There are quite a few things Rochester is known for, but seafood is not really one of them. That might come as a bit of a surprise, but the seafood restaurant scene just doesn’t seem to be very active here
While there are a few awesome fish markets and casual options where you can get an awesome fish fry (especially on Fridays), if you are looking for a more upscale seafood restaurant for a special night out you’re going to have a hard time finding one.
However, that doesn’t mean there is no good seafood to be found! You just need to know where to look. There are actually a couple of awesome restaurants in Rochester that offer great seafood, but that’s not their main focus so you can’t find that out from the name. Have a look through our top 8 lists to learn about some of these hidden gems.
Seafood Restaurants in Rochester, NY
Black & Blue Steak and Crab
- Hours: Dinner hours vary by day and holiday
- Address: 3349 Monroe Ave, Rochester, NY 14618
- Website: blackandbluesteakandcrab.com
- Price: $$$
The Black & Blue restaurant is not one of a kind. They have several outposts in different cities, one of which is this one on Rochester’s Monroe Avenue. However, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Multiple successful restaurants must mean that they have a well-developed formula – and they do! Fresh seafood and steaks seared to perfection in a fine dining atmosphere, the Black & Blue Steak and Crab is the perfect spot for celebrations and special occasions.
If quality seafood coming from trusted sources is what you are after, Black & Blue might just be your best bet in Rochester. They pride themselves on their Trust Our Fish Program which means knowing the origin of each fish, from the boat to your plate.
The seafood menu consists of classics that are superbly executed. You can start with oysters on the half shell or a shrimp cocktail, but if you are feeling whimsical you can also try their crab & lobster fondue with parmigiano reggiano cheese and toasted pita chips which is to die for.
The options for the main course include rotating fresh fish preparations, but you can also choose one from their various surf’n’turf options that combine seafood with a steak. Their steaks are amazing too so you won’t regret it!
Bernard’s Grove
- Hours: Dinner hours vary by day; check the current schedule before visiting
- Address: 187 Long Pond Rd., Rochester, NY, 14612
- Website: bernardsgrovehouse.com
- Price: $$$
Bernard’s Grove is the type of family-run restaurant that looks humble on the outside but blows you away with the dishes it serves. Set near the Long Pond on Lake Ontario, this charming spot always makes you feel welcome. The atmosphere is always friendly and you can choose to be seated at a cozy table inside or grab a seat on the delightful patio on a sunny day.
Now, this is not a strictly seafood restaurant, but they do make a few seafood dishes that are worth the trip alone. Our favorite is certainly Bernard’s Bouillabaisse, a beautiful seafood stew with pretty much everything in it, including lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp, and squid. If that’s not your style, though, menus can rotate, so check the current seafood specials before you go.
But before you get to this part, you might as well try some of the starters which have included a delightful Nantucket-style shrimp and crab bisque, littleneck clams with cous-cous and edamame and goat cheese ravioli (this last one is not seafood but it is a crowd favorite, even if you are not a vegetarian).
Shamrock Jack’s Irish Pub
- Hours: Typically open Wednesday through Sunday; hours vary by day
- Address: 4554 Culver Rd, Rochester, NY 14622
- Website: www.shamrockjacks.com
- Price: $$
Seafood at an Irish Pub? True, it’s not the first place we’d go looking for top-notch seafood, but Shamrock Jack’s can and will surprise you in this regard.
Now, Shamrock Jack’s is not technically in Rochester. Instead, it’s located in Sea Breeze, a resort on the coast of lake Ontario which is reachable within minutes by car from Rochester.
This pub & restaurant is perhaps more famous for the laid back atmosphere and Irish classics, but the seafood dishes might surprise you. Their entrees include the Garlic Shrimp Dinner, the Clam Strip Dinner, and the Surf & Surf (a giant salmon filet with shrimp).
Finally, if seafood is what you are after, your best bet is to visit Shamrock Jack’s on a Friday. Friday is a seafood specials day here and you’ll be treated to a choice of Fish Fry, Broiled Haddock, or their signature ‘Ultimate Fish Sandwich’.
Velvet Belly
- Hours: Dinner and brunch hours vary by day
- Address: 3 Public Market, Rochester, NY 14609
- Website: www.velvet-belly.com
- Price: $$$
Velvet Belly is one of the more obvious modern picks if you are looking for seafood in Rochester, and it is a welcome addition to a city that does not have a huge number of seafood-forward restaurants. Located at the Rochester Public Market, this spot has a stylish, energetic feel that works just as well for a date night as it does for a more casual dinner with friends.
The menu leans into seafood much more directly than many other restaurants in town. Expect raw bar favorites, oysters, shellfish, and composed seafood dishes, with the exact selection changing depending on what is available. That makes it a good choice if you want something a little more polished than a fish fry but still want seafood to be the main event.
Like many seafood restaurants, Velvet Belly’s menu and pricing can shift with the market, so it is worth checking the current menu before you make plans. Still, if you want a restaurant in Rochester where seafood is not just an afterthought, this is one of the strongest options in the city.
Lento
- Hours: Dinner hours vary by day
- Address: 274 N Goodman St, Rochester, NY 14607
- Website: www.lentorestaurant.com
- Price: $$$
Lento is not a seafood-only restaurant, but it has long been one of the better places in Rochester to find thoughtful seafood dishes in a more upscale setting. Located in the Village Gate area, it has the kind of relaxed-but-polished atmosphere that works nicely for a special dinner without feeling too stiff.
The menu changes with the season, but seafood lovers should pay close attention to the raw bar, oysters, and rotating fish and shellfish preparations. Lento is also a good choice if you are dining with a mixed group, since the menu usually has plenty for people who are not specifically looking for seafood.
If your idea of a good seafood meal is more about carefully sourced ingredients and creative preparation than a giant platter of fried fish, Lento is definitely worth keeping on your radar.
Grappa Italian Nouveau
- Hours: Dinner hours vary by day
- Address: 30 Celebration Dr, Rochester, NY 14620-2664
- Website: www.grapparoc.com
- Price: $$
Located inside the Hilton Garden Inn, Grappa offers an airy but elegant atmosphere. With ample seating both indoors and outdoors and its minimalist decor, Grappa is the perfect place to grab a light (or not so light) meal with a friend group or even a date.
In accordance with the spirit of Italian cuisine, the dishes at this restaurant are uncomplicated, but what makes them great is the quality of the ingredients used.
From the first look at the menu, you might not feel like there is a lot of choice here in terms of seafood, but when you take a deeper look you’ll realize there is plenty of choice for seafood lovers.
Our favorite staple from Grappa Italian Nouveau has been the Crispy Calamari with lemon & sundried tomato aioli. Seafood options can rotate, but the menu often leaves room for fresh fish, seafood pastas, and add-ons like grilled salmon or grilled prawns for salads.
The Vesper
- Hours: Evening hours vary by day
- Address: 1 Capron St, Rochester, NY 14607
- Website: www.rocthevesper.com
- Price: $$
Once again, the Vesper is not exclusively a seafood restaurant, but that’s the way things go in Rochester. The Vesper is a relatively unknown bar and restaurant on the Rochester scene, but we do believe it deserves more attention. Or perhaps it’s best if it stays just like it is now, as too much popularity can certainly spoil a place,
Centrally located in downtown Rochester, the Vesper is tucked away in a small street very close to the GeVa theater. This makes it the perfect location for a bit before the show at GeVa, but it’s also close to most other things in Rochester so it’s always easy to stop by.
As for the seafood, Vesper is one of the downtown spots where you can find raw bar-style options and seafood dishes alongside the rest of the menu. Menus and specials can rotate, so check the current offerings before heading over if you are going specifically for oysters or seafood.
The seafood at Vesper is really a refreshing surprise for Rochester. And if you like oysters, keep an eye on their current specials before visiting.
Captain Jim’s Fish Market
- Hours: Hours can vary; call ahead before visiting
- Address: 2329 E Main St, Rochester, NY, 14609
- Price: $$
An article dedicated to seafood in Rochester can’t be finished without mentioning Captain Jim’s Fish Market. This is an honorary mention, though, because Jim’s is not really a restaurant. There used to be a dining area pre-pandemic, but since then they’ve been focused on take-out orders.
We do hope they get the dining area set up again, cause there is no better place for fish fry in Rochester! Either way, their fish is a must try. You can order their ‘dinners’ with your choice of seafood or fried and baked fish by the pound. Sandwiches and sides are also delightful so don’t miss out. Just make sure to call ahead and place your order.
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