Vern's is definitely one of those spots that's worth a visit! They don't take reservations, and when we arrived around 7:30pm on a Sunday evening, it was packed. We were quoted about a 40-minute wait for a table, but told bar seating might open up sooner (around 30 minutes). They took my number and we stepped outside to take a walk around the block while we waited. We ended up getting a text about the bar seat availability in about 15 minutes. Once we got seated at the bar, things turned around quickly. The space has a really cozy, intimate vibe with dim lighting, warm atmosphere and overall it feels thoughtfully put together. We ordered hot toddies to drink, which were perfect for the weather, and for food we got the Japanese sweet potatoes and the cavolo nero pesto. Both dishes were incredibly delicious - flavorful and well-balanced. Just be prepared for a wait (and maybe stay nearby instead of wandering off), but once you're in, it's a great experience! read more

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We tried out Vern's for the first time on a Thursday evening! We made it there by about 5:00 PM and it was easy enough to get a table for 2 with only indoor seating available. It's a small space inside but it's designed well enough to manage a flow of traffic for customers and staff. We sat in the back greenhouse area. I think the least enjoyable part of our experience was how loud it was in the restaurant. Definitely not a good spot if you're trying to catch up with someone and your voice doesn't carry. I couldn't actually hear the specials the server was telling us. I want to try out Vern's again, so I may wait until there's an outdoor table or ask to sit in the second level to see if that's quieter. We tried one of their spring menu appetizer items, the Japanese sweet potatoes with kimchi ranch and dill. One bite and I was addicted, these were so so good. We then moved on to the classics for entrees -- bee sting pizza and the ragu-- and we were amazed at how good everything was! The only note we had was about the pizza, it was very soggy in the middle but still edible if you rolled it over in itself. We also had a few cocktails, and while they were somewhat small, you could tell they weren't watered down in any way. Two drinks was more than enough for me. Overall it was a great experience and we want to try it again. If you're someone who struggles to enjoy a meal out where you can't hear much, maybe wait for outdoor tables. read more

Vern's - Japanese sweet potato appetizer, bee sting pizza - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Went to Vern's with my friend on Super Bowl Sunday and there was no wait! Since I'm vegetarian, we didn't end up doing family-style, but I absolutely love Vern's. The ingredients are fresh, the restaurant is so cozy, and the service is incredible. The lemon parm risotto was packed with flavor and creamy delight . I loved the tangy brightness balanced with the richness. It was done so well. I would definitely go back! My one note is that I wish they had more vegetarian entrées beyond just the vegetable dishes and pizza. read more

Vern's - meyer lemon risotto - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Every season I look forward to a new Vern's menu. And every season I am not disappointed. My favorite dessert right now is the salted honey budino. Best entree I've had recently is a pizza special they had with steak, vodka sauce, and some super spicy peppers. I have to stop myself from going to Vern's every single week. Service is always top tier and ambiance is cozy/romantic. read more

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Tomato pie, spicy lettuces (forgot to take a pic before scooping on to my plate), the miso and chili Alfredo, the Gus pizza, and the Arincini which was a special tonight. Aside from the Arincini which were good but nothing special everything blew me away. The pizza was especially good. I've never had asparagus on pizza but it was so good and contributed well with the other ingredients. The miso in the pasta played well off the sharpness of the Parmesan and then the chili finished it off to give a very deep flavor. The tomato pie was so fluffy and flavorful and the spicy lettuces were just lightly dressed enough to give a nice simple flavor but keep the greens crisp and refreshing. Our server was wonderful too. Obviously, a very high level of attention to detail at every aspect of this restaurant. Highly recommended but get there early since they don't take reservations! read more

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Visited on Monday for our anniversary. Arrived around 4:45 and we were seated with no wait. We love the upstairs seating area as the ambiance and candle lit table helped to create a romantic evening. The staff are just so warm and helpful. They made us feel welcomed and helped to make the occasion feel special. The fall menu is exciting. We were blown away by the orange pizza- vodka sauce, local squash, prosciutto, with goat cheese and balsamic. The flavors worked so well together. We loved the crispy texture of the wood fired pizza. We also enjoyed a pork chop with a sweet and sour glaze & the lost meatball ragu. The flavors and presentation are always on point at Vern's. Portions are large and meant to be shared with plenty for both us. read more

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I called around 7:45 tonight, for reference they close at 9, so well before closing time I called to place an order. Me and my husband had never been here before so we were excited to try something new! Sadly the hostess who took are call was rude, and stated she was busy and didn't have time to take our order, and send it back to the kitchen. Seems kind of strange given they weren't closing for another hour. read more

Sat at bar. Very friendly very attentive. Very small area. The espresso martini was amazing and the hot honey pizza delicious. Love that they have outdoor seating as well. Only complaint that I don't think the bartenders should let people save seats for as long as they did when it's busy happy hour. Lady told us she was saving 2 chairs then when her guest got there about 20 minutes later they ordered a drink and transferred tab to a table ‍ Either way we will be back read more

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First time at Vern's! Beautiful atmosphere and easy to park and find the restaurant. I came with a party 2 and we were able to get seated within 30 min, which was nice. Honestly, nothing about the menu blew me away except for the lost meatball ragu at first glance. Both my friend and I decided that that was the only pasta we wanted to try. We settled on the focaccia special, meatball ragu, and chopped salad to share. The focaccia was underwhelming and really the only thing that stood out during the meal was the lost meatball ragu - we loved it. Wonderful flavor and great portion for two and even three people. I'm not sure I'd come back if I was in Rochester. I'm curious if they rotate the menu items based on season or if these have been the same since opening. Maybe it's time for an update. read more

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This is my favorite restaurant in Rochester and by far has the best drinks and staff. They are always busy and with good reason. The staff is always kind and the food is always worth the wait. read more

By far best restaurant by the notorious Swan family. Rotating seasonal menus are pretty good, but can't go wrong with the classic rigatoni pasta or bee sting pizza. Broken buratta is also really good, and what it comes with changes per season. Most dishes can be tweaked for vegetarians and they also have a few gluten free options. Portion sizes vary greatly, so I reccomend asking your server what they think is best for your party size. Inside ambiance is wonderful but limited seating like all other Swan restaurants. I reccomend coming early, putting your name down, and grabbing a drink at the bar while you wait since they do not take reservations. I have never been disappointed with the food or the service here, overall a great place to take a date or a friend from out of town! read more

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This was our first time at Vern's and it certainly won't be the last! The food comes family style, which is great for sharing and trying new things! We got the lost meatball Ragu, roasted carrots and parsnips, and Vern's chopped salad. The pasta was extremely flavorful and was perfectly complimented by the fresh ricotta on top. This light and refreshing chopped salad. The carrots were nearly life changing- they were roasted to perfection and served with this fabulous Lebneh sauce. This is a must get. The ambiance was perfect! Everything from the decor to the lighting created a warm and welcoming feel. Our server Christine was great, explaining everything thoroughly, and helping us make our decisions! We went on a Thursday at 5:00 and didn't wait a minute for our table! Can't wait to go again! read more

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I had a late dinner at the bar on a Monday night. The venue was busy, but no longer crowded, at 8 o'clock. Happily for me, the kitchen was open until 9pm. I ordered the spicy lettuces salad and tomato pie. Wow, was I impressed. What an excellent experience! Vern's, in sum: Amazing atmosphere, thoughtful menu, great all natural wine list, friendly and engaged service, clear focus on high quality ingredients, and nearly flawless execution by the chefs and bartenders. Shoutout to bartender Kinsey who was amazing! Overall exceptional experience, add I highly recommend this place. I'll certainly be back! read more

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Neat area of town. Hustle and bustle neighborhood with strange street parking restrictions that are confusing for out of towners. Service was friendly and attentive. Small kitchen creates a non-traditional dining experience that works well for plate sharing. Bee-sting pizza was creative and good. Signature hidden meatball ragu was the n spot and delicious. Vodka rigatoni was also good but not as good as the other two. Plan ahead as they do not take reservations and are popular. read more

3.5 rounded down. Most of the food was good. Atmosphere was nice. Server was okay, not great, not bad. Was missing an alcoholic beverage, but they took it off the bill. read more

I've heard so many good things about Vern's and I can say it lives up to the hype. The ambiance is very cute and while it is upscaled, it doesn't feel stiff. It is a smaller establishment which means there can be a wait for a table, but the smaller venue makes the the environment is very cozy and comfortable. Once you get a table, service and food is quicker. The service is exceptional, everyone is very accommodating and friendly. The drinks were very good (my Aperol spritz was amazing) and the food was delicious. The bee sting pizza was the best pizza I have had. The restaurant is reasonably priced for the quality and service. read more

Vern's - Aperol spritz - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Love this place! When I'm in the area I make a stop. Pizza & pasta were fresh and full of flava! We appreciated the restaurant accommodating our requests. read more

Vern's - Picture speaks for itself. Deelish! - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Awesome place. Always custom unique menu items. I'm going to take a risk and keep this review short because I've NEVER had a bad experience here. Food is SO delicious.m, flavorful, and thoughtfully created. I leave satisfied. Sat at the bar and the bar tenders are SO personable and friendly. read more

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Warm and welcoming! The curried clams and crab salad special were perfection paired with the house pet-nat. Can't wait to go back. One wish...a reservation system!! read more

Vern's - Curried clams - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Amazing!! I wasn't sure about the restaurant when looking at the menu online, but my husband wanted try it. I am delighted that I listened to him. First, we ordered the spicy lettuces, which is a type of Caesar salad. The dressing, the flavor profile and the freshness were all spot on. Tasty! Next or secunda was the braised lamb sugo. The lamb melted in your mouth. The sauce was slow roasted so the flavors melded perfectly. The pasta was fresh tasting and cooked to perfection. It was a really treat. One that I will remember. Our final choice was the pork chop. Again, the texture and taste was phenomenal! I did not really eat the sauce, as it smelled a little vinegar heavy for me (I'm just not a fan of vinegar). I was also +/- on the squash, but my husband loved both of those components and he had picked this dish. I am keeping it a 5 for that reason. If you are in Rochester, Vern's was my top pick of those we tried here. Enjoy!! read more

I visited a Tuesday at 5 pm we were able to sit right away. There were 3 of us and it was no issue, however it did pack in quickly. So if you want to sit immediately, go early!! That being said it will be worth the wait!!! Every season they change the menu and they are to die for!! It is served family style and comes out as it's ready, so be prepared to share. The vibes are immaculate as well and feels like you're in your grandmas kitchen, but she's supper cool . Needless to say you'll feel at home We got the spicy lettuces, focaccia, mushroom risotto, and a bee sting pizza and for 3 of us we were stuffed. We also got a few cocktails and the cream puff dessert. Evething was amazing and our favorite was the spicy lettuces and the espresso martini! All cocktails were amazing as well! read more

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I could not recommend Vern's enough. Every dish comes out as it is made, so freshness is guaranteed. Every bite is exploding with flavor. Their drink menu has something for Everyone, including mocktails. I'm sure you'll be full by dessert, but their dessert menu is a must try. The vibes inside are immaculate and the waitstaff is incredibly patient and kind. If there is one place in Rochester you must try, make it Vern's read more

Verns has my favorite pizza in all of Rochester. The Bee Sting is out of this world good. The perfect amount of spice, with a wood fired crispy crust with warm gooey cheesy center. It's unreal. Portnoy would love it. The Lost Ragu is the best pasta meal ever, we ate it before taking the picture, but definitely get it! I just wish the serving size was a little bigger. The roasted garlic bread was very good too. Wish they had more Their espresso martinis are AMAZING. I'd go back just for another one of those. Very strong, but still suuuper delicious. I wish there was more outdoor seating, but the inside is really cute and cozy with candle light. The service is always super friendly and fast. read more

Vern's - Roasted garlic - on flour city bread and espresso martinis - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Excellent service. Delicious meals. Cacio e Pepe, Lost Meatball Ragu and the special was Swordfish. OUTSTANDING. Will definitely come back. Bartender made awesome drinks. read more

Our friends said my husband and I had to try this spot when we came to visit them since it's their favorite restaurant and they were right. The four of us shared: - Focaccia (special) - Spicy Lettuces - Baked Polenta - Lost Meatball Ragu - Enzo Pizza I can't even pick a favorite dish because it was all so good. This is the kind of place where you can order anything because you can't go wrong. I would love to try the whole menu. I definitely want to come back again next time we visit our friends! read more

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The food, the service, the drinks, the staff...everything was PHENOMENAL. One of the top restaurants in Rochester. read more

Got there around 7:30pm on a Wednesday night and had to wait about 40 minutes to be seated. This place was PACKED. Overall, the vibes were cozy and warm. I came here mainly for the pizza but was told that it would take about 40 minutes to make because the kitchen oven is small, so we opted for pasta dishes and their garlic bread instead. It was DIVINE. The bread was crispy and chewy, and when paired with the butter and garlic.... *faints*. Boyfriend got the meat ragu pasta dish and I ordered one of their pasta specials (not pictured). It was SO flavorful. We ate in silence with the occasional head nod to acknowledge this glorious experience. In summary, the food here is 10 out of 10. But would def be prepared to wait if you come during dinner hours and expect to wait a bit for the pizzas as well. read more

Vern's - Lost meatball ragu - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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My niece and I met after work at Vern's during a weeknight. We were greeted quickly and met our server, Collette, who was very nice. She gave us the nightly specials and took our drink orders. We both had the Spicy Hawaiian, a non-alcoholic pineapple, ginger and nutmeg drink. My niece ordered the Tomato Pie which consisted of local butter, charred flour city bread, which she said was delicious and had the pizza special, Chicken Ceasar pizza. I had the Spring Pie pizza, a delicious blend of olive oil, mozzarella, taleggio, grilled artichoke, spinach, red onion, aleppo, mint. My niece and I both agree that the pizzas had a nice light, delicious and airy crust. Vern's is a very cute place for casual dining and is located on Park Ave. There are no reservations and if you know the area, you know you have to get there early to find a decent parking spot. read more

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Vern's is a date night classic. One of the only nicer restaurants in Rochester that is open late for people like myself to enjoy a late night dinner date. We came around 9pm and were served quickly! Sat upstairs by a window overlooking their outdoor area. So cute. Dim lighting. Started off with some Campari spritz before moving on to rose which absolutely recommend! Ordered crab cakes. Lost meatball ragu. Pizza and tiramisu. All of was absolutely to die for! So delicious and fresh. The tiramisu is a must. The blend of cherry and pistachio does not disappoint. We loves Vern's! read more

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Food was tasty and perfectly done. The service was excellent and cocktails even better. We sat at the bar as no tables were available which gave us direct access to all the action. Only downside is the outside draft every time the door was open. read more

I can honestly say I haven't had a dining out experience as good as this one in a very long time. This place was crowded but they were still able to get us in without a reservation. We had to wait a bit, but they served us drinks while we waited and the food was absolutely worth the wait. I'm pretty sure we ordered just about every special they had; it was quite the feast. We had salad, focaccia, crab fritters, swordfish meatballs and finished with dessert. Each thing tasted better than the last. And it even made for decent leftovers the next day. Plus, the staff was fantastic. I cannot say enough good stuff about this place. Just go and experience it for yourself! read more

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4.5 rounded up Arrived at 4 on a Saturday, glad we didn't go later because there were people waiting before 5 with a crowded bar. The last time we tried to come here, arriving at 6:15 on a Saturday, the waiting list was over an hour so we squeaked into bar seats up at Leonore's, another excellent choice, down the street. We were seated in a casual backroom that was very comfortable. Our service was prompt and helpful. It was explained that, as is the trend now, the plates are designed for sharing so we should order all of our food at once and it would come out as it was done. The server explained the specials and menu options. We ordered a couple drinks that were good, strong. Focaccia special - good but would have preferred the tomato bread which was the same thing but more topping Spicy lettuces - flavorful, lightly-dressed - nice, heavily sprinkled with sesame seeds, generous, 5* Pizzas - good, thin slightly-floppy crust-style, lightly topped Linguine pasta with crab - very lightly-sauced, could have had more sauce or some veg or something more?, with few visible shreds of crab, good, al-dente Shells with red sauce and ricotta - since there were no vegetarian pasta options, the server helped us to order the shells with house red sauce (very flavorful) and ricotta - great choice 5* We would have ordered and at more if we could! Would definitely go back and try more options. The kitchen and service staff and host were all doing a great job. read more

Vern's - Negroni - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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Food, service, and ambiance were the perfect combination this evening with my cousin and her new friend. A wonderful ladies night. I will definitely be back for a date night soon. read more

Vern's - Margherita Pizza - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

Don't listen to the servers here. Tried the shrimp pasta the server recommended and it was gummy and had disgusting flavor. Same with their honey mascarpone pie. Stick to the standbys that everyone gets all the time: bee sting pizza & rigatoni & lost meatball pasta. read more

Just a spectacular experience. Excellent and helpful service, impeccable food and the coolest looking space. We had to wait 5 minutes to be seated, and there's the most unique little sitting area by the door. The kitchen is small and open, run with machine precision. The spicy salad was maybe the best salad I've ever had, with a mix of raddicio and greens, and the perfect tahini Cesar dressing helped coat it all with black and white sesame seeds. The burrata unusually had savory granola on top and was scrumptious. The special, piri piri half wood grilled chicken, was zesty and flavorful, with crispy smashed new potatoes and a spicy sauce to dip (though not spicy as is tradition, more of a savory Italian interpretation.) Dessert was a simple, soft, sweet olive oil cake, topped with a huge dollop of mascarpone crème, with perfectly balanced sweetness. Every little nook you explore (the bathroom, the waitstaff stand) is unique and kinda magical. The whole staff clearly enjoys being a part of that family. A delightful experience. Gonnna try out all 8 or 9 restaurants that hospitality group owns. Edit: this morning we had coffee and breakfast at Pearson's (same owners) and it was every bit as good, see my review for that as well. read more

The service was top notch, with fantastic attention to detail and comfort. Shout out to the whole staff and special acknowledgment of Casey, Jordan and Dan. The food was delicious, I had the white pizza, and the desserts hit the spot. Would highly recommend the restaurant. read more

Such a cute and small place. I love the decor. They have a rotating menu but their food is always so good. So many unique dishes with different and delicious flavors. read more

Vern's - New American Near Me - Rochester, New York

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It was okay. Not a ton of flavor. Incredibly small and busy! Servers and bartenders were very nice but defiantly a " hipster" type place! Also not many meat options and the dish we got with meat was minimal! Good for a girls dinner IMO.. not a hubs dinner! read more

Returned to Rochester and returning to Vern's was a must! Everything was so delicious. The bee sting pizza tasted even better than last time. Our server was awesome. Vern's does not take reservations, so we waited about 20 minutes to be seated, but it worked out since we were waiting for two of our party of six. Had the bartender "wing" my drink and the spicy marg was no joke! Super spicy and exactly what I was looking for. Looking forward to my next trip to Rochester. read more

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I've been eating at Vern's since they opened and have sampled their pizzas, desserts, craft cocktails, wood fired meats, pastas and specials. I have yet to be disappointed, and the more I go, the higher they rise on my list of favorite spots in Rochester. The only thing that can be tough is that Vern's is widely popular, and that means, unless you are able to get there the minute doors open, you will probably have to wait to be seated. Any day of the week. Weekends are worst. I have waited up to 1 hr 20 min to get a table for 3, which, for a place that doesn't take reservations, seems a little excessive, especially on a week night, but this makes my point. If you're lucky to grab a spot at the bar, you can eat there; you can also order cocktails while you wait, but waiting over an hour is pretty annoying. Despite that, I would say it is definitely worth the hype in terms of the food quality, balance, variety and finesse. Within the last few months, I've been there 4 times - once with a group of 6, once with a party in the back room, once with a group of 5 (where we arrived 15 min before close on a Mon night and ordered pizzas all around), and once with a group of 3. In each situation the food was excellent, service was excellent, and despite the wait we enjoyed our time there. I also appreciated that we were never rushed to finish up, pay and get out. I guess if you waited a long time to get in, the least they can do is let you keep the table as long as you want. The following food review goes with the attached photos and is for the visit where there were 3 of us on a Tues. We arrived at 6:30 pm and were told the wait time would be 45 min. No problem as we expected that, and were able to get cocktails. Three drinks a piece into the wait, we were finally seated at the 1 hour 10 min mark. During the wait we had had plenty of time to decide what we wanted and as soon as we were seated we put in our order: the broken buratta with roasted carrots (a great combination and the starch from the carrots was so good we didn't even think of bread), the spicy lettuces salad (a super umami toasted-sesame-forward tahini caesar dressing over a variety of spicy lettuces like radicchio and arugula with grated parm on top - an unlikely but delicious combo), the broccolini (cooked on the wood grill and served with parm and fried chilies) and the iberico pork strip loin (grilled to perfection and served with caramelized cipollini onions). The food comes out of the kitchen as it's ready, and all 3 of us shared. We were all satisfied, not too full, and at the end decided to get the tiramisu (decadent, rich, creamy and a large portion) and the olive oil cake (covered in a super sweet citrus marmalade and bergamot cream) for dessert. A few additional notes: -- Vern's is on Park Ave, which means street parking...at least in this part of the city street parking is still free, but if you park on a side street pay attention to the alternate-side parking signs. We met a friend who had driven over and parked on the nearest side street, thought they parked on the correct side of the street (but were confused because it was between 6:30 and 7 pm when cars are on both sides...) and got back to their car after dinner to find a ticket for $115. That's a pretty expensive meal. -- The entry area to Vern's is pretty small, so during winter, waiting outside may be cold - however, they will take your name and number and text you as soon as a table is ready, so you can get a drink at another restaurant on the street and/or sit in your car -- They have nightly specials - make sure you hear those before you order! -- Anticipate the wait and have a snack before you head over (unless you are getting there right when doors open)....the wood grill makes it smell DELICIOUS in there, and let me just say, as a person who has waited over an hour for a seat, the aroma of that grill is torture. Go to Vern's! Yes, it's busy and you'll wait, but it is definitely one of the best meals you can have in Rochester. read more

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