Founders Cafe is a welcoming Rochester destination where good food, excellent coffee, and a comfortable atmosphere come together to create a memorable experience any time of day.
Located at 13 S Fitzhugh St, NY 14614, this casually elegant cafe blends a historic feel with a trendy, cozy touch, making it just as appealing for a relaxed breakfast as it is for a working lunch, a dinner stop, or a quiet solo visit.
Guests come here for the great coffee, thoughtful tea selection, and menu that offers something for nearly every craving, from light American bites and comfort food to organic dishes, small plates, vegan options, and quick bites that fit seamlessly into a busy day.
Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or catering, Founders Cafe delivers a versatile dining experience with the kind of warmth that keeps people coming back.
Beyond the menu, the cafe stands out for the care it puts into the full guest experience.
Outdoor seating on the patio creates an inviting place to enjoy a meal or drink, while dine-in, takeaway, kerbside pickup, delivery, no-contact delivery, and on-site services make it easy to enjoy Founders Cafe in the way that works best for you.
It is also a great choice for those who want a productive and comfortable setting, with Wi-Fi, free Wi-Fi, seating designed for solo dining, and a laptop-friendly environment. Live performances and local specialties add even more character, giving the cafe a lively personality that feels both welcoming and distinctive.
Guests can also enjoy coffee, espresso drinks, cocktails, prepared foods, and a menu built to suit a wide range of tastes.
Accessibility and convenience are clearly a priority here, with wheelchair-accessible entrance, seating, toilet, and car park access, along with an assistive hearing loop to help make visits smoother and more inclusive. Gender-neutral toilets and a restroom are available, and reservations are accepted for added planning ease.
With a strong 4.70-star rating from 512 reviews, Founders Cafe has earned a reputation for quality, comfort, and dependable service. Payment is simple and flexible too, with cheques, credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments accepted.
For guests seeking a cafe that feels polished, approachable, and consistently satisfying, Founders Cafe offers a dependable place to gather, work, dine, and enjoy the best parts of a neighborhood coffee shop.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Founders Cafe
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
Fresh Lobster Salad on a bed of Romaine sprinkled with Celery Salt on a Buttered Toasted Hot Dog Bun. Served with a wedge of Lemon.
Sweet Roasted Beets, Crumbled Feta, and Walnuts on a bed of Spring Mix. Served with EVOO and Balsamic Vinegar
Herb Roasted Chicken, Bacon, and Melted Cheddar on Toasted Sourdough with our Housemade Ranch Dressing
Sautéed shrimp, lettuce, tomato, and Chipotle Bacon Aioli on a toasted hoagie roll. (Served in record time!)
Herb Roasted Chicken, Roasted Red Peppers, Provolone, and Pesto on a Toasted Panini Roll.
Hear from our valued guests
Amazing spot, hyper underrated, great place to get work done in the AM. Food is honestly insanely good!
Went today with my friend, we are from out of town. It was about an hr to closing, the two ladies that were working there were welcoming and friendly. We had delicious sandwiches and love the location and the cool mural. I hope to return. Thank You!
The staff was polite and the French onion soup was next level! The menu looks great so I will definitely be coming back to try more!
Staff was so friendly and helpful! They have lots of options for food and drinks and everything I tried was super delicious. I would recommend to anyone and will definitely be going again!
Very affordable and delicious deli options. Wide variety of menu options with rotating weekly specials and seasonal deals. We got the Cajun chicken and blue cheese panini and the turkey and provolone wrap. Atmosphere is great and suitable for a quick bite or a social meal.
I got the chicken salad club this morning and it was absolutely amazing! Best “cold” sandwich i’ve probably ever had. I had an amaretto iced latte and it was perfect! i love the variety of flavors they have for coffees especially because amaretto isn’t super popular. i loved the atmosphere, very lively and friendly. they seemed to know customers by name and they came and checked on me to make sure i liked everything. overall, 10/10 experience. they’re all happy to be working and i love that!
Very cool café located in an awesome, historic 1800's building. Delicious bagels, great good overall, and great coffee!
Love this place! I walk here frequently for lunch, food is delicious and reasonably priced! Note: I previously wrote a mixed review, which I’ve deleted, because one of my to go orders got messed up - but it was 1 order out of the 50+ times I’ve been here. Mistakes naturally happen everywhere from time to time and I’m confident they would’ve made a replacement free of charge if I wasn’t too lazy to walk back that day.
Quality meal that tastes fresh and homemade. Lots of options, plenty of seating, friendly staff. Highly recommend. Real egg on the breakfast sandwich. Bacon avocado Caesar wrap was delicious.
I recently visited the Founder’s Cafe in downtown Rochester N.Y. while I had some time to spare during Jury duty (unfortuntely), and it turned out to be an incredible experience. From the moment I walked in, the staff were exceptionally kind and welcoming. I wasn’t sure what to order, but they went above and beyond by asking about my preferences and recommending only the best items. The atmosphere was warm and inviting—just what I needed after a long morning. The food was absolutely excellent, and their menu offers a wide variety of options, from beverages to sandwiches and more. Whether you're craving something comforting or adventurous, they seem to have something for everyone. I highly recommend checking out Founder’s Cafe if you're in the area. It's a gem of a spot with amazing food, friendly service, and a cozy vibe.
Common questions about Founders Cafe
Founders Cafe is located at 13 S Fitzhugh St, Rochester, NY 14614, NY 14614, United States.
You can reach Founders Cafe by calling +1 585-770-1721.
Founders Cafe has a rating of 4.7 out of 5 based on 512 customer reviews.
Founders Cafe features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet, Assistive hearing loop, Wheelchair-accessible car park.
Founders Cafe features the following from the business: Identifies as women-owned.
Founders Cafe features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Kerbside pickup, No-contact delivery, Delivery, On-site services, Takeaway, Dine-in.
Founders Cafe features the following highlights: Great coffee, Great tea selection, Live performances, Serves local specialty.
Founders Cafe features the following popular for: Breakfast, Lunch, Solo dining, Good for working on laptop.
Founders Cafe features the following offerings: Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Organic dishes, Prepared foods, Quick bite, Small plates, Vegan options, Vegetarian options.
Founders Cafe features the following dining options: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating.
Founders Cafe features the following amenities: Gender-neutral toilets, Restroom, Wi-Fi, Free Wi-Fi.
Founders Cafe features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Historic, Trendy.
Founders Cafe features the following crowd: Family friendly, Groups, LGBTQ+ friendly, Transgender safe space.
Founders Cafe features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
Founders Cafe features the following payments: Cheques, Credit cards, Debit cards, NFC mobile payments.
Founders Cafe features the following children: Good for kids, Kids' menu.
Founders Cafe features the following parking: Paid street parking.
Founders Cafe features the following pets: Dogs allowed.
Business Features
In Your Area
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