If you want to experience NYC-style dining, but don't want to drive four hours to get there, then bc Restaurant is the place for you. Located in Armory Square, this restaurant features a variety of entrees and drinks with a upscale, yet casual atmosphere. Whether you're stepping in for a meal or an after-work drink, it's a classy alternative to the average pub.
When to Go: bc Restaurant is open...
In June 2010, Laci's Tapas Bar became the first Tapas restaurant in the Syracuse area. Tapas cuisine is inherently Spanish and is usually an assortment of smaller dishes sometimes meant for sharing. The bar's location is a bit isolated from downtown. But Laci's has become so popular to customers, it's rare to get a table on its busiest days. Reservations are recommended.
When to Go: The...
Update: Closed in late 2011.
With a modern design and upscale feel, Armory Square's newest sports bar has all the ingredients to make sports fans happy: two pool tables, shuffleboard, darts and an indoor basketball game. On top of it, it has five 82-inch projection screens and a choice of 120 beers, which make this place a great one to watch the games.When to Go: Gio’s Tavern is open every...
Namu offers an extensive menu of Thai, Korean and Japanese flavors complemented by Asian beers and wines and a full bar. The atmosphere and food presentation will impress your date, and the generous portions will leave you more than satisfied.
When to Go: If you don't mind parking far away and walking through the snow, Namu is great for a weekend date....
Nothing beats the combination of a gooey, freshly baked cookie and some milk to top off a great night. Insomnia Cookies appeals to the midnight snack cravers, the families visiting their kids at ‘Cuse, and the nightly crowd coming out of Chucks. Basically, this M-Street staple works for everyone.
The 'Dessert': Cookies are just a buck, but if you’re feeling really zealous, try a large cookie...
If you are looking for authentic Thai food, a plate of decent sushi, or a place that promises a memorable and exquisite family outing, check out Lemon Grass. The American-Thai restaurant located in Armory Square offers all of the above.
When to Go: Lunchtime at Lemon Grass is 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. from Monday to Saturday. Dinner is from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, 5 p.m. to 10:...
Empire Brewing Company has made an impression with its garden-grown menu, green mindset and carefully crafted brews. And its location at the heart of Armory Square doesn’t mean its Cajun-influenced cuisine is too pricey for a night out with friends. The atmosphere is casual, cozy and modern, and the food has a kick. Above all, Empire is approachable; you don’t have to be a microbrew connoisseur...
Chicken wing and beer lovers, unite. That’s the implied motto at Syracuse Suds Factory, est. 1991, the first Syracuse microbrew pub to open after the last one shut down in the early ’60s. With a roll of paper towels at most tables and a variety of homemade beers, the Suds Factory invites you to kick back like the restaurant’s signature overall-wearing pint drinker that sits atop each of the...
Don't let the Italian name fool you, the Dolce Vita World Bistro, which means the "beautiful life," is not just Italian. It's the entire world, served up on a plate. Here, you will see everything from European to Asian to American, depending on when you come in. After a favorable review in The Post-Standard, Dolce Vita made its mark in Syracuse as a place for foodies whose pastimes include eating...
“Shut up and eat your burger,” says the slogan of Bull & Bear Pub.
Which burger, you ask? Take your pick of one of many made at the pub, located in Hanover Square. You may have heard the phrase “fresh, never frozen” at a burger joint before, but at this “burger company,” their mission is serious: to provide you with a fresh half-pound Angus beef or a hand-trimmed chicken burger that is never...
If you are searching for mouthwatering food, cheap prices and a cozy place to eat, look no further than Mom's Diner. Almost hidden in plain view on Westcott Street, Mom's Diner serves traditional diner grub, while mixing in some Middle Eastern flair.
When to Go: Mom's Diner isn't exactly your 24-hour diner dive. During the week, you can eat at Mom's Diner from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and on the...
Step into another climate as you enter Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar just down the street from Syracuse University. As soon as you take a seat at a table made out of a surfboard and sip on your Corona with lime, your goose bumps from the perpetual winter outside will melt away. The West Coast-inspired décor provides plenty to gawk at. From movie posters dating back to the 1950's to license plates...
With over 70 TVs lining the walls playing every and any sports game that's on, Tully's is sure to provide a good time - and great food. The 10-minute drive from the Syracuse University campus to its location on Erie Boulevard is an easy trip for some all-American eats and friendly company. You'll be surprised how tasty the burgers are and how much grub they fit onto one plate at a place that...
Alto Cinco is the Mexican restaurant of your dreams. An extensive menu full of reasonably priced choices and an atmosphere — unmatched by any place on Marshall Street — will keep you coming back to the Westcott Street eatery for more. With 14 types of burritos, 10 quesadillas, and a wide variety of vegetarian and vegan options, there is something for everyone. Since Alto Cinco opened in 1995, the...
Nick's Tomato Pie is a throwback pizza joint quietly tucked away on Walton Street in the heart of Syracuse's Armory Square. Perhaps more appropriately situated in Manhattan's Greenwich Village, don't let Nick's underwhelming interior fool you. From its 50 cent wings to its widely popular buffalo chicken wing speciality slice, this modest-sized hole in the wall can fill almost any hole...
Sakana-Ya not your run-of-the-mill American sushi experience. And that's exactly how it's supposed to be.
Sakana-Ya prides itself as the premier sushi hub in Central New York and makes a compelling case. Between the modernized sushi bar setting, industrialized conveyor belt setup and Japanese-themed decor, Sakana-Ya gives a taste of contemporary Japanese cuisine. For a...
PJ's Pub and Grill in Armory Square is a great place to get a beer and watch the game. Chuck's and Faegan's can get pretty crowded with students on a regular basis, so try heading downtown when you want to avoid the long lines. PJ's is your typical Irish pub with American food that anyone can enjoy.
When to go: Early afternoon gets busy with the lunch break crowd, and since PJ's is far from...
You can smell the spices, tandoori baked breads and savory, coconut curry sauce three floors down from Samrat's. The 17-year-old family-owned Indian restaurant serves authentic Indian cuisine seven days a week. Its quaint 15-table dining room is ideal for rich, spicy flavors on a cold Syracuse day.
When to go: Make a lunch date to visit Samrat's buffet Monday-Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. At...
Imagine you could share a meal with Michael Corleone while being serenaded by Frank Sinatra. Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse makes that fantasy come true. The Erie Boulevard restaurant offers reasonably priced Italian fare in a relaxed environment. Caricatures of famous Italians like Corleone are plastered on the dimly lit walls, and your meal is accompanied by the sounds of Sinatra. But, this...
Syracuse Suds Factory isn’t a typical downtown bar full of townies. Known as “Syracuse’s first brewery since 1962,” Syracuse Suds Factory brews its beers on the premises. You can watch them make the beer as you drink it by the pint. But the Suds Factory isn’t just a pub, as its food provides an awesome complement to any beverage selection. Whether your favorite team is playing at home or on...