Don't be put off by the standalone brick building and the vines so thick this time of year they obscure the windows and the "Open" sign. This 10-year-old restaurant serves authentic Korean specialties ranging from boiled snails to kimchi to stir-fried chicken gizzards to raw tilapia. There's also an abundance of chicken, beef, tofu and pork for the less adventurous.
When to Go: Hours are 11:30 a....
The Jordanian family that owns and runs this restaurant prides itself on bringing its homeland dining culture to the 'Cuse. The Essi family says its recipes, which originated in Lebanon, make up "the best diet in the world." Meals here are made up mostly of beans, grains, vegetables and lots of herbs and spices, which the family says hold medicinal powers. The 90 percent vegan menu features...
There’s a new kid on Marshall Street and no, it’s not some obscure restaurant no one's heard about … it’s Chipotle, the Mexican fast-food joint taking the country by storm. With more than 1,000 restaurants around the country, it’s safe to say that people all over have jumped on the Chipotle bandwagon, and the University has taken to the place in likely fashion. The chain, which opened on Marshall...
Update: Life is a Piece of Cake has closed.
The exterior of Life is a piece of Cake looks like it’s been slathered with bubblegum pink icing, and once you walk through the door, the pink, black and white interior just screams “cute, cozy bakery.” The food case sits between a retro pink refrigerator and a pink and white counter. Every accent, from the white chandelier, to the coffee mugs...
Strong Hearts Cafe offers earth-friendly comfort food that’s kind to animals and humans alike. The 100 percent vegan menu satisfies the strictest diet, without disappointing a hearty appetite or ravenous sweet tooth. Carnivores are likely to lick their plates clean before realizing what’s “missing” from their meal (animal products of any kind). The hip, relaxed atmosphere inspires fruitful...
You know the feeling. The immediate, involuntary response — almost too subtle to notice — but there in the greedy inhalation, fluttering eyelids and chest-held clutch as you watch the steam uncurl from the aromatic brew. A ritual familiar to all those who pay respect to the beverage that puts an extra pep in one’s step and provides that spare zap of energy to keep you going for that one last hour...
If you are walking down Marshall Street and feel like enjoying a tasty burger, Sliders is where you need to go. Whether you are looking to share or eat by yourself, Sliders is bound to satisfy, with combinations of up to 12 mini-burgers with the ingredients of your choice. So, go in, and enjoy some "sliders" with your friends as you watch football on their flat-screen TV.
When to Go: It’s...
If you're looking for a new place to cheer on your Syracuse Orange, look no further than the recently opened Saltine Warrior Sports Pub located just west of Clinton Square in downtown Syracuse. The name comes from Syracuse University's old mascot. Owned and operated by John Shahin, the same guy behind Harry's Bar right by campus, this new sports bar offers reasonably priced sports-viewing fare...
"A Funky Place to Meet and Eat."
Specialty coffee, art shows, live concerts, healthy and affordable food...What's not to love? Whether you're looking for a tasty variety of vegetarian food or just need a break from the less-than-healthy college diet, Sparky Town is exactly what you're looking for.
When To Go: Sparky Town is open Mon-Fri from 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sat 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Lunchtime...
Hidden between dreary-looking factory buildings and truck loading docks is a German gem: Danzer's German & American Restaurant. Though the building is easy to miss, the German appearance inside is unmistakable. Signs in German hang from the walls, and multiple German beers are just an order away. Rich in history and about five minutes away from the Syracuse University campus, the...
Falafels. Chicken Kabobs. Gyros. Turkish Coffee. Next time a slice of pizza or sub fails to excite your appetite, look no further than Byblos Mediterranean Café in downtown Syracuse. Serving a wide variety of homemade Lebanese cuisine, this family-run business offers an exotic and ethnic twist for your culinary consumption. Vegetarians will love Byblos for its abundance of meat-free meals, but...
With a name like Bittersweet Wine and Dessert Bar, this West Fayette Street restaurant makes it clear to patrons what parts of the meal they are going to remember. Indeed, the wine list and dessert menu offer enough to leave only the snobbiest of eaters unsatisfied. But you might also be surprised at how much you enjoy the stuff that comes in between.
When to Go: Bittersweet, which opened...
Though 2nd Story's name comes directly from its location on the second story of its Westcott Street home, this straightforward attribution belies the aesthetic delights and array of items offered in this low-key coffee shop and former bookstore. Whether you're craving a crispy panini or crumbly pastry, 2nd Story will provide and have you lounging around in its cozy nooks for hours with a treat in...
Consider it a playground for beer connoisseurs with an unquenchable thirst for variety. Beat your brew boredom with one of the 69 different beers on tap at J Ryan’s Pub in downtown Syracuse. Stop in for insanely affordable prices paired with good food and a cozy atmosphere. What more could a college student ask for?
When to Go: J Ryan’s is a good alternative when the more well-known bars are...
Metro fuses a sushi bar, an intimate concert venue and a dance club all into one. It may seem like those three things don't go together, but at Metro it works. The classy interior furnished with leather couches and teak wood furniture adds an air of sophistication, but the place lacks any pretention. Rather, it invites locals to enjoy great food, fun music and a relaxing (or wild, or both)...
If it weren’t for the sign hanging from the second-floor balcony, or the fliers for local events hanging in the windows, you might think the Recess Coffee House and Roastery is just another house. Situated on a residential block just off Westcott Street, Recess looks unassuming and modest. But once inside, your nose will be greeted with the aroma of fresh-roasted coffee and just-out-of-the-...
Update: Southern Flava has closed.
The food inside Southern Flava is as homemade as the sign outside, and it's that homemade aspect that keeps the customers coming. This downtown takeout restaurant has something for everyone. Owner Amie Noel brought a little bit of the Alabama sunshine with her when she came to Syracuse. “Ms. Amie,” as she is known to her regulars, has been warming...
If you’re looking for a laid-back place to watch the big game while enjoying New York style wings and pizza with your favorite draft, then head to DJ’s on the Hill during one of Syracuse University’s basketball games.
When to Go: Take your pick of the night. Open till 2 a.m. every night, DJ’s always has a drink special, and the kitchen is open till close. DJ’s will soon feature a lunch...
Gladiator paintings and ancient sculptures decorate the walls. The aroma of Greek dressing lingers in the air. Two men speak in low tones at the bar in Greek accents.
Just one step into this small restaurant, and you instantly feel as if you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean. The restaurant is not in the bustling streets of Athens or the spectacular cliffs of Santorini, but instead is...
A diamond in the rough, New Garden hides Asian culinary treasures behind its plain exterior. Located in the heart of the University Neighborhood, it offers affordable Chinese grub to hungry students. Its intimate, yet basic setting may be the opposite of the elaborate buildings of the ancient Chinese imperial dynasties. However, the dishes will indulge your taste buds with flavors that General...