Rochester restaurant named one of the best in US. Everything to try on the menu

Redd, a restaurant in Rochester, earned major accolades from USA TODAY for its upscale new American fare.

Since its opening in 2019, Redd has become a go-to restaurant for special nights out in Rochester. This week, it has made national news: Along with 46 other restaurants, Redd was included in the 2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year list.

What makes Redd stand out

Richard Reddington worked in some of the world’s best kitchens before starting his eponymous restaurants Redd and Redd Wood, in Napa Valley. Redd was awarded 7 Michelin Stars from 2008 to 2014.

In 2019, he and business partner Dennis Wilmot opened a second version of Redd in his native Rochester.

Since then, Redd has become a go-to spot for celebratory dinners. The menu, which changes seasonally, is globally inspired. Perennial signature dishes include lobster risotto with lemon confit and watercress and pork belly with apple purée and soy caramel.

But Redd is also a great gathering place for drinks at the bar, which may be enjoyed with the city’s most upscale versions of pizza and wings.

The old brick building, once home to a horse-drawn ambulance company, is airy and comfortable, decorated in earthy tones and accented by a mural evoking the nearby Finger Lakes. The acoustics are honed so that it has an energetic buzz, but you can still carry on a conversation. During the summer, the outdoor space, surrounded by window boxes overflowing with plants, is magical.

Unless you’re visiting the bar, reservations are a good idea.

What to order at Redd

Wood-fired pizza. Try the wood-fired tomato pizza with garlic, oregano, chili flakes and no cheese. It’s astonishingly tasty in its simplicity.

Wings. Extra crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, they are coated in a sticky Thai chili glaze that has just enough heat.

Seafood. The dishes change seasonally, but its varied approaches to seafood are dependably good.

Desserts. Save room because they are always sublime.

See the full menu.

Did you know?

The restaurant holds occasional wine dinners with Michelin-star chefs. Keep tabs online or on its social media.

Details: 24 Winthrop St., Rochester, New York; 585-483-7333, reddrochester.com.