Diners' Choice: Good for groups restaurants in Rochester

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants that are great for groups in Rochester? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Chester's Kitchen & Bar

4.8

4.8 (1660)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Nestled in the Galleria in downtown Rochester, MN, just steps from the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, Chester’s Kitchen & Bar blends warm hospitality with upscale style.

Whether you are a local, visiting family, or a Mayo guest, you will find a welcoming atmosphere and a menu tailored to your needs, with accommodations for a wide range of food preferences. Perfect for both casual meals and special occasions, Chester’s offers a garden atrium, lush patio, and private dining for up to 40 guests.

Consistently earning a glowing 4.8 out of 5 on OpenTable from more than 1,500 reviews, diners praise the excellent food, service, and attentive staff, along with favorites like parmesan crusted walleye, slow braised short ribs, and decadent chocolate cake.

Patio and Bar Booth seating are first-come, first-served.

Top review

Diana

Dined 5 days ago

We come to Rochester once a year. Chester's is a must while we are here. The Walleye is the best!! The service is outstanding!

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Popular dish

MEDITERRANEAN ANGEL HAIR

Popular dish

PARMESAN CRUSTED WALLEYE

Popular dish

WALLEYE TACO BOWL

Smoak BBQ - Rochester

4.8

4.8 (178)

$30 and under

Barbecue

Rochester

About the restaurant

SMOAK mixes a modern and casual ambiance with traditional Texas-style BBQ. We want our BBQ to be the ultimate comfort food – flavorful and memorable. Our open dining room features spacious farm tables for large parties, a beautiful bar with smoked handcrafted cocktails, and vast windows and garage doors. SMOAK also features a beautiful patio with a large pergola, string lights, and outdoor bar seating – the perfect spot to relax during those warm summer months.

Top review

Kyle

Dined on Apr 17, 2026

Wow! This place is amazing! Great food! The ribs are outstanding! I definitely recommend going with some ribs! I had the 3 meat combo and had the ribs, jalapeno cheddar sausage and pulled pork - all great! My wife had the broasted chicken and it was also delicious! For the appetizers....get the cornbread! The whipped honey butter is delicious! 🤤 The chips and queso are also really good. The atmosphere is pretty cool ...like a sports bar mixed with a family style restaurant. Without a doubt, one of the best restaurants we have been to in a long time!

Ruth's Chris Steak House - Rochester

4.8

4.8 (227)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Rochester

About the restaurant

Ruth's Chris Steak House specializes in serving USDA Prime steaks, each seared to perfection, finished with butter and freshly chopped parsley, and served sizzling on a 500-degree plate. We invite you to join us in Rochester, MN!

Top review

Jason

Dined 1 day ago

Our waiter was extremely attentive, friendly and efficient. The food was absolutely fantastic.

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Experience

Moët & Chandon TasteMaker Dinner

Five West Kitchen + Bar

4.7

4.7 (1064)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Contemporary American comfort food in an exciting atmosphere.

Top review

MelissaGold

Dined on Apr 25, 2026

We frequent this restaurant often, usually for lunch. This time we had breakfast. We are vegetarian, so I had the veggie egg scramble and a waffle. Both were excellent! Add a great cup of decaf (yes, the decaf is rich and full- bodied) and I think you have the best breakfast in town. Love Five West!

Pittsburgh Blue - Rochester

4.7

4.7 (1065)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Rochester

About the restaurant

Hand-cut, perfectly aged Midwestern beef, trimmed to our specifications and cooked to yours. Deep booths and a deeper wine list. A bar that makes everything better. And the kind of service everyone deserves but hardly ever receives.
Welcome to Pittsburgh Blue. You’re about to eat very, very well.

Top review

Justin

Dined 5 days ago

The atmosphere is very calming and warm, but still modern and chic. The meal couldn't have been prepared better, the filets where exactly to our liking. Our server was amazing, so helpful and happy to discuss the menu and make recommendations. Her service was exceptional. Loved it. 10/10

Our Paladar

4.7

4.7 (365)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Chefs Nick Diaz and Kiefer Manning have been hard at work renovating the historic Chicago & Great Western Railroad Depot into a cozy and inviting restaurant for you to enjoy. Our Paladar offers a locally sourced, seasonal dinner menu. You can look forward to handmade breads and pastas along with small and main plates. Patio seating is available when the season allows. The team at Our Paladar cannot wait to welcome you!

Top review

Bobbie

Dined on Apr 16, 2026

Outstanding menu - variety in the offerings that make choosing hard. The Peruvian Chicken entree was truly the most flavorful chicken meal I’ve ever enjoyed. Wait staff were simultaneously efficient and warm. Conversations with the chef delightful. We’ll be back!

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Twigs Tavern & Grille

4.6

4.6 (1058)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Fresh American Fare at Twigs
In July 2008, Twigs Tavern and Grille opened to bring fresh flavors in a relaxing atmosphere to Rochester, Minnesota. Featuring Rochester's only restaurant with a dedicated gluten-free kitchen and a diverse menu of small plates, entrées, and the Hot Rock, our dishes feature an innovative mix of cultural flavors from around the world and fresh ingredients. Share small plates with your friends or fill up with one amazing entrée. Find a personalized and memorable dining experience waiting for you at Twigs Tavern and Grille.

Gluten-Free Dining
In addition to our lunch and dinner menu of soups, salads, sandwiches, and entrées, our restaurant offers one of the most extensive gluten-free menus in Rochester. All gluten-free meals are prepared by our specially trained staff in a separate kitchen area with dedicated equipment to help prevent cross contamination.

Top review

Amy

Dined 5 days ago

We truly love Twigs. We had excellent service and not one worry about cross-contamination of gluten. Love this place so much! Wish it was closer to us(2 1/2 hours away). Thank you so much Twigs! My daughter is always on cloud 9 when we get to eat at your establishment. There are no words to describe how that makes me feel! Thank you!!

Thai Pop

4.6

4.6 (799)

$31 to $50

Thai

Rochester

About the restaurant

Bringing the past to the present, Thailand to Minnesota, and the passion for good food and drinks to you.

Top review

RonaldGold

Dined 5 days ago

We have dined at Thai Pop on several occasions when we are in town. What stands out, besides the consistently delicious food, is how well trained and knowledgeable the servers are about the menu.

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Experience

Authentic Thai cuisine in Rochester!

Red Cow - Rochester

4.5

4.5 (7)

$31 to $50

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

Handcrafted burgers. And a whole lot more.

Providing a sophisticated twist on the classic neighborhood tavern, Red Cow celebrates finely crafted eats and drinks with a focus on gourmet burgers, craft beers, and fine wine.

The best way to join us at Red Cow is to walk in. During dinner hours, the entire restaurant is reserved for walk-ins. We do offer scheduled reservations for lunch and brunch, though they’re never required.

We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Top review

Susan

Dined on Apr 24, 2026

I requested a quiet area due to hearing difficulties. They accommodated our request and we were seated in a semi private area. Much appreciated.

CRAVE - Rochester

4.4

4.4 (1071)

$30 and under

American

Rochester

About the restaurant

CRAVE American Kitchen & Sushi Bar was built out of a passion to create a dining experience unlike any other. We combine quality-sourced ingredients, chic ambiance, outstanding service, and diverse menu choices to create an unforgettable dining experience. The energy of the restaurant is all encompassing – the buzz of guests and staff, the warm and open design, the modern sushi bar, the fresh spin on American cuisine, and the sense of discovery around every corner. A CRAVE guest will leave knowing they experienced just the right mix of great food, entertainment, and service in what can only be defined as The CRAVE Experience.

Top review

Courtney

Dined on Apr 28, 2026

Love Crave! Glad we have one in Rochester to enjoy!

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Popular dish

SUSHI BOMB

Experience

CRAVE Mother's Day Grand Buffet

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