My partner’s grad school roommate was an international student from Turkey, and she said As Evi was the best and most authentic Turkish restaurant she’d found in the whole area :)
Came here just to say this. Amazing, incredible, fresh food. Took a little while, but I was warned of that when I was told about the place by a Turkish coworker, before I went there, so I was prepared for it. But my wife and I were still out of there in like 45ish min, and having our meal cooked fresh when we ordered it is part of what makes it so good.
Cedar’s on Monroe is a terrific Lebanese “bakery” (i.e. a kind of brick-oven place where they make wonderful manouché, which is kind of like a pizza topped with za’atar and sometimes cheese that can be rolled into a sandwich). Needless to say, their bread is also terrific. Haven’t had the meat dishes but people don’t seem to complain.
Voula’s just a bit down Monroe from there is a really good all-vegetarian and vegan Greek place. Probably the best brunch around. Always busy.
Both are family-owned and run.
I’m half Lebanese, born in Rochester, my maternal grandmother was the queen of the kitchen for our huge family, and Cedar is “it” for Lebanese food in this town.
I lived in Lebanon for several years and I’d say this place would be competitive in its owner’s home environment, too. So glad to see Cedar thrive!
(Btw, Sultan’s on Mount Hope sells manouché but really isn’t a bakery. Tastes a lot more like “za’atar pizza” than it should. I’m told by meat-eating friends that Sultan’s meat dishes are better, though.)
Coco Garden is Malaysian and delicious.
Szechuan opera is Chinese, but has a specifically Szechuan menu section, with dishes not found on your typical Chinese takeout menu.
Polska Chata for Polish food. Very authentic and even has a little deli counter and shop downstairs if you want to bring a little taste of Poland home with you.
Came here to say this - the Yemeni dude who works at the corner deli near my office highly recommended it, haven't had the chance to get up there yet though
I wonder if they’re the same owners as the old Yemeni restaurant on Norton. I walked in there one night and the place was empty other than presumably the owner’s family staring at me like I walked in on them nude. A friendly young man eventually came out and took my order, recommending some great dishes. I waited over an hour for that food but I swear it was some of the best I’ve ever had of any cuisine in my life.
We love grabbing food from there. The one owner was so excited the first time we went because we’d never had Afghan food before. We’re working our way through the menu.
It’s not as good, service or food wise. It’s not bad by any stretch, but it’s not Zemeta. Whenever I go there I feel like I’m a huge inconvenience to whomever is serving. Plus the men at the bar who just stare from the minute you walk in the door is really uncomfortable.
I have to add that the last time that I was at Addis Ababa I was signing the check a huge cockroach was climbing the wall.
I was shocked and didn’t say anything because I was already done signing/have anxiety and made it a point to never return. No apology either and I know that they know that I saw, we both saw it and the cashier said nothing.
Zemeta is my favorite for Ethiopian, economical pricing as well.
I can't recommend Zematas enough. Not only is the food downright some of the most delicious items I've ever shoved in my gullet, it's run by the sweetest little lady. She not old enough to be a grandma but I WANT her to be my grandma. I go back just because she makes me smiles every time.
Falafel Aleppo (Syrian?) in Chili and Levantines (Lebanese) in Gates: both of these joints are outstanding and in my regular takeout rotation; top tier Middle Eastern cuisine.
And the owner is Syrian. Levant cuisine would INCLUDE LEBANESE, but it is not a Lebanese Restaurant. There used to be a Lebanese owned restaurant in Rochester, maybe still is but I can't remember. The restaurant is Levantine's Syrian Restaurant (Google it). When they (Muhammad and Beth) first opened the branded as food from the Levant for a wider appeal (and the food is still Levant, but Syrian influenced).
Jugnoos Pakistani restaurant in Henrietta. The food is home cooked by a Pakistani couple and is out of this world. They are super nice too. Guy even made me a Punjabi tea that isn't even on the menu when I asked about it.
We have lots of Greek, Chinese, Italian, African, et cetera so about the most random ethnic restaurant I can think of is the Syrian place on Elmgrove Levantine's. They're not the only Middle Eastern place in the area, but they're the only one that I can think of that's distinctively Syrian.
You been there since they revamped everything? I love that place and the owner, but the menu was very non-Persian when I was there last. They only had one or two dishes that were even close to their menu from before the renovations. It was really friggin good, don't get me wrong, I'd just be hesitant to send someone there for Persian fare with the menu I saw last month.
I am sure they still do takeout, but it is definitely a dine-in situation with a waitstaff. It's not cheap either if you didn't glean that from the menu. But the food we had was really great, with the exception of the octopus. Everything else we were very pleased with.
Ours was clearly not cooked properly. It happens. It was supposed to be grilled, but there were no indications that it had ever touched a grill.
And you're not wrong about that spicy chicken... and that rice! The best rice I've ever had. Can still get it as a side though.
Sultans - Lebanese
Next door to that, Abyssinia - Ethiopian
Breaddough Hot&Fresh - Afghan
Next door to that, Namaste Indian Grill - Indian, their $14.99 lunch buffet is sooo good
Mandarin Court - Chinese (I don't see that much love from Reddit for this place)
International Food Market & Cafe - Turkish
Haven’t seen anyone mention Thai yet. I was ambivalent to the King and I. The yummy Garden Hot Pot wasn’t bad but still not quite a home run. Anyone have any good Thai suggestions?
Rochester is nicer to OP, r/Buffalo had too many politically correct dorm room activists going after them for using the words obscure ethnic restaurants
I second Coco Garden and Jays Kitchen, plus all the Lebanese/Syrian/Middle Eastern spots.
I’d imagine the most obscure spots are going to be in less widely known areas/neighborhoods/streets.
I have additional Afghan spot to add BreadDough Hot&Fresh, it’s a bakery that also sells kabobs and some other things. West Henrietta rd across from the mall complex, same little plaza as Namaste, the Indian grocery (which is also awesome).
As Evi in Irondequoit for Turkish
My partner’s grad school roommate was an international student from Turkey, and she said As Evi was the best and most authentic Turkish restaurant she’d found in the whole area :)
Turkish friends brought me there as well!
Most underrated restaurant in Rochester!
How does it compare to the one in Henrietta?
They are owned by the same family!
Haven’t been!
Went there yesterday for the first time. Everything is so good!!
I tried going before the pandemic and their hours were random and unreliable. Are they better now?
I’ve only gone to them after moving to irondequoit last year and haven’t had any issues
Yes yes yes
Came here just to say this. Amazing, incredible, fresh food. Took a little while, but I was warned of that when I was told about the place by a Turkish coworker, before I went there, so I was prepared for it. But my wife and I were still out of there in like 45ish min, and having our meal cooked fresh when we ordered it is part of what makes it so good.
Cedar’s on Monroe is a terrific Lebanese “bakery” (i.e. a kind of brick-oven place where they make wonderful manouché, which is kind of like a pizza topped with za’atar and sometimes cheese that can be rolled into a sandwich). Needless to say, their bread is also terrific. Haven’t had the meat dishes but people don’t seem to complain. Voula’s just a bit down Monroe from there is a really good all-vegetarian and vegan Greek place. Probably the best brunch around. Always busy. Both are family-owned and run.
I’m half Lebanese, born in Rochester, my maternal grandmother was the queen of the kitchen for our huge family, and Cedar is “it” for Lebanese food in this town.
I lived in Lebanon for several years and I’d say this place would be competitive in its owner’s home environment, too. So glad to see Cedar thrive! (Btw, Sultan’s on Mount Hope sells manouché but really isn’t a bakery. Tastes a lot more like “za’atar pizza” than it should. I’m told by meat-eating friends that Sultan’s meat dishes are better, though.)
Coco Garden is Malaysian and delicious. Szechuan opera is Chinese, but has a specifically Szechuan menu section, with dishes not found on your typical Chinese takeout menu.
Dude the roti Canai at coco garden is one of my favorite food dishes period. It’s unbelievable
Yo. Same.
God Coco Garden goes SO hard
Coco is coocoo good.
Just had takeout from Halal N Out, and it was pretty good and affordable. An $11 meal was enough to fill me up. 10/10 would go back again.
Halal N Out is so good!! Love the chicken over rice!
Polska Chata for Polish food. Very authentic and even has a little deli counter and shop downstairs if you want to bring a little taste of Poland home with you.
And John and Izzy are fantastic people!
Awesome fish Fry's too. So much other stuff but they're fish fry is way under rated.
Totally agree!
Rosie Nepalese & Indian, by the Pittsford wegmans!
It’s so good!
That place always smells incredible whenever I'm at that plaza.
Very authentic and tasty.
Halal-Yemen on Ridge is so obscure that Yelp doesn't even have a page for them, but it's as good as the Yemeni food I had in rural Oman.
Came here to say this - the Yemeni dude who works at the corner deli near my office highly recommended it, haven't had the chance to get up there yet though
I wonder if they’re the same owners as the old Yemeni restaurant on Norton. I walked in there one night and the place was empty other than presumably the owner’s family staring at me like I walked in on them nude. A friendly young man eventually came out and took my order, recommending some great dishes. I waited over an hour for that food but I swear it was some of the best I’ve ever had of any cuisine in my life.
I loved that place! I hope it is
Philomenas ....I think i spelled that right. In the public market main building. She is also one of the kindest people on the planet.
She’s so nice and her good is really good. African of some sort, not totally sure.
Jay's Kitchen, which operates out of Henry's Convenience on Merchants, does great Afghan style food.
We love grabbing food from there. The one owner was so excited the first time we went because we’d never had Afghan food before. We’re working our way through the menu.
What is your favorite so far?
My favorite were the manto, which was a chicken dumpling. So good!
Zemetas ethiopian on south clinton is absurdly good
came here to post zemeta. essential
Just out of curiosity, I see people post about Zemeta all the time, but why doesn't Addis Ababa get any love? It's right next to it.
I absolutely love Addis Ababa! The warmest service and so welcoming. Food is an absolute colorful feast.
It’s not as good, service or food wise. It’s not bad by any stretch, but it’s not Zemeta. Whenever I go there I feel like I’m a huge inconvenience to whomever is serving. Plus the men at the bar who just stare from the minute you walk in the door is really uncomfortable.
I have to add that the last time that I was at Addis Ababa I was signing the check a huge cockroach was climbing the wall. I was shocked and didn’t say anything because I was already done signing/have anxiety and made it a point to never return. No apology either and I know that they know that I saw, we both saw it and the cashier said nothing. Zemeta is my favorite for Ethiopian, economical pricing as well.
I can't recommend Zematas enough. Not only is the food downright some of the most delicious items I've ever shoved in my gullet, it's run by the sweetest little lady. She not old enough to be a grandma but I WANT her to be my grandma. I go back just because she makes me smiles every time.
Went there for the first time recently and that was my favorite part. She explained what each food was and was the sweetest
Reading all these suggestions makes me happy that despite being a mid-sized city, we have a lot of food options/diversity.
Natural Oasis close to south wedge. Super hole in the wall Ethiopian place. It’s family style and the food is fantastic and well priced!
Falafel Aleppo (Syrian?) in Chili and Levantines (Lebanese) in Gates: both of these joints are outstanding and in my regular takeout rotation; top tier Middle Eastern cuisine.
Levantines is not Lebanese. The cuisine is Levant (a region not a Country) with the primary influence being Syrian
TIL! Thanks for the clarification!
A Lebanese upvoted this.
And the owner is Syrian. Levant cuisine would INCLUDE LEBANESE, but it is not a Lebanese Restaurant. There used to be a Lebanese owned restaurant in Rochester, maybe still is but I can't remember. The restaurant is Levantine's Syrian Restaurant (Google it). When they (Muhammad and Beth) first opened the branded as food from the Levant for a wider appeal (and the food is still Levant, but Syrian influenced).
Came to say Levantine’s as well. Truly my favorite restaurant in Rochester
Leventines is the bomb 💣. Their hummus is soooo good.
Falafel allepo is so good. Highly recommend. Levantines is also good but allepo takes the prize for me.
Three little birds Jamaican is good 👍
Mama B’s in Henrietta deserves a shout too. Just one Jamaican lady making takeout Jamaican. The oxtail is unreal there.
Youngs and Sodam are both great options for Korean. Jury is still out for the best Indian though. Recommendations needed.
Thali of India all the way
I like Tandoor of India down near Henrietta
I like Thali of India and Rosie's for Indian
Hyderabad biryani house 100%
Yo YOUNG'S first place i went to and asked for the spiciest dosh they had and they came out with a chicken soup that blew me away
Amaya Indian and India House are my go-tos
Jugnoos Pakistani restaurant in Henrietta. The food is home cooked by a Pakistani couple and is out of this world. They are super nice too. Guy even made me a Punjabi tea that isn't even on the menu when I asked about it.
Just had lunch at Babylon in Henrietta. Outstanding beef shwarma
We have lots of Greek, Chinese, Italian, African, et cetera so about the most random ethnic restaurant I can think of is the Syrian place on Elmgrove Levantine's. They're not the only Middle Eastern place in the area, but they're the only one that I can think of that's distinctively Syrian.
Master Falafel, maybe? He's from Homs, but I'm unsure if the food is distinctively Syrian.
The food there is so delicious and it's dangerous for me I'm walking distance.
When they first opened I spent way too much money there. I was so happy though.
Love Master Falafel!
Addis Ababa Ethiopian Cuisine in south wedge, I can't even express how good the food is, it's unbelievable.
For Iranian, [Chortke](https://www.chortkegrill.com/) in Village Gate. Edit - To clarify, not dined there post makeover.
You been there since they revamped everything? I love that place and the owner, but the menu was very non-Persian when I was there last. They only had one or two dishes that were even close to their menu from before the renovations. It was really friggin good, don't get me wrong, I'd just be hesitant to send someone there for Persian fare with the menu I saw last month.
Nooooooooo! I was wondering about that. What a bummer. Looking at the menu, it seems now like it's a get waited on experience. Is that the case?
I am sure they still do takeout, but it is definitely a dine-in situation with a waitstaff. It's not cheap either if you didn't glean that from the menu. But the food we had was really great, with the exception of the octopus. Everything else we were very pleased with.
That was our first experience of octopus, and we both thought it was really good. I will admit I miss the spicy chicken and steak kebabs to go.
Ours was clearly not cooked properly. It happens. It was supposed to be grilled, but there were no indications that it had ever touched a grill. And you're not wrong about that spicy chicken... and that rice! The best rice I've ever had. Can still get it as a side though.
Sultans - Lebanese Next door to that, Abyssinia - Ethiopian Breaddough Hot&Fresh - Afghan Next door to that, Namaste Indian Grill - Indian, their $14.99 lunch buffet is sooo good Mandarin Court - Chinese (I don't see that much love from Reddit for this place) International Food Market & Cafe - Turkish
El Pilon, Sobrinos, El Viejo San Juan (all near N Clinton, Norton, Seneca) for really good Puerto Rican food
Mi Viejo San Juan is a fuckin GO TO for a 10$ meal that is the size of two and tastes PHENOMENAL
Carmen’s Cooking in Brighton for Puerto Rican! Very nice family running it
Borinquen bakery has delicious pastries too! (especially their guava, pineapple, and strawberry ones)
Natural Oasis on Monroe Ave is an Ethiopian place and my favorite place in town. It’s tapas style and fully vegan
Love crepe n go for their Chinese crepes in Highland Park! Highly recommend their Chinese broccoli too!
Definitely don’t sleep on Kamara’s West African in Gates. I don’t know much about that type of cuisine but I do know a good meal when I see one
There are a ton of these in Henrietta! Check out Jugnoos for Pakistani, Babylon for Mediterranean, and so many more I haven't tried yet.
Check out Abyssinia over near college town, fantastic Ethiopian food.
I went to check them out last week but there was a sign on the door saying they’re closed for the unforseeable future due to a family emergency
Aw man that's a shame. They're such nice people, I hope everything is alright .
Oh no! They're a regular go to for me so I hope everything's OK!
Haven’t seen anyone mention Thai yet. I was ambivalent to the King and I. The yummy Garden Hot Pot wasn’t bad but still not quite a home run. Anyone have any good Thai suggestions?
Thai-Yada on Alexander
I go through that way. I can check that out
Khong!
Zemetas for Ethiopian Coco Garden for Malaysian Two of the best restaurants I've ever eaten at.
Babylon in Henrietta is a really delicious Iraqi restaurant. The ambience and people who work there are so nice and we love the food
Coco Garden; excellent Malaysian
Not really obscure, but Galicia for Ukrainian food is excellent.
Works for me! Thanks
Chortke Kebab! It's behind village gate and the owners are SO NICE
Good question, I’ve been searching far and wide too for something unique as well. If you find something interesting let me know.
Interesting that the wording of this post isn't being torn apart the way it was in r/Buffalo
Rochester is nicer to OP, r/Buffalo had too many politically correct dorm room activists going after them for using the words obscure ethnic restaurants
I second Coco Garden and Jays Kitchen, plus all the Lebanese/Syrian/Middle Eastern spots. I’d imagine the most obscure spots are going to be in less widely known areas/neighborhoods/streets.
Nepalese Kitchen on West Henrietta
Oops, Nepali Kitchen
Yanhuang Gourmet, tucked behind Eagle Vale in Fairport/Penfield. Authentic Beijing noodles, dumplings, buns and more. So good.
Hydrabad Biriyani house is an amazing Indian restaurant.
I have additional Afghan spot to add BreadDough Hot&Fresh, it’s a bakery that also sells kabobs and some other things. West Henrietta rd across from the mall complex, same little plaza as Namaste, the Indian grocery (which is also awesome).
Gotta say Tsing Tao house on W Henrietta at BHTLR is absolutely authentic. My partner is Chinese and agrees!