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...
“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...
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...
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...
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...
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....
What two things are guaranteed to make every Syracuse University student drool? Pastabilities’ fresh, warm bread and hot tomato oil dipping sauce. Sold all over Syracuse and Central New York, the restaurant’s famous bread and dipping sauce is the perfect way to start a meal, especially if you’re eating in the warm, inviting, and usually hopping, dining room of Pastabilities.
When to Go:...
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...
Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub stays true to its name, appropriately tucked away on Tipperary Hill in Syracuse. For visitors and locals alike, the traditional pub has served as a hallmark for the historic Irish neighborhood since 1933. The miniature telephone booth for leprechauns just outside the main entrance ensures diners that Coleman’s leaves out no details when it comes to being...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
The Mission Restaurant sits nestled at a bizarre four-way intersection in downtown Syracuse, as if ensconced on an urban island, commanding attention from around Columbus Circle. The Mission’s unorthodox surroundings are fitting. Its picturesque location highlights what is arguably the prettiest and most historic dining establishment in the city. The building does not resemble a restaurant, for...
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...
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...
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...