The three holy grail restaurants that make Syracuse feel like home

By: Sydney Froelich

Syracuse, NY, Downtown. Source: Creative Commons, Don-vip

Syracuse, New York, is not exactly known as a foodie destination. In fact, CNYCentral says that the city is a food desert, one where chain restaurants like McDonald's outnumber delicious local spots. 

But over time, I have learned that there are a few spots that helped me change that narrative. Ones that remind me of home, but also make me want to linger in Syracuse for a little longer. 

Here are my top five Syracuse Restaurants that do just that:

1. Francescas Cucina

You can smell Francesca's Cucina from down the block on North Salina Street, and I love it. 

Their warm focaccia bread melts in your mouth as soon as you dip it in the tomato sauce, and the whole place feels like a big, wholesome family dinner. The chicken parm is enormous and bursting with flavor, perfectly paired with Rigatoni. 

The best part about Francesca’s is that they never miss, even if you are ordering for delivery. 

2. Apizza Regionale

Apizza is genuinely one of my favorite pies I have ever tasted. The crust is perfectly light and doughy. The sauce has a little spicy kick to it, which makes every bite addicting. 

And before you ask, yes, they do have chicken parm, and it is great. But the real menu highlight is the Cannerone, which is a creamy rigatoni dish made with homemade lamb sausage, roasted delicata squash, broccoli rabe, and pecorino. 

Their food is rich, and their atmosphere is warm; perhaps it is the heat coming from their wood-fired oven. Apizza is the kind of place that works for any night of the week.

3. Stella’s Diner

Stella’s Diner is a classic breakfast and brunch spot. It is bright, busy, and full of regulars who keep coming back for their great food. 

Obviously, breakfast is the star here. Their pancakes are massive, and they will always get your eggs right. 

Every time I go to a diner, I crave a grilled cheese with French fries, and Stella’s does it perfectly. The bread is golden, the cheese pulls just right, and their fries are always crispy and crunchy. 

But even beyond the food, there is something special about the energy. The servers are friendly and even remember your name. The place makes you forget you are miles away from home.  

Stella’s is proof that the best meals are the ones that do not try too hard. 

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Yes, I know that two out of my three favorites are Italian. But that is just how I roll. There is something about a bowl of pasta or a slice of pizza that instantly heals me. 

These restaurants have become my go-tos over these four years, not just because of the food, but because of how they make me feel afterward.  

In a city that is labeled as a food desert, places like Francesca’s, Apizza, and Stella’s remind me that good food can be found anywhere. You just have to look (and maybe follow the smell of garlic). 

What is your favorite Syracuse restaurant?