Photos by Valerie Salazar Pena
By Valerie Salazar Pena, Staff Writer
9/19/25
ROCKLAND- Rockland is home to many local restaurants. Residents may have visited Mike’s with a group of friends or have gone to Minieros Steakhouse with their family.
These restaurants are a true part of Rockland’s charm.
Those new to Rockland may be unaware of these restaurants and their importance to our community, or how trying a new place might impact the economy and diversity of this small town.
Corner Grill
Corner Grill & Pizzeria is a restaurant located on Union Street, right next to GV Brazilian Store. Their menu features pizza dishes, pasta, and casual foods.
Its popularity has grown throughout the years, being established on April 17, 2017. You can often see students going there after school.
Its laid-back atmosphere is a staple and attractor for those looking for a casual lunch with friends.
Rockland High freshman Favour Ndkuwe explained, “It’s like one of those restaurants where you don’t think much of it, you walk by it and you think ‘it’s probably like any other place’, but it’s actually really good.”
Anita Marie’s
Anita Marie’s Breakfast and Lunch is known for its hearty breakfast meals, but also includes casual lunches. Open Tuesday to Sunday, it's frequented by those looking for a filling breakfast.
The breakfast diner is a popular Sunday brunch spot, especially for its friendly staff, attracting customers to the restaurant with its magnetic atmosphere.
The staff are particularly quick, delivering food hot and ready to eat in a reasonable amount of time.
Breakfast and lunch options are vast, and their wide range of selections, as well as their welcoming atmosphere and staff, make for a worthwhile breakfast spot.
Stevie G’s
Formerly Butterfield’s Family Restaurant, Stevie G’s is a family-owned diner serving breakfast and lunch, open all week from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It’s particularly noted for its welcoming atmosphere and its frequent menu changes, giving customers the opportunity to try new dishes every time they visit.
Rockland High’s English teacher, Ms. Kristen Walsh, said, “I think it’s nice when you’re making plans with friends or family to go to a restaurant that has family ownership or people you know who put their heart and soul into it, versus a standard chain.”
King Bibis
King Bibis Rockland is a Brazilian casual restaurant, serving traditional Brazilian street food and larger meals such as main steak and meat dishes. Treats such as acai and Brazilian dessert pizza are also common orders from their selection.
The restaurant is highlighted for its generous portion sizes for the price, often claiming it is “too much”. Its authenticity is clearly present in the food, as their staff is mainly Brazilian and speaks Portuguese, adjusting the language barrier for those ordering food there.
Some students even claim that the food is “just like in Brazil”.
Freshman Clara Santos explained, “I always order a coxinha with catupiry [cheese] because that’s my favorite and I’ve always eaten that even since [living] back in Brazil.”
Space Bistro
A popular sushi spot for locals is Space Bistro, a Brazilian restaurant that combines Brazilian flavors with Japanese cuisine.
The restaurant’s menu is diverse and unique, featuring sushi dishes like temaki rolls and large-box combos that contain various types of sushi or traditional Brazilian cuisine, such as their signature picanha.
Language isn’t a barrier for Space Bistro, as many of their employees and servers speak Portuguese or Spanish.
Their vast range of foods and variety gives customers the chance to try all sorts of different foods from various cultures in this classy, fine-dining restaurant, making it worth a visit.