Check out these five side dishes that take the cake (or, rather, the hibachi nachos, fried cheese balls and spiced carrots) in Rochester Magazine’s annual Best Restaurants contest.

Steak? Seafood? Chicken? Let’s be honest: The main dish doesn’t matter when you order one of these sides, voted the best in the city by Rochester Magazine readers.

Spoiler alert: You won’t find potato salad or cole slaw on this list.

Hibachi Nachos at Zen Fusion Hibachi & LoungeHibachi Nachos at Zen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge | Rochester Magazine / Ken Klotzbach

Hibachi Nachos at Zen Fusion Hibachi & Lounge

They don’t call it “Fusion” for nothing. These winning nachos start with fresh-made tostadas and finish with a generous serving of fried rice. And, of course, these are nachos, so you’ll find melted cheddar, fresh pico de gallo, cilantro, and avocado in there, too. Make it a meal by adding hibachi chicken, steak, or shrimp.

Za’atar Spiced Carrots at MarrowZa’atar Spiced Carrots at Marrow | Rochester Magazine / Ken Klotzbach

Za’atar Spiced Carrots at Marrow

After a brief, car-drove-into-our-building hiatus, Marrow re-opened in August 2024. And the Best Restaurants-winning Za’atar spiced carrots came back with it—under a different name. Now listed as “barbecued carrots” on the menu, the flavor combinations of black lime labneh (a strained yogurt) and pistachio dukkah (a tart spice blend) result in sweet-and-tart deliciousness.

Fried Chese balls at TerzaFried Cheese Balls at Terza | Rochester Magazine / Ken Klotzbach

Fried Cheese Balls at Terza Ristorante

Terza boasts a menu of hand-crafted offerings—and, yes, that includes these top-voted cheese balls. Combining white cheddar with garlic, parsley, and Terza's famous mother sauce, it’s no surprise that we can’t stop at one. Or two. Or three …

Smoked Gouda Hash Browns at Chester'sSmoked Gouda Hash Browns at Chester's | Rochester Magazine / Ken Klotzbach

Smoked Gouda Hash Browns at Chester’s

Cheese and hash browns. Have any two ingredients ever been better together? We think not. Especially when that cheese is a creamy smoked gouda. Whether you’re visiting for brunch, lunch, or dinner, this crowd (and employee) favorite is a must-have. Insider tip: Try it with Chester’s signature rotisserie chicken.

Cauliflower at Our PaladarCauliflower at Our Paladar | Rochester Magazine / Maya Giron

Cauliflower at Our Paladar

We’ll be honest. We hadn’t even heard of “agrodolce” before trying Our Paladar’s famous cauliflower. But we won’t forget this tangy sauce anytime soon. Because it’s one of the ingredients—along with pepita, pickled chile, and cilantro—that make this dish the star of the plate.