Exquisite menu—delicious cocktails and desserts. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Aaron G.
Out of this world good!!! The mocktails, appetizers, and mains were just amazing. The service was on point. Everything was just perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
HoserRacing
First time in, I had found Velvet Belly while looking for a good place to eat for my last night in Rochester. So glad I found it! Giovanni was great, I asked him about several different things before starting. The happy hour selections were wonderful! I started with a Captain's Log and a half dozen oysters. Nice and fresh, that little bit of briny flavor, they were delicious! The Captain's Log with the mix of mezcal had a nice smoky flavor without all of the headache of having to smoke the drink. After that, I had Jesse's Salt Bread, it was great! The only suggestion I can give is to soften the butter before serving it, but the ricotta and pepper jam with that bread was a great combination. Then the Duck Fat Brussels Sprouts. Holy cow! Those were without a doubt some of the best Brussels sprouts I have ever eaten! The crispy leaves with the richness of the duck fat made for an excellent combination. Then to finish everything off, the Yuzu Breeze and, per Giovanni's recommendation, the Olive Oil cake. Dang! That hit the spot! The Yuzu Breeze is smooth, with a little burn, and reminded me of how a very strong ginger ale bites. Those could be dangerous on a hot day. And the olive oil cake - ooooh, that was so worth saying screw the diet for! It may have been my first time in, but it definitely won't be my last!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Robert Peckham
What a great dining experience. The food is obviously seafood focused and they did a great job with that. We had a few appetizers that were delicious. Then I had the nigiri which was exceptionally good. The drinks were awesome.
The highlight was our waitress Sara. She was a sweetheart and really made great suggestions for us.
Final thought they have excellent Tequila options that are not common in Rochester!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Marina T
This place looked a bit suspicious in the dark from the outside but it was just that dark-tinted glass and once you are inside, it is very nice. Good food, good service, good ambiance and not that expensive. Everything we had was good, and my favourite was flowerless chocolate cake with hazelnut ice-cream. Very rich and intense in flavour!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Wendy Ruth
Unique spin on food. Everything is always so fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops Braised Short Rib
Tasha
Absolutely love coming here! From the food to the service, excellent quality. The atmosphere is modern and trendy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Tracy Hutchinson
The Velvet Belly is, without question, one of the best dining experiences you’ll find in Rochester—and honestly, it rivals restaurants in much larger cities. This is fine dining at its best, right in our backyard.
Chef and owner Jeremy is clearly a master of his craft. Every dish is beautifully prepared, with a balance of creativity and precision that’s rare to find. The staff are just as exceptional—genuinely friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they serve. You feel welcome from the moment you walk in.
Favorites? Hard to choose, but the beef carpaccio is a must-try, as is the sushi (yes, in Rochester—trust me), calamari, and the mussels are some of the best we’ve ever had. And don’t skip dessert—every course is crafted with the same attention to detail.. not only beautifully prepared, but delicious.
Whether you're celebrating something special or just want an unforgettable night out, The Velvet Belly delivers a big-city experience with small-town heart. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
A Charlotte
Thank you to the bartender late last night! Extremely professional and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Susan Louis
Staff was knowledgeable about the menu: food and drinks. The grilled brazino was the best I have every had!!!
This place is a Wegmans, Whole Foods, Publix and Walmart all rolled in one. It was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mark Groaning (Mark Groaning Studio)
Great place for sushi and small plates, upscale restaurant and bar. Craft cocktails. Excellent service in atmosphere
Jonathan Richardson
Some of the best food I've tasted in years. Fantastic! Great service. Looking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gee Kim
Great place for happy hour. Food was solid. Enjoyed the oysters and the cocktails were excellent. Ask for Josh at the bar. He provided me with stellar service and was incredibly personable. Highly recommend.
Exquisite menu—delicious cocktails and desserts. Highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Out of this world good!!! The mocktails, appetizers, and mains were just amazing. The service was on point. Everything was just perfect!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
First time in, I had found Velvet Belly while looking for a good place to eat for my last night in Rochester. So glad I found it! Giovanni was great, I asked him about several different things before starting. The happy hour selections were wonderful! I started with a Captain's Log and a half dozen oysters. Nice and fresh, that little bit of briny flavor, they were delicious! The Captain's Log with the mix of mezcal had a nice smoky flavor without all of the headache of having to smoke the drink. After that, I had Jesse's Salt Bread, it was great! The only suggestion I can give is to soften the butter before serving it, but the ricotta and pepper jam with that bread was a great combination. Then the Duck Fat Brussels Sprouts. Holy cow! Those were without a doubt some of the best Brussels sprouts I have ever eaten! The crispy leaves with the richness of the duck fat made for an excellent combination. Then to finish everything off, the Yuzu Breeze and, per Giovanni's recommendation, the Olive Oil cake. Dang! That hit the spot! The Yuzu Breeze is smooth, with a little burn, and reminded me of how a very strong ginger ale bites. Those could be dangerous on a hot day. And the olive oil cake - ooooh, that was so worth saying screw the diet for! It may have been my first time in, but it definitely won't be my last!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
What a great dining experience. The food is obviously seafood focused and they did a great job with that. We had a few appetizers that were delicious. Then I had the nigiri which was exceptionally good. The drinks were awesome.
The highlight was our waitress Sara. She was a sweetheart and really made great suggestions for us.
Final thought they have excellent Tequila options that are not common in Rochester!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This place looked a bit suspicious in the dark from the outside but it was just that dark-tinted glass and once you are inside, it is very nice. Good food, good service, good ambiance and not that expensive. Everything we had was good, and my favourite was flowerless chocolate cake with hazelnut ice-cream. Very rich and intense in flavour!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Unique spin on food. Everything is always so fresh.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scallops Braised Short Rib
Absolutely love coming here! From the food to the service, excellent quality. The atmosphere is modern and trendy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The Velvet Belly is, without question, one of the best dining experiences you’ll find in Rochester—and honestly, it rivals restaurants in much larger cities. This is fine dining at its best, right in our backyard.
Chef and owner Jeremy is clearly a master of his craft. Every dish is beautifully prepared, with a balance of creativity and precision that’s rare to find. The staff are just as exceptional—genuinely friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about the food they serve. You feel welcome from the moment you walk in.
Favorites? Hard to choose, but the beef carpaccio is a must-try, as is the sushi (yes, in Rochester—trust me), calamari, and the mussels are some of the best we’ve ever had. And don’t skip dessert—every course is crafted with the same attention to detail.. not only beautifully prepared, but delicious.
Whether you're celebrating something special or just want an unforgettable night out, The Velvet Belly delivers a big-city experience with small-town heart. Highly, highly recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Thank you to the bartender late last night! Extremely professional and attentive.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Staff was knowledgeable about the menu: food and drinks. The grilled brazino was the best I have every had!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is a Wegmans, Whole Foods, Publix and Walmart all rolled in one. It was amazing!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for sushi and small plates, upscale restaurant and bar. Craft cocktails. Excellent service in atmosphere
Some of the best food I've tasted in years. Fantastic! Great service. Looking forward to going back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place for happy hour. Food was solid. Enjoyed the oysters and the cocktails were excellent. Ask for Josh at the bar. He provided me with stellar service and was incredibly personable. Highly recommend.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Delicious food and wonderful staff!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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