Rochester Locals Reveal Their Go-To Spots for Out-of-Towners

It isn't a secret that Rochester, Minnesota is a busy place.  I thought that we were seeing about 2 million visitors each year, thanks to visits at Mayo Clinic, but based on Mayo Clinic's website, it appears that over 3 million patients and visitors show up each year to the Med City.

As the $5 billion project at Mayo continues to fuel change in the downtown area, Rochester is seeing growth in numbers as well.  In 2020, the U.S. Census showed our population to be 121,395 people.  In 2024, the estimate was 123,624.

In other words...people are coming to Rochester.

Ok, A LOT of people are showing up in this town.

And whether they are here to stay, here to learn, or here for care at Mayo Clinic, there will always be a little downtime they need to fill.

Top Spots in Rochester That Locals Recommend To Out-Of-Towners

If you are in the Rochester area and are looking for a few places to check out, here are some of the top spots locals recommend to out-of-towners.

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What else would you add to the list of places you'd recommend to out-of-towners?  You can add your tips to the Facebook post below.

Don't Miss These Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants In Rochester

Now, if you are really wanting to be "local", there are a few hole-in-the-wall spots that didn't make the list above that don't just have character, they have history in this town.

If you are looking for something that is a bit more unique or really want to get that "local" feel, here are a few spots that are highly recommended.

READ MORE: Check Out Rochester, Minnesota's Favorite Hole-In-The-Wall Restaurants