Every town resident knows the local favorites in regards to a good meal or simply a well-deserved treat. For visitors or newcomers, it can become a long journey of trial and error to find out where to spend their money (and their calories) on meals and desserts. To help shorten such a frustrating process, and hopefully save you some time, here is a list of the places to go when going out becomes stressful.

1. Ditch the Starbucks Safety Net

When strolling down Main St. in Downtown Rochester, stroll on into Dessert Oasis and wind down with couch seating and something delicious. Serving up the best cup of hot chocolate in town, there is no better meeting of quaint and quality than this little coffee lounge. Sip on a beautifully foamed cappuccino and fork over the to-die-for cheesecake while listening to a live music performance.

2. Take your sushi craving to Take

Take Sushi (“Ta-keh”)was rewarded recognition as one of the top sushi cuisines in Rochester Hills since 2011, and for good reason. Not only is the freshness of the food noteworthy on its own, the atmosphere of Take inspires anyone to try the authentic Japanese dishes. Bonus, enjoy a salty cup of miso soup and cold ginger salad with your sushi order. You shouldn’t need a reason to never pay for an overpriced Kroger California roll again.

3. The Best Slice

Nothing beats a brick oven pizza, especially one that you don’t have to share. The “Subway” of pizzas if you will, MOD brings out the culinary artist in any pizza-lover. Choose from an overwhelming variety of toppings and sauces, (or don’t choose - get them all…).

4. Garlic Lovers- Unite!

Mediterranean food is a guilty pleasure of mine, specifically the garlic sauce and hot basket of pita bread they bring to your table when you sit down at Shish Palace. Order a chicken shawarma sandwich or a plate of fresh hummus for guaranteed satisfaction.

5. Heavenly Sweets

Looking for something sweet to top off your night on the town? If you find yourself walking by Holy Cannoli on Main St., look no further. Splurge in the unique variations of their classic Italian dessert by biting into a crispy cannoli shell with sweet ricotta filling. Valuable advice: Make sure you try every flavor they have for the day before you commit to a purchase!!