Best Of Rochester 2026 has entered the chat.
Our annual readers’ poll is a chance to shout out your favorite people, places and things to do. A chance to give recommendations to other CITY readers. A chance to promote your business.
And as always, the four finalists in each category are dictated by your write-ins!
That’s where we are now: the first stage of the poll is the primary ballot. We always do a little tweaking based on the previous year’s feedback to keep the nominations in all five categories succinct and relevant, and then you get to nominating!
Primary ballot voting is open until Friday, Sept. 25 at midnight.
Want to let your fans know to nominate you? You can promote your business right on the Best Of ballot here and find the Best Of 2026 media kit for sharing on your social channels and website here.
After the primary ballot closes, CITY staff (via this system) will tally thousands of votes and identify finalists in each category. Voting for the final round will begin October 5 and end November 27 at midnight.
On January 8, 2027, we’ll drop the “Best of Rochester” issue at our big ol’ awards party! Last year was so much fun, we’re returning to Anthology for round two with an all-new lineup of performers and hosts.
A last word: please don’t stuff the ballot, or encourage other CITY readers to do so. Let’s toast those who fairly win their titles.
For all our Best of Rochester updates, follow CITY on Instagram and Facebook.
Hello. I reached out about having a “Best of Art School” in the list for the past couple of years. How do we add this to the list? It would really benefit these small businesses. Thank you.
Hi Chris, sorry we haven’t seen this note before! We would need at least four local schools in the category. If you think it’s qualified and can send us enough candidates, email leah@roccitymag.com and we will add next year.
How does one suggest category additions? For years I’ve been wanting to see “best local csa farm” “best urban farm” “best community garden” “best farm market” “best plant nursery” “best u pick” “best community food distribution service” and so many more! Rochester is a uniquely agrarian city (and hello, flower/flour city, the city exists as it does now thanks to nursery men and farmers!), being in a rural, urban, suburban county – and supporting local farmers is so important! Everyone eats – not everyone can go to restaurants and cafes, but everyone needs to eat and farmers and local growers do not get paid nearly enough for this life sustaining essential work. Please shine a light on local food systems that support our city and work to improve the food injustices and inequities in our own City of Rochester food deserts.
Excellent suggestions. Please email leah@roccitymag.com!