Welcome to Founders Cafe

We Hope You’re Hungry!

Founders Cafe is a trendy cafe, tea and coffeehouse located in The Academy Building in downtown Rochester serving up award-winning micro roast coffees, freshly baked goods, handmade soups, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and paninis. We only use the freshest ingredients and artisan baked breads. We also offer both vegetarian and vegan options as well as some gluten free choices as well. With great food made-from-scratch, organic, fair-traded coffees and teas, and a hip friendly vibe (yes, we have WIFI), we’re a perfect escape from the office, a stop for passerbys, or out-of-town visitors. In addition to our extensive menu, we also offer catering services, delivery, creative specials theme weeks and a weather-permitting outdoor patio. To show our support of local businesses, Founders Cafe outsources all of our bread from Baker Street Bakery.

Menu Catering Specials

About Us

Although the Founders Cafe was opened over 10 years ago, the current owner, Michael Ellman “re-founded” the cafe in 2016 and has owned it for 8.5 years. Making and serving food to family, friends, guests, and customers has been a part of his DNA and an expression of love to Michael and his family. His parents owned a Carvel franchise in Brooklyn and his grandparents owned a luncheonette on the ground floor of the apartment his family lived in.

Michael has over 30 years of managerial experience in the hospitality industry throughout his professional career. Now it’s his turn to express his love to the hungry people of Rochester by providing them with a consistent, organic and delicious experience. Request to be added to our email list by contacting us at 585-770-1721!

 

Looking for Lunch in Rochester, NY?

Whether you’re taking a break from the office, meeting a friend or simply looking for a great lunch in Rochester, NY, Founder’s Cafe has plenty of made-from-scratch options to satisfy your midday cravings. Located in downtown Rochester’s Academy Building, we serve fresh sandwiches, wraps, paninis, homemade soups and creative salads made with quality ingredients and artisan breads. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available, so there’s something for just about everyone at the table. Stop in for lunch, enjoy our outdoor patio when the weather cooperates, or order delivery when leaving the office just isn’t happening.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

 

Founders Cafe is a welcoming neighborhood coffeehouse dedicated to serving quality coffee and fresh, delicious meals in a comfortable and modern setting. We pride ourselves on community engagement and exceptional customer service.
Yes, you can make a reservation by picking a date, time, and party size.
Yes, Founders Cafe has outdoor seating.
We maintain a 4.5 rating on Yelp and 4.7 star rating on Google!
$20
5 miles. (We will deliver further for larger orders.)
There are metered spaces out front on S. Fitzhugh and on Broad St. and covered outdoor lots within a block.
There is no such thing as a free lunch!
Yes, Founders Cafe provides complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi and conveniently placed power outlets throughout the space, making it an ideal spot for both casual browsing and productive work sessions.
Absolutely. We offer a diverse menu that includes a variety of vegan and gluten-free dishes, crafted to cater to different dietary preferences and ensure a satisfying experience for every guest.
Our cafe is conveniently located in the heart of downtown, easily accessible by public transit and within walking distance of major landmarks and business centers. Our Address is 13 South Fitzhugh St. Rochester NY, 14614.
We are open Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Saturday from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, allowing you to enjoy our offerings throughout the day.
Yes. You can call ahead or use our convenient app. Founders is a popular downtown breakfast and lunch stop, so ordering ahead is a great option when you're working with a tight schedule. We'll help you get a fresh, satisfying meal without turning lunch into an all-afternoon affair.
Our menu has plenty to explore, but our sandwiches and paninis are a great place to start. You'll also find breakfast favorites, fresh wraps and salads, homemade soups and creative rotating specials, so there's always a reason to try something new.
Yes. We’ve successfully catered groups over 200 people. We offer catering and delivery in addition to our regular dine-in and takeout service. If you're feeding an office, hosting a meeting or planning a group meal, contact us so we can help you choose options that work well for your group.
Supporting local businesses matters to us. For example, our artisan breads come from Rochester's Baker Street Bakery, helping us bring local flavor into the food we serve every day.
We're more than a stop for coffee. We make fresh breakfast and lunch favorites including sandwiches, wraps, paninis, salads and homemade soups, alongside organic, fair-trade coffee and tea. Whether you're grabbing breakfast before work, meeting someone for lunch or settling in for a break downtown, we want every visit to feel fresh, friendly and satisfying.

 

Call to place an order for delivery!