Famous Syracuse Restaurants
If you’ve been bingeing on shows like the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” or the Travel Channel’s “Man vs. Food” you may have noticed quite a few Syracuse restaurants.
Many mouthwatering dishes from Syracuse have found their way into the spotlight and we can assure you they taste as good as they look.
Savor Syracuse by visiting the joints you’ve seen on television — but don't stop there! Take your own tour of the Syracuse food scene and discover your next favorite spot.
Byblos Mediterranean Cafe
Guy Fieri made a stop in to this Lebanese restaurant for the Triple D episode "Authentic Eats". The segment featured the Falafel Sandwich and of course some baklava to satisfy Fieri's sweet tooth.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
“Man v. Food” host Adam Richman checked out the home of the original Dinosaur Bar-B-Que and tried out the Pork-Sket Platter — beef brisket and pickled jalapeños topped with a pile of pulled pork, melted cheese and coleslaw.
Eva’s European Sweets
The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” episode “Eurocentric”: The segment highlighted owner Eva Zaczynski preparing her recipe for Hungarian Placki, potato pancakes topped with lightly spiced ground beef and tomato sauce. Host Guy Fieri sampled the crispy potato pancakes with gravy during the episode.
Funk ‘N Waffles
The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” episode “Far Out”: Host Guy Fieri tried two savory waffles at Funk 'n Waffles — the Chicken & Waffles (buttermilk waffles with a half dozen organic wings and hot sauce) and the Jive Turkey (stuffing waffle with smoked turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and gravy). The most recent airing on the network is the episode "Triple D Nation: Funky Flavortown Tastemakers" aired on November 7, 2025, highlighting the restaurant's latest savory waffles, including bulgogi and Reuben waffles.
Owner, Adam Gold, who leads the Syracuse-based funk group Sophistafunk, has become a familiar face on the Food Network. Friday’s episode marks his 19th appearance on the channel, spanning shows like “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” “Guy’s Grocery Games” (where he’s competed four times), and other features that spotlight his band.
Heid’s of Liverpool
Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food”: Host Adam Richman tried Heid’s Double Frank, which consists of two franks together in one split-top bun, slathered with Heid’s original mustard.
Kitty Hoynes
The Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives,” episode “Turn On Traditional”: Kitty Hoynes a local-favorite Irish pub, host Guy Fieri tried out the Reuben fritters with honey mustard horseradish and the Irish meatloaf with cabbage cream sauce and champ potatoes.
Mother’s Cupboard
Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food”: Host Adam Richman chose this location for his challenge during his Syracuse-centric episode. He took on the Frittata Challenge — a 6-pound scramble of eggs, sausage, pepperoni and hash browns — and won. Ninety-five percent of those who have taken on this challenge have failed.
Pastabilities
Also featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," Fieri raved about the Hot Tomato Oil, which has since become a Syracuse staple. He also sampled another popular regional item, the Wicked Chicken Riggies, as well as the Duck Bacon Flatbread Pizza. The Hot Tomato Oil reappeared on one of Triple D's creative coronavirus episodes in 2020, "America's Favorites", which featured viewer video-nominated favorites from past episodes.
Chocolate Pizza Company
Featured on the Food Network, Chocolate Pizza Company has created handcrafted, gourmet chocolate specialties in Central New York for over 25 years. Chocolate Pizza Company annually transforms over 100,000 pounds of premium chocolate into over 100 unique and delicious confections for business and personal occasions.
