If you find yourself going to the same hospital many times, or just once, it is nice to enjoy some non-hospital food when you are visiting. I have gone to the Mayo Clinic a countless times and am very familiar with Rochester and what it has to offer. Here is a list of the restaurants I recommend in Rochester, MN. Based on all my years in Rochester, I have concluded that these restaurants have the best food. Hope you enjoy them!
Chesters: It offers a variety of food for everyone to enjoy. They have pizza, chicken, salads, fish and more. This is my favorite restaurant in Rochester and you can never go wrong with food here. Some of their best food is: Chicken Salad Wraps: you can share with another person or eat them by yourself; the Santa Fe Salad: this is a really big salad and really good with a Mexican twist. If you like root beer, then you have to try the Iron Horse root beer, definitely the best root beer I have ever had.
City Market: This is a deli-like lunch place. You can't go wrong with what you order. They have all types of sandwiches or you can make your own. They also have some pre-made salads, soups and pastries. For pastries, I recommend the Cinnamon Roll or the Brownie. Their ham is really good and I recommend the pre-made ham and swiss sandwich. They have two locations in Rochester, one right across from St. Mary's Hospital -- on the corner of 14th Ave SW and 2nd St SW. The other location is on 1st Ave SW right by Newt's Downtown.
Newt's: If you want a burger in Rochester, you have to go to Newt's. Located right next to City Market and above City Cafe, they have the best burgers in town. This is more of a bar-like burger joint. But, they don't just have burgers, they also have salads, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks (which I highly recommend). They also give every table a bowl of popcorn which is really good.
Chocolaterie Stam: This is a gelato and chocolate snack place. This place has a wide variety of chocolate-based desserts and is always amazing. I highly recommend their chocolate gelato. If you don't like chocolate, they have other desserts like caramel or vanilla-based desserts.
Canadian Honker: This is a great little diner to get a quick bite to eat. It is located directly across from St. Mary's Hospital, which makes it ideal for everyone in the hospital. They have great little snacks and I especially like their milkshakes -- they always made my day better when I was in the hospital.
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria: This is one of my go to restaurants when I am in Rochester because, not only is it delicious, but it is easy on my stomach for both before and after my procedures. This pizza place offers not only pizza (including gluten free options) but various soups, pastas, sandwiches, salads and more.
Terza: This I found this restaurant back in 2020 and it has quickly become another one of my favorite spots in Rochester. This Italian restaurant offers amazing dishes that are also perfect meals for my stomach before or after procedures. They offer classic Italian dishes like chicken parmesan, homemade pasta dishes, and more.
In the hospital: On top of all these choices, there is also a cafeteria in the hospital that is really good (they have great omelets) and coffee stations around the hospital. In each room, there is also a room service menu that you can use. However, I strongly suggest going to the cafeteria because, not only is it a great walk, but it is also a good excuse to get out of your room. This is another good option if you do not feel like leaving the hospital.
Chesters: It offers a variety of food for everyone to enjoy. They have pizza, chicken, salads, fish and more. This is my favorite restaurant in Rochester and you can never go wrong with food here. Some of their best food is: Chicken Salad Wraps: you can share with another person or eat them by yourself; the Santa Fe Salad: this is a really big salad and really good with a Mexican twist. If you like root beer, then you have to try the Iron Horse root beer, definitely the best root beer I have ever had.
City Market: This is a deli-like lunch place. You can't go wrong with what you order. They have all types of sandwiches or you can make your own. They also have some pre-made salads, soups and pastries. For pastries, I recommend the Cinnamon Roll or the Brownie. Their ham is really good and I recommend the pre-made ham and swiss sandwich. They have two locations in Rochester, one right across from St. Mary's Hospital -- on the corner of 14th Ave SW and 2nd St SW. The other location is on 1st Ave SW right by Newt's Downtown.
Newt's: If you want a burger in Rochester, you have to go to Newt's. Located right next to City Market and above City Cafe, they have the best burgers in town. This is more of a bar-like burger joint. But, they don't just have burgers, they also have salads, chicken sandwiches, chicken tenders and mozzarella sticks (which I highly recommend). They also give every table a bowl of popcorn which is really good.
Chocolaterie Stam: This is a gelato and chocolate snack place. This place has a wide variety of chocolate-based desserts and is always amazing. I highly recommend their chocolate gelato. If you don't like chocolate, they have other desserts like caramel or vanilla-based desserts.
Canadian Honker: This is a great little diner to get a quick bite to eat. It is located directly across from St. Mary's Hospital, which makes it ideal for everyone in the hospital. They have great little snacks and I especially like their milkshakes -- they always made my day better when I was in the hospital.
Pasquale's Neighborhood Pizzeria: This is one of my go to restaurants when I am in Rochester because, not only is it delicious, but it is easy on my stomach for both before and after my procedures. This pizza place offers not only pizza (including gluten free options) but various soups, pastas, sandwiches, salads and more.
Terza: This I found this restaurant back in 2020 and it has quickly become another one of my favorite spots in Rochester. This Italian restaurant offers amazing dishes that are also perfect meals for my stomach before or after procedures. They offer classic Italian dishes like chicken parmesan, homemade pasta dishes, and more.
In the hospital: On top of all these choices, there is also a cafeteria in the hospital that is really good (they have great omelets) and coffee stations around the hospital. In each room, there is also a room service menu that you can use. However, I strongly suggest going to the cafeteria because, not only is it a great walk, but it is also a good excuse to get out of your room. This is another good option if you do not feel like leaving the hospital.