10 Best Restaurants Syracuse NY — Live Music & Great Vibes

In Syracuse, you’ll meet people with warm hearts, and if you stumble into the gourmet sandwich shop of Darwin, you’ll be taken by surprise. Darwin is the brainchild of two friends who decided to give the people of Syracuse a taste of their premium sandwiches. The restaurant is famous for serving fresh sandwiches. In addition, they change up the menu weekly, so the food never seems boring. If you do visit, be sure to order these sandwiches:

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is one of the best restaurants Syracuse NY. With just one look at the restaurant, you can tell that Dinosaur Bar-B-Que was established primarily for bikers. The restaurant is best known for its meat cuts. You can enjoy some succulent ribs or go crazy on their melt-in-mouth brisket. If you don’t have an appetite for meat, you can also consider vegetarian options. If you do visit Dinosaur-Bar-B-Que, do order:

Pastabilities is a hot spot for food lovers who crave contemporary cuisine. It is considered one of the best restaurants Syracuse NY. For more than 40 years, it has been serving the best homemade pasta and Italian-American fare to the people of Syracuse.

One step in, and you’ll notice neon signs over the bar illuminating the place, with small tables paired with chairs taking up the area of the dining hall. While the ambiance is one reason to visit, the main attraction is their delightful menu. You’ll probably love the Hot Tom & Stretch Bread, their signature starter. If you’re visiting for the first time, reserve your table in advance to avoid a rush. Here is what you should order:

This Thai restaurant in Syracuse, NY, is perfect for a romantic night out. The ambiance is ideal, with colorful art, a high ceiling, ample seating, and modern lighting that complements it. Apart from its appearance, the food is the main highlight.

If you have a taste for Southeast Asian food or want to discover its flavors, then this Thai eatery is the perfect place to be. Either order some Pad Thai or taste their Classis curries. From appetizers to soups and salads, it’s got everything. You can order the following dishes:

Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub is one of Syracuse’s best restaurants for quality Irish-American fusion cuisine. It combines all the good aspects of both cultures to present something unique New Yorkers rarely experience.

The ambiance feels vintage, with polished dark wood furniture and hanging lights. But one look at the menu, and you’ll surely want to have a go at it. The restaurant serves Irish-American fusion fare with dishes like Irish Poutine, Irish Porter Burger, and Rueben Fritters. And being at a pub, you can’t forget about the classic Irish Whiskey to top it all off. Here is what you should order for dinner at Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub:

Phoebe Restaurant & Coffee Lounge is one of the best restaurants Syracuse NY. Local lore claims that the restaurant’s building was once a brothel. William Eberhardt converted the building into a restaurant in 1976. A large dining room was added with a skylight on top in 1979, which made it a Syracuse hit.

Not until 2004 did it see a significant change with rebranding, which led to it being Christened Phoebe’s Restaurant and Coffee Lounge. The restaurant offers a seasonal menu. Everything from the food to the ambiance is in perfect harmony. Here is what you should order if you visit this fine dining eatery:

Did you know that NY is home to the largest Italian population? It has the third highest population outside of Italy. You can find several Italian eateries in the city. If you’re looking for one in Syracuse, NY, then Strada Mia Italian Steakhouse won’t disappoint. 

The restaurant serves some of the best traditional Italian cuisines you could have, with the Lasagne being their pride. Other menu items are also great, especially when paired with a drink from their exclusive wine list.

It’s a great place to visit if you’re craving something simple with bold flavors. The restaurant boasts a large dining hall with outdoor seating as well. Remember to reserve your table in advance. If you do visit, ensure to order these dishes:

It’s time for dessert. And why not taste the frozen desserts from Gannon’s Isle? The restaurant was established in 1982 by two siblings, John and Eileen Gannon, who shared a love of ice cream. 

Since then, the eatery has served hard-pack ice creams to the Syracuse residents. To keep their ice-creams trendy, they change up their flavors frequently. You can visit this downtown location year-round and enjoy a scoop to your heart’s content. Consider trying one of these flavors available year-round:

New Yorkers love Pizza. While in New York, do as New Yorkers do. Have a pizza to tantalize your taste buds. You can find a Pizzeria in literally every corner of the city. We covered many of them in our earlier blogs about the best restaurants in Westchester and Albany eateries. Syracuse isn’t that much different. If you have a pizza craving, visit Varsity Pizza. Syracuse is your go-to spot.

It’s considered one of the best restaurants Syracuse NY, that serves top-quality Pizza, sandwiches, and drinks. You can sit inside or have fun in their outdoor seating. You can try out these toppings on your Pizza:

Dolce Vita is another pizza joint you should visit. It is unique because it doesn’t just serve the typical pizza flavors you can find anywhere else. It takes inspiration from other regions and presents something you never would have tried before.

You can also order pasta, hot subs, appetizers, and dumplings. While you might not get the same experience eating Chinese as restaurants in Chinatown, it’s still a great place to try something new and tasty. Consider ordering these items for your meal: