Discover Fall Foods in Central New York

Fall in Syracuse tastes just as good as it looks.

As the leaves begin to change across Onondaga County, local cafes, bakeries, restaurants, breweries, and orchards embrace the season with apple cider, pumpkin spice, farm-fresh ingredients, and plenty of sweet treats.

Sip Fresh Apple Cider

Nothing says fall in Central New York quite like a glass of fresh apple cider, especially when it comes with views of colorful hillsides and rows of apple trees.

Make a day of apple picking at Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and grab some cider before you leave. You can also find fresh cider at Navarino Orchard, along with baked goods and a full restaurant menu located within The Barn. Sample cider from the press at Abbott Farms or at Critz Farms!

Don’t forget the cider donuts!

Cozy Up with a Fall Coffee

Sweater weather and coffee go hand in hand, and Syracuse cafes make it easy to get your pumpkin spice fix. The Cake Bar in downtown Syracuse is known for creative coffee drinks and a rotating menu of seasonal flavors. Past fall menus have featured everything from caramel corn and horchata lattes to the classic pumpkin spice latte. Local favorites like Recess Coffee, Salt City Coffee, Freedom of Espresso, Café Kubal, and Cafe Blue also embrace the season with specialty coffees and autumn-inspired flavors.

For the ultimate fall combination, head to Tim’s Pumpkin Patch, where you can pick out a pumpkin and grab a seasonal coffee all in one trip.

Treat Yourself to Fall Pastries & Sweets

Syracuse bakeries and sweet shops take full advantage of apple, cinnamon, maple, caramel, and pumpkin season. Stop into The Sweet Praxis in Hanover Square to see what’s filling the pastry case. Seasonal favorites have included cider donuts, apple cider whoopie pies, and oatmeal cream pies. At SinBun inside Salt City Market, keep an eye out for autumn takes on their signature cinnamon buns, including apple-inspired creations loaded with warm spices and icing.

Chocolate lovers should make their way to Sweet on Chocolate in Armory Square. Their seasonal confections have featured flavors like pecan pie, apple fritter, maple, pumpkin spice, and pumpkin seed brittle.

Taste the Harvest

Fall menus across Syracuse and Onondaga County highlight ingredients grown right here in Central New York. Apizza Regionale is known for incorporating fresh, local ingredients into its menu, making it a great stop to see what’s in season. Previous autumn dishes have highlighted produce like local tomatoes, corn, and peaches. You’ll find even more seasonal dining throughout the region as local chefs incorporate squash, apples, root vegetables and other harvest ingredients into their menus.

Looking for more? Add local favorites like The Cider Mill, Darwin's and Angry Garlic to your fall foodie itinerary.

Raise a Glass to Fall

Syracuse's craft beverage scene gets an autumn makeover once cooler weather arrives. Onondaga County breweries frequently tap seasonal brews featuring pumpkin, warm spices, coffee, and other fall flavors. Check out breweries like Willow Rock Brewing Company, Heritage Hill Brewhouse, Talking Cursive Brewing Company, and Skaneateles Brewery to see what seasonal pours are on tap.

Try a Hard Cider or Fall Cocktail

For a different take on apple season, head back to Beak & Skiff Apple Orchards and sample 1911 Established Hard Cider, made with New York State apples. At Crazy Daisies, flowers, food, and drinks come together in one colorful setting. Their seasonal beverage menus have included pumpkin-inspired cocktails, espresso drinks, and cider.

Prefer a night out? Syracuse restaurants and cocktail bars regularly introduce drinks featuring cider, maple, apple, cinnamon, and other flavors of the season. Pastabilities, The Preserve at 405, and Kitty Hoynes are fun spots to check for rotating seasonal cocktails.

Apple cider or pumpkin spice? Sweet or savory? Coffee or cocktails? There’s no wrong way to taste your way through fall in Syracuse.

Many of these flavors and menu items are available for a limited time, so check with each business for its latest seasonal offerings before heading out.

While you’re exploring, tag @VisitSyracuse and share your favorite fall bites and sips. Then keep the autumn adventures going with apple picking, pumpkin patches, fall festivals, and colorful foliage throughout Onondaga County. Cheers to fall in Syracuse!