Velvet Belly

Restaurant · Rochester

Velvet Belly

Restaurant · Rochester

1

3 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609

Photos

Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null
Velvet Belly by null

Highlights

Sushi, oysters, seafood, creative cocktails, beef tartare, tiramisu  

Placeholder
Placeholder

3 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609 Get directions

velvet-belly.com
@velvetbellyroc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

3 Rochester Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609 Get directions

+1 585 413 0825
velvet-belly.com
@velvetbellyroc

$50–100 · Menu

Reserve

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations

Last updated

Oct 11, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@postcardnews

A seafood-forward stunner in the Market District, Velvet Belly serves coastal-inspired dishes, raw bar items, and playful cocktails. It reflects the city’s creative dining momentum and draws steady praise from local media and diners alike.

https://velvet-belly.com/
Best Restaurants in Rochester (2025)
View Postcard for Velvet Belly

TJG

Google
Absolute must-visit. Top class sushi and seafood in a warm modern setting. The TNT roll was incredible, as was the smoke gouda and cauliflower gratin. Macadamia crusted scallops also excellent. Burger looked great, fries were great. Flavorful drink menu. Limited seating in an open, well-lit dining room, but has a large bar for extra seating. Very friendly staff. Parking available.

Gee Kim

Google
Great place for happy hour. Food was solid. Enjoyed the oysters and the cocktails were excellent. Ask for Josh at the bar. He provided me with stellar service and was incredibly personable. Highly recommend.

Dr. Michelle Laura Flood

Google
The bartenders here are absolutely incredible. They made our first date night since having a baby so much fun. We especially loved the beef tartare. Can’t wait to come back!

Vanessa Behlau

Google
What an experience! I had such a great time I went back twice in one week! Your taste buds will be dancing whether you order just a cocktail or a meal. The salted caramel tirimisu is hands down top 5 of all time desserts!

Greg guevara

Google
This is by far my favorite and most frequented restaurant in the ROC. I'm a major foodie and not afraid to spend a couple Benjamin's for a hedonistic culinary experience and this restaurant never fails to deliver. The beef tar tar when served fresh and hot is the best in the city. Make sure you get the rotating stew on a day when they use swordfish it's divine. The SFG is the most unique sushi roll I have tasted with the use of a warm miso cream. Lastly there cocktail concepts are a fav because I'm huge into Japanese culture and tequila and their cocktail menu always has a beautiful mixture of Japanese ingredients with a tequila base and their all amazing. 10/10 bring your girl, your mom, or your homie and dig in.

Fatma Sula

Google
Visited for the second time last week and the unagi bowl was the star of the show once again. Everything was delicious, but definitely expensive for the serving sizes provided. However, I will definitely continue to buy that unagi bowl whenever I go again in the future. Me and my friend are obsessed with it! The tiramisu was also very delicious. Again, I would've expected a bigger slice for the price ($13), but I enjoyed it quite a lot nonetheless. The service on both visits has been wonderful, the servers are very polite and do a great job managing all the tables in a steady and timely manner. Overall, this is a spot I would love to visit frequently but unfortunately can only justify dropping by a handful of times a year at best due to the small serving sizes and expensive prices. It's a great place, but not the best option if you're very hungry and on a tight budget.

Beste Yildiz

Google
Went here for Valentines Day and it was amazing. Food was delicious - we got the rainbow sushi roll, ahi nachos, and sfg specialty roll. We also tried the desserts which were so good. Would recommend!

Rochester Tips

Google
Food came out relatively quick and servers were great! Each dish is very unique and flavorful. The sushi wasn’t too special compared to everything else on the menu, but definitely fresh.
google avatar

Mary Beth H.

Yelp
Fantastic meal and excellent service. Portions are small but delicious- which works for me. Nice wine pours and yummy cocktails
google avatar

Sarah S.

Yelp
Ambiance is great--the place is spacious and well-decorated. We did have to wait about 20 mins or so for our table even though we had a reservation. When it was time to be seated, the hostess pointed in the direction of our table and said "the last one over there" instead of walking us to the table, so that was a bit off putting. Our actual waitress was excellent. We had the oysters which were served with a yummy champagne mignonette. The oysters themselves were fresh--nothing extraordinary. The roc city roll was packed with flavor and a nice kick of wasabi. The monkfish special was flaky and tender, although I did not really taste the spice or flavor of the sambal butter that we were told it was served with. It was still pretty good. The tataki was excellent--steak was tender and flavorful and served with what seemed like risotto. Overall it was a yummy surf and turf dinner!

Brian A.

Yelp
amazing restaurant. The sushi and the bouillon base and lobster roll were absolutely incredible.Ask for Cynthia she is an incredible waitress.
google avatar

Lydia M.

Yelp
Everything we ate was delicious! We got the salty bread appetizer (yum), three sushi rolls and an order of fries and my husband and I left full but not stuffed. The ambiance was very trendy, but there was a good mix of people here. Our server was very friendly and attentive. The restaurant is more on the expensive side, so we definitely enjoyed it for our anniversary. A good spot for a special occasion.
google avatar

Scott W.

Yelp
We had a lovely dinner tonight on the patio at Velvet Belly. Everything that we tried was interesting and fantastic. One item stood out as the best -- the Oxnard Roll (salmon, pickled strawberries, shiso, scallions, strawberry gastrique). This was so unique and "out there" but the combination just works. It was seriously crave-able. Everyone should try it. The SFG roll was fantastic as always. Not pictured but also yummy was the VB Burger with a nice blend of meat cuts and addictive fries. As always, service at Velvet Belly was outstanding. We never wanted for anything. Our server was very friendly and helpful to guide us. We'll definitely be back again!
google avatar

Bets C.

Yelp
EXCELLENT 10 out of 10! From the second we walked in the door til the second we left. The Servers, Managers, every single person who came by our table was excellent! The foot, a step above, the drinks, incredible, the wine was amazing. I cannot say much more except go to Velvet Belly and enjoy every moment. 10 out of 10!!!!
google avatar

Bill R.

Yelp
This was my first visit to Velvet, and it won't be my last. Located in the Rochester public market grounds, the atmosphere is modern, bright and airy. While their specialty is fresh fish, sushi, and rolls, you'll also find a 16oz prime strip and a 1/2 pound burger. We started with some yellow tail and tuna sashimi. Served with the standard soy wasabi ginger combo. Extremely fresh with excellent texture. The jumbo scallops entree was outstanding. Huge plump scallops seared to perfection with braised bacon, sweet corn succotash, fingerling potatoes, and a miso beurre blanc. The seared yellow fin tuna entree also impressed. Paired with sesame miso rice, charred asparagus, and sweet soy garlic ponzu. Didn't find a dessert that I was interested in, so an after dinner drink was in order. They have some great whiskey on menu , but unfortunately they were out of many. Service was friendly and attentive. Ambiance was warm and inviting. The daily fish specials sound excellent and something I'll come back for. Tonight they had an arctic char and whole roasted Bronzino that sounded amazing. Highly recommend.
google avatar

Julie B.

Yelp
Love the look of the place right when you walk in. Kind of unexpected but in a nice way. The lighting was perfect and seating was comfortable, cute pictures on the walls and I wonder if they are family members of the owners. The waiters are nice informative and attentive. You know it's a fancy place when they offer three different kinds of waters. Ended up getting the grilled oysters for appetizers to split and wish we had more than 6 to share. The cocktail I had was refreshing just forget the name of it. The entree i got was the sfg sushi roll and come to find out it was one of the popular items on the menu. I could see why with all the flavor. I love like lobster so I'll probably get the lobster roll next time. We got desert and since it was my birthday they offering a scoop of free hazelnut ice cream!

David T.

Yelp
Best sushi in Rochester. Salt bread's crust is crunchy and the inside is pillow soft. Always a great meal. The drinks complimented the menu perfectly
google avatar

Alyson C.

Yelp
Tasty seafood with GF options. Located at the Public Market, such a fun place to visit with friends. Service was friendly and knowledgeable. One person in our party had to leave early and ordered a burger to go, which took soooo long to come out. I can't remember everything we ordered, but there was a lot: a few starters, a few rolls of sushi, and the beef tartare! Plenty of parking in front of or near the restaurant.

Karen H.

Yelp
Fantastic food and friendly and knowledgeable service. Decor was inviting. The restaurant was fairly full but with the high backed booths, you can enjoy your own space. Will definitely be back!
google avatar

Jenna L.

Yelp
SUSHI NACHOS?! BOMB drinks?! Say no more. First off, the ambiance is top notch. They have bar + dining room seating. The food was incredible. Drinks were delicious as well. We came in on a Friday night (reservations required!!), first time here. The sushi nachos are a MUST. first time ever trying sushi nachos. They have a kick to them which I appreciated. Spicy and delicious. My friend got the lobster roll and the other got sushi. The drinks were good. I tried the "little fishes" and a margarita. They make a good marg here. Staff was attentive. I would definitely come back here when I come back to Rochester!! They also have outdoor seating in the summer months which is a huge plus!!
google avatar

Adam K.

Yelp
Went to dinner with friends here. Then sushi is okay. The apps we got were a little underwhelming. I like the ambience but don't understand the buzz around this place or why it's so busy.
google avatar

Amanda L.

Yelp
An absolute jam, the food was amazing, the cocktails even better. Service was on point. The ribeye was cooked perfectly, fantastic sides, and the cocktails were well above average. My only complaint was that we came into the restaurant and almost all the tables were empty but they wouldn't let us sit inside because they supposedly had reservations, but no one showed up in the entire time we were there. It was pretty hot outside and it would've been nice to be able to sit inside.
google avatar

First N.

Yelp
The food is amazing and the selection is never boring. The menu is updated seasonally and everyday there are off menu specials. The staff is also the best we have ever experienced it is a team effort to ensure your time at Velvet Belly is top notch. The bar is very popular with many drink specials that will delight any and all. We would highly recommend the Velvet Belly for your next night out!
google avatar

Molly R.

Yelp
Beautiful restaurant, bright and in a fun location. The food was delicious and cocktails phenomenal. We had a friendly and tentative server. I gave a four star review because the portion size was a bit small for the price, however I would definitely go back and recommend to others.
google avatar

Carolyn N.

Yelp
The ambiance was so great. There was an industrial vibe but they made sure to put sound dampening panels up so it didn't echo like crazy in there. The Brussels sprouts were so delicious and flavorful. The servers were very attentive and the oysters were so fresh and delicious. I will absolutely be coming back again and trying out the sushi.
google avatar

Laura J.

Yelp
Amazing service! Food was fantastic! Loved the raw oyster special! So fresh, sweet! Octopus was amazing! Mussels were wonderful. Our Birthday Boy had a beautiful steak. Cocktails were creative and strong. We were a group of five celebrating a birthday. 2 desserts were comped. Highly recommend!!
google avatar

Kat W.

Yelp
Came here on a busy Friday night to celebrate an anniversary (had a reservation, which is a must). This place is really about the ambience (and "vibes"). Swanky well decorated place with a large bar in the middle. We had booth seating. Tried several dishes including the wood grilled calamari, lobster butternut squash soup, a sushi omakase, and prime beef tartare. The food itself was decent. I enjoyed the lobster butternut soup, but felt that it tasted a bit thin (expected a creamier/richer flavor, but it tasted more like mostly blended squash without that extra level of richness). The wood grilled calamari was a generous portion; I personally felt that the smoky flavor was a bit overpowering for my taste. Prime beef tartare was tasty but I felt like it was basically sitting on top of a hashbrown which overpowered the taste. The omakase is actually NOT an omakase, but a sushi/sashimi platter. The fish was very fresh but again, it is NOT an omakase as it is several slices of sashimi with a sushi roll on the side. I really really did enjoy the miso soup that came with it; one of the best I had and probably the highlight of the meal for me strangely enough. Presentation here is beautiful and again, a nice ambience. Service is excellent. Maybe would come here for a date night or girls night out, but everything is pretty pricey and the food is just alright.
google avatar

Kathryn T.

Yelp
The parking lot was great and plenty spots to park. Velvet Belly is located at the downtown of Rochester public market. I would recommend you to make a reservation because the tables do fill up very quickly. Their food was very good and did not expect that. Their drinks were good, but I would like it if they offer more varies of sweet alcoholic drinks then it would be great! The place itself is a gorgeous and very classic bar type along with sushi. Definitely different!
google avatar

Paula J.

Yelp
I was so excited to dine at Velvet Belly for my birthday, and it did not disappoint! We did need to book a reservation a few days out, and weekends fill up fast. But upon arrival, the service was impeccable. The server was knowledgeable and friendly and very attentive, and he helped us decide how many dishes to order. Between two people we shared 5 dishes- the nduja stuffed calamari was my absolute favorite. We ate up every last drop of the sauce. We also ordered two sushi rolls, shrimp "tacos" (a special that day) and the eggplant main dish. Everything was delicious and the perfect amount of food. They even brought out some homemade toffee with a candle since we told them we're celebrating. I can't wait to go back!
google avatar

Arvid Y.

Yelp
Velvet Belly is the new addition to Rochester dining scene, specifically located in the Rochester Public Market (next to Fiorella). I believe VB is the brainchild of the same people involved in Revelry and Branca (Midtown). So it's not surprising that I found the restaurant extremely well-polished for an opening week experience. The outside of the restaurant is understated and belies its opulent interior. I asked my wife upon arrival, "is this place really open?" The tinted glass hid the restaurant's interiorly nicely and I was a bit taken back to see a packed restaurant. The restaurant is quite visually appealing. The wood flooring, high skylit ceilings, unique pendant lighting and the dark turquoise bar panels really give Velvet Belly a luxurious and nautical feel. The service was friendly and attentive. The menu was pretty varied, but there's definitely a predilection for seafood. Our server also mentioned that a lot of dishes are meant to be shared tapas style, so I imagine it would be good for group. Highlights for me included the drinks, the roasted east coast oysters and the burger. I got the Bell Bottom, which consisted of vodka, yuzu, St. Germain, lemon, cranberry and rosé. It had a good combination of acidity and sweetness. It was quite refreshing without tasting too alcoholic. The favorite dish of the night for both my wife and I was oyster dish. It's the VB version of Oysters Casino consisting of oysters topped with dashi butter, parmesan, smoked bacon and breadcrumbs. There's also a charred fresno chile hidden, which gives it a bit of kick (so beware to those that don't like heat). For a seafood joint, the burger was surprisingly good. One of the best burgers i've had in Rochester to be honest. It was cooked to order and was very juicy, which I attribute to the short rib and brisket blend. I also loved the pillowy brioche bun it was served on. Now for the negatives. I thought the sushi was mediocre. The portions were small and quite overpriced at $19 for our California King Crab Roll. I liked the fancy chopsticks and dish-ware, but I probably wouldn't order the sushi again (although the yellowfin tuna crudo was quite edible). The fries and kale sides were also undercooked and bit difficult to eat. I am an old man now, but I also thought the music (aka noise) level was a bit too high. Overall, there were far more positives than negatives at Velvet Belly, especially for an opening week. The physical space is very pretty, especially the large rectangular bar that serves as the restaurant's centerpiece. Velvet Belly definitely seemed like the happening place to be at last Friday. I'm sure i'll be back soon.
google avatar

Lea H.

Yelp
Made a dinner res about a month ago since they are new. Parking is at the farmers market which is easy enough after hours. The vibe inside is industrial loft apt meets NYC night club. The bar is large with comfortable seating and you likely can get a walk in easy enough with full menu at the bar. The music is loud so this isn't a spot for quiet conversation. The menu is a sharing menu with a selection of drinks, sushi, small plates and large plates. Unfortunately, they were out of the salt bread when we ordered and offer no other bread to go with the seafood dishes. We ended up sharing the chorizo stuffed calamari, sword fish, burger, and the cauliflower gratin. Plus a few drinks. Contrary to other reviews, my drink (sharkbait) was zingy and strong enough. The cauliflower gratin was cooked well but not seasoned. The burger came with hot sauce which I used on the gratin and that was helpful. Both of us left full and satisfied. This would be a great spot to bring a group so you can try multiple small plates.
google avatar

David S.

Yelp
Fantastic food and service. I really appreciated the attitudes of the waitstaff, with the exception of a singular gentleman manning the sushi counter who kind of kept staring at our table for much of our evening, which was a little off putting. As many others have commented, the pricing is a bit high for several of the items available, but for some you are getting a great presentation and flavor experience. I would certainly come back, but only occasionally, and probably only for select items. For $150 I'm confident a table of two can get a larger meal with the same quality and experience at another venue. I appreciated the mocktail items being available. It was very enjoyable though and I recommend trying it at least once.
google avatar

Morgan A.

Yelp
The food was so amazing. We had a crispy tuna and char octopus. The bar was nice and the place is laid out great. Great staff ?
google avatar

Steven C.

Yelp
Absolutely wonderful. Exciting menu. Great wait staff (shout out to "Tony" who served our table of 5 efficiently and gave great advice). Ambience: check. Tableware/flatware: check. But what stands out here is the cuisine. Simply perfect. Scallops perfectly prepared. Short ribs exquisitely seasoned and textured. The sushi was fresh and ingredients compiled in perfect proportion. The Brussels Sprouts scrumptious. Eggplant spicy and tender. The burger was amazing. The mixed drinks spot on. This is a rare instance in which I award 5 stars on a first visit. We will be back.
google avatar

Richard K.

Yelp
One of Rochester's pretty, and most "happening" rooms. A fish forward restaurant with unusual and imaginative preparation and presentation. A vibrant bar with many craft cocktails, and a strong wine list. There are so many appetizers, and sides, and small plates, all shareable, that it is possible to taste many of the dishes, when sharing with an agreeable foursome. Terrific service too.
google avatar

Kay L.

Yelp
I was hoping for a better dinner for the amount of money I paid ($235) for 2 people to dine here. The oysters were dried up, literally no liquid left. The drink I ordered tasted like juice, though it was supposed to be bourbon-forward. The sushi was the worst in my opinion. The wasabi had no flavor and the rolls were so tiny but so overpriced. I have had better sushi rolls from Wegman's, and that is not an exaggeration. The tartar was pretty good but could have used a little salt. I did think that the desserts were good (key lime semifreddo and panna cotta). Maybe we didn't order the right things or it was an off night, but I don't think we will be returning here anytime soon.
google avatar

Brenda K.

Yelp
Omggggg .... Omgggggg ... this was one spectacular dinner!!!! My friend and I both have birthdays in December, so we decided to double-date and splurge with a Birthday Dinner with our husbands at Velvet Belly! Everything was DELICIOUS!!!! We decided to get a Seafood Platter for the table as our main meal to share among the four of us, and then tried several appetizers to supplement: the chorizo stuffed calamari; the salt cod croquettes; smoked Hudson Valley steelhead trout rillete; and the omfg sushi roll. Wow .... just wow! What a lovely spread, and our velvet bellies were FULL! The night got away from me before snapping too many pictures, unfortunately. Love this capture of the super cool cocktails! Hope you get to clink glasses and sup on seafood at Velvet Belly!
google avatar

Mark H.

Yelp
What a cool vibe and delicious food. The seafood tower was awesome. Hands down the best calamari that I have ever had, and the rest of the tower was great too. Was well worth the visit and I highly recommend it.

Erin M.

Yelp
The service of the bar staff, mainly a bartender by the name of Jay, was unprofessional at best. Hot temper and poor attitude. My family and I will not return to this establishment again and will discourage others from visiting.
google avatar

Marissa N.

Yelp
The food was flavorful and delicious, it all came out room temperature though. Our wait staff, or I should say all the waitstaff cause people come out of nowhere with food and to clean up were attentive and friendly. The peach creme bruele, Cauliflower gratin and I thought the grilled calamari stole the show. I wouldn't call their version of sharing plates a sharing size.
google avatar

Maureen E.

Yelp
Had the best time here on a Saturday night! My friend and I came in at 7:00 and parked ourselves at the bar until close! When I first walked in, I could not believe how beautiful this space was. It's perfectly curated, with beautiful decor and a great casual but upscale atmosphere. Starting with drinks - y'aaaaaaaaaaaall. I tried the Shark's Bait, Bell Bottom, and Palomar. Every single one was fantastic, but the Shark's Bait is just next level. The bar manager Becca is amazing, and knows exactly what she's doing. Honestly, my favorite cocktail in Rochester. And then the FOOD. I was super duper happy with everything I got. Started off with the salty bread (super yummy) and then had the Tanuki and A-mei-zing rolls. As a self proclaimed sushi connoisseur, I was very very happy with both of the rolls. They were extremely balanced, and the flavors really got to shine. I would definitely order both again! We rounded out the night with creme brûlée, matcha cake, and a chocolate dessert that I can't remember the name of But all three were lovely! The creme brûlée was my personal favorite. The staff here is kind, attentive, and fun. I never felt rushed or like we were stressing them out, even when they were very busy! I really loved my night here and will definitely be coming back!
google avatar

Rachel S.

Yelp
We decided to hit VB at 5pm on a Friday night and sit at the bar; it worked out. Immediately you notice the enormous skylight letting the Rochester sun pour into and fill the entire restaurant. The waitstaff and hostesses were very friendly and welcoming. Now that the good is out of the way. The food showed well and tasted very good. The issue you'll run into here is needing to order a lot of food to feel full. Drinks were also pretty and tasty, but I ordered 4 cocktails and had zero buzz, hallmark of a very light pour. Seafood can be expensive and less filling so when prices are high this can be inefficient on the wallet/stomach ratio. The pasta special was exceptional, but at $34 a pop it should be larger. Long story short, $200 later, it was a big bill. We'll know better next time what to order to keep it more reasonable. Another issue was the staff were clearly told to save two seats at the bar for "a special guest". That guest was late and they had to turn away multiple people waiting for seats. I felt this was in poor taste on the owners part and felt embarrassing for both the servers and the people looking for a seat. It may be a while before I return for seconds.
google avatar

Kimberly H.

Yelp
I heard a lot of good things about this place for several months: good seafood, great cocktails, trendy interior, and I would confirm those are all accurate descriptions. For a comfortable weekday dinner night out for two coastal seafood-eating people, we had the wood grilled calamari, livorno fish and shellfish stew, tanuki roll, a-mei-zing roll, roc n roll, and an opera cake for dessert. The seafood was all very well cooked, the one exception being the shrimp in the seafood stew that was overcooked. The calamari had a nice mild smoky taste with good rings of squid that were not at all rubbery. The clams and mussels in the fish stew were cooked perfectly (not an easy task). The sushi rolls had good amounts of fish and good texture (crunchy cucumbers). The opera cake was amazing - beautiful layers, rich chocolatey, but not overly sweet - I had an accompanying dessert cocktail to get my sweet tooth fixe. For drinks we had the shark bait, captain kidd, nutcracker, crow's nest, and one of the dessert cocktails that had kahlua. The shark bait is tasty, but it has more in common with a breakfast juice than a cocktail - it's very sweet. The captain kidd had a nice smoky mezcal that came through. The nutcracker was very smooth, and the crow's nest was fun and interesting with a wine float. And to top it all off, we had a fantastic service experience with just the right number of check ins, water/drink refills, and knowledge of the menu. Overall for what it is, Velvet Belly is a trendy seafood addition to the Rochester food scene; however it has a NYC high price tag in the middle of the Rochester Public Market. For a seafood fixe and atmospheric city vibes I might go again with friends, but it's too pricy for more than a trip or two.
google avatar

Natalie S.

Yelp
An interesting new addition to Rochester and the Public Market. My favorite thing about this place was the style - lots of bright fun colors and clean lines similar to Radio Social. FYI - The term Velvet Belly actually comes from a shark by the same name that has a neon purple stomach. The neon sign at the front ties that in nicely - so well that I wish there were a few more bits of neon around the restaurant, like in the mood lighting. The drink options were great, both in wine and mixed drinks. The Shark Bite drink was the standout for me, the perfect balance between sweet and savory. The food was also very good. They have a lot of unique dishes you really don't find elsewhere. That said, despite this being a fish restaurant, my favorite dish was the Beef Carpaccio. It had the best flavor, really subtle and beautiful, whereas I felt the fish dishes could have been elevated in flavor more than they were. Overall, a good stop, and I can't wait to see how they improve as time goes on.
google avatar

Nsama C.

Yelp
One of the newer places to open here. I was impressed with the drinks and food. If nothing else do try the smoked fish dip, it is excellent. The atmosphere was surprisingly casual in a very good way. As some have mentioned, it is on the more pricy side but I believe it is worth that price for at least one visit.
google avatar

Aimee F.

Yelp
Velvet Belly is the most hopping place in Rochester! Because it was so busy, we asked to sit outside. We honestly thought we would be forgotten about, but our waitress was very attentive and seemed to anticipate our every need. We loved all of the food we got! Everything was very fresh and the flavors were really unique. I also liked the drinks but they were a little too sweet for me. My only real complaint was the price: the sushi rolls were quite small and one of them was over 30 dollars, and the miso soup was 9. Because of the price I'd probably only go for a special occasion, but we did love the meal a lot!
google avatar

Randy P.

Yelp
Delicious! Juicy! Fun! You won't be disappointed when it comes to the food or the drinks that's being served here. Service was phenomenal. Food was great!
google avatar

Lili H.

Yelp
I can't say enough about how great the food and service are here. Waitress was great with drink and menu suggestions and which foods paired well with others. Everything we ordered was great from the stuffed calamari, salty bread (bread is not automatically served, have to buy it) We had thought about getting the shishito peppers but our waitress advised us that they were pretty spicy (usually it's only one or two in a whole serving and the rest are fairly mild) As one off the people in our group is not a fan of spicy we held off. We ordered 4? small plates and the Branzino (fish) which is an entree special. Everything was great! I normally would recommend people go and try it but don't...I don't want all of the reservations taken when I want to go back!

Don K.

Yelp
Succulent and delectable best describe the meal we had recently. (I would add "scrumptious" but I've been told I use that word too often in my reviews.) From the creative cocktail list (from which I ordered a delightful and girly drink, according to my wife) to the sushi nachos (plenty spicy!), the overall experience was superb. Our server (Jacob) was more than knowledgeable about the menu and wine list and allowed our party of 4 plenty of time to decide what to order and later - to linger as we enjoyed the homemade ice cream sampler. A special shout-out to the chef who prepared the striped bass special. No need to think anymore about this place; time to call for a reservation.
google avatar

Morgan S.

Yelp
Had a pleasant time here when I went with a friend for happy hour and a light dinner. We sat at the bar and were met with fast and attentive service. We tried a couple cocktails and then ordered a small plate and house sushi roll. Come here for the quality of the food, but be warned that the portion size is a bit on the small end (at a higher price point too). Overall, this is a great dining option if you're looking to treat yourself to a nice meal. If you're a seafood lover too, I'd add it to the top of your list.

Tom S.

Yelp
Let's start with ambiance, the place is "hip." My wife and I both thought our meals were great, and Evan our server, was also excellent. Service was not rushed, so we had time between entres to chat. What surprised me was an Admin Fee added to the bill! This meal wasn't inexpensive. Adding additional profit to the bill just isn't right. Evan said it was listed on the menu, but I myself am reading the food items (all interesting!) not the fine print. All in all, you won't be disappointed.

Milan B.

Yelp
Amazing food and awesome service every time. You will not be disappointed. The starters, sushi, entrees, sides are all spectacular
google avatar

Aa G.

Yelp
Delicious but way over priced. Again, very delicious. Food and drink were terrific but the servings are too small and the price too high. When I win the lotto, I'll eat here once a month. That's still all I'll be able to afford. But great for food and atmosphere and drinks with independently wealthy friends.
google avatar

Quan Q.

Yelp
The food and service were amazing. We tried all of the small plates and some sushi. They were all paired well with the drinks.
google avatar

Beverly G.

Yelp
We had a totally fabulous dining experience at Velvet Belly. We started with cocktails and appetizers- a Palomar for me and a Martini for my husband. We shared the Tako roll and stuffed octopus, with an order of salty bread, so no sauce went uneaten. My amberjack dinner was delish and my husband has been reminiscing about his delicious meal of the Livorno fish stew. We shared a lovely panna cotta for dessert. Our server, Cynthia, was delightful and made our evening even more enjoyable. Can't wait to come back!
google avatar

Jessica D.

Yelp
I have been wanting to come here for a very long time and I was not disappointed! I came here with some coworkers for a team outing, and we were very impressed with everything. They have a small list of cocktails but the two that I got, the doki doki and the bell bottom were very good! The bell bottom was my favorite of the two as I prefer a little more sweetness in my drinks. We started off with three speciality sushi rolls, SFG, roc city and the oki mac. The SFG was just that, SO F***ing good! It was the table favorite and it's unique creamy flavors with chunks of lobster made it absolutely delicious. The next favorite was the roc city but be prepared to be hit with a kick of wasabi, it's definitely in there and it's enough to clear out your sinuses (in a good way!!). The oki mac had huge hunks of steak and yummy mac sauce. Its like a fancy big mac, and it was very good. Now for the star of the night, the grilled seafood tower! It was $150 but with the sushi and salt bread that we got on the side with it easily fed the 5 of us. I personally loved the breaded oysters and the shrimp. I could have easily eaten a dozen of each, they were so good! The creaminess of the oyster mixture and charred taste of the shrimp, absolutely delicious. Service was spectacular through out the whole night and our server explained the menu very well when we first arrived, which was extremely helpful. I'll definitely be back for the oysters and SFG roll!
google avatar

Gabriella P.

Yelp
This place has been on my list! Super cute, trendy spot and awesome environment, but the food, not so much. We started with the stuffed calamari, the server suggested adding crostini, which m made the dish! It came with three clams, one shrimp, one tentacle, the stuffed calamari piece (I'm not sure what it's exactly referred to) in a light sauce with beans. I would definitely recommend. The sushi rolls, on the other hand, were not great. We ordered the roc city, sfg and tnt. All three were so overly saturated in heavy sauces, it was all you could taste. It was very disappointing, especially for the price. The tnt is listed with a sweet soy sauce, but was covered in some type of creamy sauce. The service was great, location was cute and trendy, but the food was overall disappointing.