Are you one of those people who can never decide where to go eat? Are you always torn between various culinary cravings? (Guilty as charged.) Rather than letting yourself be paralyzed by FOMO or forcing your dining partner to choose where to eat yet again, have a little bit of everything with some progressive dining. Because more restaurants mean more fun, and great food, of course!
What Is Progressive Dining?
You know those books that would give you some story choices and tell you to turn to a specific page number to see what would happen next based on whichever option you chose? Well, progressive dining is basically the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure for food lovers.
Believe it or not, this event-like style of dining actually first started in the late 1890s, during the rise of the bicycle, as an especially active form of a dinner party. Back then, guests were encouraged to ride their bikes from one home to another, enjoying a different course at each stop. After a few decades, it then came back into fashion in the 1950s to 1970s as a social gathering for couples.
While you could certainly still throw a progressive dinner party with friends and family in your homes, why not save yourself the hassle of cooking and take the show on the road? Shake up your next night out by visiting multiple restaurants in one night and having a different course at each stop — an appetizer here, an entrée there, a dessert somewhere else, and maybe a cocktail (or two) to tie it all together. It’s a fun way to try new spots (or revisit old favorites), savor a bunch of different flavors and atmospheres, and turn a regular meal into a full-blown experience.
Best of all, you can build your progressive meal around whatever theme you’re feeling, whether it’s a world voyage on a plate, fancy date-night vibes or all-day brunch. You could even choose a specific cuisine to focus on. You make the rules! Taste of Italy or Taco Truck Tour, anyone?
Where to Go Progressive Dining in Rochester, MN
Ready to plan your perfect night (or morning) out? Here are some progressive dining theme ideas to whet your appetite and get your creative juices flowing, plus some local restaurant suggestions to get you started.
Around the World in Four Restaurants
Take your taste buds on a globetrotting adventure without ever leaving Rochester.
- Appetizer: Al Madina Restaurant – Kick things off with creamy hummus or smoky baba ghanouj at this laid-back and welcoming Middle Eastern eatery.
- Entrée: Pho Chau – Next, head a mile up Broadway to this casual Vietnamese favorite for a warm, fragrant bowl of beef pho or chicken hu tieu.
- Dessert: La Michoacana Purépecha – After your steaming bowl of soup, cool off with a scoop (or three) of velvety Mexican ice cream or a paleta (popsicle).
- Drinks: Palmetto Room – Wrap up your evening island-style with a specialty rum cocktail or “snaiquiri” (a snack-sized daiquiri) at this Cuban-inspired speakeasy reminiscent of 1950s Havana.
Comfort Food Crawl
When only cozy, craveable classics will do!
- Appetizer: Newt’s North or South – Start your meal in true Midwestern fashion with gooey, golden cheese curds crafted with white cheddar from a local dairy farm.
- Entrée: Chester’s Kitchen & Bar – Tuck into humble dishes like Chester’s famed roasted chicken or parmesan-crusted walleye at this upscale-casual spot.
- Dessert: Canadian Honker Restaurant – Share a generous slice (or keep it all to yourself) of moist and fluffy Bunnie’s Coconut Cake at this Rochester mainstay.
- Drinks: Olde Brick House – Finally, cap things off with a cocktail, mocktail or beer flight amid the lively ambiance and handsome dark wood of this Irish-inspired pub.
Breakfast/Brunch Dine-Around
Who says progressive dining has to happen at night? Have a marathon of a morning meal instead.
- Appetizer: Five West Kitchen + Bar – Greet the morning at this Rochester hotspot with AM spins on classic appetizers, like Breakfast Egg Rolls or Breakfast Flatbread.
- Entrée: Twigs Tavern and Grille – Indulge in sweet-meets-savory takes on Belgian waffles, from minis served with crispy chicken tenders to sandwiches and melts, at one of the comfy booths or the tucked-away patio.
- Dessert: Hollandberry Pannekoeken – Share a sweet, fluffy pannekoeken (an oven-baked Dutch pancake) at this airy and modern European-inspired diner.
- Drinks: Benedict’s – Sip signature bloodies (with a snit!), bubbly breakfast cocktails or boozy coffee beverages in this bustling brunch-lover’s paradise.
Culinary Tour of Downtown
Keep things close and convenient by hitting up some of downtown Rochester’s best dining spots.
- Appetizer: Bleu Duck Kitchen – First, begin your supper safari through downtown at this cheeky-chic spot with oysters, wontons or one of their other inventive starters.
- Entrée: CRAVE – Drink in the views of downtown beneath a retractable glass roof while enjoying crowd-pleasing dishes like sushi, steak or pasta at this stylish restaurant.
- Dessert: Mezza9 Café & Desserts – Nibble on delicate macarons or dig into a decadent slice of cake at this fresh, frilly and delightfully pink café.
- Drinks: Bitter & Pour – Crack the secret code at the entrance and then end your evening with craft cocktails and sophisticated vibes at this dimly lit subterranean speakeasy.
BBQ, Burgers & Brews
Perfect for a casual night out with friends (and stretchy jeans).
- Appetizer: Smoak BBQ – Enjoy a saucy start to your meal with brisket burnt ends or “Texas Twinkies” to share and games on the sunny outdoor patio.
- Entrée: Hot Chip Burger Bar – Get messy with a mouthwatering, cleverly named classic or the always-creative burger of the month at this colorful eatery — and don’t forget the free popcorn.
- Dessert: Forager Brewery – For an especially “hoppy” ending, sweeten things up at this artsy brewery with Beer Brûlée made with a Belgian brew.
- Drinks: The Tap House Downtown or West End – Finish strong with a selection of over 50 craft brews from the patio at one of these buzzy beer joints.
Passport to Asian Flavors
Eat your way around Asia, from China to Thailand and South Korea — chopsticks not included (but highly encouraged).
- Appetizer: Bebap Korean Eats – Spice things up right from the start with Korean Fried Chicken Wings, Korean Fried Tofu or Bulgogi Tacos at this vibrant downtown spot.
- Entrée: First Meeting Noodle – Slurp your way through hand-pulled noodle dishes like Dan Dan Noodles or Shanxi Shaved Noodle Soup at this bustling Chinese restaurant with an open kitchen.
- Dessert: ThaiPop – Next, treat yourself to the towering Annie’s Toast, crowned with ice cream and fresh fruit, at this trendy Thai eatery in the heart of downtown.
- Drinks: 1928 Cocktails and Bites – Sip the night away with Chinese-inspired cocktails and live jazz music (Fridays and Saturdays) at this intimate bar styled after 1920s Shanghai.
Wine, Dine & Romance
Make your next date night or anniversary a dreamy evening you won’t soon forget.
- Appetizer: Terza Ristorante – Canoodle over sea salt roasted oysters or silky lobster bisque, considered two of the culinary world’s most amorous ingredients, at this beloved Italian restaurant.
- Entrée: Our Paladar – Swoon over steak frites, crab-studded bucatini or velvety risotto and braised short rib from the cozy, wraparound porch of this one-time train depot.
- Dessert: Marrow – Retreat to the intimate dining room of this elevated American eatery for black sesame cheesecake or a honey-drizzled buckwheat crêpe for two.
- Drinks: The Redwood Room – Toast to a wonderful night together with indulgent dessert drinks, classic cocktails or fine wines while soaking up the live music in this moody basement restaurant.
Have more progressive dinner theme ideas? Leave a comment below!
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