Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Central New York

OpenTable

Updated November 05, 2026

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies 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!

Eden

4.9

4.9 (1055)

$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

Susan

Dined 3 days ago

Eden was fabulous. Very cool small venue - super comfortable. The food was spectacular. The servers were very knowledgeable and professional but also warm and inviting! Every dish was a treat !

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4.8

4.8 (171)

$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

Sean

Dined 1 day ago

Very good food with great service and friendly staff. Creative menu with fresh and diverse recipes. I especially enjoyed the create your own Martini menu. Quaint and quiet location you would never notice on the outside walking or driving by, but when you enter, there is a vibrant energy of people and staff who seem to love food & libations. Cheers!

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Experience

Sunday Supper - Chef's Tasting Dinner

Experience

The Feast of the Seven Fishes - Tasting Dinner

The Forest Grill

4.6

4.6 (176)

$30 and under

American

Bridgeport

About the restaurant

Welcome to Forest Grill, where nostalgia meets flavor in a cozy atmosphere. Our menu is a tribute to beloved American classics, crafted with fresh, high-quality ingredients to deliver comfort food at its finest. From juicy burgers and creamy mac 'n' cheese to hearty pot roasts and seasonal salads, each dish is made with care to ignite your taste buds and evoke warm memories.

Join us for a casual yet delightful dining experience, whether it’s a family gathering, a night out with friends, or a special occasion. Our friendly staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service, ensuring that your visit is nothing short of memorable.

With a carefully curated selection of local beers, artisanal wines, and classic cocktails, Forest Grill has the perfect pairing for every meal. At Forest Grill, we believe that great food is best enjoyed in great company, so come share a meal with us and rediscover the joy of American classics!

Top review

Steve

Dined 2 days ago

Our server Melissa was pleasant and very attentive. Checked on us multiple times. The food was delicious and very flavorful. We were greeted and seated promptly. The manager checked on our satisfaction.

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Experience

Crown Royal Pairing Dinner

Oh My Darling

4.5

4.5 (713)

$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

Rachel

Dined 7 days ago

Went with my girlfriends for brunch. Our water was amazing. Food was amazing and the restaurant is beautiful.

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Popular dish

HOUSEMADE CHICKEN POT PIE

Popular dish

BREADED CAULIFLOWER "WINGS"

Popular dish

Wedge Salad

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

Jadie & Junes

4.5

4.5 (128)

$31 to $50

American

Oneida

About the restaurant

Located in the historical daily dispatch building Jadies and June has transformed the space into a world where classic Italian flavors are reimagined with an eclectic twist, all within the vibrant, sophisticated ambiance of a modern supper club. At Jadie and Junes, we’re crafting more than just a meal; we’re curating an entire evening. Expect familiar comforts with unexpected delights and a lively atmosphere that invites you to linger, laugh, and connect. It’s Italian, but not as you know it – it’s an experience.

Top review

Tammy

Dined 2 days ago

Always great food & service. It’s always a great night no matter who we go with!

Fields Restaurant

4.4

4.4 (130)

$50 and over

Farm-to-table

Skaneateles

About the restaurant

Recognized among the world’s best hotel restaurants by Travel + Leisure, Fields restaurant offers a seasonally driven menu highlighting fresh ingredients from local farm partners as well as thoughtfully curated cocktails and an award-winning wine list.

Top review

Charles

Dined 4 days ago

Incredible experience! Staff were excellent, food was exceptional, we had a wonderful time.

LM Social

4.3

4.3 (634)

$31 to $50

Italian

Syracuse

About the restaurant

LOCAL. ITALIAN. 4-TIME AWARD WINNING.

Discover LM Social restaurant local authentic Italian dining and four-time Diners’ Choice Award winner — 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026.

We take the Italian food we grew up with and give it the LM Social treatment — scratch-made dishes, family-inspired recipes, bold modern flavors and unforgettable presentation.

Flaming cocktails. Entrées arriving through a smoky haze. Tableside moments. Beautiful Italian food made in-house by a local restaurant that believes dinner should still feel like an experience.

LOCAL ITALIAN FOOD.
4-TIME DINERS’ CHOICE AWARD WINNER.
2023 • 2024 • 2025 • 2026

Top review

Jonni

Dined 2 days ago

Was there to celebrate a birthday. No one rushed us to turn the table, the waitress was so phenomenal, and of course the food was excellent! We had an enjoyable evening. Would absolutely go back the menu has so many beautiful options.

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Texas de Brazil - Syracuse

4.1

4.1 (2457)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Texas de Brazil is a Brazilian steakhouse, or churrascaria, offering an authentic rodizio-style dining experience where gaucho chefs serve endless tableside carvings of flame-grilled beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and Brazilian sausage. Guests also enjoy an extravagant salad area with seasonal chef-crafted items, fresh vegetables, artisan cheeses, and Brazilian specialties. The vibrant atmosphere blends Brazilian hospitality with an elegant setting, perfect for date nights, group dinners, and celebrations. Located in Syracuse's Destiny USA, our restaurant is a favorite of locals and visitors alike at one of New York's largest shopping and entertainment destinations, surrounded by retail, attractions, and nightlife in Syracuse.

Top review

Joseph

Dined on Oct 29, 2026

Always a great place for a variety of great flavors.

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Experience

Thanksgiving Day Experience

Experience

HAPPY HOUR Mon-Fri

Isla Caribbean Cuisine

3.9

3.9 (20)

$31 to $50

Caribbean

Syracuse

About the restaurant

Discover the flavors of Puerto Rico at Isla Caribbean Cuisine in Syracuse, NY, where bold island dishes, handcrafted cocktails, and an upscale yet welcoming atmosphere create an unforgettable escape.

Enjoy guest favorites like churrasco skirt steak, red snapper, can-can (tomahawk porkchop), piñon, mahi mahi, mofongo, and Caribbean-style paella with lobster. Our cocktails are inspired by the beauty and spirit of the island, with signature drinks like the Guyama Mai Tai, Midnight in Carite, El Papi Strawberry Mojito, and sangria.

From vibrant lunches to elegant evenings filled with classic and live music, every visit to Isla feels like a mini getaway. Your escape begins the moment you walk through our doors.

Welcome to Isla.

Top review

Andrew

Dined on Oct 18, 2026

The food was absolutely phenomenal. We really enjoyed the perfectly cooked Churrasco and the Pollo Guisado as well as the sides that went with it. The only downside was that they don't have a liquor license, but we're not big drinkers so it wasn't a show stopper.

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