Szechuan Opera

Sichuan restaurant · Rochester

Szechuan Opera

Sichuan restaurant · Rochester

1

630 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

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Szechuan Opera by null
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Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
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Szechuan Opera by null
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Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
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Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
Szechuan Opera by null
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Highlights

Authentic Sichuan & American Chinese food, great ambiance  

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630 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 Get directions

order.mealkeyway.com
@szechuan_opera

$20–30 · Menu

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630 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607 Get directions

+1 585 340 6133
order.mealkeyway.com
@szechuan_opera

$20–30 · Menu

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Last updated

Sep 7, 2025

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Opera-mask decor frames a menu of Chengdu classics—mapo tofu, dry-pot, and intoxicating málà heat. Praised by CITY Magazine for serious Sichuan cooking, it’s a Park Ave anchor where spice, numbing peppercorns, and banquet-style plates shine.

https://m.roccitymag.com/life/the-spice-life-at-szechuan-opera-10308744
Chinese Food in Rochester (2025)
View Postcard for Szechuan Opera

D Lee

Google
We come to this place whenever we are in Rochester, NY. The Szechuan cuisine is authentic and delicious. However, be warned that the spicy dishes can get very spicy. For those like us who have little tolerance for spicy food, ask for mild. The service staff was excellent and the atmosphere was fantastic. I highly recommend this restaurant to all.

Sarah Bogdan

Google
I’ve been craving the dan dan noodles I had in Chengdu (Szechuan Province), and these noodles taste pretty dang close. They hit the spot, especially with that classic mouth-numbing Szechuan peppercorn flavor. I would’ve just added a bit more meat and crushed peanuts for crunch. BUT, delicious! Didn’t realize the sizzling shrimp dish would be breaded shrimp, but it was super good—she asked if we wanted hot or mild, suggesting that hot would be too hot, so we asked for medium spicy. It was definitely spicy enough so yeah, hot would’ve been too hot. It comes with either white or fried rice. We got green tea too. We got a duck dish on another visit and it was good but very very salty. The spicy popcorn chicken is really good, crispy and flavorful. The decor inside is SO cool! The menu is quite extensive, with both the classic American Chinese options (general Tso’s, etc) and super authentic Szechuan dishes. Great service too. Highly recommend

Navanjalee P.W.N.

Google
I really loved the interior of the place- very beautifully decorated. The service was good, and the food was okay. For our appetizer, we had fried crab cheese wontons, which were really good. We chose items from the lunch special, which included spring rolls ( or you could opt for a soup). For our main dishes, we had chicken in garlic sauce and sesame chicken, both served with rice. I personally like the sesame chicken better. Portion size was good too. For dessert I had mango juice sago and we also tried bubble tea ( taro and sakura rose milk tea). Unfortunately, both were too diluted in flavor. Overall, because I really loved the interior, I’d rate this place 3.5/5. It’s a good spot to enjoy Chinese food, especially for the ambiance.

The Housekeeper

Google
I rarely give five stars, but Szechuan Opera absolutely deserves it. We first started getting takeout from here during the tail end of COVID, and I was immediately impressed. Having lived in China for a time, I found the food to be both authentic and delicious. Now, we make it a point to eat here every time we’re in the area—every time. This visit, we ordered Crispy Cucumber, Garlic Style Shrimp, Beef and Long Pepper Lunch, Wonton Soup, Hot and Sour Soup, and Pork Lo Mein. As always, the Pork Lo Mein was flavorful and a must-order for me. The Wonton Soup was different from the usual style but incredibly good and piping hot. The Hot and Sour Soup was perfect. The Garlic Style Shrimp had the expected flavor but wasn’t our favorite shrimp dish on their menu, so we’d probably skip it next time. The Crispy Cucumber was tasty, but since it’s something I can easily make at home, I wouldn’t reorder it. Overall, this place is a gem, and we can’t wait to come back next time!

Liu Chuxuan

Google
Nice food and service.The Sliced beef and ox tongue in chili sauce and spicy hot pot are quite delicious.

Zeid Nasser

Google
The best Szechuan food in western NY! The mushroom dumplings are heaven for any mushroom lover. The sesame beef = perfection.

Kara Kolodinsky

Google
Yummy food and atmosphere. I ate the cumin lamb and mango sago drink. made me so full & I have leftovers! Friends got beef pot which was delicious, and also orange chicken which is always a classic. Pretty interior! Highly recommend, please make sure to try Szechuan specialities!

Erin Cortes

Google
I've only ever gotten takeout, but I can't say enough about the food. It's fantastic. I could eat those soup dumplings all day every day. The staff is always great and on point. They always have a ton of takeout orders ready to go. I've always been so pleased with the service and food.
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Kevin B.

Yelp
Place is FIRE. I love the Dan Dan Noodles and Sesame Chicken. It is all delicious. My other half wanted the Mapo Tofu. Portions are not very big here at Szechuan Opera, so make sure you come here half fool if you are a big eater like myself lol. These guys are awesome and delicious.
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Joe M.

Yelp
Good but pricey. The four of us ordered an array of things, all very good and some great. Service was kind, prompt, and helpful. The interior is also nice, they've done a great job with the space. Everything is maybe $3-6 more than you're paying at other Chinese places, maybe that's just the rent on Park Ave? They do have some unique dishes you're not finding anywhere else in the area. We would go back, but maybe for the lunch special.
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Amanda J.

Yelp
Updating my review...chance after chance. This is a picture of how much protein existed in my order after the bowl full of peppers...
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Cindy Z.

Yelp
very delicious food, quick and fast service. my friends who attend school here love this place. the interior has a lot of traditional chinese touches added to it. good place to bring large groups!
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Lea B.

Yelp
Great place overall! Great atmosphere! Great food! Reservations are iffy. Parking is iffy. Make if you use the pay lot you pay for EXTRA TIME BC YOU WILL GET TOWED and fast! Anyway, I highly recommend you celebrate Chinese new year here with their special menu. Yum yum

Rebecca M.

Yelp
Use to be good back in the day but Sadly the quality of the food has gone downhill, and prices increased.
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Princeton C.

Yelp
Very good szechuan style chinese food. The fish fillet in chili oil is great and same with any of their dry pots (except for the lamb one but the others are amazing especially the fish filet and pork). The rest of the menu is a bit hit or miss for me (the cumin style dishes have an overwhelming amount of cumin; the green beans and other vegge dishes are good but nothing you can't make at home). Still very solid place and somewhere I go back to for Chinese.
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Ari K.

Yelp
I ordered take-out, so I don't know what the inside/atmosphere of the restaurant was like. I got the Seafood Dry Pot. It had scallops, squid, fish, and 'jumbo' shrimp in it (which was honestly more medium-sized than jumbo) with lots of vegetables and peppers. My food came hot and my request for wood-ear mushrooms and no deep-fry was honored, so I think that the service is very nice.
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Jessica D.

Yelp
Best spot for some authentic Chinese food! They have an extensive menu with tons of styles, ranging from classic Szechuan to Chinese-American dishes, and the spice levels of some dishes are amazing for spice lovers! I've been here multiple times and always look forward to trying new dishes. Some of my favorites are the crispy chicken and cumin lamb. The restaurant is in a plaza on park ave and provides 2 hours of free parking when you check in. Service is nice and friendly, although they can get pretty busy dealing with takeout orders as well. The decor and overall vibe of this place is upscale and authentic.
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Sara D.

Yelp
I went for lunch. The place has an unassuming facade, yet inside it has a very pleasant decor and a Golden Throne, worthy of an Emperor/Empress. I chose the special lunch L16- Shredded Pork w/ Peppers & Spring Roll, Rice; Shu Mai Dumplings; Jasmine Tea Bubble. The pork dish was very tasty. I devoured it pretty quickly. The Spring Roll (vegetable) crispy came w/ a sweet & sour sauce. Good The dumplings came last; 4 small shrimp dumplings. They were full of shrimp, w/a dipping Soy Sauce. The Jasmine Milk Tea needed more ice, refreshing. I took it home and placed it in the freezer for 1/2 hours. Perfect. Service was attentive. I will be back.
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Kelly S.

Yelp
Enjoyed my first experience at Szechuan celebrating the lunar new year with some fellow yelpers. Huge shout out to Jenny R for planning everything!! We sat in a super cute booth that fit us six perfectly, so private and cozy. They offered a special menu, we ordered six items from that and a few regular items. Special menu: Stir fried twin lobster with ginger and scallions Oil and shallot steamed abalone Dungeness crab in Szechuan style Steamed sea bass Braised sea cucumber with scallions Steamed garlic shrimp w vermicelli Reg menu: Wontons in spicy chili sauce Duck with veggies Dried sautéed string beans We shared all plates, family style Tried some new items I would normally not order, the duck and wontons were ridiculously amazing! We all ate like queens and I had the best time with these girls!
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Jennifer C.

Yelp
We reserve this place for when I'm craving a complex, spicy beef broth. This time we took our family here and they really loved the authentic Chinese dishes. Szechuan pepper is known for its citrus-like flavor with a tingling, numbing sensation. And it doesn't really hit your tastebuds with hot spice, either, which I think is great because I feel like I can taste the flavors in the food better. Some of the dishes I recommend: Schezuan beef soup and the clay pot. The beef is amazingly tender and full of flavor. In the beef soup, I only wish there was more beef chunks. The clay pot, however, did have a generous amount of beef. Either way, it was very tasty. The soup is something I almost always order. It definitely hits the spot when you're recovering from a cold. Service is good, not overly friendly servers, but they get the job done and always on point. The outside of the building is very plain, and unsuspecting. Walk inside and you'll be transported to a luxurious dining area with comfortable booths and a nice ambiance to match the quality of the food.
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Lea H.

Yelp
Thanks to Jenny R for putting together a little Chinese New Year celebration for us. I haven't been here before. Apparently they do not take reservations even for a larger group. Also, note that the parking lot adjacent is 2 hours of free parking with validation. If you use street parking, pay attention to the signs. There were 6 of us and we were sat in a comfortable booth. Overall, service was friendly and efficient. We opted to share several plates family style, mostly off the special New Year Menu, The food was flavorful. No complaints at all. I'd return here in the future!
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Danielle S.

Yelp
I have been meaning to try Szechuan Opera for so long after hearing so many great things, and I finally visited with friends for dinner. We went on Friday at 630 and it was not busy, we were seated right away. The service was very friendly and the right amount of attentive. The food came out at a good pace (appetizers followed by our entrees). As has been previously stated, the decor is absolutely gorgeous. The food for me was hit or miss. I got the tomato egg entree and it was very salty. I love tomato egg and this had slices of tomato that weren't cooked down the way I am used to having the dish. It might just be a different style of cooking it that I'm not used to, but it didn't have as much flavor as I was hoping (just tasted salty). The scallion pancake was also a miss. It was too dry and I couldn't taste the scallion, just the dough. The peking duck buns were yummy and the bao bun very soft. I also enjoyed the garlic cucumber -- one of my absolute favorite appetizers in Chinese cuisine, and this one didn't disappoint. The cucumber was nice and crispy and it had a ton of garlic flavor. Although I didn't love my entree, I would definitely come back to try other dishes.

Kholiswa L.

Yelp
Good food and portion sizes with an authentic Szechuan taste. Ambiance is fun and feels like you're immersed within the culture. Will return
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pantea T.

Yelp
Very artistic interior design Always delicious food and drinks Polite and kind waiters Definitely GO
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Nicole B.

Yelp
I managed to get tickets to Jon Batiste (thanks Dad!!) back-to-back in Toronto and Montreal on a Tuesday and Wednesday and I planned a roadtrip from home in Central Vermont out to Niagara Falls and then Toronto, Montreal and back down to Hartland. My plan was to leave directly from work on the Monday at like 3pm and drive to Niagara Falls. I figured that was about as far as I could make it that first night. In hindsight I think I probably could have made it to Toronto that night. But I guess, better safe than sorry. I was making such good time across the NYS Thruway that I decided to find a spot opened late to get something to eat (I had snacked my way across New York...). Rochester was the only place with anything open late and really wasn't a detour of any consequence. I had no idea there was LEGIT Szechuan food in Rochester?? I mean, I guess, how would I know? It's been a few decades since I lived in Upstate NY. Szechuan Opera was open until 10pm and I pulled in shortly after 9. The menu is huge. Excellent variety of all sorts of things, including Dim Sum. My problem was I didn't have a plan. I hate not having a plan when I'm going to a restaurant. I'm THAT person! I read menus and choose items ahead of time. Which probably seems ridiculous. I own a restaurant and I have a somewhat absurdly large menu at my own place. Yet I am one of those people that just does not like to go into a new spot "cold." I always feel like I maximize my dining experience if I review the menu before. My other "issue" is that I don't really ever want to try one thing. I want to try as many things as possible and that does require a plan of attack! Service was really good and everyone was very friendly. Although they don't allow anyone to sit/eat at the bar? So I had to sit a table by myself. I am just not a fan of that. But, last minute dining choices late at night... Got my water, got tea, got truly horrible sake. HAHAHAHA That was my fault. They've just got one terrible sake they serve hot (NEVER drink hot sake my friends). It was a little tricky to find menu items that did not have beef, pork or poultry (which I don't eat). I decided to focus on appetizers and Dim Sum so I could try a few, different things. Because I just couldn't convince myself to commit to one or even two items! LOL FYI: All portions at Szechuan Opera are huge. Regardless of whether they're called "appetizers" or something else. I wound up with a ridiculous amount of food! What I Ordered: Chengdu Style Mung Bean Noodle: Look, when the waiter tells you it's spicy and you're in a Szechuan restaurant. Believe them. Delicious, but your taste buds might need some time to recover... Wood Ear Mushroom with Garlic: OMG!!! First these Mushrooms were the biggest I'd ever seen. I could eat this dish all day. It was so insanely delicious. Wow. Crispy Cucumber with Garlic: gorgeous, beautiful fresh, delicious. Crispy Shrimp with Tofu Roll Dim Sum: I think this might be the best fried food item I've ever eaten. Hot and crispy right from the oil. Paper thin tofu wrapper. Everything about this was perfection. Pan Fried Chives and Shrimp Dumpling: Also wonderful and delicious. Black Truffle and Mixed Mushroom Dumpling: Skip these. Meh. Not so tasty and I didn't love the wet, gummy consistency. IMO I ate an impressive amount of what I ordered. Because some of these were just so good I didn't want to stop. HIGHLY RECOMMEND. Don't get the sake.
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Emily B.

Yelp
The food is very mid; soggy chicken, overly sweet dim sum, and absurdly high prices. I appreciate their pretty interior, and decent service. But this just isn't it. Their restaurant in syracuse, red chili, is much better.
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Sarah C.

Yelp
We've come here so many times and the one dish we always order is the Q16. Mixed Vegetable Tofu in Claypot. It comes out sizzling hot and the tofu is so tender. All the vegetables that the tofu is paired with just completes the dish. The other dish I also really like is J2. Garlic Sauce Style Pork. The first time I tried it, we got it as it was intended to be made - spicy. It ended up being too spicy for me since I don't typically eat spicy foods. So the second time I ordered it, we requested no spice and it tasted just as good. I love the sour taste of it and the pork is so tender. It comes with thinly sliced bamboo shoots which are so yummy. Service is extremely quick and the food always arrives in 10 minutes. The interior is super aesthetic with the lantern lights above us and maple and cherry blossom trees.
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Diane R.

Yelp
If I were to rate this restaurant on decor alone, it would get 5 plus stars. Entering the dining room I felt transported to a lovely garden tea room in Sichuan province. Even the dishware and chopsticks were gorgeous! The fork was gold. We started our meal with Hot and Sour Soup. It was delicious! The thought entered my mind that when I got home I would write an extremely positive review of Szechuan Opera. Instead it is a negative review I sit here writing. After the soup, everything went downhill. My husband's Pork Egg Roll was smaller than those we've had elsewhere and not very flavorful. My Spring Rolls were overdone and greasy. Shrimp with Garlic Sauce was my main dish. There were at most only 10 flavorless, thumbnail size shrimp in the dish with a few slices of equally flavorless celery, green pepper and mushrooms. The sauce was lukewarm, had no garlic flavor to it and was too thick, too sweet and too red in color. The accompanying Fried Rice, also only lukewarm, was bland. Hubby's General Tso's Chicken was also a huge disappointment. Again, the sauce was too sweet, too thick and so red we thought they might have had an accident and spilled a whole bottle of red food color into it. At least it was hot. And at the end, we didn't even get fortune cookies. Thumbs down for Szechuan Opera.
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John H.

Yelp
Went here for take out and was greeted and helped by very friendly staff. It looks like a random restaurant however, it is very beautifully decorated. Love seeing the green plants and many many well cared for plants. Food was prepared fresh and hot even after driving back to hotel. Very delicious and authentic. Good portion and got a very relaxing take out dinner in my room watching NBA. 水煮魚 and 楊州炒飯 Highly recommend!
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Paula J.

Yelp
Got takeout here for the first time - the usual dishes like lo mein and sesame chicken and dim sum. Everything was so great. I think some of my favorite lo mein in the area. The spicy wontons were elite! I'll be going back for sure.
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Zhaoqi Z.

Yelp
It seems that their original chef may have left; we ordered five dishes, and all were disappointing. The portions were smaller, and the quality and taste had declined. For instance, in the "suan ni bai rou" dish, they added lots of cucumbers but only five pieces of meat. Moreover, the man at the front made my family wait over 20 minutes and allowed others without reservations to be seated before us. He also refused to let us sit at a larger table reserved for five, even though there were only four place settings visible. Yet, another group of three adults and one child were seated at a similar table in the back of the hall. I'm unsure why we were treated differently--was it because we are Chinese or because we spoke Mandarin? I will not be returning to this restaurant, and I will definitely inform my friends about our experience.
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Barbara H.

Yelp
Excellent food, service, and ambience. The decor is absolutely beautiful. And they will pay for your parking if you bring your ticket in to them.
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Neil R.

Yelp
Overall was pretty good. Enjoyed the steamed pork dumplings the most. The beef dry pot was decent, and chicken in garlic sauce was a little better in my opinion. Good service. The space itself was very nice, well decorated and ample space.

Cindy H.

Yelp
We were getting tired of the Chinese we were ordering from and went to Yelp for help. Szechuan Opera was in the top 5. I called and made a reservation and we were off with friends to try it out. First, do not judge a book by its cover. It is in a little strip mall on Park Avenue. The outside is not much to look at but once you walk through the door the decor changes everything and definitely puts you in the mood for Chinese. We were seated quickly and offered drinks. They did not rush us for our order and our waitress was wonderful in helping us with dishes we were not familiar with. There are beautiful pictures on their website of their food. However, I wish they would have a title to the pictures. We started with lettuce wraps and several Dim Sum which were all delicious. Next entrees. They were very accommodating with an order not wanting several vegetables that came in the dish. When we were served the order was right on. All our meals were different and delicious and came with rice. We were not rushed and had a fun night with friends. I am sorry I did not take pictures of the interior or our food. There will be next times and I will then.

James Q.

Yelp
Food has gotten worse as time went on... Used to have bigger portions and better flavors. Service is not great, the hostess was rude and it felt like she just didn't want to deal with us.
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Justin S.

Yelp
the food can be very good, but the way they do take out orders is terrible. They package each order in the kitchen then bring out a batch all at once of 6-7 orders. Consequently, I had a 40 minute wait and the food was cold. You need to bring out each order one by one, not let them sit off to the side as you take in multiple orders. I ordered first but I had to wait for all those other orders as they came in. When it is ready, bring it out hot and fresh, don't make people wait 40 minutes for cold food. Otherwise, I would likely be returning
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Laura P.

Yelp
Went on a Sunday afternoon, there were a few people dining and plenty of tables. The restaurant was unassuming in a plaza, but beautiful inside. Our server was attentive and the food came out quickly. Our food was delicious, fresh, and hot! Tons of options for authentic Szechuan Chinese and also "American" Chinese. The egg rolls were crispy and delicious. The noodle dishes had the perfect amount of sauce and flavor. Everything was well seasoned.
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Richard K.

Yelp
Some say, this is the best Chinese restaurant in Rochester. It's hard to argue with that opinion, as the dishes are wonderfully prepared and presented. They are particularly strong on appetizers and dim sum, but be sure not to miss the noodle dishes. It's easy to become a frequent visitor of the establishment.
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Kevin B.

Yelp
Delicious food, great service and superb ambience. I love this restaurant. Perfect portions, good prices and high quality food.
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Alexandra M.

Yelp
So many options that I havent seen before at szechuan places including getting the 'normal' spicy treatment on tofu! Finally! I can have something like the chicken my partner stop talking about! We ordered a lot of food but everything was gone at the end because it was all so good. They have special rooms for large groups which was nice. Service was great and accommodating for restrictions.
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Marissa N.

Yelp
For my first in person experience it was a lil wierd. We had to ask for water, and for tea and for utensils and sharing plates. Then when we asked for some empty used dishes, beer bottle etc to be cleared the server went to clear the clean plates. About the plates, the only size is large serving ware or appetizer type plates, no regular dining sized for sharing. A total pet peeve of mine is seeing the staff eat. Both servers in the dining area were munching at different times throughout the evening. Warning the 2 pepper version of anything is really REALLY spicy. Like regular restaurants with one star or pepper spice indication I'm usually asking for 1-2 pepper upgrade. These chefs really mean their stars. One pepper really has heat and two well it has a lot more...like sweaty, nose drip, red eye more. The dim sum was fantastic and the double (not twice...we were corrected) pork was good and the sizzling style fish. The dry pot was super spicy but gorgeously presented. The chicken and needle mushroom was very bland, I thought the bell pepper detracted from it and over powered the dish. I had hoped it would be a brown sauce, it's more like a thickened sauce from the moisture the chicken and mushroom gave off. A table mate shared the toilet is not attached to the wall and it's very dark in the ladies room.
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Erik S.

Yelp
I was very impressed! Around home it's hard to find good (or pretty much any) Chinese food, let alone dishes beyond Kung Pao Chicken. This restaurant's menu is huge with probably about 100 different choices available. Our group had "regular" (familiar) dishes and some of the szechuan ones I'd never heard of before. I can't remember the name of my favorite, except that it was one of the unfamiliar szechuan ones,chicken in a slightly sweet and pretty spicy sauce. Even the broccoli beef was wonderful with a range of spices and flavors above and beyond what I'm used to. The peking duck buns were the only disappointment. The restaurant is really fascinating inside -- don't let the drab strip-mall exterior fool you! When in Rochester again, I'll be back. There are about 94 other dishes to try there.
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Jen P.

Yelp
Szechuan Opera is right in my hood and is constantly tempting me with full color photos of their dim sum, filling the windows as you walk along their store front. The hubs and I finally checked it out recently, in two back to back visits for said dim sum, and we really loved it. On visit #1, we were there in the middle of the afternoon and the place was totally empty except for some staff in the back eating and a very busy woman on the phone taking take out orders. As soon as we got someone's attention we were seated and quickly ordered. We got 6 dishes: crabmeat and spinach dumplings, pan fried chive and shrimp dumplings, sea cucumber and mushroom dumplings, xiao long bao soup dumplings, pork sio pao (steamed buns), and crispy shrimp rolls. The food came out of the kitchen one plate at a time as it was ready, and we ate everything as it was fresh (and forgot to take any photos). We enjoyed everything and were really happy with food quality, portions and taste. On visit #2 we were 'restaurant hopping' around Park Ave with another couple, and S.O. was stop #2. This time it was around 6pm and the place was packed with groups of what appeared to be students, all eating out of huge plates being served family style. We again ordered dim sum plus carafes of hot and cold sake. This time we ordered Peking duck steamed buns, pan fried chive and shrimp dumplings, xiao long bao soup dumplings, crispy shrimp rolls, black truffle mixed mushroom dumpling, and beef short ribs. Again, food was great, service was friendly and efficient (despite how busy the restaurant was) and we enjoyed the experience. Couple other notes I'll add: Although it seems like every restaurant in the area has increased prices due to inflation, I still feel that this place is a good value in that the size and number of pieces of dim sum per plate is generous and satisfying. The internal decor invites large groups to come in for hot pot or to sit under (fake) trees and pagodas - we have yet to sit in one of the more festive settings, but always enjoy seeing them from adjacent tables! Finally, if you are driving in, there's free parking all around - front and back of the building lots and street.
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William M.

Yelp
This is a classic, Chinese restaurant you'd expect to find in any Chinatown neighborhood (though this is not located in one). Ornate and bold interior, including a golden throne for selfie time. Menu was extensive and traditional. Service very attentive. No draft beers, sadly, since some popular IPAs pair well with what's on the plate. Our table of five had different dishes, all were quite good and had a "made at home" appeal to them. Levels of spicyness are offered. Prices are fair and reasonable. Good family place, particularly for curious kids due to the decor.
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Katherine S.

Yelp
Fantastic food. Had take out. It was fast and hot. Very nice delivery person. Highly recommend this restaurant. Please try this restaurant.
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Kat W.

Yelp
4.5 stars. I have lived in big cities before so I would base this rating compared to other Rochester restaurants. Very unassuming place from the outside, but wow, the decor is beautiful in this restaurant, which really surprised me. Wooden tables, flowers, and a luxurious and clean feel. We came early on a weekend evening and were seated immediately. We tried a wood ear mushroom salad as well as a spicy dry pot. Both were solid options and a nice quick meal for us. The spicy dry pot had a lot of nice variety in regards to proteins and vegetables. Prices do run perhaps $1-2 higher than a little hole in the wall place, but given the cleanliness and how nice the area is (all of the restaurants along this street), very well justified.
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PARKER Z.

Yelp
The best. The dry pot is fabulous especially if you love spicy foods. The mushroom dumplings dim sum is so amazing that I could have a few orders of that in itself as a meal.

Lex C.

Yelp
Ambiance is excellent, service could improve, sat for a while before drinks was offered. Ordered steamed shu mai; steamed shrimp dumpling, beef spare ribs, steam buns, tripe dish, soy sauce chicken feet. Food tastes very bland. It took a while for the food to come, and it wasnt really busy. The food didnt justify the price they are charging for it. Seek an alternative.
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Ani M.

Yelp
Some of the best chinese food in Rochester! Tofu is always so crispy and fresh. The server we had last night was the best, made us a dessert even though the kitchen was closed. The hotpot rooms are nicely decorated and are great for parties. 10/10!

Howard B.

Yelp
Mediocre food and even worse service. Server tried, but she was overwhelmed. Wife's food came out cold, told the server, she said someone opened the back door in the kitchen which caused the food to be cold. Huh?? My chicken was decent, very small portion. Went once, got fooled by online reviews, never again.
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Mark P.

Yelp
Cozy and comfortable, Szechuan Opera has gone to alot of effort and cost to create a unique, cozy dining space. When I first tried them years ago I found the food to be just adequate, but recent visits have convinced me that they have become one of the best Chinese restaurants in the Rochester area (which sadly can't compete with NYC or Toronto), even as others have lost their edge. Because of the variety of styles represented on the menu, this is a restaurant where making the right choice for you is important. Some dishes have heat and Szechuan pepper enough to set the tastebuds tingling, but can be overwhelming to the palate. This isn't the place to go all-in on a single dish. I suggest exploring and sampling and sharing many dishes from the menu to discover those culinary gems that might become your new favorites.
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Christine S.

Yelp
I have only been here once. I will definitely be back for their soup dumplings, they were delicious!! They also had the best egg rolls, I've had in Rochester yet. Very crispy and nicely packed. I ordered an expensive spicy chicken dish and while it was really good. I was disappointed in how small the chicken pieces were. It was fried much like general Tao's but no sauce, all peppers and dry rub. It was super hot, almost too spicy. The chicken was cut so small by the time it was battered and fried, when you took a bite it seemed like it was batter and not much chicken Definitely not worth the 20.00 price tag on it. My BF ordered the beef noodles and there was barely any beef in it. The flavor was excellent, but they were just really skimpy on the amount of protein in their dishes. I'm a stickler for having dishes well balanced and this was way more noodles than beef. Pork fried rice was really good and had the amount of pork you would expect. They also automatically put a tip on my online order for pickup, so if you order online make note. I couldn't figure out how to take the tip off. I tip a couple of dollars for pickup, but this started at 15% plus they added a 1.00 convenience tax on my bill. Not really sure what that's about
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Roshan R.

Yelp
I don't know why I waited so long to try out this place. Me and my wife suddenly craved for Dan Dan noodles after our recent trip to NYC. We immediately googled where we can get one in Rochester. This place popped up. We go to Park Ave very often but always missed this place. We ordered Dan Dan noodles and Mapo tofu. Both the dishes were delicious. I personally feel it could have been spicier but they were packed with flavors. Definitely the best Chinese food we had in Rochester. We had to pick up our order as they don't do Dine-in yet.
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Kristen H.

Yelp
Outstanding!! Ordered on uber eats and was not disappointed! I am a huge fan of mapo tofu and their does not disappoint ... authentic szechuan heat and flavor. Can't wait to try more!
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Catheline H.

Yelp
The ambiance and service was great. The food variety was accommodating to diners who want to eat Sichuan and diners who want Americanized Chinese. We tried over 15 dishes family style and everything was delicious.
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Lia D.

Yelp
I had been meaning to try Szechuan Opera for quite awhile (after walking by and smelling some amazing aromas)! We got the veg dumplings, veg lo-mein and the spicy crispy style tofu. Everything was soo tasty and delicious. The tofu was hot and so crispy!! Some of the best prepared tofu I have ever had and so spicy! I loved it. Great service and friendly staff. Huge dining space and really cute decorations, even in the bathroom! I would definitely come again.
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Laura M.

Yelp
Recently I decided to come back here after a disappointing first impression, and the difference is night and day. As soon as you walk in, there were multiple staff on the floor and the restaurant was very packed. You could tell this place is a fan favorite. Once we were seated, we were promptly asked for our drink orders, with water delivered shortly after that. We had a wonderful gentlemen serve us, but the down side is that no one seems to speak English very well. For example, when you order food, you have to point to the items on the menu. The food came out at varied times, but was hot and fresh tasting. The prices were a little on the higher end, but the portions were adequate. The Hot and Sour soup was delicious and wasn't overly spicy. The Dry Hot Pot Fish Fillet was full of flavor and the fish was moist. The Singapore Mei Fun noodles were tasty and came out with plenty of veggies as well. I was impressed with the quick service and the ambiance of the restaurant. At times I did feel a little rushed, but I think the staff was just trying to stay on top of everything. Between the delicious food and the atmosphere of the restaurant, I am inclined to call this place a new favorite. My favorite dish here so far is the Dry Hot Pot!