Pelican's Nest Restaurant

Pelican's Nest Restaurant is a seasonal waterfront dining spot at 566 River St in Rochester's Charlotte neighborhood, situated on the west side of the Genesee River. Founded by Terry Testa in the mid-1990s, the restaurant has operated for roughly three decades. Testa originally planned to build the property and lease it out but ultimately chose to run it himself. Open seven days a week from approximately April through October, Pelican's Nest serves lunch and dinner in a casual, laid-back setting that draws families, boaters, and visitors heading to nearby Charlotte Beach.

The menu centers on American fare with a seafood focus. Standout dishes include crab cake sandwiches, steamed clams, Chicken French, and the house Pelican Pasta. The bar program is a significant part of the operation, featuring an extensive selection of beer, wine, and signature cocktails such as rum punch and margaritas. Live music acts perform regularly throughout the season, adding to the atmosphere on the restaurant's spacious riverside deck. Both indoor and outdoor waterfront seating are available, giving guests river views regardless of weather.

Pelican's Nest is one of the Rochester area's longest-running seasonal waterfront restaurants, with close to 30 years of continuous spring-to-fall operation along the Genesee River. The property includes guest dockage, making it one of the few local restaurants accessible by boat. During peak summer weekends, the restaurant can see well over a thousand guests in a single day. The combination of river views, dock access, and live entertainment has made it a warm-weather gathering place in the Charlotte port area. The operation employs roughly 90 seasonal staff members each year to keep up with demand.

The restaurant sits on River Street in Charlotte, just a quarter mile south of Charlotte Beach on Lake Ontario and immediately next door to the Historic Charlotte Genesee Lighthouse. Charlotte is Rochester's lakefront neighborhood at the mouth of the Genesee River, anchored by the beach, the pier, and a cluster of seasonal businesses along the river. Guests arriving by boat can tie up at the restaurant's own dock. For those driving, the restaurant is accessible via Lake Avenue heading north from downtown Rochester. Street and lot parking is available in the area, though summer weekends can get busy.