Students with family members visiting this weekend can say goodbye to dining hall meal swipes and hello to a whole world of Syracuse eateries waiting to be explored. Here are the best restaurants to satisfy weekend cravings.

Courtesy of Canal View Cafe

Canal View Cafe

Location: 9 Canal St., Sylvan Beach
Hours: Wednesday – Monday, 11:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Canal View Cafe, a waterfront restaurant overlooking Oneida Lake, is known for its homemade selections and takes on local favorites. Jean Tabarrini, owner of the restaurant, recommended their chicken riggies, Utica greens and Basilio Buda chicken sausage, sourced from Canastota. Tabarrini said all of their burgers are made with locally raised grain and grass-fed Angus beef, and their bread is delivered daily from Ferlo’s Original Bakery in Rome. For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, Canal View Cafe offers vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and ketogenic menus in addition to their regular one.

Courtesy of Madison Bistro

Madison Bistro

Location: 135 N. Court St., Wampsville
Hours: Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.; Wednesday – Friday, 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.; Saturday, noon – 8 p.m.

Madison Bistro, a farm-to-table restaurant in Wampsville, specializes in American fare and utilizes local ingredients to create modern dishes with a central New York twist. Victor Ramirez, the head chef, said their most popular menu items are some of their dinner selections, including pot roasts and chicken pot pies. For visiting families, Ramirez recommended their selection of burgers, voted the fourth best burger in New York state by the New York Beef Council.

Courtesy of Rise N Shine Diner

Rise N Shine Diner

Location: 6393 Thompson Road
Hours: Sunday – Saturday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Syracuse’s Rise N Shine Diner takes American diner fare to new heights through its commitment to natural, locally sourced ingredients and “making unique dishes that many people have come to love and enjoy,” per their website. Located on Thompson Road, Rise N Shine specializes in breakfast and lunch options, with noted dishes included mochi waffles, pancake wraps, breakfast nachos and their signature Hot N Honey Chicken and Waffle entree. Danielle Mercuri, owner of Rise N Shine, highly recommended newcomers try their specialty hot chocolate drinks — the perfect anecdote for Syracuse’s early onset winter forecast.

Courtesy of Soleil Cafe

Soleil Café

Location: 511 E. Genesee St.
Hours: Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Soleil Café, a coffee shop and eatery located in Fayetteville, was opened in 2016 by owners Taylor Randolph and Shem Doupe as a place where “great coffee could be served and quality relationships created,” according to its website. Both Randolph and Doupe said the cafe prioritizes fostering a warm and open environment for its visitors through good food and even better conversation.

Partnering with the local micro-roaster, Peaks Coffee Co., Soleil’s menu boasts espresso beverages, pour-over coffee and loose leaf teas, along with pastries and waffles.

For families visiting this weekend, Randolph and Doupe suggested seeking out something warm and sweet to combat the chill in the air. Both recommended their homemade waffles paired with their signature pumpkin spice latte for the perfect autumn brunch.

Published on October 25, 2018 at 10:31 am