Diners' Choice: Hot spot restaurants in Central New York

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2025

Looking for restaurants that are the best hot spots in Central New York? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

The Garden Cafe at Crazy Daisies Flowers

5.0

5 (10)

$31 to $50

Comfort Food

Onondaga

About the restaurant

We are not currently taking reservations ~

Where Botanicals Meet the Kitchen!

We mixed our love for agriculture with our love for food and have created delicate small plates, hand-stretched pizzas, a small, yet flavorful lunch menu, and a diabolically fresh brunch menu. In accordance with our life in New York agriculture, we’ve added a NYS Agriculture and Markets Farm Winery license which allows us to serve NYS spirits, beers, wines, and cider. Jennifer comes up with new recipes each season to align with the fruits and flavors of the season!

Top review

Shelley

Dined on Apr 9, 2025

The food was amazing as always. The short ribs were flavorful and so tender it was like butter. The mushroom Risotto was delicious and such flavor. Walker and Eliza were attentive and took care of us. the Delgano Martini with the espresso cream was outstanding! Thank you for a wonderful Wednesday night dinner!

Eden

4.9

4.9 (889)

$31 to $50

Farm-to-table

Syracuse

About the restaurant

An entirely wood fired, upscale-causal, dining experience in the heart of Central New York.

Our mission is to highlight the best food producers, farmer, brewers, distillers, and foragers in New York State.

Top review

Eleanor

Dined 6 days ago

Excellent experience. Great food. Allergy friendly.

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4.9

4.9 (33)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

DeWitt

About the restaurant

The Wedge
A cheese-centric bar & restaurant in Eastwood in Syracuse! We focus on cheese based dishes and highlighting seasonal produce. We offer a new menu daily to honor seasonality.
We are open for dinner service Wednesday through Saturday and we serve Brunch on Sundays!
The Wedge is brought to you by The Curd Nerd, an award-winning cheese shop, located right next door.
We focus on community & highlight it by offering a community table!
We do not take reservations for parties larger than 6 on OpenTable & the restaurant does not accommodate parties larger than 8 without a private event.

Top review

Susan

Dined 1 day ago

Service was great. Food was very good. Prices seemed a little high for quantity of food.

The Tailwater Bar and Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (821)

$31 to $50

American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

For the finest food on the river, look no further than the Tailwater Restaurant & Bar, where rustic atmosphere meets metropolitan flair. Thoughtfully prepared seafood dishes and satisfying comfort-food favorites fill our menu, perfect for savoring after a day outdoors.

Top review

Gary

Dined 7 days ago

Fish and chips were great. Pretzel appetizer was good. French onion soup was very good. Salad was good. Risotto was gummy, not creamy..

Abbiocco by A Mano

4.8

4.8 (672)

$31 to $50

Italian

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Opened in September of 2018, a mano kitchen & bar. "new american with an italian soul". Hand made pasta, breads & salumi & wood fired pizza's. Open for dinner, amano offers both small & large plates for your dinning pleasure.

Top review

Dino

Dined 7 days ago

Pizza is always fantastic. We had fried oyster mushrooms that were really amazing. I had the spaghetti with garlic and oil and it was some of the best I had.

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4.8

4.8 (129)

$31 to $50

Sushi

Skaneateles

About the restaurant

Welcome to Hidden Fish, a modern twist on sushi. From our signature rolls to our inventive creations, we have something for everyone.

Our full bar features sake, beer, wine, and signature cocktails.

Top review

Brandy

Dined 1 day ago

Our dining experience at Hidden Fish Sushi was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment we sat down, it was clear that this restaurant prides itself on quality and attention to detail. The ingredients were incredibly fresh, and every piece of sushi was made to order right in front of us — a true testament to their commitment to authenticity and flavor. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the menu. They made thoughtful suggestions that enhanced our meal and helped us discover some new favorites. The atmosphere was welcoming and intimate, making it the perfect spot for sushi lovers looking for both high-quality food and great service. It was an outstanding experience from start to finish, and I will definitely be returning soon!

Oh My Darling

4.6

4.6 (437)

$30 and under

American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Comfort food & cocktails served in retro-chic digs with a basement speakeasy hosting live music. Across from the Landmark Theater and the RedHouse Arts Center.

Top review

Pattie

Dined 6 days ago

Our server Josh gave us the best service we have ever had. We were very impressed with him. Food was good too.

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Popular dish

Caprese Flatbread

Delmonico's Italian SteakHouse - Syracuse

4.5

4.5 (859)

$31 to $50

Italian

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse offers a unique, Italian-inspired atmosphere to go with its full menu of Italian dishes and steaks. Dining here will almost definitely mean hearing the likes of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack over the sound system, and this Syracuse restaurant offers delightful décor to give it a big-city vibe. Guests at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse love the filet mignon and the filet portabella, both of which are nine-ounce cuts of meat served with penne marinara and angel hair pasta, respectively. Other favorite entrées include shrimp scampi, one-pound lasagna, fettuccine Delmonico and veal parmigiana. And, with cappuccino pie, homemade cannoli and other options on the dessert menu at Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse, guests always want to leave room for dessert.

Top review

Lisa

Dined on May 10, 2025

Our first time here & happy to say it was a wonderful experience all around!

LM Social LeMelange Restaurant & Bar

4.2

4.2 (467)

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Find out why we have won diner choice awards 2023-2024-2025 ! Nestled in the vibrant heart of Armory Square, LM Social invites you to an irresistible journey of culinary wonders. With a menu thoughtfully crafted by Chefs Slim & Jonosh, LM Social offers an unforgettable fusion of Mediterranean and Asian flavors—the Mediterrasian experience. Every dish is a masterpiece of creativity, inspired by family recipes that have been passed down for generations and reimagined with innovative flair. Prepare for a visual feast as cocktails burst into flames, entrées emerge enveloped in smoke, and tableside presentations unfold secrets of culinary theater.

Top review

Pamela

Dined on May 17, 2025

I was celebrating my birthday and it was an amazing experience. From the time we arrived until we left everything was perfect.

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