
The 26 Best Appetizers in Rochester, MN According to Locals
All around Rochester, Minnesota we have some pretty amazing restaurants, and a wide variety of them too! Each restaurant has their own flair, vibe, and food. And do you want to know something that I really love? Appetizers.
Appetizers can be a good start to a meal or they can be a great meal by itself depending on how big the portions are. I also sometimes like to just try a bunch of appetizers and have that be my meal. Then you can try all sorts of options!

With so many choices of restaurants and so many choices of appetizers around Rochester, how do you even begin to pick a place to try next?
That's where I and your other fellow Rochesterites come in!
I asked on Facebook for your favorite appetizer at a Rochester restaurant and got tons of great suggestions, some of them are some of my favorites too. So I took the feedback you left and curated a list of the best appetizers to try in Rochester according to you, the locals!
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The Best Appetizers at Rochester, MN Restaurants
BOULDER TAP HOUSE - cheese curds
Boulder Tap House has these square cheese curds on their menu that are massive!
BROTHER'S BAR AND GRILL - mozzarella sticks (pictured) + jumbo wings
At Brother's you can get some pretty huge mozzarella sticks according to some listeners. I have never personally had their jumbo wings but I do like good chicken wings so I'll have to give them a try.
CHESTER'S - brie cheese curds
Brie in cheese curds? Yes please, that sounds delicious.
CRAVE - firecracker shrimp
Per a recommendation, Crave's firecracker shrimp is a must-try.
FIRST MEETING NOODLE - wontons in chili oil (pictured) + vegetable spring rolls
I'm a huge fan of First Meeting and can agree, their wontons in chili oil and veggie spring rolls are so good.
FIVE WEST - buffalo chicken wontons
The most recommended Rochester appetizer was easily Five West's buffalo chicken wontons. I've to Five West a few times and I'm a little mad I haven't tried these yet!
FORAGER - nachos (pictured) + pile of fries
I hear that Forager's nachos are incredible. Also yes, you can just order a ton of fries off of their menu which I love.
MARROW - deviled eggs
These aren't just any deviled eggs. These deviled eggs are made with steak tartare, salmon roe, and potato chips. WHAT?!
NEWT'S - zippy poppers (pictured) + fried pickles
Both recommended at Newt's: their zippy poppers and fried pickles. I have no idea what zippy poppers are but they look super good.
PITTSBURGH BLUE - sea scallops benedict
Another one that I definitely need to try is Pittsburgh Blue's sea scallops benedict. Yum!
PURPLE GOAT - jalapeno popper egg rolls
I just had these the other day and they're SO good. A few of you agreed that it's your favorite.
THAI POP - brussel sprouts + tom yum muscles + cauliflower pops
Another place that I've tried and would agree has killer appetizers is Thai Pop. Out of the three recommended by you, I've had the brussel sprouts and the cauliflower pops. Both are delicious. Seriously, try the brussel sprouts.
TWIGS - gluten-free onion rings + steak fries + risotto poppers (pictured)
Twigs is another spot that got quite a few recommendations out of you. I haven't tried these but they sound great.
WHISTLE BINKIES ON THE LAKE - fried pickle spears
Fried pickles but as spears and not just chips. Yes please.
WILDWOOD - sweet potato hot mess (pictured) + portobello fries + duck poppers + boneless wings
Wildwood also got tons of recommendations from you. I had no idea what the sweet potato hot mess was so I had to look it up: "Crispy fried waffle fries topped with blue cheese, scallions, almonds, thyme, and sriracha-maple drizzle."
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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross