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Founders Café
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Rochester

Founders Café

★★★★★ 4.7 · 100 reseñas

At Founders Café, we're a haven for those seeking comfort and warmth. Located in heart of Rochester, our modestly appointed cafe serves up light American bites, expertly crafted coffee & espresso drinks, and delicious sandwiches to pair with it all. On warm days, enjoy your meal...

Founders Café

Deli, tea, sandwich, grill, coffee shop, breakfast · Rochester

4.7 · 477 recensioni Google
founderscaferochester.com

Informazioni su Founders Café

At Founders Café, we're a haven for those seeking comfort and warmth. Located in heart of Rochester, our modestly appointed cafe serves up light American bites, expertly crafted coffee & espresso drinks, and delicious sandwiches to pair with it all. On warm days, enjoy your meal on our inviting pati...

At Founders Café, we're a haven for those seeking comfort and warmth. Located in heart of Rochester, our modestly appointed cafe serves up light American bites, expertly crafted coffee & espresso drinks, and delicious sandwiches to pair with it all. On warm days, enjoy your meal on our inviting patio where you can soak up the sunshine. Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional service, as evidenced by the many customers who rave about our friendly staff and cozy atmosphere.

Cosa dicono i clienti di Founders Café

Founders Café is a highly-rated Rochester cafe known for its delicious, freshly made sandwiches and wraps, friendly staff, and historic location. The chicken salad sandwich, lobster roll, and breakfast sandwiches are frequently praised. Some find it a little pricey, but worth it.

Piatti popolari

chicken salad sandwiches lobster roll Denver and Florentine turkey melt tomato basil soup Cajun chicken and blue cheese panini turkey and provolone wrap chicken salad club

Ideale per

Da soli Veloce Informale Locali Turisti

Tip: Try the weekly specials or the iced lattes with unique flavors. Be aware that it can be a little hard to find.

Services

📶 WiFi 🌳 Terrasse 🚗 Delivery Accessible 🌅 Petit-déjeuner 🍽️ Déjeuner 🌙 Dîner 🥗 Vegetarian 🌱 Vegan Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy 👨‍👩‍👧 Family 👥 Groups

Cosa vedere nelle vicinanze

Terminal Building
Patrimonio
A 88m

Terminal Building

edificio

Vedi dettagli
Times Square Building (Rochester)
A 142m

Times Square Building (Rochester)

edificio

Vedi dettagli
Gannett Building
Patrimonio
A 171m

Gannett Building

edificio

Vedi dettagli
Elwood Building
A 198m

Elwood Building

edificio

Vedi dettagli
Talman Building
A 241m

Talman Building

construcción

Vedi dettagli
First Presbyterian Church
Patrimonio
A 246m

First Presbyterian Church

iglesia

Vedi dettagli

Dati da Wikidata

Esplora i dintorni di Founders Café

Founders Café si trova a Rochester, circondato da luoghi di interesse culturale e storico. Ecco alcuni dei punti più notevoli nelle vicinanze.

Patrimonio Storico

  • Terminal Building (A 88m) — historic building in Rochester, New York, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • Gannett Building (A 171m) — building in Rochester, New York, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • First Presbyterian Church (A 246m) — church in Rochester, New York Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • Brick Presbyterian Church Complex (A 375m) — church building in New York, United States of America Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • Chamber of Commerce (A 479m) — building in New York, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos
  • St. Mary's Church (A 656m) — historic church in Rochester, New York, United States Lugar inscrito en el Registro Nacional de Lugares Históricos

Altri Luoghi di Interesse

  • Times Square Building (Rochester) (A 142m) — building in Rochester, New York, United States
  • Elwood Building (A 198m) — building in Rochester, New York, United States
  • Talman Building (A 241m) — Historic building in Rochester, NY
  • Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument (A 740m) — monument in Rochester, New York

Dati da Wikidata

Domande frequenti su Founders Café

Founders Café si trova in 13 S Fitzhugh St, Rochester, NY 14614, Rochester.
Vicino a Founders Café si trovano luoghi di interesse come Terminal Building, Times Square Building (Rochester), Gannett Building, Elwood Building.
Founders Café offre cucina deli;tea;sandwich;grill;coffee_shop;breakfast.
Founders Café ha orari di apertura regolari. Consulta il profilo per gli orari aggiornati.
Founders Café offre i seguenti servizi: mangiare sul posto, da asporto, consegna.
I piatti più consigliati di Founders Café secondo le recensioni dei clienti sono: chicken salad sandwiches, lobster roll, Denver and Florentine, turkey melt, tomato basil soup.
Founders Café è ideale per mangiare da soli, mangiare veloce, informale, locali, turisti.
Founders Café is a highly-rated Rochester cafe known for its delicious, freshly made sandwiches and wraps, friendly staff, and historic location. The chicken salad sandwich, lobster roll, and breakfast sandwiches are frequently praised. Some find it a little pricey, but worth it.
Try the weekly specials or the iced lattes with unique flavors. Be aware that it can be a little hard to find.
477
Recensioni

Recensioni di Founders Café Rochester

4.7
477
5★
82%
4★
10%
3★
4%
2★
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1★
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Recensioni (100)
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Michael R.

I've loved Founders Cafe from day one of going there. Never had a bad meal there, always delicious and well-prepared sandwiches, paninis, salads, soups, coffee, cookies... I could go on. And I will. It's a great spot downtown, my favorite down there, and Mike & Maria are always welcoming and lovely hosts. They also have a whole bunch of other snacks & drinks and the specials rotate daily. The annual free Seder Mike & Maria host is also very special. Great place, without a doubt. Best lunch around. And they serve breakfast, too! Love it.

a
amber cox

This cafe is a gem and I cannot wait to come back. The Benny is easily one of the best breakfast sandwiches I have ever had. There is about 30 other things on their menu I’d love to try as well. Great staff and hospitality as well! So glad I found this place.

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Amanda Rossi

Stopped by Founder's for lunch today and it was delicious! I ordered the tuna melt & soup of the day (tomato basil) and I would order both again. Staff was so friendly and welcoming :)

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Amy Pond

Staff was very welcoming and friendly. I received very good customer service. I enjoyed reading the historical information on the card for the table marker. I thought the menu had a wonderful variety. The food was very tasty. A great place to eat that is close to The Central Library.

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Susan Staples

Wow! Just discovered Founders, and very sad that I didn't find it sooner! Amazing menu, great staff and a wonderful atmosphere in an historic building. Remember that this place is extremely busy, and your wonderful food is made to order. Be patient. Definitely worth the wait, or pre-order on their app. Highly, highly recommend!

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Rett F

I order here at least once a week. The food is so, so good. Never had anything that wasn't delicious. I'm not a fan of their espresso, its more of an acidic bean, but that's a personal preference. The Chai is delicious and they have oat milk! The Herbivore wrap is the best!

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Jacob Sousa

Honestly just was looking for places to eat next to my new job, and saw this was one of the only places open nearby. I wasn’t expecting much and I’m not a big fan of café food, but oh my goodness I’m glad this was my pick. The sandwich was hot, delicious, and didn’t taste like any sandwich I’ve had before. Will definitely stop by again!

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amy ruthven

Amazing amazing amazing! I had to set a breakfast for a work function and needed everything separately wrapped. They did an amazing job and even delivered. They showed up on time, brought it all in and set it up on platters all separately wrapped. It was so good everyone raved about it. The breakfast sandwiches were amazing , the muffins so fresh and the quiche was to die for. I am so happy i found this place. I am definitely going back.

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Colleen Canning

Had a great breakfast sandwich at the Founders Cafe. Got the “Denver” and service was quick. Atmosphere was comfortable and relaxing.

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Ava Traill

I was fulfilling jury duty for the first time and for lunch I decided to take a walk over to Founders. I am so glad I did !!! Ordered a ✨purple✨ eye with caramel and it was sooo good. Also pastrami was delicious for lunch!! Usually go to Fuego but I think I’ll come here now for a bit. The people were just so super nice I enjoyed my little solo lunch.

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emma burke

Very nice staff, super attentive. I’m very picky with my Iced caramel macchiatos but this one was very good with no complaints. Good for the price too! The JEF panini was also very tasty and would definitely get again.

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Alyse Spinner

Founders Cafe has been a favorite lunch time getaway for years now .They serve the freshest tastiest food .My favorites are the Thanksgiving sandwich and the Pastrami sandwich ! There salads are amazing too . I will be sure to return very soon !!!

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Amanda Goldfischer

It is rare I post reviews but they truly deserve this review. I had my bridal shower here today, and they went above any expectations that I had! Every person went out of their way to compliment the food, and hospitality. The owners were amazing while picking out the menu, and the day of! Every single one of my bridesmaids complimented how helpful the owners were throughout the event, even down to providing take out containers and boxes at the end of the event. You can tell they take pride in their business! I HIGHLY recommend Founders Cafe for jus a quick pop in, or your next event!

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Nazia Hasan

I ordered lunch from here today for a work event. The whole process was seamless. Mike and his team were a pleasure to work with. They were very professional and accommodating over the phone over multiple phone calls. We ordered 10 different kinds of sandwiches, dessert (cookies and brownies) and chips. The food was absolutely delicious with generous proportions and well received by all. They even labeled all the sandwiches per my request. Lastly, they also have free delivery. All in all, it was exceptional service and food. Would highly recommend!

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Kajol Sontate

Absolutely delicious! I got a Chicken caprese panini along with a chai latte. I love the taste of both😍😍😍 highly recommended!!

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Christopher Confessore

Perfect lunch spot! Friendly staff, speedy service, and delicious food. The Founders Favorite Salad featured fresh greens with lots of walnuts and dried cranberries and tasty sharp blue cheese crumbles. Balsamic dressing on the side was just right! Yes, you enter what looks like an old church - just go with it and follow the hall and you're there! A+

a
abigail johanson

I’m ten and we go every Saturday after violin. They have really good customer service,Maria always remembers us. And the music is good there. The breakfast sandwiches are really really good. I get the same sandwich every time, the all American.

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Yasi Jhn

The breakfast burrito is very delicious and the staff are really kind and friendly. The muffins are huge. The building itself is really nice, it is the pioneering school of Rochester. I enjoyed my time here, feels like visiting your auntie! 😊

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Nancy Gong

I ordered 18 lunches with a couple of dietary requests and I should have given them more notice, still, my business with the owners was very personal without being patronizing. The food was very good. Prices are reasonable with service/delivery on target. For sure all my future catered lunches will be from the Founder's Cafe. A real treasure.

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Curtis Jones

Fresh Ingredients, a Robust menu that is always being added to, amazing weekly specials, and the most perfect Cafe Staff a customer could ask for. The food is always amazing, and when you can sit and enjoy your meal, the atmosphere is always worth it. Plus, some amazing banana muffins!

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Jarrod Smallwood

Wonderful breakfast, wonderful People! Thank you from a Southern boy!!

A
Austin Curtis

Staff is exceptionally nice. Coffee is particularly fantastic - and that is saying something considering the number of great local coffee roasters here in Rochester. They have a neat rewards program through their own app - with easily attainable rewards and perks. They keep their tables and floors clean constantly. I'll be a frequenter for sure.

W
Widger Farms

My coworkers and I make daily trips for coffee/lunch. I have never had a bad meal here! The staff really care about the customer and the food is always delicious. The buffalo chicken wrap is amazing and the tomato basil soup deserves some kind of best soup ever award!

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jean dedman

We would add more stars if possible....I put together an order for a few of us women at work...and let me tell you...it's impossible to please them all!!...IMPOSSIBLE!!...every single one of them LOVED their lunch from Founder Cafe...There is one nurse ...I have never heard her talk so much!! And we all ordered different items...each one was freshly made with quality ingredients by someone who obviously loves what they do....this person is gifted!! Add to that free delivery and great pricing....there is no down side to this...today is Wednesday we are already putting an order together for Friday!!...oh yeah...we we ill be ordering at least twice a week..at the very least!!....They have a bacon Festival coming up...a bacon festival!!!!....it doesn't get any better...nope!!! We are in love!!!

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Cathryn Giunta

Great Cafe! It's within walking distance from the Hyatt, Hilton and Holiday Inn. The proprietor, Mike was friendly, the indoor dining is perfect for the building and there's outdoor eating too! We would definitely visit here again.

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Eric

I worked in the hospitality/ restaurant business for over 10 years. They do it right at Founders, the food is delicious, they take the time and put in the effort to make basically everything from scratch. The service is impeccable, everyone is extremely friendly. Beautiful atmosphere, definitely a gem in downtown Rochester. It is a one of a kind place, that you need to experience for yourself.

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Zia A Perozzi

Excellent coffee. Had a cappuccino and a latte. Both were expertly crafted. The decor is appropriate for the name of the venue. The outside signage was an a-frame with a sign indicating that we were at the right spot. Will definitely be back.

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Hannah Lober

This place is such a hidden gem. The food was spectacular and there’s a ton of options for food as well as drinks. The JEF Panini was to die for and the quiches were really good as well. The building is adorable and the atmosphere was really fun. I highly recommend this place.

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Luanne Mansfield

Great fresh food! I love it when they offer actual vegan options, not just salads- which they also have a nice selection of. Only addition I would love to see is some more plant-based protein options (chickpeas, hummus, tempeh…) Stop in, you won’t regret it!

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Renee Emanuele

Our meal was awesome! If you love Rochester, everything in here is Rochester named! Food was amazing, service awesome, atmosphere super friendly. Coffee cafe must!

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Rebecca Carter

They make some amazing paninis and gave a great selection of hot drinks for cold afternoons in the city. I brought my kids (6 and 16) out for some treats and drinks and we had a lovely time. The building itself is an antique and the windows are about 10 feet tall- great atmosphere.

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Jordan Naughton

Maria and her crew make some of the best tasting food. 10/10 I recommend this place to everyone

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Sara Bond

Picked this place randomly while visiting from out of town and was so glad! The food was delicious, service was excellent and the atmosphere in general is super cool. The building is historic and it’s so nice to see something new using old buildings like this instead of tearing them down. I had oatmeal (just the right amount of brown sugar and cinnamon) and my mom had the avocado toast which she told me was delicious also.

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Erik Stoneham

Nice gem located in the heart of down town in the academy building (near the monroe county building ). Food good and the staff is super friendly. I like the coffee and atmosphere too.

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mikey

Oh my goodness I ate here and the food was spot on I only recommend this place for a good lunch or breakfast.

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Doug

Food was great! Cool vibe inside and the staff was very friendly too.

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Allison Martinez

If you need a place to rest your mind and fill your belly, this is the place to be. If you find yourself wandering and seeking a friendly smile, by jove this is the place to be. Out of the cold and into a cozy cafe, you'll be greeted with a warm smile and a cheerful hello. You may think to yourself as I did, " I wish I had found this place sooner." So by all means walk on in and experience this for yourself. Also the Turkey, avocado, and chipotle panini was amazing

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andrew t

Great cafe with amazing sandwiches. Worth the trip to Rochester just for this place.

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Hyacinth Montano (Euca)

Been looking for a new cafe in the area and founders cafe was a great choice! The food was good 😊 I wish there was a little more spice in the sausage, but that is just preference. We ordered two American classic breakfast sandwiches and two iced coffees. We drove 15mins to Henrietta for shopping and the sandwiches were still hot! The food tasted great as leftovers.

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Barbara Groom

I love founders cafe! I utilize the app to order and my food is always done on time. The employees are all super nice. The inside is very clean and plenty of space to sit inside or outside patio tables. Never gotten a bad meal from here and very reasonable priced for the portion!

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Benjamin G

Great sandwiches and coffee in a quiet part of the city.

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TeQuan Byrd

The food is delicious both breakfast and lunch and always amazing service highly recommended

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Laura Landon

I was visiting Rochester and found this gem. It was so good I came here two days in a row. I got the Benny sandwich based on another review and they weren't wrong. The aioli sauce was so good. I had a breakfast burrito the next day and it was also amazing. The lattes are amazing too. The staff are friendly and quick. The building is also very cool! Definitely recommend.

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M S

If you want an EXCELLENT meal, get the chicken pesto panini with their iced mocha

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Catherine DuBreck

Any trip downtown during the week is not complete without a stop at Founders. The Thanksgiving Sandwich is INCREDIBLE and is my go-to with a frozen latte add chocolate syrup. Just had it a few days ago for the first time in a while and can't stop thinking about how good the sandwich was. Staff were friendly and everything was ready quickly. HIGHLY recommend.

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Rachel Marcello

From food to service this cafe exceeds! The cafe offers a huge menu. You can get breakfast or lunch all day. The drinks were very good, again a wide selection of flavored lattes and teas. There’s truly something delicious for everyone. Parking was easy on the street on a weekend.

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Alexis Marie

The Founders Cafe is super cute and cozy. The staff are all really friendly and efficient. The food was really good and fresh. I also had an iced snickerdoodle coffee which was really good! During lunch it was REALLY busy and loud however everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The staff walked around and asked everyone how their food was and made sure tables were clean. If you are looking for a less noisy time I'd suggest after 2pm. This cafe is a great place to be and anyone can enjoy the vibes here. I would totally recomend this cafe to anyone looking for food or a good coffee.

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T B

Perfect little locally owned breakfast and lunch cafe located in a historic school building. Great service and food. The blueberry muffin was amazing. Very cool!

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Kristy G

What a hidden gem! Best soup & sandwiches in the city. We will be back and inviting others.

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Shaun Herrick

Delicious food, consistently great, a large impressive menu that I keep going back trying new foods and love it every time

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Fabian Velez

I got The Benny but on their honey wheat toast. Less mess than a regular Benedict and the flavor is great! With the Lemon parsley aioli the Hollandaise is not missed. The service was friendly and prompt. The dandelion chandeliers are really pretty and provide a art deco feel inside such a historic building. It's "hidden" in the first school in Rochester, The Pioneer School.

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Alexander K

Cute little shop! The wrap was delicious with the chicken, I just wish they went a little heavier on the pesto! Otherwise the coffees and the cookie was such a treat!

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lisa B

Hidden Gem! We stumbled upon this place, hesitant to go inside. Entered this official looking building walked down a long hallway to find a hidden cafe. Hmm so many choices. We chose the avocado toast. Homemade bread from a local bakery (sorry forgot the name) creamy avocado, sweet red onions sliced perfectly, with an over easy egg done just right! We also got a classic bacon, egg, and cheese on a freshly baked ciabatta bread. Service was superb! Definitely would return!

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Pooja Sinha

My whole family loved their sandwiches! Food was excellent and service was very warm and friendly.

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Kate Jacobs

Founders is always so great! My partner and I get the same order pretty much every time :)

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Millie Kwan

A great place to stop by and grab a bite while in downtown Rochester. This eatery is a combination coffee shop and cafe. They clearly have coffee and tea with specialty drinks that would be great in the morning. Then they have great sandwiches including panini sandwiches and also delicious wraps. The ingredients are incredibly fresh and the customer service was friendly and helpful. Located in the Academy Building, the location is ideal especially if you are in the heart of the downtown area. Parking would likely be on street or in a parking lot.

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Brian Bennett

This place is a hidden gem! The hot sandwiches are top-notch—always fresh, flavorful, and made to order. Their wraps are packed with fresh ingredients. I’m also a big fan of their salads. The staff is friendly, and the whole place has a welcoming vibe. Whether you’re grabbing lunch on the go or sitting down, this place never disappoints. Highly recommend!

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Christa Lily

Cute spot in the city! The caprese chicken panini is delicious! Enjoyed my experience here.

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Kate Weidman

The food and staff are absolutely amazing. Not a local, but only order from Founders when I’m in town. Was having a terrible day and put special instructions to make my salad with love. 😍 They did not disappoint. So appreciative of this smile. A heart felt -THANK YOU!

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Earl Graves

I've been here twice. Both times the food was great and so was the service! The staff were great! It was a great experience, overall!

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Jenai Werder

Friends and I were in Rochester briefly looking for something to eat, we were surprised at how quick and easy it was to order. We ordered two panini sandwiches, absolutely delicious! As you can see our plates are empty! We enjoyed the ambiance as well as the clean dining room and even the restrooms. Perfect spot for breakfast, lunch or coffee!!

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Christine Rink

Lovely place! Went in a late morning time and was able to get my coffee super quick. Got an iced vanilla almond latte that hit the spot so perfectly on a warm day - dairy was not too much at all. Boyfriend got a pour over that was exquisite! Will definitely be back.

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Ashley Vanderpoel

Gorgeous. Wonderful staff. Quiet place to eat a fantastic lunch. Worth it and then some!! Food options are endless. Sitting options are inside or outside.

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Ethan Thompson

Founders always delivers. The staff is friendly. Food is always top notch and coffee is hot and ready. Founders is the local spot most people wish they had. Perfect spot to grab a bite before work or for lunch. Tucked away, it feels like the best kept secret in Downtown.

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Teletector

You Have to Go Here! Driving through on our way to Syracuse and told my wife to pick a place to stop for lunch. Not knowing the area she looked on her phone and found Founder's Cafe. We pulled up to a beautiful historic building and went inside. We were greeted by Michael the owner and I ordered a Pastrami Reuben and my wife ordered the Thanksgiving Sandwich and a Cookie. We were given a number for our order on a small placard with a Bio of local politician. That was cool! The food came fast and I my Reuben was fantastic, however, when I took a bite of my wife's Thanksgiving Sandwich, I was jealous. It was the best Thanksgiving Sandwich Ever! and the cookie was amazing. Michael engaged us during the meal for some great conversation and some history about the building being a school and now converted into apartments. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. Cant wait to go back and try the Banh Mi Sandwich that he described as the Greatest Sandwich of All Time. You can tell that Michael takes pride in everything he offers and is a class act. Wish we had a Founder's Cafe in Syracuse!

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Natalia Thomas

Tucked away in the historic Rochester Free Academy (1873) is one of the most delicious Reuben sandwiches I’ve ever had. Mike, the owner, greeted and served us and is just a genuinely delightful and funny human. Thanks, Mike! We’ll be back to your hidden gem of a Cafe!

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Stephen Hmiel

Loved it here! Great coffee drinks and delicious breakfast food, super chill vibes in a cool old building. The folks here are super kind, we were here twice on a recent trip and on the second visit they remembered our picky 5-year old's bagel toasting preference, so they deserve a medal. 🏅 Had an iced white mocha (white choc and caramel) with a breakfast burrito, just what I needed.

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Nicholas Matthew Ancelin

Intimate experience. Some of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve had in a long time. The hazelnut dream latte is incredible. Kind staff. They can be busy with mobile orders. Embrace the extra time and settle into a nice experience :)

Susan Gierthy
Susan Gierthy

Delicious and affordable! They handled a large influx of customers well, despite being a small operation with food made to order. Would definitely recommend.

Jason Sharpe
Jason Sharpe

Incredible menu of sandwiches, wraps and more. All hand made. Delicious food, friendly service. Eat inside or out. Wish we had a Founders in Toronto

Erin C
Erin C

I’ve never seen people work so hard! This place is like a well oiled machine. And they’re nice too! Came here for lunch just now and I’m so impressed. Ordered this weeks special, the lobster roll. And an iced oat milk latte. Both were delicious. The lobster roll was amazing. I can’t even explain how good it was. As I was waiting for my food the paninis they were bringing out looked really good and the salad too. Chicken looked high quality on the salad. Highly recommend this place!

Sarah Colletta
Sarah Colletta

Met the owner and had a great chat. The menu is impressively extensive! I ordered a turkey melt and tomato basil soup and it was 🔥. I’d highly recommend checking it out!

Megan MacAnn
Megan MacAnn

YUMMMMY!! WOW!!! Every time I have ever been here customer service, atmosphere, food, amazing!! What a great little spot to have found in downtown Rochester super convenient for taking a walk to get lunch if you work downtown or if you happen to be downtown you should definitely come to Founders cafe!! I have been here several times and I've tried many different things and I will continue to come back here absolutely... I look forward to coming here!! Such cute little signs they give you if you're sitting there at the table and then they deliver your food to you super amazing!

Abhay Dixit
Abhay Dixit

Great cafe. Nice food. Awesome crew. We accidentally entered the place on 31st Dec and surprisingly found a great place for lunch. Very freshly prepared food with lot of taste. Crew is good and helpful.

Katie Childers
Katie Childers

We love Founders so much for Breakfast or Lunch. Awesome coffee/espresso drinks & tasty meals made to order. We live in the ADKs, but stop in anytime our adventures take us to Rochester. Ps- they graciously made me an excellent cortado off menu by request. Lovely staff!

Donna Papp
Donna Papp

Great place. Great homemade sandwiches. Great staff. We come here every time we are in Rochester.

Matthew Schutt
Matthew Schutt

Hands down one of the best chicken salad sandwiches I've had! I got the sandwich and a small iced latte for about 17 bucks (super reasonable) and the latte was very rich and creamy. Big fan of this place.

Hannah Goforth
Hannah Goforth

Great staff very friendly, awesome historic location! Breakfast sandwiches were great! Highly reccomend the Denver and Florentine! Iced latte was perfect flavor! Highly recommend!

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Sierra Firth

Needed a quick lunch with a good size group of people. We aren’t from the Rochester area but this was so delicious. Staff was nice and friendly even though I’m sure it was overwhelming to have 8 people walk in at once. The food was very tasty. Would definitely recommend!

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Mikeal Gallaway

Working in the downtown area, Founders Cafe is my absolute go-to for lunch. I’ve tried most of the menu, but I keep coming back for the Reuben. It is consistently the best in Rochester perfectly grilled, high-quality corned beef, and never greasy. Even when it’s busy with the lunch rush, the staff is efficient and friendly. It’s the perfect spot to grab a quick bite that actually feels like a gourmet meal. If you’re working nearby and haven't been yet, you're missing out!

Connery Wheaton
Connery Wheaton

The staff was polite and the French onion soup was next level! The menu looks great so I will definitely be coming back to try more!

Julia Gonzales
Julia Gonzales

I recently visited the Founder’s Cafe in downtown Rochester N.Y. while I had some time to spare during Jury duty (unfortuntely), and it turned out to be an incredible experience. From the moment I walked in, the staff were exceptionally kind and welcoming. I wasn’t sure what to order, but they went above and beyond by asking about my preferences and recommending only the best items. The atmosphere was warm and inviting—just what I needed after a long morning. The food was absolutely excellent, and their menu offers a wide variety of options, from beverages to sandwiches and more. Whether you're craving something comforting or adventurous, they seem to have something for everyone. I highly recommend checking out Founder’s Cafe if you're in the area. It's a gem of a spot with amazing food, friendly service, and a cozy vibe.

Shannon Fitz K.
Shannon Fitz K.

Quality meal that tastes fresh and homemade. Lots of options, plenty of seating, friendly staff. Highly recommend. Real egg on the breakfast sandwich. Bacon avocado Caesar wrap was delicious.

Chris Salley
Chris Salley

Very cool café located in an awesome, historic 1800's building. Delicious bagels, great good overall, and great coffee!

Mayday
Mayday

Mike and crew offer lovely service, great food, and an excellent atmosphere in this little cafe tucked inside the Academy Building. When I stopped by to find a place to sit and telework while visiting my partner for Thanksgiving, I was surprised and very pleased to find such lovely people and yummy food! I had the Denver sandwich for breakfast and matzo ball soup and a blueberry muffin for lunch. I am a matzo ball fiend, and have been looking for a place to scratch that itch in Rochester - this city just keeps surprising me. It really does have everything! :)

Kirstin emily Beach
Kirstin emily Beach

I got the chicken salad club this morning and it was absolutely amazing! Best “cold” sandwich i’ve probably ever had. I had an amaretto iced latte and it was perfect! i love the variety of flavors they have for coffees especially because amaretto isn’t super popular. i loved the atmosphere, very lively and friendly. they seemed to know customers by name and they came and checked on me to make sure i liked everything. overall, 10/10 experience. they’re all happy to be working and i love that!

Elizabeth Edgington
Elizabeth Edgington

Very affordable and delicious deli options. Wide variety of menu options with rotating weekly specials and seasonal deals. We got the Cajun chicken and blue cheese panini and the turkey and provolone wrap. Atmosphere is great and suitable for a quick bite or a social meal.

Christopher Hinkle
Christopher Hinkle

Loads of tasty options. Friendly service. If you dine in, you get interesting local history lessons on the table numbers while you wait. A little hard to find, but worth it.

Victor P
Victor P

Great food choices and the décor is very inviting. A little pricey but worth it. 2019 Update: It is 2019 and I am back at my favorite lunch place in Rochester. This place is amazing, never dissapoints and always delivers on quality and food. Great job! 2023 Update: Haven't been here in a while but it is just like I remember it. Food is awesome, coffee is great, and service is amazing. A true gem here in Rochester.

M
Marissa Nasshan

I liked this place. It was small but cozy. I had a London fog latte that was good and some soup. The Italian wedding soup and I thought it was really well made. I saw other people's sandwiches and salads and they also looked good, it I can't speak to their taste. They also offer wifi.

T
The Simi

Went there for the first time a couple days ago. Decently priced. Food was good, I ordered their Cajun chicken and blue cheese panini. And for a drink, I asked the employee for suggestions and was not disappointed! Good vibes and good atmosphere! If I'm in the area again, I'll definitely make another visit ^-^

J
J. S.

Have to say I was disappointed when I went there a few days ago. Ordered a sandwhicfobut asked for no honey mustard. This is my normal sandwich, and it is always so good. However, the woman taking the order was more concerned with her side conversation and not me. She missed the no honey mustard. I returned the sandwich when I realized the error. Everyone was very confused because the order in the system did not say anything, so I told the new girl that the person taking the order must have missed it, but I don't eat mustard. They finally agreed to remake it. However, the 2nd "panini" came out basically kind of warm. It was not crunchy, nor did it have any ridges like you get from putting it in a press. So I think they just tossed something together and used the microwave to heat it up. Very disappointing experience that they made an error and treated me like I was doing something wrong, and they were upset with it.

B
Bonnie Boas

I normally order a turkey club on gluten free bread, which is amazing. However, we no longer can eat pork. I ordered a chicken Caesar wrap, and I ended up with a sandwich. Their site says they have gluten free wrappers. Also, they didn’t notify me.

F
Fatia Johnson

This was my first time eating at Founders and I must say I was really impressed by their menu. I ordered the Cajun chicken and bleu cheese panini and added spinach. I had it delivered (along with my coworkers order) to my job and ordered ahead of time about an hour and a half to which they were 20 minutes late. The sandwich all in all was a disappointment, the bread tasted like it may have been old and there was maybe one bite in which I could actually taste the bleu cheese. The Cajun taste was nice but the flavor profile was a little bland. I am curious about their other items on the menu as everything sounds really delicious. I want to try a dine in experience.

H
Harley

The Founders Café is tucked into a delightful block next to a historic church and the building the café is in is absolutely stunning. Seriously, Rochester, stop showing off! I was excited to try their food after drooling over the menu and getting myself pumped for scratch soup. Thursday was ground sausage tortellini. YUM. I went toward the end of the day, arriving an hour before the café closed and it became immediately apparent that it was “one of those days.” As in, a day where everything seems to go wrong. Though August was advertised as celebrating paninis and the cafe was offering up an absolute taste-extravaganza of panini options, when I arrived, the panini machine was being disemboweled by a repair person. The woman staffing the front was very apologetic and seemed frazzled. As my eye roved across the countertops, I could also see that every open space was covered with baked cookies. Huh… interesting. I placed my order of a Cuban panini, a Thanksgiving hot sandwich, a cheesecake brownie, and a sugar cookie bar covered with sprinkles. Oh, and a caramel iced latte. Unfortunately, there was no soup left, which I get, because house made soup never seems to make it to the end of the day per popular demand. Good soups are hard to find. A bummer, but… I’ll live. She offers a bread sub for the Cuban panini, because it won’t cook as well without the press. Okay, that’s fine too. Unfortunately, after sitting down to wait for my to-go order, she came out to inform me they were actually out of turkey as well and if it was okay to sub smoked chicken on my sandwich. I’m really not that picky and I’m not a jerk and again, it seemed to be “one of those days” in the restaurant, so a reassuring handwave and smile later, we’re all good. Have I mentioned that the café building is *beautiful*? Well, the inside aesthetic is also very pleasing and I could definitely see it being a favorite for local college students to hang out. I was kind of surprised at how empty the place was. I guess the timing really did make a difference. I wait a while and the woman is venting to another kitchen employee, clearly frustrated by other employees that have failed to refill or prep the kitchen supplies. Having worked in a kitchen, I definitely know how aggravating that can be. After she brought out my order, she had me pick out some free bags of chips for all the substitution issues, and we ended up meandering out at the same time. She explained that a large group order for the next day had increased by 20 people, (going from 80 to 100) hence the explosion of additional cookies everywhere. After chatting a little while, it’s clear that the cafe is very popular for group lunches, etc, and that sometimes it gets hectic! Life be like that sometimes. When I brought my partner her sandwich, she decided that while very good, the sandwich really isn’t a Cuban. The pork is sliced, not pulled, and maybe the bread substitution just kind of altered the whole experience. My Thanksgiving sandwich was also good, but, ya know, not turkey. Not earth-shattering, but I had been looking forward to that soup. All in all, the meal was perfectly fine and good, but I would definitely be interested in trying again with the very long list of delicious sounding options on a day when I show up earlier and when things don’t conspire against the cafe. Hopefully this review will have an update! :D In the meantime, do check it out and let me know how YOU liked it, as it might be a while before I’m back in Rochester!

J
Jeffrey Gilbert

Got the thanksgiving sandwich as they make it. Golly, great taste… but horrible execution. Let’s go over the two big mistakes, one being the take out experience. The cafe made me a hot sandwich on soft bread and then wrapped it in foil… the bread was soup, and I am 3 minutes away. 2nd issue: the meat. Anyone who makes a sandwich knows: you don’t just stack the meats flat slice by slice like that… all together I would definitely recommend substituting bread.

Nan M
Nan M

- I only tried the latte but it consisted of too much milk to be enjoyable - in my opinion of course - The employee helping me wasn’t exactly mean, but she wasn’t exactly friendly either - Not a lot of dessert options - Locating the business took a little while because the sign (pictured below) wasn’t facing correctly at first, but everything made sense once I found it - Overall, mediocre — hence the three star. - Will possibly visit again to try the food and then retry their latte as well

C
Christina

Food is good but we ordered catering three times and there was something wrong with the logistics each time. Food was boxed when it should have been on a platter so I had to take each sandwich out of each box and find a platter to put them on and once they forgot the large side to go with the catering order. I want to use them more as they are a small business but not worth the risk of hoping the order is right when you are serving for a business lunch.

N
Nax Gillett

Great atmosphere and delicious food, if you're willing to wait. Over 20$ for a drink and sandwich which took over 20 minutes. With 5 staff on and nobody in line in front of me, my parking meter and lunch break shouldn't expire before a sandwich is ready.

C
Camille Jones

Food/drink was good but the lady taking my order this morning was unnecessarily rude and possibly the other r word. Unfortunate since I had a nice experience at this location just the other day.

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Informazioni su Founders Café

Come arrivare

13 S Fitzhugh St, Rochester, NY 14614

Caricamento mappa...
Founders Café
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Punti salienti

Molto votato
4.7/5 stelle
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Molte recensioni
477 recensioni
💰
Prezzo moderato
Livello di prezzo
👨‍🍳
deli;tea;sandwich;grill;coffee_shop;breakfast
Tipo di cucina

Servizi

🥞 Colazione
🍽️ Pranzo
🍾 Cena
Caffè
🍰 Dolci
🥗 Opzioni Vegetariane
🌱 Opzioni Vegane
🥡 Da Asporto
🚚 Consegna a Domicilio
🍴 Mangiare sul Posto
🚗 Ritiro al Marciapiede

Opzioni di ristorazione

🍽️ Mangiare sul Posto
🥡 Da Asporto
🚚 Consegna a Domicilio
🚗 Ritiro al Marciapiede

Info Ristorante

Stato
Verificato dal proprietario
🕐 Horario Hoy
7AM-5PM
Valutazione
4.7/5
💬 Recensioni
477
💰 Livello di prezzo
$$
📞 Telefono
+1 585-770-1721
🌐 Sito web
founderscaferochester.com
📋 Menu
Vedi Menu

Servizi

📶 WiFi gratuito
🌿 Posti all'aperto
Accessibile in sedia a rotelle
🚻 Bagno
💳 Carte di credito
📱 Pagamenti mobili
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