Five Syracuse cafes you should be checking out
Five must visit cafes in Syracuse
With easily accessible student favorite coffeeshops like Recess Coffee, Cafe Kubal, and Starbucks located right on the Hill, it might seem fruitless to venture off campus to find something new. However, for those of you looking to escape your routine — and that one girl from your freshman floor who still won’t leave you alone and seems to always know where to find you — look no further. Below are five options to break the Syracuse cafe doldrums and satisfy your need to escape campus just for a little bit.
Biscotti Cafe
Location: 741 N. Salina St., Syracuse, NY 13208
Must try: Raspberry Chambord cake
If you’re still mourning the untimely closing of Marshall Street’s short-lived Crepe & Gelato Blvd in 2014, then a trip to the Biscotti Cafe will certainly mend your heart. A cozy old-style Italian cafe in the heart of Syracuse’s Little Italy, this shop boasts a hearty selection of freshly made pastries and 12 flavors of authentic-style gelato. If you never made it abroad to Florence, then look no further than the Biscotti Cafe to transport you back to the old country for an afternoon over a macchiato and a sweet treat.
For more information, head to BiscottiCafe.com.
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Thursday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday – Saturday: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Rise and Grind
Location: 4119 W. Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13219
Must try: Prosciutto toast
Located in an unassuming plaza, Rise and Grind Cafe is a must-visit. The cafe is cozy, with the eclectic interior cast in the warm glow of string lights a fireplace surrounded by plush, tufted armchairs. In addition to classic menu items, sophisticated specials like their current lavender latte, and cult favorites like edible cookie dough and glammed-up doughnuts elevate Rise and Grind out of typical cafe status. It also offers healthy light bites including smoothie bowls—playfully titled “Blendies”—and an assortment of locally sourced sweets and pastries at economical prices that will feed your soul and your wallet.
For more information, head to TheRiseAndGrindCafe.com.
Hours:
Sunday: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Monday – Friday: 6 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Salt City Coffee
Location: 509 W. Onondaga St., Syracuse, NY 13204
Must try: ‘Cuselandia
Located at the ground level of an old white house from the 1860s and topped by the second-floor headquarters of the Axiom Church, this hip spot features an alternative take on your traditional favorites. Its signature, locally roasted blends are available by the bag so you can #KeepItSaltySyr every morning from the comfort of your own home, but the cozy ambiance is likely to keep you coming back for more. Stop by for a ‘Cuselandia—a coffee beverage named in an ode to the Salt City of the Northeast—or chill on the patio for a bite of one of their occasional Brinner Specials (bye, bye brunch) when the Syracuse weather melts into spring.
For more information, head to SaltCityCoffee.com.
Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Roji Tea Lounge
Location: 108 E. Washington St. #2, Syracuse, NY 13202
Must try: Green tea cookies
Caffeine and college students might go hand-in-hand, but if you’re looking for an alternate option to your typical coffee-induced buzz, Roji Tea Lounge is the place for you. Located adjacent to the McCarthy Building and set to the background of local art and exposed brick, Roji boasts a menu of over 50 tea varieties, Asian-inspired desserts, and bubble teas. Perfect for reviving your New Year’s resolution to engage in #CleanLiving, Roji’s tranquil and laid-back space will make you feel like a Zen master. Next time you’re facing a late-night study session, be sure to stop by Roji—they’re open until midnight every night of the week.
For more information, head to RojiTeaLounge.com.
Hours:
Daily: Noon – midnight.
The Sweet Praxis
Location:203 E. Water St., Syracuse, NY 13202
Must try: Hibiscus doughnut
After just over a year in business, The Sweet Praxis has already become a staple in downtown Syracuse. Serving up elevated cafe bites and sweets from a curry chicken tartine to a rotating assortment of artisanal donuts, their selection offers something for all connoisseurs of the sweets and savories. Bathed in light and walled in baby blue, The Sweet Praxis is a millennial minimalist’s Instagram-worthy daydream. Whether you’re attending one of their afternoon teas at the bake lab or hanging out over a Praxis Blend coffee, their playlist of mellow electronic and indie covers of today’s top hits is the perfect backdrop for any occasion.
For more information, head to TheSweetPraxis.com.
Hours:
Sunday and Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Friday: 7 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
is a contributor to The NewsHouse with a dual BA in magazine and anthropology. She is a lover of specialty donut shops, world cultures and cats, and hopes to pursue a career in digital media in her post-graduate adventures.
