Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Central New York

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems 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!

Moro's Table

4.8

4.8 (193)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Good food hinges on quality; fresh ingredients that are properly prepared and cooked. Chef Moro searches out only the freshest, finest product and utilizes the surrounding abundance of the Finger Lakes region whenever possible. His passion for simplicity and purity of flavor ensures that each dish will be balanced and impressionable.

However, a great meal is a multi-sensory experience. It should encompass not only the food but the sounds, aromas, service and atmosphere that surround the diner. A great meal is a memorable experience to be savored again and again.

Top review

KelleyGold

Dined on Oct 27, 2026

Our server Ben was exceptional and the oysters were delicious!

Eden

4.8

4.8 (1054)

$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

Ellen

Dined 6 days ago

Delicious food, great wine list, amazing friendly service and nice vibe and atmosphere.

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4.8

4.8 (170)

$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, you can

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.

We have a 15-minute late policy. If you arrive more than 15 minutes late for your reservation, without having tried to contact the restaurant, you forfeit your table.

Top review

Cameron

Dined 6 days ago

Absolutely fantastic service. 4th time coming to The Wedge, the second birthday we’ve spent here, every time it’s been fantastic. They had gluten free mac and cheese AND chicken cutlets which were both phenomenal. I never thought I’d have a good chicken cutlet again but here we are, it was FANTASTIC!

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Experience

Sunday Supper - Chef's Tasting Dinner

Experience

The Feast of the Seven Fishes - Tasting Dinner

Phoebe's Restaurant & Coffee Lounge

4.7

4.7 (759)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Originally known as Phoebe's Garden Café, the restaurant has a long and colorful history in Syracuse. Local lore claims that the building was originally a brothel, and Phoebe was its madam.
In the summer of 2004, Phoebe's experienced a refreshing makeover with a bright new look in the atrium dining room with fresh paint, new upholstery, and artwork. The coffee lounge also opened that year, and it became an instant hit with the surrounding university and business crowd. Those changes also warranted a new name to reflect the updated attitude and ambiance: Phoebe's Restaurant and Coffee Lounge. Classic elements of Phoebe's remain untouched—the French onion soup and enticing crème brulee, for example, but other menu items change seasonally.
The Lounge also has its own seating area and free wireless internet capabilities. Phoebe's old world charm is right at home in a revitalized area of the city.

Top review

Thomas

Dined 7 days ago

This is a perfect event to host out-of-town business guests. Our server could not have been any more on point! We told her we had some timelines we had to meet, and she helped every step of the way. The food was superb as always. No notes.

The Fish Friar

4.7

4.7 (27)

$50 and over

Cocktail Bar

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Discover fresh, sustainable seafood and craft cocktails at The Fish Friar in Syracuse. Explore our menu and enjoy a coastal dining experience downtown. Fresh seafood from the New England Coast, sustainably caught, and thoughtfully prepared !

Please Note: Outside Seating is First Come, First Serve. Feel free to make a request when booking.

Top review

Anthony

Dined on Oct 10, 2026

Everything was really good. Drinks, apps and entrees. The fish was fried perfectly, will be back.

Moro's Kitchen

4.6

4.6 (139)

$30 and under

Italian

Skaneateles

About the restaurant

At Moro’s Kitchen the focus is on the food including fresh, house made pasta; quality meats and fish; and house made gelatos and desserts.
"THERE IS AN OPTION FOR EVERYONE IN OUR KITCHEN"
-ED & BETH MORO

Top review

RebeccaGold

Dined 7 days ago

Our experience at this restaurant was very good. It’s a lovely space nicely decorated. The bread they brought to the table with the olive oil dip was delicious and when our meal arrived, it was phenomenal. We ordered the salmon and both my husband and I ate every last bite. We were very tempted by coffee and dessert, but we were so full. We decided not to add that to our dinner. I only wish that we live closer to this restaurant so that we could visit on a regular basis.

Krebs 1899

4.5

4.5 (1990)

$50 and over

American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

The Krebs is an historic restaurant founded in 1899 by Fred and Cora Krebs. The restaurant has been a popular landmark in Skaneateles for over a century, serving presidents, dignitaries and celebrities. The Krebs was re-opened after undergoing a complete renovation while carefully preserving the history and ambiance that visitors have grown accustomed to. The restaurant is a farm to table concept that utilizes the freshest hand selected local ingredients and the highest quality meats and seafood. All profits from the restaurant are donated to local women and children's charities of Central New York.

Top review

Lee

Dined 6 days ago

I would have to say this is the best restaurant in the Skaneateles/Auburn area. Our meal was fabulous. We had Pumpkin Curry Soup, pork belly app (one of the best we have had), Short rib, and sweet potato gnocchi. I hate to admit it, but we also had sticky toffee cake for desert. Service and the decor is wonderful. Just go there, you won’t be disappointed

Bonefish Grill - Fayetteville NY

4.5

4.5 (27)

$30 and under

Seafood

DeWitt

About the restaurant

Your local Fayetteville, NY Bonefish Grill® specializes in hand-cut, wood-grilled specialties and locally crafted Partner Selection dishes made with the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. The restaurant offers a selection of classic and signature hand-crafted cocktails, using just-squeezed juices, edible garnishes, and house infusions in addition to offering a distinct list of wines, which are the perfect match for any food pairing. Fayetteville Towne Center at East Genesee and North Burdick

Top review

Kathy

Dined on Oct 12, 2026

Great dinner & service! Loved everything! Fall specials were delish.

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Experience

$5 Martini & Margarita Monday

Experience

$7 Bang Wednesday

Experience

4-Course Friendsgiving Wine Pairing Dinner

Luna on the Lake

4.5

4.5 (16)

$31 to $50

American

Hamilton

About the restaurant

Luna on the Lake is a premier lakeside dining destination located on the shores of beautiful Lake Moraine, just minutes from downtown Hamilton, New York and Colgate University.

Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, enjoying a romantic dinner, gathering with friends, or visiting the area, Luna offers an inviting atmosphere with panoramic lake views, exceptional hospitality, and thoughtfully prepared cuisine.

Our menu celebrates elevated American cuisine with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and timeless favorites. From premium steaks and fresh seafood to signature burgers, crisp salads, handcrafted sandwiches, and chef-inspired entrées, there's something for every occasion.

Luna on the Lake is the perfect destination for Colgate University families and alumni, local residents, travelers, weddings, business dinners, and weekend getaways. Guests can enjoy indoor dining, seasonal lakeside seating, and spectacular sunset views overlooking Lake Moraine.

Top review

Tammy

Dined 5 days ago

We went to Luna for a birthday party dinner for three. The area is welcoming. The staff are kind and the food is delicious.

Delmonico's Italian SteakHouse - Syracuse

4.4

4.4 (980)

$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

Henry

Dined 7 days ago

It was a great meal as well as service and atmosphere the server all dressed up for a Halloween contest and patrons could vote on... Great Night!!!

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