Rochester Like a Local
Dining Out (or taking home)
Some of my favorite dine-in and take-out options.
Great food in a historic building within walking distance.
Traveling solo? The bar at Bleu Duck is a great place to grab a bite and have a friendly conversation with the bartender or the locals.
Here with a friend? Date night on Tuesday is $55 for wine, entrees, and apps.
23 locals recommend
Bleu Duck Kitchen
14 4th St SWGreat food in a historic building within walking distance.
Traveling solo? The bar at Bleu Duck is a great place to grab a bite and have a friendly conversation with the bartender or the locals.
Here with a friend? Date night on Tuesday is $55 for wine, entrees, and apps.
A great take-out option (dine in is great too), with fresh tasty menu items.
22 locals recommend
Mango Thai
318 Broadway Ave SA great take-out option (dine in is great too), with fresh tasty menu items.
Drinks and Happy Hours
Fun brewery with music, food trucks, trivia, and occasional live music.
A 1.6 mile walk or quick bike or car ride.
12 locals recommend
Thesis Beer Project
1929 2nd St SWFun brewery with music, food trucks, trivia, and occasional live music.
A 1.6 mile walk or quick bike or car ride.
Known for its extensive gluten-free menu, Twigs also offers a patio with tons of flowers in summer and fire pits in fall. Closest (very walkable) restaurant to the house).
11 locals recommend
Twigs Tavern and Grille
401 6th Street SouthwestKnown for its extensive gluten-free menu, Twigs also offers a patio with tons of flowers in summer and fire pits in fall. Closest (very walkable) restaurant to the house).
A very local hang with many, many types of whiskey. This is the patio where you greet friends in summer.
17 locals recommend
The Half Barrel
304 1st Ave SWA very local hang with many, many types of whiskey. This is the patio where you greet friends in summer.
Essentials
Great grocery store with lots of healthy choices within walking distance of the house. Liquor store is adjacent.
Lots of prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner options too.
59 locals recommend
People's Food Co-op
519 1st Ave SWGreat grocery store with lots of healthy choices within walking distance of the house. Liquor store is adjacent.
Lots of prepared breakfast, lunch, and dinner options too.
It's not the most pleasant walk, but it gets the job done and is affordable. You must bring your own bag (feel free to borrow mine).
10 locals recommend
ALDI
1201 Broadway Ave SIt's not the most pleasant walk, but it gets the job done and is affordable. You must bring your own bag (feel free to borrow mine).
Small grocery with lots of goodies. It's a chain, I'll admit, but one of my favorite chains.
33 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
1200 16th St SWSmall grocery with lots of goodies. It's a chain, I'll admit, but one of my favorite chains.
Another spot for affordable groceries. Especially convenient if you're near St. Mary's.
14 locals recommend
Fresh Thyme Farmers Market
40 17th Ave SWAnother spot for affordable groceries. Especially convenient if you're near St. Mary's.
Coffee
Café Steam
315 Broadway Ave SLocally owned, extremely popular coffee shop.
Great spot for coffee, breakfast, or lunch. Carefully crafted food and espresso drinks. Many, many plants.
15 locals recommend
Fiddlehead Coffee Co.
412 3rd Avenue SoutheastGreat spot for coffee, breakfast, or lunch. Carefully crafted food and espresso drinks. Many, many plants.
To Do
Rochester's independent movie theater is a walkable 1.2 miles from the house. Head here for a great mix of independent releases and local documentaries.
Gray Duck Theater & Coffeehouse
619 6th Ave NWRochester's independent movie theater is a walkable 1.2 miles from the house. Head here for a great mix of independent releases and local documentaries.
Get your nature fix in this beautiful state park with great views. (We don't have many hills in this part of the country. This is a good place to go if you are missing them).
21 locals recommend
Whitewater State Park
19041 MN-74Get your nature fix in this beautiful state park with great views. (We don't have many hills in this part of the country. This is a good place to go if you are missing them).
Looking for a super unique gift, or a treat for yourself? Local art, local crafts, local honey and soaps, and knowledgeable staff who can tell you everything else going on in town.
Threshold Arts
311 Broadway Ave SLooking for a super unique gift, or a treat for yourself? Local art, local crafts, local honey and soaps, and knowledgeable staff who can tell you everything else going on in town.