A wave of new restaurants has opened across Syracuse in early 2026, concentrated in Armory Square and downtown but reaching into Eastwood, Tipperary Hill and beyond. Here is what has actually opened, where it is, and what to expect.
New Openings
Erma’s Bistro, 325 S. Clinton St. — Latoya Ricks spent six years running Erma’s Island inside Salt City Market before opening what the Daily Orange called Syracuse’s first sit-down Jamaican restaurant. The menu features oxtail, jerk chicken and other Jamaican staples, plus a full-service bar. It occupies the former Modern Malt space.
Mr. Pho, 216 Walton St. — A Vietnamese restaurant in the heart of Armory Square serving pho, banh mi, spring rolls and stir-fried entrees, per Visit Syracuse.
Crooked Cattle, 290 W. Jefferson St. — Owner Matt Beach (of Ale ‘n’ Angus Pub) converted the former Starbucks in Armory Square into a bar and sandwich shop built around a recreation of the Clark’s Ale House roast beef sandwich — thinly sliced beef with red onions and cheddar on an onion roll. Open Tuesday through Sunday, per This Is CNY.
Doomsday Pasta, Salt City Market — Handmade pasta crafted with stone-milled flour and regionally produced salt. The menu rotates seasonally and includes salads, sandwiches and fresh bread, according to Visit Syracuse.
809 Lounge and Restaurant, South Warren Street — Dominican and Puerto Rican cuisine in a downtown space. Dishes include Mofongo Relleno and Chuleta Kan-Kan. Open for dinner 4-10 p.m., per Visit Syracuse.
Aurora Brewing Company, Tipperary Hill — This Finger Lakes-based brewery took over the former Now & Later building on Tipp Hill, serving craft beers on tap alongside food like salt potato salad and smoked chicken with hot honey. Open seven days a week, per Visit Syracuse.
The Wedge, Eastwood — Sarah Simiele, owner of The Curd Nerd, opened this cheese-focused bar and restaurant. Dinner Wednesday through Friday, lunch and dinner Saturday, brunch Sunday, per Visit Syracuse.
Pausa Coffee, 246 E. Water St. — A European-style cafe by day that transitions into a cocktail lounge at night, per Visit Syracuse.
The Society, 300 E. Washington St. — Founded by Tammy Ly, this downtown cafe and juice bar serves artisanal coffee, cold-pressed juices and smoothies, per Visit Syracuse.
Established Spots Worth Mentioning
Sweet on Chocolate, 208 Walton St. — This Armory Square chocolatier has been making small-batch gourmet chocolates since 1993. The shop is at 208 Walton Street in Armory Square — not on Tipp Hill, as previously reported in error. Hours are Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sunday noon to 4 p.m., per Yelp.
Coming Up
The 22nd annual Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks wrapped up in mid-March, with more than 45 restaurants offering three-course meals at fixed prices, according to the Downtown Committee of Syracuse. The Taste of Syracuse food festival returns to Clinton Square on June 5-6, with free admission, per tasteofsyracuse.com.
Sources: Visit Syracuse (visitsyracuse.com), Daily Orange, This Is CNY (thisiscny.com), Downtown Committee of Syracuse, Taste of Syracuse, Yelp, CNY Central
