In town for parents weekend and made a reservation for dinner. Our second time here, first time was about two years ago-we all thought the food was very good. The table had Caesar salad to start, with mains being shrimp and grits, a snapper special and the heavenly bowl (pasta dish). Echoing what others have said, the pacing of the food could use a little improvement. The Caesar took a good 15 minutes to come out. The mains maybe another 15 minutes after we were done. The biggest issue however, was that two dishes came out and the third one didn't come out for several minutes later. Not a huge deal, just needs a little improvement. We would recommend Crisp for dinner. read more

I have to admit I was a little thrown off by the name, especially as someone who is trying to eat healthier and avoid fried food. Crisp is known for good vegan options, so we gave them a chance and were very glad we did. I was leery of the "crispy vegan burrito," fearing that it was going to be somehow deep fried, but our waitress explained that it's so named because the vegetables inside are crunchy. Lol. I ended up LOVING the burrito. It's a great healthier option (just bursting with vegetables), and I loved that they swapped out the tortilla chips for green beans. My husband got the vegan meatloaf because who can pass up vegan meatloaf? We were warned that the portion is on the smaller side, and it is only a small slice of meatloaf, but it comes with a ton of green beans and a bed of carrot mash, so it ends up being filling. The meatloaf is delicious - chewy and hearty and fresh. We were also extremely impressed with the vegan charcuterie board, made with meats from Grass Fed (epic small batch seitan) and cheese from Spirit and Abundance. It was beautifully assembled and all the meats, cheeses, and accompaniments were tasty. We were so pleased with our meal here. We were glad we got past the weird name and generic aesthetic and gave them a chance. We will definitely be back! read more

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I truly enjoy every trip to Crisp for a brunch date with my friends! Our favorite things - the churro is crispy on the outside and moist and soft on the inside, goes well with their fried chicken which is tender, juicy and not at all dry I gave it 4 stars only because the food is not necessarily out of this world but the vibe and mimosa on a late Sunday morning is totally worth checking it out :) there is also a nice bar for those who want to watch a game or dine alone! read more

Crisp Rochester - Chicken popcorn - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Passing through Rochester and stopped by this corner restaurant. Great vibes inside, casual but upscale and nice. Service is great, very friendly and attentive staff. The food was fantastic. I got the pan roasted snapper and the portion was huge. Came with asparagus and rice with sausage in it. Didn't get any alcohol but the prices look reasonable. read more

Crisp Rochester - Pan roasted snapper - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Top tier must eat location in Rochester any occasion. The service was amazing. The ambiance is perfect.

Excellent food, calamari just like Venice! Hours a bit difficult to remember and very crowded- get a reservation!

Great first experience at Crisp. We were a party of 3 on a weeknight, no reservations. We walked in and were able to get seated quickly. The menu was filled with tons of great options making it hard to choose, and we had to ask our server for more time with the menu twice. In the end we ordered: --The popcorn chicken starter - none of us really wanted 'fried chicken' per se, but since there was so much fried chicken featured on the menu, we decided to get an order for the table; we were all surprised at how light, crispy and flavorful the breading/coating was, and also how delicious the sauce was; we needed two more containers of sauce... --The Korean Pork Rib starter - 4 meaty ribs glazed in a soy ginger glaze - enough for a meal, and one person in our group just ate this as their meal --The South Wedge salad - fresh, crispy iceberg lettuce, lots of crumbled and creamy blue cheese, and amazing bacon bits - I would make this a must-have at the table for all to share --The Clinton Ave tacos with Baja Fish - the order came with 3 tacos, chips, guac and salsa on the side, and each taco was stuffed with fish Overall, we found the food balanced and tasty, and the presentation nicely done. Our server was also friendly and the ambiance was very nice. We ended up staying until closing time, and were grateful they allowed us to sit and enjoy the dregs of our meal without hurrying us to leave. Next time we would order differently to try more of the menu. There were lots of gluten free options and lots of veggie sides we didn't get to try yet but everything we saw getting served to tables around us looked great. We will definitely be back soon! read more

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My wife and I come here often. The food is always cooked very well and the menu options provide a great variety. The ambience of the restaurant and service has always been top-notch. read more

Now that the kinks have settled this is a stellar place. Nice service and great owners. Brunch is lovely and dinner too. Anything you order you will not be disappointed even the specials. The espresso martini and other cocktails are well made and pack a punch. You can. Ring a bottle of something but there is a corkage fee it's minimal though. I've also been here for a few coursed dinners in the back. It's usually done quite well except that certain courses are a complete misstep. They need to get the timing right on that. You should visit. Street parking read more

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Happy to update this review. In my experience, the opening issues have settled. I have been back several times. Including a private event for my job in their large private room. Their Monday brunch is a great start to the week! Highly recommend booking a reservation for busier times. The billionaire bacon and espresso martini are absolute musts. One of these days, I'll have to catch a drag brunch event there! read more

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food was good amazing place but the service was really slow we got there at 6 and left at 8

Nice bistro on the outskirts of downtown Rochester. The menu has plenty to offer and I loved the southern wedge salad. Try their homemade chicken pie, and save room for one of their delicious desserts. Service is welcoming and prices are reasonable. Enjoy! read more

Crisp Rochester - Chicken pot pie - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

I had a quick impromptu lunch with my wife here last week. I forget who the previous occupants were, but it doesn't matter, because hopefully Crisp is here to stay. I ordered the Chicken Fried Sandwich and my wife had the Texas Brisket Bahn Mi. I really enjoyed the chicken fried sandwich. It was nicely breaded and crunchy without being oily. It was also served with a nice soft brioche-like bun and tangy dressing. The accompanying fries were also nicely seasoned and crispy. My wife's Bahn Mi was just okay. I think we both love the original Vietnamese bahn mi too much, so this fusion Texas BBQ bahn mi just didn't do it for us. Too saucy, sweet and meaty. That covered up the taste of pickled vegetables and was one note (strangely reminded me of a McRib sandwich). I think the bread was also a little off from the original - more of a softer Kaiser roll than a crunchy French baguette. The service was fast and friendly. The interior of the restaurant is nicely renovated and clean. I will definitely return in the future. read more

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Had dinner with my two daughters (20 & 18yo) for the first time on Friday after thanksgiving 11/28/2025. It was a great night of good food, atmosphere and fun for us and after a wonderful dinner here at Crisp, we went across the street to the SwillBurg Bar & Arcade for some games and more fun! Two thumbs-up! read more

6/10 for me. Went for brunch in the afternoon, with reservations for with 2 other family members. Our selections (huevos rancheros , a breakfast bowl, and waffles with bacon) good but not unique or standouts. I liked the setting but the volume in the room (very crowded) was loud making it difficult to engage in conversation. The service was ok but it was a bit disjointed with several staff bringing us items instead of one person-we could have been checked in on a little more frequently-I would have perhaps ordered another coffee or beverage. When we ordered a second pitcher of mimosas, only the wine portion of the mimosa came out and we had to track down a server to bring juice. It just seemed a little unorganized maybe because it was 2:15 and brunch hours were winding down. Overall, uncertain I would return based on this experience. read more

Great spot well done ladies! Came Here early around 5:15 to grab a couple apps and bottle of wine. The layout of place is very open and inviting. I love the taller table in the window in front and the window over the bar with the plants. Genius what they did with the support beams too. I walked back to look at their banquets/party/private dining area. Love the black. We didn't get a lot of food but enough to make me want to come back next time I am in town! Parking was pretty easy too! read more

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We came in late on a Monday with no reservation, thinking it wouldn't be too crowded, but we were wrong! We were lucky enough to grab seats at the bar where a new bartender was training. He had a great, engaging personality and made some excellent recommendations for us. Drinks made to perfection. Prices were consistent with the area - not cheap by any means, but worth every penny. The atmosphere was lovely: cozy, dim-lit but still able to see, not overly loud, very pleasant. Can't wait to come back for brunch sometime! read more

Ordered a Caesar salad with chicken. Was asked if I wanted anchovies, I said yes. Salad came with no dressing, one anchovy and a quarter cup of dry chicken. There couldn't have been more than a half cup of lettuce. this little and I do mean little gem was $22. What a rip off. read more

Nice atmosphere. Food is just ok, nothing special IMHO and over priced for what you get. 2nd time eating here. Service is good. We had a patient waitress as we had a few things to say about the food (not her fault). read more

Had dinner there last week with 2 buddies while in town for the pga championship. It wasn't busy which sort of surprised us. We all tried a few drinks and everything was good...old fashioned, sweet summer nights and the whiskey sour. For dinner, I had the churros and fried chicken. Frankly, I didn't know thar combination was a thing but my gosh was it delicious. The mini churros melted in my mouth and the chicken had good spice and crunch. I really want it again right now just thinking about it. Good service and pleasant ambience. read more

Crisp Rochester - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Host was not pleasant, server was much better. The chips, salsa and guacamole was very good. Grain bowl, whatever the f@@k that is, was amazing. Pass on hot honey chicken and churros. When back in the ROC, i will try somewhere else. read more

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Great food and cocktails, excellent service, and a fun atmosphere. We had the deviled egg flight (the candied bacon was amazing!), and excellent shrimp and grits. read more

The food is outstanding, and the service is exceptional. The environment is inviting, and the staff are consistently friendly and attentive. The dishes are thoughtfully prepared, presenting a perfect balance of flavor and presentation. I appreciate how promptly the team updates you about specials and accommodates dietary requests. The ambiance---clean, stylish, and comfortable enhances the overall dining experience. Highly recommend for both casual meals and special occasions. read more

My review is one star because we went all the way into the city to try this place. Their website said that they were open BUT after we found a parking spot, walked down there, entered to a restaurant full of people we were told that they were technically closed. Apparently they had to switch over to dinner and wouldn't be serving until 4pm. BuT we were offered the option of sitting at the bar, drinking until then. No thank you. read more

Stopped by with a party of four for brunch. Sat outside on the patio where it was both quieter and more relaxed. Even though it ended up raining, we were kept dry enough to enjoy our meal. Server was good, cocktails were well made, food was excellent. We appreciated the variety of items on the brunch menu. One in our party is a carboholic, whereas I am more a keto friendly gourmand. Everyone was happy! A nice little LGTBQ+ friendly neighborhood joint with a laid back personality. read more

Crisp Rochester - Our cocktails - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

I've been coming to Rochester for about 15 years, and if there's one thing I've learned about people from Western New York, it's that they can drink.* I only mention this right now because this spot is (as far as I know) the only place on Earth where the mocktails ($13) are more expensive than the cocktails ($11). Why? I don't know, but you can't trust teetotalers, so I also feel like they should pay more if we have to hang out with them.** Anyhoo, we were looking for a good meal on a Monday, and I'm not sad a lot of the first spots we tried were closed, because we got a chance to try Crisp. We shared the absolutely MASSIVE and very, very delicious popcorn chicken to start. It was drizzled with truffle honey and served with a delightful dipping sauce, and it was enough chicken to be a main dish for four people having dinner. And it was an appetizer. We took most of it home, and enjoyed it again the next day. (Sometimes I forget that when you go outside NYC, portion sizes can skyrocket.) We also got down with the burger (two smashed patties, excellent fixins, and the Thai shrimp over sticky rice, which was well-executed and tasty, but I probably wouldn't get it again because I want to try that braised beef next time. Overall, this is just a quiet, low-key spot for good food and drink. That's just about all I want. _____________ *This could be a biased opinion based on who my wife's friends are. **This is a joke. I do know people that don't drink. I just don't like them very much. As Jim Jefferies once said, "If you don't drink, you're a boring **** and all your stories suck." read more

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My husband and I went to Crisp a few months ago and enjoyed it. I had a fried chicken sandwich, which was very crispy and delicious. I don't recall what hubby ate, but we both agreed we'd dine here again. Delicious! read more

This place is FIRE. I am a big huge fan of Fish Tacos too. The menu choices made my decision much easier to make. I am not big on spicy, but i had my fish tacos made mildly. French fries were good with a tad bid of spice, and the fish was crispy crispy good. Place is not too expensive. Remember fish tacos are not always cheap either. But i was a happy camper. I will be coming back on my next visit. read more

I love the service and the ambiance. The reviews are mixed based on two different visits. The first time I went there for brunch with my sister and my mother and we absolutely loved everything. My only complaint then was that the music was a little bit too loud to talk to the people at your table, especially for that time of day. The second time I went with my husband. He got a catfish po-boy. He felt like they tried to make the bread different so they used an artisan bread but it was kind of fighting with the sandwich. It would have been better to have a softer bread. He also thought it was a bit bland and it was very wet either because it wasn't fried at the right temperature or something in the sauce. I got the fish tacos and I think all the toppings were on the sweet side. There was like a sweet coleslaw and pickled onion which were both sweet. It needed a little salt or a little Tang to balance it out but the fish was fried perfect. My daughter got a burger and loved it. We did enjoy the flight of deviled eggs. read more

Crisp Rochester - Deviled eggs - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

made reservations for dinner on a Saturday around 7 and didn't seem busy until after we sat down. came a little early so had a drink at the bar before we got seated. the place felt cozy even with one tv showing movies at the bar. got the drink sleigh me and it was delicious, the rosemary was burned and smelled wonderful. we had to pay for our drinks at the bar before we sat to eat. got the best table (I thought) right in the front at the window. the service was quick, got the popular appetizers candied bacon and chicken poppers (I forget the name exactly). didn't wait to long for the food and I ended up getting the shrimp and grits. the boy got the oxtails. shrimp and grits could've had more shrimp and pot belly meat(too much grit). the oxtails was great so tender and a lot of meat. I also got another sleigh me cause I couldn't resist. would love to return for brunch and they said reservations are a must read more

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I tried the shrimp and grits, and I must say it wasn't good. The Grits were super lumpy, the shrimp wasn't grilled like advertised, and the only thing that saved the dish was the tomatoes which I've never had in grits before. The dish also said there would be pork belly in the dish, I had 3 small diced pieces total, the wife had maybe 2 pieces diced. Very disappointing, high reviews I'm not sure why. read more

Food was delicious! Great location and vibe. Reservations needed. Fun menu and atmosphere

The best part about the restaurant was the server. The food overall was overpriced and pretty whatever. However that's not really the reason for my review. The cocktail list had Coquito on it and for those who don't know it's a beverage in Puerto Rican culture that is only intended for the Christmas season. It's the middle of February. If you're going to take something from another culture at least have the respect to use it appropriately. read more

Very disappointing. Ice cold eggs and congealed hollandaise sauce. couldn't even get hot water for tea!

Tom was great -food was really good too chicken and churros, lamb tacos, shrimp tacos and rotini (not fusilli) was all very very good It's a great neighborhood eatery read more

We have gone to this place at least 20 times and it is one of our favorites in Rochester! The menu provides a refreshing change of pace, full of unique dishes that are clearly masterfully curated. We have yet to be disappointed! The pricing is a bit on the higher side, but in the current economy, I don't think it's that far off from other restaurants in the area- even the chain places. And the slightly higher cost is always worth it because the food is made from scratch(!), the menu is incredible, and we have yet to order a dish we did not love. (I am a staunch creature of habit but CRISP is the one place I trust to venture out and try something new) Not only is food is outstanding but the staff at CRISP are the best! Everyone is always warm, welcoming, and attentive. 10/10, CRISP. Would highly recommend! (And no, I'm not being paid for this review. We really just love it that much.) (EDITED TO ADD: everyone on here who is complaining about the lack of parking is a fool. It's in the downtown area -- what did you expect...??? If a 2,000-sq. ft. parking lot is so important to you, go to an Applebees??? Because leaving a bad review because you can't parallel park is crazy work.) PS- the aesthetics of this place are also CHEFS KISS. I would like them to decorate every corner of my house thank u. read more

A-mazing Sunday brunch once again. The brunch board was light yet filling. I also had (not pictured) a Grain Bowl, my mom had the Keto Scrambler and a friend of ours had the Hangover Bowl sans the hangover. They both said the Bloody Mary's were tasty and my mimosa complimented everything I ate. Service was efficient and speedy given the amount of tables seated outside for brunch. The ambiance was lovely people watching and enjoying the company of my mom and friend. I definitely believe 3rd time will be a charm when I come back for brunch again soon! read more

Crisp Rochester - Chef's choice brunch board - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Compliments to the kitchen. I don't think I've ever had a pork chop that good in my life.

We called a month ago and reserved a table for 4 for 6:30 last night. Fast forward a month, we drive an hour to the restaurant only to be told that they didn't have a reservation for us, they were completely booked, and there was nothing they could do to fit us in. We even showed them the call to the restaurant a month ago in my phone history. They still wouldn't do anything even though they admitted that it was their mistake. It was extremely disappointing. We'd eaten there previously and had a great experience. We won't be back after this fiasco. read more

Five stars all around for this new GEM of an eatery on the corner of Meigs & Clinton, directly across from The Playhouse! It's feels as though it's been on this corner for years even though they've only been open for a matter of weeks. The interior is beautifully appointed and I really like the setup of the bar. My date and I opted to sit outside on a sunny day and take in the sights - a great option if weather permits. Everything we ordered was fabulous. I want to say THANK YOU to Crisp for having a lovely N/A cocktail menu - making it easy for my friend who is pregnant to enjoy a drink alongside me without feeling left out in any way. I think word about this is spreading since she was not the only pregnant person enjoying lunch the day we went! My margarita was perfection, served with a salted rim and very well-balanced. We ordered the daily board, honey truffle popcorn chicken, and the vegan burrito. I'd order any item again and am currently craving the baguette they serve alongside the daily board - covered in yummy herbs and a perfect compliment to the cheeses offered. Trying to choose what to order is difficult, so I say bring a group and give the whole menu a go. I can't wait to dine here all the time and support this incredible new business that already feels like a Rochester staple. Thanks for an amazing experience, team Crisp! read more