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    Ugly Duck Coffee

    4.6 (172 reviews)
    ModerateCoffee & Tea
    Open • 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

    About Ugly Duck Coffee

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    Ugly Duck Coffee Photos

    Business Info

    UGLY DUCK COFFEE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Outdoor seating

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    Recommended Reviews - Ugly Duck Coffee

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    Seating in the back half of the cafe, there are about 3 or 4 more tables towards the front.
    Chelsea G.

    Finally tried Ugly Duck this week and I was very happy with our experience! The staff were very friendly and helpful. I always like to look for espresso specials and we were not disappointed by the selection. My fiance got The Snug with maple syrup and molasses bitters. I was too afraid to try any drinks with bitters (I hate how it tastes in cocktails) but I took a sip of The Snug and it tasted great, I would definitely try that next time. I had the B.B.L. latte which had banana syrup, it was more on the sweet side but not overly sweet (I would avoid it if you don't enjoy a sweet palate, try a latte with bitters instead!) It was something unique to try and I was happy with my choice. There was also plenty of seating which is always a huge plus in the winter in Rochester. We had no trouble getting a table. I should also note that there was a very limited food selection here -- about 3 baked goods offered. So if you're looking for food and coffee, I would recommend looking elsewhere. Overall I would happily try out Ugly Duck again! I'm curious if they have outdoor seating in the warmer months.

    Sydney T.

    A short line but was greeted with a smile and asked how my day was, which was nice. He happily filled up my water and I got the spring special (Orange Channel) hot with almond milk. The foam was sensational and sooooo smooth. Well balanced and super yummy. Highly recommend. The inside is small, cozy, quaint.

    Nisha S.

    Great little spot! Stopped in for a brown sugar iced latte and it was delicious. The staff was super friendly, too. Definitely would come back again!

    BBL (banana bread latte), 8oz
    Anh N.

    Cozy coffee shop with third space vibes, everyone is very friendly and welcoming! The downside is that there isn't a lot of seating space--I actually came here a while back on a weekend and ended up leaving because all the tables were occupied. To counteract the limited seating, there isn't any wifi. While I can respect this decision, it is unfortunate that I was looking for a place to do work while sipping on coffee. I got the seasonal BBL (I'm assuming Banana bread latte). The latte itself is quite strongly brewed, and the drink was very banana-forward. There is a slight hint of acidity, but i didn't mind it too much. If I'm every in the area, I think it would be more prudent to grab something to go, but I do think it's worth visiting for the coffee and the vibes!

    Merch
    Kate B.

    Delightful little coffee shop. We had an iced chai latte and a half sweet Snug along with a blueberry. Everything was perfect and baristas were very welcoming. No WiFi and not huge inside but good spot to stop by. Plus they have cute merch.

    Lina L.

    I was curious about The Snug and gave it a try and wow!! *insert surprised Pikachu face* Balanced, nuanced, and surprisingly comforting. Soft notes, smooth finish, and just the right warmth. Easily one of the best specialty drinks I've had in a long time. The shop itself is beautifully minimal with a thoughtful vibe - from the latte art to the specialized menu (they had a Back to The Future menu). Truly worth the trip to Rochester on its own. Whether you're a casual coffee drinker or a full-blown bean snob, this place is special.

    Marissa B.

    Such a cute and cozy coffee shop. Really enjoyed the vibe here. The baristas were pleasant and offered service with a smile. I ordered an iced matcha. It was perfectly made. Menu offers a decent variety of drink choices. The only downside I can share is seating may be hard to come by. We stopped in on a busy Sunday afternoon and the options were limited. Luckily we were able to find a seat but you are cramped next to others on bench style seating

    This is a vanilla oat latte posed in front of my canvas bag full of farm fresh vegetables.

    These folks are always at the Brighton farmers market. They provide excellent customer service despite the large lines. Their barista's are polite and work fast the barista that helped me today at the farmers market had a beautiful penmanship

    Drinks
    Jen R.

    So I FINALLY came for a visit with a friend. I remember when this area was kind of barren. All that was around was Harts (now gone), 2Vine now REDD and some nice Appartments. From what I was told this space was an art shop:gallery. The person who started this spot was originally doing Pop-Ups at Scratch Bakery when it was on Park as well as other places. This free standing space is cool and it looks like they have an outdoor space to sit outside during the warmer months. The inside is not huge but well lit and bright. Lots of plants around and plenty of merchandise for UGLY... no joke. The list of coffee/tea etc is pretty compact but that's fine. They also offer some bakery goods I guess they use different ones each cycle.. but don't quote me on that. I was not feeling the selection they had and just got a drink. This spot was busy and I can see why most people will get their coffee to go. We were lucky to get a seat and a small table. They brought our drinks to us. I had the EARL TEA SHIRT EARL GREY CARDAMOM MAPLE ICE MILK I liked it came in a large cup and saucer a nice touch and I loved the color of them. My friend got I believe a macchiato or something I can't remember but it came in a smaller version of my cup set. The drinks were good, prices are pretty much what you would expect at a coffee shop. My question and I should have answered do they have WiFi? I get the feeling people come here to visit not work. Staff is hella hustling the drinks. Would I come back, sure if they do outdoor seating that would be lovely and a lot less crowded inside. Nice staff and good drinks. If you are hoping the seating is comfortable it's not.. sorry not sorry. I had a nice visit with my friend and that was priceless. The parking situation to be frank I think is only street as I'm not sure if you can use the lot by REDD.

    Matcha latte with whole milk and vanilla syrup
    Mei N.

    So busy on the weekend, would def go earlier before 9am if you want some peace. Nice outdoor seating. Matcha latte w/ vanilla syrup was yummy but tasted mostly like my choice of milk. Would love to try their hot drinks once it's colder out!

    Danielle L.

    Cute little coffee shop with unique flavors and unique flavor names. Very busy when we went in.

    Iced caramel latte
    Morgan B.

    This is my favorite coffee shop to visit when I'm in Rochester! The cutest, quaint shop with coffee that is clearly made with love and attention. The baristas are very friendly and welcoming. Service is always fast and great. Their croissants are good too. I recommend ugly duck to anyone who loves a good pastry and coffee to go with it!

    exterior
    Jessica D.

    Nice, clean cafe with friendly service and a small menu with excellently crafted drinks. There is not a lot of seating and no wifi so it's less great as a study spot.

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    1 year ago

    Very busy place! Good coffee and nice inside the building. Looking forward to my next visit!

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    Ask the Community - Ugly Duck Coffee

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    After checking out a few places around the Public Market, we decided to stop at Public Provisions…read morefor a late lunch. The restaurant felt quite relaxed with a lovely and inviting interior. I assume it was recently renovated. The air conditioning was one of the big reasons we stayed. It was a truly hot day. We found a small table in a cozy spot. My companion ordered for us at the counter. From the beginning, I wasn't sure what to choose from the menu. When I saw the Caesar salad, I knew it would be perfect for me. The Fisher Hill Chicken added an extra protein, making the dish even more filling. Of course, I had to check out later, what the Fisher Hill farm was all about. I learned: "All our poultry feed is 100% GMO free and locally milled to our specifications. Raised cage free. We receive them as day old chicks and they spend the rest of their time here on the farm. The breed is Cornish Cross, known for their plump size, large breast and excellent flavor." ... and you know what? The chicken was actually very tasty :). The salad wasn't served in the traditional way, but I didn't mind. The freshness of all ingredients, the right amount of delicious dressing and satisfying croutons, I believe, from Flour City Bread Company, everything was great! My companion's Cubano Sandwich with French Fries was also very good. Undoubtedly, a key factor in Public Provisions' success is the freshest local produce. Also, they share the space and collaborate with Flour City Bread Company. Everyone at this restaurant was helpful and super friendly. To sum up, you order and pay at the counter. A pager will let you know when the food is ready. All the menu items I saw looked appealing. I just wanted to try every single one of them. Choosing something just from the bakery is also an option. A cup of coffee and a treat from Flour City Bread Company/FCBC must be an ideal combination. However, by the time we were there, almost everything had already sold out. It's a morning thing.

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    View inside restaurant from front bar

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    Ugly Duck Coffee - coffee - Updated October 2026

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