Explore the Best of Rochester

By Daniel J. Kushner @danieljkushner

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Hey there, CITY readers. The results for our annual scavenger hunt are in. We asked you to respond to our 2019 Best of Rochester readers' poll with your favorite people, places, and things as you've explored our fine region, and you delivered. More than 15,000 people filled out the final ballot, which covered 100 individual categories. Every week throughout the year, we at CITY point out vital news and important points of interest for you to check out, and the annual poll is your chance to weigh in on what matters to you.

The area is a wealth of cultural riches, from a diverse food scene and beautiful destinations to eclectic small businesses and knowledgeable connoisseurs. In short, Rochester is prime territory for discovering what was previously unknown to you. And if you need some recommendations, checking out, Best of Rochester is a smart place to start.

In addition to the final poll results, this issue includes left-of-center responses from readers, primary ballots, as well as our annual critics' picks. This year, Frank De Blase, Renée Heininger, Kathy Laluk, Katie Preston, Leah Stacy, and Chris Thompson share their choices for beloved and peculiar locales, influential citizens, and under-the-radar businesses you won't find listed in the reader's poll results.

If you want to voice your thoughts on the readers' poll, suggest a new category, or give us any feedback at all, write us at [email protected], or find us on Twitter and Instagram (@roccitynews) and Facebook (facebook.com/CityNewspaper).

In This Guide...

Best of Rochester

Best Food & Drink

BEST FOOD AND DRINK BEST PIZZA

Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Best Goods & Services

BEST GOODS AND SERVICES BEST BIKE SHOP

Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Best Local Color

BEST LOCAL COLOR BEST LOCAL ACTIVIST GROUP

Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Best Arts & Entertainment

BEST ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT BEST LOCAL ORIGINAL BAND

Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Best Nightlife

BEST NIGHTLIFE BEST NEW BAR/CLUB

Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Best answers

OFF-THE CUFF, SOMETIMES OFF-COLOR RESPONSES TO OUR BEST OF ROCHESTER 2019 PRIMARY BALLOT

By City readers Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

Critics' Picks

BEST YOUNG FARMER: Eric Houppert of Deep Root Farm There are myriad categories featuring food in the Best of Rochester awards, but nothing about the people growing (and supplying) local ingredients behind the scenes. Several years ago, Macedon resident Eric Houppert made the jump from graphic designer to farmhand at Mud Creek Farms in Victor.

By Renée Heininger, Leah Stacy, Chris Thompson, Frank De Blase, Kathy Laluk and Katie Preston Oct 23, 2019
Best of Rochester

GALLERY: Best of Rochester 2019 Party

Over 500 Best of Rochester party-goers decended upon the atrium at Village Gate to celebrate the winners of the 2019 Best of Rochester reader poll. See the full list of winners here!

Oct 23, 2019

Slideshow