07/21/2025
Even though a little bit of a trek from where we are in Ontario, love this place to focus and work.
To the surprise of many outsiders, Rochester is a haven for independent coffee shops, the kind you’d expect to find in a much larger city. From espresso blends to pour-overs and cozy nooks to minimalist interiors, there’s no shortage of options when it comes to both coffees and general ambiance. However, it’s hard to remain objective when I work at Hydra, Rochester’s best coffee shop (I’m joking. Mostly).
is a relatively new addition to Rochester’s coffee scene, having opened just under
two years ago. Its name pays homage to the mythical Hydra, a creature said to grow two heads for every
one that’s cut off.
Fran Basile, owner of and Hydra, has seen this metaphor play out firsthand. The century-old
house on Monroe Avenue that Hydra now calls home has cycled through many lives: an internet café, a
home decor shop, a bakery that never quite opened its doors. All came and went in quick succession. But
when the Starbucks across the street closed, Fran saw an opening. Hydra Coffeehouse is the building’s
latest head, and perhaps its final one.
I have nothing but praise for the community we’ve built at Hydra. Our crew is small but tight-knit, made up of genuinely kind and talented people. Fran, our boss, and his wife, Peggy, feel more like family than employers.
Our coffee is locally sourced from Joe Bean, and our pastries are crafted in-house by our talented bakers,
Nik and Izzy. In the mornings, we serve breakfast sandwiches, and we offer a rotating selection of
seasonal specials and house-made syrups; flavors like Brown Sugar Rosemary, Peach Cobbler, Blueberry
Tarragon, and Pistachio Rose. The combinations are constantly changing, and the possibilities seem
endless.
When I drive down Monroe Avenue now, I recognize so many familiar faces. That wasn’t the case just two years ago. It’s not that the community didn’t exist — it simply lacked a gathering place. In many ways, that may be Hydra’s greatest contribution to Rochester: creating a space where neighbors become friends, and a street becomes a community.
Photo Credit: Democrat and Chronicle // .lathrop 4/8