarily patient with questions that people have. They are a great group of people! Lunch: I was ready to be disappointed with lunch for some reason (must be the pessimist in me), and boy was I surprised. I ordered the German Sampler Platter and loved every last bite of it! The four meats of the day were Rouladen (was never a huge fan, it was good, but didn't stand up to all of the big flavors on the rest of the plate), Jaeger Schnitzel (LOVED IT), Sauerbraten (awesome), and pork with stuffing (very tasty). The four sides were spaetzle, sauerkraut, and the aforementioned potato salad and red cabbage. All in all, a large plate of very tasty, hearty food for a mere $8.50. A bargain, no doubt. I paired the meal with a huge 1 liter (almost 34 ounces!) stein of Franziskaner Hefeweizen. They have four German beers on tap (right now they are Franziskaner Hefeweizen, Spaten Oktoberfest, Spaten Lager, and Warsteiner Pilsener), with other choices in bottles. Parking is mostly on the street, and seating is at large communal tables, and is somewhat limited. It can get pretty crowded on Saturdays, but it is a fun time with very friendly people. Maybe you'll make some new friends!

I have been trying to go to this place for a while, and luckily it is open today! This is such a friendly place in the middle of the city. This place gives you warmth and happiness (and a delicious plate of meat and hot soup) when it is freezing cold out there! Love this place and will come again!

One of Esquire Magazine's "18 Best Bars in America" (2016), Swan Market is an authentic German restaurant and deli, complete with long tables and large steins of beer. Get there early, as the line fills up quickly and try the sampler platter for a taste of everything. Also be sure to stop by the deli counter on your way out to stock up on some homemade sausages.

I finally got here a few months back and I need to go back and sit down for lunch any takers??? Ok it's not a big place, street parking. It's obviously family owned. Lots of tables covered with the red and white tablecloths. Lots of imported foods and things from Germany and Austria. We got the bacon omg it was tasty, got some sausages and some different lunchmeats they make all of the stuff in house. If your not sure ask them "what's good" they will give you a sample. This is a treasure having a old school Eastern European Store/Butcher Shop.. although a lot of them are closing up some are still around. I'm from Chicago and I enjoyed going to these places I'm glad I found this place. The prices are fair and they have Saturday hours but they are not open all day. If you go for lunch you will share your table with others beer hall style. I liked the staff, the food stuffs, the meats and I pursued the menu for lunch and I NEED TO COME BACK!! Patronize this family owned place and enjoy a fun lunch with old and new friends and have a Bier!! Oh check the website they have live German Music in the last Thursday and Friday of the month.. but check the website. PROST!

You know a place is doing international cuisine right when people of that nationality flock to and fill the restaurant. As I sat down for lunch I heard that familiar German accent and people speaking of their lives in the country. Must take my dad, who grew up in Germany, here when he visits next! My favorite dish is the Jager Schnitzel. Breaded pork with a brown mushroom gravy. It's a generous portion with two large sides (your choice.. but I definitely suggest the tangy red cabbage and German potato salad). Check the hours before you visit... they're only open Weds-Sat and only until for breakfast/lunch hours (but no breakfast menu). I've yet to try their beers or sample the German product selection, but I'm happy to have a reason to return. Oh and the bacon! Get some while you're there, cook it, and enjoy the salty/smokey taste for breakfast the next day. Or a midnight snack if you can't wait that long.

Delightful! From the sausage they sell to the family style lunch offered everything is wonderful! Their German potato salad is to die for! We eat sausage from here every Christmas. Such a great place!

I visited with 2 work members based on the reviews. I was not disappointed. I chose the sample platter and it was huge. The waitress was very attentive. This is not fine dining but communal dining they server great beer as well and are open from Wednesday to Sunday. They also have a German butcher on premises, I bought 1lb of mild beef sticks and 1 polish Kielbasa. When I got home my 3 boys devoured the beefsticks within 30 minutes. So yeah they are approved by teenagers. I will cook the kielbasa later tonight. The place is very family friendly. Be for-warned though it is on grubhub and the fantastic food they make can disappear in a heartbeat as I watched drivers come in and out multiple times. I wish I didn't have to go back to work as I would have had a beer.

We've been here many times but have never actually eaten the food we buy on location. Every year we have a big Octoberfest and stock up on a variety of smoked and regular sausages and they are all excellent (see pictures for selection). We also love the red cabbage as others have attested to... Sometime we will actually have to eat here for lunch on a Saturday since it is great atmosphere. Glad there is a place like this in Rochester.

With Hartmann's having left the city & turned into a mail-order business, Swan is the last remaining German butcher/sausage shop in town. Having been to Germany many times I can say without hesitation that the meats are both the real-deal and excellent. The food is heavy, Bavarian-style fare and always enjoyable. With limited space, the waiting line can be a little confusing but the staff and customers are always accommodating. If the staff haven't asked, just check with the people in front of you if they're there for the butcher counter or for a dine-in seat. If they're waiting to eat and you just want to buy meats, go ahead of them when the counter is open for the next customer. I normally go for both meats and a meal so I like to sit at a table and order my food first. While waiting for my meal I get up and order my meats, asking them to hold them in the cooler for me and then pay for everything together when I leave. When you order beer you can drink out of the plastic cups at the tables, or feel free to go over to the shelves at the far-right end of the counter and grab a glass or mug for a more traditional drinking experience. Seating is shared at long tables so you may not be able to sit right next to or across from the people you go with, but customers are always willing to move around so family/friends/coworkers can sit together, as much as possible. Plus it's always fun to meet and talk with the strangers sitting next to you. Oh and if he's not already sitting in it, please make sure to leave Oscar's seat free. EDIT: R.I.P. Oscar