Situated next to A Taste of Philadelphia and a few blocks away from The Palace Theater, Chadwicks is your resident James Street sports bar. In addition to booze and screens to watch the game, it offers customers all the grilled food staples, prepared right in front of your eyes at a window across from the bar. There’s plenty of room inside to mingle during half time, and the drink specials will...
“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...
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...
Kitty Hoynes isn’t your typical Irish pub, instead it boasts a small candle lit hangout that makes the perfect spot for long conversations and good laughs. Best of all, it's in the cultural epicenter of Syracuse---Armory Square.
When to Go: At this non-assuming hide-away spot, there will be older Syracuse locals, but on the weekends, college students swing by to start the night off...
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...
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....
Picture this: your dad’s favorite armchair meets funky New York swank. It’s that unique hybrid that puts Al’s Wine & Whiskey at the top of our list. If you’re not feeling up for the crowded Beerfest at Chuck’s or the underage dance party at Maggie’s, Al’s offers a refreshing change from the norm. A hip chilled out lounge with an indie music selection to match. Now...
In Armory Square, the calm quiet of the day transforms itself into a lively night atmosphere. The same can be said about the Blue Tusk. It’s a dimly lit space with bar stools and booths, seemingly limitless beer choices and refreshingly unique menu options. Early in the day, customers trickle in and out on their lunch hour, returning again to relax and enjoy their surroundings with an ice-cold...
For dinner, Phoebe’s Restaurant & Coffee Lounge is enticingly arranged and delicious-tasting fine dining, just around the corner from Syracuse University on East Genesee Street. Prior to noon, Phoebe’s is a cozy coffee lounge. If you don’t have time to sit down and enjoy the atmosphere, you can order your favorite Phoebe’s specialty to go. A Syracuse tradition, which has been around since...
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...
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...
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:...
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...
Benjamin Franklin once said, “Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” So if you a) like beer or b) want to be happy, head down to Faegan’s, one of our personal faves. A top-notch gastro pub, filling up glasses since 1978. A place where the mouth-watering menu is only topped by the extensive list of microbrews on tap. You can thank Ben later.When to...
Update: The bar has since been renamed "Sitrus on the Hill."
You know it’s there, but you have never checked it out. After all, you attend Syracuse University, so why would you need to go inside the Sheraton Hotel? Make the two-minute trip from Marshall Street, though, and you’ll find out what you’ve been missing. The hotel’s bar and grill, Sitrus on the Hill, and restaurant, Rachel’...
UPDATE: King David's is moving upstairs from its previous location, now residing above Chipotle. The restaurant plans to reopen in September 2011.
King David’s is as synonymous with Middle Eastern cuisine as it gets in Syracuse. The original restaurant is tucked away among the hustle and bustle of Marshal Street near the SU campus, but it offers a drastic alternative to what else is in the...
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...
It’s not often that you can hang out inside a former indie movie theater, sip some Magic Hat, and listen to some grade-A music. But, then again, The Westcott isn’t your typical, run-of-the-mill music and events venue. It’s not your typical bar either.When to Go: Whenever there’s a band playing that you like—duh. Ok, sounds obvious but, in all seriousness, the...
Don’t worry, you wouldn’t be the first. That knee-jerk pour of sauce onto your ribs will probably spill onto your new khakis. But you won’t care. The excitement is natural. Instead of reaching for the napkins — and delaying your meal — you’ll continue to pig out. After all, that’s what a fluorescent sign says in the window of Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: “Pig In, Pig Out.” The rib experience at this go-to...
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...