5 New Restaurants You Need to Try: Syracuse Edition
Wait, we’re not going to Margaritas tonight...?
by RHEA SRIVASTAVA ★ NOVEMBER 4, 2021
For the love of food, please DO NOT go to Margaritas again. We know you all love your marg towers, but let’s be honest… the food sucks. Let me propose a new idea: this weekend, don’t drink your dinner.
As a huge foodie, I love trying new restaurants. Unpopular opinion, but Syracuse satisfies. From the literal food porn at Rise N’ Shine to the best pasta I’ve had in my life at Pastabilities, Syracuse has a lot to offer. And of course, we can’t forget about the true OG, Original Grain. But if you’re in the mood to be adventurous and try something new, this article is for you. Here’s a list of five new restaurants right here in ‘Cuse that you seriously need to try!
1. Luna Loca
Credit: @lunalocasyr
Credit: @lunalocasyr
First up is Luna Loca, a new Tex-Mex restaurant opened up by the owners of Oh My Darling. I mean, if it’s even half as good as its sister restaurant, it’s clearly a must-try. From classic Mexican street corn and carne asada tacos to $6 sangrias and salsa flights during happy hour, this place has everything you could ever want. They also have a spectacular brunch menu. Who’s down for some Pina Colada Pancakes?!
2. Board & Bar Charcuterie
Credit: @CharcuterieboardsSyracuse
Credit: @CharcuterieboardsSyracuse
Next up is Board & Bar Charcuterie, a restaurant downtown that serves literally any type of charcuterie board you could ever dream of. I mean, why are we not already hyping this place up more?! From seafood and Neapolitan boards for dinner to chocolate and cheesecake boards for dessert, you’re never going to be able to choose just one. I suggest you grab your crew and share as many as you can handle. They even have an amazing brunch lineup from griddle boards full of pancakes, waffles, and french toast to bagel and frittata boards. Why not treat yourself to a mimosa flight while you’re at it?
3. LODED
Credit: lodedsyr
Credit: lodedsyr
Brought to you by the founders of Rise N’ Shine, LODED is basically the lunch version of this iconic breakfast diner. From the largest burgers I’ve seen in my life to heaping plates of fries and mac & cheese, this place might seriously be trying to kill you. I mean, they offer lettuce buns, but tbh I’m not sure how they plan to fit all that inside lettuce, and I’m pretty sure the buns only make up 5% of those burgers. Regardless, if you’re okay with your stomach hating you for a while, this is definitely the place to go.
4. Otro Cinco
Credit: @otro5cinco
Credit: @otro5cinco
Okay, so not exactly a new one but, seriously, it feels like they’ve been closed forever. Now they’re back with a totally new and reimagined menu. From countless tapas to huge paella dishes, you’re never going to get Mexican from Margaritas again. If you thought it couldn’t get better, it does… they take reservations. So get all your girlfriends together because cheers to no wait time!
5. Salt City Market
Credit: @TheSaltCityMarket
Credit: @TheSaltCityMarket
Last, but definitely not least, is Salt City Market. This place has loads of options of basically any cuisine you can think of, but nothing is better than the sunshine salad from Erma’s Island (pro tip: add jerk salmon). Some of the other of the 12 vendors there that I’ve been dying to try are Mamma Hai, which serves Vietnamese, Miss Prissy’s, a classic soul food stall, and Pie’s the Limit, serving both sweet and savory pies. Go grab yourself a personal pie soon because they currently have tons of specials like Peanut Butter Cup and Pumpkin Spice Latte tartlets as well as Butternut Squash and Caramel Apple galettes!
I hope that this list inspires your inner foodie to go out and try something new. Impress your friends with something unfamiliar—they might just become obsessed (with the food and you!). You really can’t go wrong with any of these places, but I won’t blame you if you decide to spend the night at Margarita's. If you manage to get in without a wait, props to you.
I’d be shocked if you’re not as hungry as I am right now. Happy eating!
Cover Photo Credit: Pinterest