Whether it’s the Erie Canal, Genesee River, Irondequoit Bay or Lake Ontario, Rochester has bodies of water that criss-cross the landscape. Couple these remarkable waterfront views with a good meal and you have the perfect evening. With the quality weather now in full swing, we take you through some of the best restaurants around Rochester that are set on the water. We also, of course, let you know of any weekday deals they offer to save you a couple bucks.
BAZIL
1384 Empire Blvd, Rochester, NY 14625
bazilrestaurantrochester.com – (585) 697-2006
Considered a casual Italian eatery, Bazil is widely known for their delicious funnel cake desserts. The other benefit of their Penfield location is the fantastic view – overlooking the Irondequoit Bay. Your best bets on the menu are the chicken parmesan, chicken french or the seafood alfredo. There is also a MacGregor’s right across the street if you are looking for a good craft beer after dinner.
BAYSIDE
279 Lake Road Webster
baysidepubwebster.com – (585) 323-1224
This cozy bar and restaurant is nestled in a corner of Irondequoit Bay with docks available for boaters to pull up. The menu features a selection of bar foods and tasty BBQ items. Some of the more popular foods are the chicken wings and the Bay Burger which comes loaded with a 2/3 pound patty that is dressed with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and onion. Make sure to check out their weekly specials such as steak night.
ERIE GRILL
41 N Main St Pittsford
eriegrill.com – (585) 419-3032
Part of the Del Monte Inn, the Erie Grill sits close to the canal with a nice view from their dining room. The dishes to go for are the duck meatballs, Maine lobster/polenta, bison sliders and Erie Grill salad. Make sure to grab a cocktail because their drink menu is full of interesting options like the 41 North Main. The grill is also located right across the street from the Pittsford Pub and JoJo Bistro if you are looking for additional quality watering holes. Be there on Mondays when they have $1 oysters and $5 select bubbly.
PELICAN’S NEST
566 River St, Rochester
pelicansnestrestaurant.com – (585) 663-5910
The Pelican’s Nest is literally right on top of the Genesee River with a spacious deck that accommodates a ton of seating. The marque items on the menu are the calamari with pepperoncinis and Pelican pasta, which is topped with chicken breast and andouille sausage. They also usually have live music so check their Facebook page for updates.
ALADDIN’S
8 Schoen Pl Pittsford
myaladdins.com – (585) 264-9000
Priding itself on all natural ingredients, Aladdin’s has long been one of the best Mediterranean kitchens in town. The Pittsford location has two floors of outdoor seating that cozy up tight to the Erie Canal. Go with the gyro plate that comes on mixed greens with pita chips, feta and choice of dressing. After your meal we highly recommend heading next store to Lock 32 for one of their delicious craft beers on tap.
LABEL 7
50 State St Pittsford
labelseven.com – (585) 267-7500
Schoen Place is one of the hot destinations in Rochester and Label 7 is one of the reasons why. The back deck has limited seating, but it is worth it for the people watching and canal view. The menu items of choice are the grilled wings, Angry Caesar, and chicken and waffles. They also have a renovated bar area that is the perfect spot to grab a cocktail. Be sure to take advantage of their ‘Napa Hour’ which is half priced select drinks and wine from 4 – 7pm.
PANE VINO
175 N Water St Rochester
panevinoontheriver175.com – (585) 232-6090
Situated right next to the Genesee River, Pane Vino is one of the better Italian Restaurants in the city. Their side court yard is a beautiful setting to dine while looking over the river. The calamari and chicken french are the most talked about dishes on the menu. Other good entrees include chicken anthony, penne vodka and filet mignon. The restaurant is also right nearby Tapas 177 if you are looking for a good bar for drinks after dinner. Every Monday they have BYOB with no corkage wine nights.
RICHARDSON’S CANAL HOUSE
1474 Marsh Rd Pittsford
richardsonscanalhouse.com – (585) 248-5000
Richardson’s is set on a lengthy plot of land running parallel to the Erie Canal. You can take a table on their spacious patio or grab a drink to sit in chairs right next to the canal. The outside grill menu has some some nice items like the and . They also always have some local craft beer options on tap if you are thirsty.
HEDGES
1290 Lake Rd, Webster
hedgesninemilepoint.com – (585) 265-3850
Hedges has been a Rochester favorite for years, boasting the best restaurant view of Lake Ontario. They are mostly known for their seafood, which is flown in fresh on a daily basis. Some of the menu highlights include the roasted prime rib of beef, Tuscan seafood pasta and seared fresh mahi-mahi. The outside area has cushioned seating to enjoy a drink while looking out over the lake.
SCHOONERS
40 Marina Dr, Rochester
shumwaymarine.com – (585) 342-8363
With a large deck overlooking the Genesee River, Schooners is a great spot to be in the summer. They have an excellent bar area that is covered by an open air gazebo. On the menu, the most popular items are the wings, Schooners salad and spindipper chicken wrap. Almost every night they have live music so check their website for the full schedule. There is also a beach area for kids that is great to keep them entertained.
CASTAWAYS
244 Lake Rd, Webster
castawaysonthelake.com – (585) 323-2943
Castaway’s has been a favorite Rochester waterfront dining spot since the 1920’s. With one of the best views of lake Ontario and huge deck space, this is a premier destination when the weather is good. Their marque menu item is the cajun rubbed blackened prime rib that comes in petite, regular and the huge anchor cut. Other dishes to try are the crab legs and chicken french.
GENNY BREW HOUSE
25 Cataract St Rochester
geneseebeer.com – (585) 263-9200
Once a 100 year old packaging center, the brew house is now a revitalized building with one of the most breathtaking views of the High Falls. You can choose to sit on the side porch or the roof deck, for an even better view. The menu is limited, but favorites include the Bavarian pretzels and beef on weck. They, of course, have an excellent selection of beers, with all of the tasty Genny options on tap. There is also a museum, shop and tasting room on the first floor.
Seize the Weekday 
I believe you have the address wrong for Tony D’s. We try to make it there every time we come to town, and it’s always been at Corn Hill Landing…
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You are right! We made the change. Get the arancini there.
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love the list !!
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Though Hedge’s is an awesome place to sit and enjoy a cocktail by the water, our meal and service was not very good at all and was extremely expensive. I would not say it should be in a list of “bests”
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Don’t forget Castaways on Lake Rd in Webster
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I’ve been consistently disappointed with Castaways this season. They seem to have lost their mojo. I’d suggest having a cocktail there (the view is second to none) and then head across to eat at Bayside.
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Castaways was our favorite “Go To” restaurant when we had company, besides Alladins and Tony ads. I miss the waterfronts! From Webster, now in N Texas!
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Castaways should be on this list! Love it there
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Hey ! What about CASTAWAYS in Webster ? They are a restaurant too ! On the water !
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What about the Castaway’s on Lake Rd….what about Schooner’s
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There is a reason Castaways didn’t make this list. The best part about Castaways is the view. We went last month and out alcoholic drinks were watered down, salads weren’t fresh and our food was undercooked with the manager shouting at us that he can throw the steaks back on the grill. The service was pretty awful too. We had to ask for silverware twice and they finally brought a basket of forks and knives over and threw it on the table. It’s the only restaurant I have ever walked out of.
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I agree. We did not like the food at castaways at all.
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Agree. Waited two hours one nite. Terrible service and the food was worse.
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My favorite did not make the list! Schooners at shumway marina. They have a small sand area for kids to play in while waiting.
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schooner’s can mess up a cheeseburger…..which is sad, because it is such a staple !! the food is horrible, the service is adequate, the music is fun, and the location is great….i have tried at least 10 things this summer alone, and the only thing that was mostly adequate, were the wings….
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I know this list is all about Rochester, but lets not forget just 40 min east and the Sodus Bay restaurants for waterside dining….there are 4! If you feel like taking a drive for dinner! Suprised that La Luna didnt make the list….best view of High Falls!!!! Open for lunch and dinner.
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Thanks for the tips!
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….and Dano’s on seneca lake.
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At Bazil, kids eat free on MONDAYS, not TUESDAYS!!! Please update or we will have a lot of unhappy families on Tuesday. Thank you for considering us! See you soon on our waterfront patio!
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Updated. Sorry about that.
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You forgot Schooners in Irondequoit
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A couple people have mentioned Schooners
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Couple others come to mind too…upper deck of MulConrys in Fairport, Towpath Cafe in Fairport and if you head out towards Conesus lake, NorthShore is nice as is the Canisus Inn.
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Schooners is worthy of inclusion in this list. I’d avoid Castaways for the same reasons I’ve seen others post here (all true in my experience as well, except the cocktails seemed fine).
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There seems to be a good deal of support for Schooners.
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The Conesus Inn was demolished this week. A new place is slated to be erected on that same spot.
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Topath Cafe is great!
I too would not suggest Castaways!
Schooners should not be on the “Best” list…
The NorthShore does a great job and is only 30 minutes away from Rochester.
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We were at Castaways this week. We had a great dinner with a nice view of the sunset. Drinks were very good. I wouldn’t eat inside but love the deck. I’ve eaten there a few times and would definitely go back!
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What about Schooners?? Great spot for an afternoon in the sun with water by your side😀
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I’m sorry but Label 7 should not be on this list when places like Schooners and Topath Cafe are not. Label 7 is VERY overpriced, just because it’s located in Pittsford, and the service is subpar. I do not recommend it.
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I would disagree. One of the best spots in town. Get the grilled wings, angry ceasar, burger and chicken/waffles.
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the list is good however, in my opinion, a truly great waterfront dining experience is one that is accessible by boat. If you expanded your area you would find spectacular dining on the water with far better views than the dirty River. I know, this was Rochesters top 12 and they all are worthy of the list.
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Please stop by and check out Drifters Cove ! We aim to please and I am sure that you will be pleased at what you see and have to eat & drink ! Our staff is exceptional and I guarantee you will not be disappointed.
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You did not include the grand daddy of Genesee River hangouts. O luaghlins has been around forever. It has a great covered outdoor deck on the river. Theme use is simple,burgers, wings, buritos, and salads. It’s a fun bar,and a great place to hang on a summer afternoon or evening.
It is located a the very north end of St Paul Blvd, next to the Coast Guard station.
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Fazoul’s in Brockport is located right next to an operating lift-bridge on the Erie Canal, where diners on the patio can watch boats pass by.
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Anyone notice anything about this list?
The furthest West place in “Rochester” is Corn Hill landing or Charlotte? You guys do know there’s like a whole other half to the county, right?
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Let us know which ones were missing
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