Try the Sun Salutation if you like golden milk. Ugly Duck’s take on this traditional drink adds the perfect spice, literally and figuratively, to an already lovely drink. My wife got their flat white, and likewise praised it. I like the general atmosphere, though it’s admittedly not designed for lingering. It’s rather small, which makes plenty of sense for a downtown cafe. And they clearly intend the “furniture” not to accommodate lengthy visits. My favorite feature besides the drink and service is that they name all the plants through the cafe. It’s a fun characteristic that shouldn’t be overlooked. Overall, it’s undoubtedly worth a visit. I’d rate it top 5 in Rochester.

In my search for the best espresso in Rochester (after having made a trip to Portugal with great espresso available at every corner) I tried a cortado last week here. It was great. Ambiance is bright, location is central, and service is top notch.

Ugly Duck Coffee is hands down one of the best coffee spots in Rochester. The vibe is cozy, creative, and welcoming—perfect for catching up with a friend or getting a bit of work done. The baristas are genuinely friendly and knowledgeable, and you can tell they care about their craft. Every drink I’ve had here is perfectly balanced, especially their espresso and seasonal specials. You can taste the quality in every sip. This place has become a regular stop for me, and I always leave feeling better than when I walked in. Highly recommend!

Absolutely brilliant. They have my wife's favorite coffee in the country, so we stop every time we're near Rochester. I don't drink coffee, but the Sun Salutation is fantastic. And they have the most amazing molasses cookies! It's also funny that all the plants have names. It can get busy at times but the staff is helpful and the drinks are worth it!

I’ve lived in Seattle my entire life and am a proud coffee snob. Their “grandma’s kisses latte” is one of the best I’ve ever had- unique flavors with just the right amount of sweetness blended perfectly with the espresso. You can tell that someone is putting a lot of care into this coffee! Bright, clean and airy shop with friendly baristas rounded out this experience.

Went to a wedding in the area. Tried a few coffee shops in the area and it was definitely hit or miss. At the wedding I asked a cousin and his wife where should I go before my road trip back home. They said Ugly Duck. Definitely Ugly Duck. No question Ugly Duck. Next day we packed up, left our Airbnb, and drove to Ugly Duck. We explained we are new and it was recommended by friends. So accommodating! They answered all our questions. They asked us how we wanted our coffees and we're extremely polite and gracious and informative. Will always stop by when back to Rochester.

Ugly Duck Coffee offers an inviting and modern atmosphere that makes for an excellent coffee stop. During my visit, I tried their cinnamon roll, and it was absolutely fantastic. The roll had a perfectly fluffy texture with just the right amount of sweetness and a delightful cinnamon flavor that wasn’t overpowering. Paired with their well-crafted coffee (I recommend their drip or seasonal latte), it was a satisfying treat that exceeded expectations. The staff were warm and attentive, ensuring every guest felt welcome. The minimalist yet cozy interior adds to the overall charm, making it a perfect spot for both work and relaxation. I highly recommend Ugly Duck Coffee not only for their excellent beverages but also for their thoughtfully chosen pastries—a true standout!

OK, I'm a bit of a coffee snob. My wife and I have invested a lot of time and money into our home setup. We invested in learning how to pull quality shots from our espresso machine, how to steam mill and develop microfoam, etc. As such, we both are pretty picky when it comes to coffee drinks outside of our home. Ugly Duck makes the cut. It's a cute, cozy place with a relaxed vibe. Staff was appropriately knowledgeable and friendly. The cashier was able to talk a bit about their guest roaster and the difference that anaerobic processing makes. I had a shot of that which was pretty expertly prepared and served. My wife had one of their specialty drinks. The Snug: molasses bitters, milk, espresso, maple syrup. Fantastic. All flavors were so well balanced, nothing stood out. Milk was silky with a lot of texture. Great drink. The ginger scone was house baked, like most everything else we saw. Appropriately on the drier side, great ginger flavor but not overbearing. Tasty. Parking can be a bit of a challenge. There was an off-street parking lot shared with neighboring business which can be hard to find a spot in. This was supplemented by on-street paid parking. We were fortunate to find a spot on the lot. We will definitely be back. This is a great place.