I love Locals Only - my only complaint is that they are not open later. I love that I can make reservations. My kids love the stuffed pancakes. The tater tots are out of this world and their lattes are great too! Always a good time and the staff is fun too! read more

We went to Locals Only for brunch/lunch after a wedding, meeting friends one last time before everyone headed back to our own cities. Unfortunately, it turned into one of the worst restaurant experiences. We spent 2.5 hours total at the restaurant. After waiting an excessive amount of time, we watched two tables that arrived at least an hour after us receive their food first. When we politely asked if our ticket might have been missed, we were told those tables ordered before us, which simply wasn't true. We were then told the delay was because burgers take a long time but a nearly two-hour wait for a burger is pretty wild. It took about 25 minutes just for someone to take our drink order, and we were never asked if we wanted additional drinks. We had to flag staff down for everything. No ketchup, no hot sauce, nothing offered. The $30 mimosa flight served in tiny glasses also felt like a complete scam. When the food finally came, two people in our party were served 15-20 minutes before the other two, and the food was cold. One dish had completely raw eggs. When I let the server know I couldn't eat it, she came back and removed the meal from the bill, which was appreciated. However, the interaction itself felt tense and dismissive, which made an already frustrating experience worse. They did give us a round of breakfast shots to try to help pass the time which was appreciated. The food itself was disappointing overall. The breakfast burrito was basically all eggs with raw, bitter avocado, and my husband's burger was missing requested toppings. We also noticed food sitting in the service window while we continued waiting. The only person who was happy with their meal got the biggie fries an it was hot when it arrived. To make matters worse, the bathroom was unheated on an 18° day (feels like 2°) and not clean. We're a pretty chill, patient group and understand that kitchens get backed up but man, this experience completely missed the mark. Ironically, the cooks thanked us for our patience and servers said goodbye pleasantly on the way out. We honestly may have let a lot of this go if the service hadn't felt so dismissive when we calmly raised concerns. read more

Good food and friendly. Kinda Smokey smell upstairs, but would definitely recommend.

Great local spot. Interesting menu with a "NOTA" vibe. Conveniently located and walkable to most things cool about that neighborhood. Seems to cater to the young bohemian crowd but I'm older than that and was very comfortable there. read more

Nothing but ambience is good here. Burnt coffee, flavorless tomato bisque and grilled cheese. Totally disappointed. Service is poor too. Water was never refilled! My friend disliked her food too. Will not return. read more

Locals Only - Perfect pair - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Came in for Sunday brunch with a group of friends and was really impressed with the trendy vibe of the space. The menu offers plenty of unique food and drink options, but I stuck with classics including the egg sandwich and OG OJ mimosa. Others in my group ordered the tot flight with four different dipping sauces, Biggie Fries, Gucci egg sandwich, breakfast burrito, Sweet Home Avocado, and tots and sausage sandwich. I also appreciated the ability to scan a QR code to see photos of the menu items, it's super helpful when deciding what to order. My only complaint is that the bathroom cleanliness could use some improvement. read more

Overall impression-Meals weren't great and coffee was bitter. Menu options limited; some dishes were just okay. Service was friendly and attentive. read more

My room wasn't ready for check-in. So, I walked down the street to this cute brunch place. The people were nice. The food was savory and the atmosphere was just what I needed. Small and quaint. I would have tried the mimosas flight . But, I'm no alcohol in August. read more

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Tough place. I'm sure food could be decent but Locals Only is real deal. We are from out of town and they did NOT want us there. So we left and didn't even get a chance to enjoy. Hope others out of town get served! read more

We had a nice Experience overall at Locals Only. The server was very friendly and positive. She was super busy due to the fact that she was the only server upstairs, yet she still remained helpful and attentive. I enjoyed the vibe and ambiance of the restaurant.. it was very open and the tables weren't too close together.. it was comfortable. We enjoyed the cocktails .. we had the BB King and Mimosas.. However, we all wished that we would've ordered different entrees.. We all had the Morning Glory ( braised brisket with au jus ) .. the presentation was beautiful and it was a huge portion .. our mouths were watering... but the flavor of the brisket was very bitter.. I wish it tasted as good as it looked. It was disappointing. read more

Locals Only - Morning Glory - Braised Brisket with Scrambled Eggs and Home Fries - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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This is the experience we had with Locals Only on 331 Alexander. Was looking for a good brunch while traveling and found this place on Yelp/Google, amazing find. The restaurant is located right on the intersection of East Ave & Alexander St with parking next to the restaurant building (free if you eat here!). Building looks very retro and not too difficult to find during the day. Ambience is very lively and upbeat, as well as the friendly waitresses. We ordered the Sweet Home Avocado, BLT, Brisketacular, Douglas, Stuffed cakes & Berries, plus Capuccino, Macha Latte, Honey Lavender latte. Every single dish was extremely well prepared, with the fries cooked perfectly (enough crush on the outside w/ great flavoring). All the coffee drinks were well done w/ nice patterns on top. Waitresses were friendly and accommodating. Because of the great food and amazing services by the staff, will definitely return to try more dishes when in the area. Keep up the good work Locals Only! read more

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Very nice brunch place on Alexander with plenty of brunch options, drinks, and a nice airy feel. Keep in mind there's a lot next door and they validate so ask the restaurant for validation before paying! The portions here are huge, both me and my friend had leftovers to take home. I had the breakfast burrito which was good, but felt like it was missing something. Still a great choice, but I would love to try other things on the menu. read more

Locals Only - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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We made a reservation online, which was pretty simple, but you have to put in your credit card and may be charged if you are a "No show". Very nicely updated interior, light and bright but still the feeling of an older building. We were seated promptly upstairs and used the QR code to read the menu. My matcha Chai Latte was excellent and it's a treat to sit and relax and drink out of a real cup! We made our choices and it did take a while to get our food, we could see it was a busy place and a small open kitchen. We had no problem talking and relaxing with our coffees. One of our guests wanted the mimosa flight ($30) but they were unable to serve it because they were out of something (?). I'm not sure what the situation was, but they missed having a nice "add-on" to our bill. All the food was enjoyed, it came out hot and fresh. Just a note, why I didn't give them 5 stars. I go out for breakfast and brunch often, these prices are on the high side. Also, the "Chef's Choice" , while nicely prepared was not worth the amount of money charged. You can get a nice breakfast/brunch item for way less straight off the menu. I would definitely come here again, just choosing other items. Our server did a great job. read more

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So I had some business in the area during the week day. I thought let's get something for "brunch" and I said I'm going in. I've been here only once before for a group get together/fundraiser. I had a few cocktails and they were tasty. So when I walked in the other day I was warmly greeted and asked if I was for here or to go. I decided to have it for here. I ordered a cup of coffee nothing special but the actual coffee was smooth. Than I ordered a breakfast sandwich before you balk at the prices you get a massage e breakfast sandwich. Mine was scrambled eggs on a croissant with cheese and sausage. This was rather tasty and how large it was, was unexpected. My only slight gripe is I wished it had more cheese or at least I could taste it?! The eggs were fluffy and large the sausage patty was flavorful without being salty or spicy. Service is friendly and prompt. The inside is light and bright with plenty of seating. I need to visit here more.. Give them a whirl. 4.5 outta 5 I walked over but I'm thinking street parking or there is a paid parking lot on the same block. read more

Locals Only - A Mothers Love Cocktail - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

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While walking around I stumbled across this cute spot. They were busy so I was prepared to order to go but theh were able to squeeze us in right away. The staff was super nice and came to check on our table multiple times during the meal. The food I got was also really good which only makes me want to go back and try the rest of the menu. I definately recommend trying this place if you are in the area! read more

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I feel like the pictures kinda speak for themselves. Always had great breakfast/brunch here. Great cocktails, excellent food. Good vibe. read more

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Vibe atmosphere with a unique menu for the Rochester area. Food is unique but tasty.. the brunch cocktails are all top shelf.

Another brunch spot! locals only is well situated on Alexander Street, although the parking leaves something to be desired (true for most business in this area unfortunately!) The menu is pretty extensive for a brunch/ lunch place, but it does cater to all dietary restrictions. we always opt for the chefs choice - for $22 the chef will prepare a lovely dish for you - you can choose something sweet or savory and list your dietary preferences to the server! I have had savory dishes such as an open faced bagel with ham/bacon doused in a creamy sauce with a side of potatoes, as well as a delicious sandwich with a side salad. All of these are pictured below. I would give it five stars however the service is often slow, especially if you are upstairs as I feel the servers do not come upstairs as often. They do have a bar which is also fun to sit at! I also like the variety of drink options they had for both boozy brunch or more caffeinated beverages. I would say overall the food is pretty solid but the service is hit or miss. read more

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My first time here was for a friend's baby shower. What a beautiful place!! The staff were so nice, patient and kind. I absolutely had a great time. They have a very well lit place and their plants are well taken care of. The food was amazing. They do have certain vegetarian and vegan foods however I would love to see and try more of those. I got their 'Sweet Home Avocado' which was delish!! Definitely a place to revisit and leave with a full belly and heart. read more

Locals Only - Lavender Honey Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Locals Only is one of our fave spots for brunch. We love the inventive menu options, pleasant and efficient service, and sitting near the kitchen where we can engage the chef in some friendly conversation around what's good to eat. We have been here half a dozen times in the last year, and almost always meet friends and dine in a big group. My go-to fave is the OMV (Oh My Veggies!) or whatever mostly-veggie main is offered. Portions are large and I always take half home, so besides the fact that food is tasty it's also a good value. I also love how they follow the seasons and change up the menu. I trust their chef to come up with great new combos and I have never had a bad meal, although once they were out of what I wanted, but that just goes to show they are popular and some stuff sells out. Definitely glad to have these folks in the hood and always look forward to going back. Definitely recommended! read more

We came back today for a pick-me-up in the winter weather, and it was as lovely as the first time! They were still running their Valentine's Day specials, so I had the pink chocolate martini which was gorgeous (and tasted like a cherry cordial!) and my friend had the raspberry mocha latte, which was beautifully done with freeze-dried raspberry powder. The food was well-prepared and very tasty--I wasn't sure what a "sweet fry" was, but they came out as crinkle-cut sweet potato fries with maple syrup and powdered sugar, which was a nice surprise! The food here is a little pricey for what you get, but the staff are wonderful and caught that we were out of water before we'd asked. Definitely make a reservation if you're able, and call ahead if you're running late on it. We ran into some transit troubles but were seated right away after calling to let them know! We'll definitely be back in the spring. read more

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Came here for lunch sat at the bar and met a new friend. We had the chefs selection for lunch and it did not disappoint. Our bartender, Molly was amazing and helped us selecting what we wanted to drink. This place and the staff are beyond exceptional. Thank You for such a great experience!! read more

Locals Only - BB King - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

Restaurant appeared clean, however, the service was very, very slow at dinner time. Cashier with pants down to his thighs. :( read more

Wow! We're truly shocked. So the name represents exactly what this place is all about. LOCALS ONLY. We were looking forward to enjoying a nice breakfast with our daughter and were visiting from out of town and playing in a lacrosse tournament nearby. The staff was rude when we requested a table and told us it was reservations only, but also first come first serve downstairs. So, we were told we could wait outside. Then we tried to order a coffee while we waited and no one wanted to take our order. After waiting for around 30 minutes a table opened up downstairs, but was given to apparently locals who were also waiting without reservations, but arrived 20 minutes after us! When we asked why they were seated before us, they said the open table with 3 seats was best for two instead of three people. The rude staff would not even make eye contact with us. Ridiculous. So bottom line, don't waste your time if you're not a local or someone they see as a local! read more

It was very dirty, and understaffed! The bartender was rude and did not wipe down counter. I took one bite and pushed the plate away! The potatoes were disgusting, the bacon was undercooked, and the eggs were covered in dirty grill grease! The locals can have this place to themselves! I will never go back or recommend it to anyone! Whoever owns this place should be embarrassed and ashamed! read more

So expensive. The two young girls behind the bar have no clue how to make drinks ....................................

Popping into here for a working lunch was the best thing I did that day! Greeted by friendly staff in a modern and bright atmosphere, and seated promptly to peruse their highly curated menu. Water in a carafe / bottle is always a nice touch of class in my opinion. For the life of me, I can't figure out how I've not actually eaten here since it was Pita Pit. I've had drinks here multiple times - but the joy of their food was just...wow! Their menu has multiple offering for breakfast, and lunch / dinner items. Breakfast burrito and tots were looking at me funny, but I wanted something different than my normal vices. I opted for the Star Power. Lemme tell ya, this was otherworldly! The balsamic glaze on the spinach and the glorious chickpeas in that house made sauce with honey sriracha was a flavor pop of amazing! The density of the impossible burger was a proper offset. I opted for a sidecar of the tots - and hot dayummmm they were amazing! Stuffed tots?! I'm ruined for life now read more

Locals Only - Star Power & Tots - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I walked in today at 1pm for breakfast as their website says that walk-ins are welcome and takeout is available. Upon entering, one of their employees was rude to me about how busy they were and how many checks she had to close, told me there was no more seating available and directed me to another employee for takeout. The next two employees I encountered told me they were not going to do takeout anymore either. I could have accepted how busy they were if they weren't so rude about turning away a potential customer. I will never return. Lesson learned: anyone going here should make sure to make a reservation as their website lies, you will be made to feel very unwelcome, and their employees will be rude when turning you away. read more

Food was good, pretty standard options. The French Baiser was well-liked. Eggs are cooked well but can lean salty for some. Breakfast burrito was ok. The powdered pepper on the outside didn't work well, it made it too aromatic and a distracting dusty texture while eating. Typical guac or avocado would offer a better texture than the puréed avocado inside. But all well-cooked and good service. The restaurant was noticeably dirty, and especially the bathrooms. It seemed the restaurant hadn't been deep cleaned perhaps ever or in at least a year, and needed better daily upkeep. Not average restaurant mess, working-fast dirty, but really needing a detailed regular cleaning. read more

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Obviously a busy time - 1PM on a weekend. Delivery took 25 minutes more to deliver. The burrito was huge but was almost entirely eggs with no potatoes, barely any avocado, and a single slice of semi-undercooked bacon. Felt like I was scammed having paid 22$ for that. BLT was sad - again lacking bacon, limp, wet lettuce with bread that wasn't toasted and yet was somehow also burned on the edges? Fries were over peppered and yet were bland. Overall, I hope it was just busy and this orders quality was just overlooked. Nonetheless, having spent 75$ total with delivery for two beyond mediocre items and one iced coffee felt insulting. Wont be coming back. The photos I uploaded for my refund didn't save and it's already in the trash. read more

Disclaimer: This review is based on a visit years ago at time of writing. I liked the food and the menu, I'd say better-than-average design and flavor. The downside is, the vibe was off. It wasn't warm. It was loud. It fet slightly unfriendly. It was echoey partly due to the ceramic tiles that covered everything. Not a bad vibe excacty - just kind of average. I'd try it again. read more

Visiting from out of town and arrived for breakfast around 9:45. Seating available but reserved for a reservation at 10:15. We placed a to-go order and then had to stand in the front area for over a half hour for our meal. Very disappointing experience with a family with a toddler. Don't recommend for families, especially if you don't have a reservation. Truly for locals only - with a reservation. Edit to add: Food is good but not worth the overall experience we had unfortunately. read more

Food and drinks were so yum... Nice bright spot in the heart of downtown Rochester, NY! Java with a smile and the tots were loaded with cheese and BACON, need I say less. Bring a friend... read more

The food was OK. I wouldn't say I would return. The service was slow. Too much chatter amongst the staff. Not a professional atmosphere. I saw fod on the pick up counter sit there long enough that it was most likely cold by the time it reached the customer. ​​​​​ read more

Super cute space with amazing drinks, great food, and huge portions. Make sure to make a reservation though because they are literally always busy!! read more

Locals Only - Biggie Fries and the Bristketacular - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

I love Locals Only. I almost always grab the Chef's recommendation based on my preferences and I have always been very impressed with what they're able to come up with. Their Chai Latte with Oatmilk is AMAZING. read more

Locals Only - Chai Latte - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Rochester, New York

My first visit here was unpleasant, but this business has reviewed their menu since then and removed the Purple Rain from their selection. Additionally, they offered to let me come try a different item, and it was SCRUMPTIOUS. It was still on the pricy end, but it's just as indulgent as the price suggests. I see no reason to leave a complaint up about something so gracefully handled, super job :D read more

Great service and great food! Took my daughter here for her birthday! I ordered the Chef's selection, which normally I would not order, because I don't know what they're gonna select! But it was delicious! I will come here again ! My daughter also loved what she ordered. read more

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This place has a really cool, artsy vibe which was fun for a quick brunch. We sat upstairs in the loft type area which was a really cool view. We kept it simple and both ordered breakfast burritos at our server's recommendation. We thoroughly enjoyed them; make sure you ask for sour cream to top it with! I don't know if it's house made or what but the sour cream was really good & unlike any I've tasted before! Our server was initially very helpful, but after we got our food she pretty much never came back until we were done eating. Which was strange being that we were the only people dining at the time. Additionally, it was pretty expensive for a breakfast burrito. We both ended up spending almost $30 when tip was added. But overall it was still a really good experience. read more

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I visited on a Sunday morning hoping that we would be seated for brunch, but unfortunately they were all booked up and the wait time would be too long, so we did takeout instead. My boyfriend and I wanted to take a chance on their Chef's Choice platter because our friend told us what they got as their Chef's Choice and we were intrigued. Unfortunately our Chef's Choice was kinda disappointing..it was a sausage patty with fried egg on top of a bagel with balsamic glaze drizzled on top and a bunch of microgreens on the side. The taste was decent, but I wish the bagel was toasted and personally didn't feel like it was worth the price of $26. The Cali Bites were pretty good and full of flavor. There was a lot in one order too. My favorite was the Tots and Sausage Sandwich. The brioche bun was soft, the sausage was yummy and my favorite part, the tot patty, had cheese and bacon mixed into the potatoes. The side potatoes were great too but some were undercooked. Had to try their Waffle Cone Latte and it was sweet but still had strong espresso. Make sure you don't pay for the parking lot next to the restaurant! It's free when you go to Locals Only. There's multiple signs saying that, so don't worry about forgetting. Locals Only is a decent spot, but it's also so expensive for what it is. read more

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