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The Finger Lakes region is a culinary haven, from lush vineyards producing world-renowned wines to local delicacies you simply cannot find or replicate anywhere else to vibrant public markets that celebrate global ingredients and cuisines. The Finger Lakes provisions are rivaled only by the scenic settings you can enjoy them in– whether it’s in a bustling city like Syracuse or Rochester, or beside a crystal-clear lake like Skaneateles or Cayuga, there is a dish and landscape for every palate.
Hometown Classics
Garbage Plate
Credit: @theresnohook on Instagram
Rochester’s pride and joy is none other than the “Garbage Plate.” Don’t be fooled by the name, this is all treasure and no trash. Trademarked by Nick Tahou Hots, home of the original Garbage Plate, this local culinary concoction includes your choice of cheeseburger, hamburger, white or red hots, Italian sausage, chicken, or grilled cheese, served alongside home fries, french fries, baked beans, macaroni salad, and topped with spicy meat sauce and onions. Take a tour of the best garbage plates in town and try out award-winning DogTown, Charlie’s, or The Red Fern for a vegetarian spin on the classic dish.
Photo credit: Anna Pakman
For nearly 100 years, Abbott’s Frozen Custard has been a staple in the Finger Lakes region. With locations throughout New York and all over the country, the smooth and creamy award-winning custard delights sweet tooths all over. Signature flavors include vanilla, chocolate, and chocolate almond, while each location offers varying specialty flavors like pistachio pineapple, black raspberry, and cotton candy.
White Hots
Credit: @stoneyardbrewingcompany on Instagram
Made with uncured and unsmoked pork, veal, and beef (which is where they get their white color from), “white hots” are considered a regional delicacy. To give them their unique flavor, a blend of spices is added, which includes mustard and paprika. Chow down at F.L.X. Wienery, DogTown, or grab a famous Zweigle’s white hot on-the-go.
Salt Potatoes
Syracuse got the nickname “The Salt City” due to its history as one of the top salt producers in the county, thanks to prosperous salt springs mainly located on the Onondaga Lake. Irishmen working in the salt mines would boil salt water and toss potatoes in for lunch, resulting in what became known as the delicious “salt potato.” Check out Bull & Bear Roadhouse for Loaded Salt Potatoes, a flavorful twist on the Syracuse staple.
Grape Pie
Credit: @mollmcbutter on Instagram
Naples is the Grape Pie capital of the world, producing over 70,000 grape pies every single year! Unique to the Finger Lakes, these fruity confections were first created in the 1950s and best made with grapes freshly picked in the late summer and early fall. Grab a slice at Cindy’s Pies in Naples, Heart ‘n Hand in Skaneateles, or at the Naples Grape Festival on September 28-29.
Must-Try Meals
Boasting a Michelin star, Redd in Rochester is not-to-be-missed. Chef Richard Reddington, a native of Rochester, has made an indelible mark on the culinary landscape. His passion for food and wine was sparked by his travels throughout Europe as a young adult and fueled by his experiences working in some of the world’s best kitchens. Reddington has been honored with multiple nominations for the James Beard Award for Best Chef in the Pacific Region, and Redd was included in the “2024 USA TODAY Restaurants of the Year” list. The seasonal menu features dishes like wild halibut with summer vegetables, guajillo broth, and charred tortilla crust, a woodfired Roberta’s Bee sting pizza, with soppresata, mozzarella, honey, and chili flakes, and a Maine lobster risotto with lemon confit, truffle oil, and watercress.
Credit: @adriannainewell on Instagram
Established in 1973, Ithaca’s Moosewood Restaurant has been a trailblazer in the realm of plant-based cuisine, gaining international acclaim for its dedication to vegetarian, pescatarian, raw, and organic dishes. The venue is also globally known for its iconic Moosewood Cookbook, which has sold more than six million copies. Named one of the “thirteen most influential restaurants of the 20th century” by Bon Appétit magazine, Moosewood crafts a menu daily from the freshest ingredients, ensuring that each dish is a unique and delightful experience. Enjoy seasonal dishes like the Moroccan Chickpea Stew, Chili Verde Tostada, or the Mushroom Lentil Pate.
Called out by Wine Spectator as one of “9 Standout Wine Restaurants in Upstate NY,” and awarded “Best of Award of Excellence” multiple times, The Cellar combines locally-sourced ingredients and a deft touch to help establish Corning’s Gaffer District as a culinary destination. Delight in dishes like sweet potato gnocchi with maple bourbon butter and pecans, local pastured pork ramen, or the ever-popular chicken and waffles, drizzled with a zesty sriracha maple syrup. To make a delicious meal even sweeter, enjoy making s’mores right at your table with house-made marshmallows and house-made graham crackers.
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has gained a national reputation for serving some of the best BBQ in the country in a vibrant and lively setting, and it all started in Syracuse. Beyond their six locations spanning New York, their sauces and rubs are sold and enjoyed nationwide, and even in Europe and Japan. The southern-style BBQ cuisine has earned recognition on the Food Network, Travel Channel, Good Morning America, and ABC World News. And their very own cookbook, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: An American Roadhouse, was voted as one of the best BBQ cookbooks by the National Association of BBQ. Savor the smokey flavors of St. Louis Ribs, pulled pork, spicy shrimp boil, cajun fried catfish, prime brisket, West Texas ribeye, and so much more.
F.L.X. Table is one of the Finger Lakes region’s premier dining experiences, and was named USA Today’s Best New Restaurant in 2017. The venue only has fourteen to sixteen seats and there is no boundary between the guests and the kitchen, making an intentionally intimate and interactive dining experience. Every evening they serve a prix fixe five-course tasting menu that constantly evolves based on seasonality. The Chef sources the best ingredients possible, both locally and from farms who share their locally derived ideals.
Unique Dining Experiences
Credit: @radiosocial on Instagram
Radio Social is the trifecta of foodie fun: award-winning food, craft cocktails, and engaging entertainment. The 42,000-square-foot facility (housed in a historical former radio factory) features a mouth-watering middle eastern menu, craft cocktail + whiskey bars, 34 bowling lanes, lounge areas, and a variety of indoor and outdoor games. Come for Sunday brunch and indulge in menu items like lamb shakshuka, Radio chop cheese, and watermelon salad. Stop in for dinner to try the chicken schnitzel sammie, duck sausage, and glazed pork belly. The venue regularly hosts events, and this fall they’re hosting the NY Cider Marketplace Tasting & Cheese Pairing!
Housed in an old church building, Swillburger offers burgers, cocktails, and vintage arcade games in a local, sustainable modern way. Where else can you play Skee-Ball with one hand while the other holds a burger? Just about anything on the menu can be served vegan, and gluten-free buns and a gluten-free fryer allow for those with dietary restrictions to dine worry-free. Try the double veggie burger and pair it with a vegan chocolate or vanilla shake.
Photo courtesy of Visit Syracuse
Part waffle house, part bar, part music venue — Funk ‘n Waffles is a uniquely funky food experience. Dozens of sweet and savory waffle varieties decorate the menu, which also boasts juicy fried chicken, grilled sandwiches, vegan options, and an espresso bar to wash it all down. Some of their most popular waffle creations are the “Jive Turkey” (homemade stuffing waffle with smoked turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, gravy, and a side of cranberry sauce), “Carry On My Wayward Spud” (mashed potato, bacon, and cheddar stuffed buttermilk waffle topped with more bacon and a side of sour cream), and the “James Brownie” sweet waffle (brownie with ice cream, whipped cream, and chocolate sauce.) And to top it all off, live music sets the scene as you chow down!
Credit: @kh_kremer on Instagram
Dinner with a view has never looked better than at the Glen Iris Inn, overlooking the iconic falls of Letchworth State Park. Caroline’s Dining Room at the Inn serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily from May through November. For breakfast enjoy brioche French toast or the Chef’s omelet of the day. The lunch offers the Nashville hot chicken sandwich or chickpea salad sandwich. And for dinner, treat yourself to seared sea scallops or steak frites.
Credit: @risenshinediner on Instagram
Rise N Shine’s concept consists of the 3 B’s, Breakfast, Brunch & Brinner. This Syracuse staple focuses on freshly prepared, all-natural ingredients, sourcing from area farms as much as possible. Visually stimulating food presentations combined with innovative flavor combinations culminate in the ultimate drinking and dining experience. Guests can indulge in dishes ranging from cauliflower breakfast pizza to deep fried hazelnut ganache stuffed French toast to a Korean style breakfast corn dog. If you can’t choose just one thing, try a flight of your favorite food! The popular eggs benny and pancake flights keep stomachs satisfied, while the pancake sushi captivates the eyes and the appetite (pancakes stuffed with edible cookie dough and rice krispie treats, rolled into sushi-like pieces, topped with fresh fruits, blueberry syrup, and matcha infused icing.)
International Cuisine
Credit: @ava.picsoflove on Instagram
The Rochester Public Market has served the community since 1905 and offers the most diverse culinary gathering in the region; a source of character, culture, and community. You’ll find a huge assortment (over 300 vendors) of fresh seasonal produce direct from area farmers, as well as meats, seafood, baked goods, pasta, specialty and prepared foods from around the country and world! On the market grounds and in the surrounding Market Business District you’ll find cafes, coffee shops, bakeries, full service restaurants, food stands, a brewery, a distillery, and much more. The market also hosts over 40 free-admission special events every year!
Created by the Syracuse Urban Partnership, this food hall and public market is all about food, culture, and people building generational wealth doing what they love. The 10+ independently-owned food stalls represent regional and international cuisine like Baghdad Middle Eastern, Erma’s Island, Firecracker Thai Kitchen, Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen, and more. Pockets of food and culture are tucked away in small grocers and bodegas, community rooms, and a teaching kitchen.
In the charming lakeside city of Canandaigua, you’ll find Bon Ami French Bistro, serving authentic flavors of France. This upscale bistro is owned-and-operated by Georges Vindigni, who was born in a French-speaking area of North Africa and has many familial ties to Southern France. On the menu you’ll find classic French dishes like ratatouille, bouillabaisse, and tartine. Pair your meal with a French wine from the venue’s carefully curated wine list.
Delight in authentic Polish cuisine and European-style desserts right in Syracuse at Eva’s. Owned-and-operated by Eva Zaczynski, this beloved neighborhood venue has been around since 1997 and has drawn in visitors from all over– including celebrity chef Guy Fieri, who visited Eva’s and chowed down on the crispy potato pancakes on an episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.” Enjoy Eva’s Polish recipes, including scratch-made pierogies, bigos stew, fried kielbasa, and the Hungarian take on traditional placki. Don’t forget to check out the dessert case as you walk in, full of homemade cakes, pies, and cheesecakes.
Relish in authentic German fare in an original Old World atmosphere! Owned by German natives, Gary and Gudrun Klemens, at Rheinblick you’ll find a plethora of bona fide German dishes including sauerbraten, pork, chicken, or veal schnitzel, bratwurst, and kartoffelpuffer. Sip your way through the wine list which features German varietal grapes as well as options from the many Finger Lakes wineries. The atmosphere of the restaurant fully envelops you in Germany, and the servers wear traditional clothing!
Sweet Treats
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Refreshing and innovative flavors await you on the Finger Lakes Ice Cream Trail, taking you to nine spots as scenic as they are creamy. Featured spots include Purity Ice Cream where you can try signature scoops like “Boomberry” (black raspberry ice cream with black cherries, blueberries, and strawberries) or “Cookie Dough After Dark” (chocolate ice cream with a caramel swirl, cookie dough, and chocolate chunks). And at Pittsford Farms Dairy, they’re dishing out flavors like pumpkin chocolate chip and coconut macaroon.
Handcrafted chocolates and locally-sourced ingredients make up the confections at this LGBTQ+ owned-and-operated establishment. At Hedonist Artisan Chocolates there’s something sweet for everyone! You’ll find vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free chocolates, drinking chocolates, homemade ice cream, and their most popular treat, chocolate-covered salted caramels! Taste for yourself why these caramels have been featured in the New York Times as one of the best American small-batch, chocolate-covered salted caramels.
Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail
Two dozen businesses adorn the Finger Lakes Sweet Treat Trail, which has provided a family-friendly, food-fueled festivity for over a decade! With pit-stops in and around charming towns including Skaneateles, Auburn, and Aurora, you’ll find delectable items ranging from homemade pies at The Village Market to peanut butter cream cheese bars at XL Cookie Company to authentic Italian ice at Muzzi’s D’italia Ice.
Photo courtesy of Park Cafe
In downtown Bath you’ll find Park Cafe, a locally-loved gem that offers an array of decadent delights from vibrantly-colored macarons to over-the-top cheesecake cones. This dog-friendly venue even has homemade dog treats, so bring your four-legged friend along for the trip. The menu is ever-changing to feature the most innovative and fresh goodies, but you can always find their signature cheesecake cones (waffle cones dipped and drizzled in chocolate and sweet decorations and filled with homemade cheesecake filling).
Credit: @visitsyracuse on Instagram
This small-batch donut shop in Syracuse is pumping out a variety of funky, fresh, made-from-scratch flavors every day. Whether you prefer a plain, classic cake donut, “The Dizzy Pig” (maple glaze, bourbon sugar, and candied bacon), or a lemon berry tart donut, Glazed & Confused has it all, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Food-Centric Events
Credit: @wandercuse on Instagram
People from all over gather in Syracuse to celebrate 13 days of delicious food, eye-opening exhibits, captivating entertainment, and great fun at The Great New York State Fair. From August 21-September 2, you can taste delectable dishes from more than 100 food vendors, ranging from loaded ribbon fries and deep fried oreos to gyros and snickers covered bacon.
Photo courtesy of Naples Grape Festival
Set in the beautiful valley of the Finger Lakes in the village of Naples, the annual Naples Grape Festival returns on September 28-29 at Naples Memorial Town Park. Experience two days filled with music, art, a large variety of food offerings, and of course the World’s Greatest Grape Pie Contest.
Flour City Brewers Fest is a night of raising a glass to local craft! Head to the heart of the city, Rochester Public Market, on August 16 to celebrate the brewers, the drivers, the bartenders, and everyone who keeps local craft beer alive. But the night is about more than beer–celebrate NYS wineries, hard cideries, farm distilleries, non-alcoholic beverages, and food!
Credit: @syracusehalalgyro on Instagram
The Taste of Syracuse is a legendary food festival considered Syracuse’s “kick off” of the summer. The Taste has been an annual festival for 25+ years and celebrates local food, business, music and more in the heart of downtown Syracuse spanning from Clinton Square to the Chase Building. Treat yourself to $2 samples from a variety of local restaurants while you jam out to great music across 3 stages!
New York State of Mind Weekend
New York Kitchen will host this year’s “New York State of Mind Weekend”, a five-day event from August 9-13 featuring a series of foodie, wine, and craft beverage experiences, featuring renowned TV celebrity chefs, winemakers, sommeliers, master distillers, and more!
The Finger Lakes Wine Festival is a must-attend event in Watkins Glen every July, celebrating the region’s renowned wineries. Enjoy tastings from over 90 local wineries, gourmet food, and live entertainment.
Ithaca hosts an annual chili cook-off every winter where visitors can indulge in mouthwatering chili offerings from over 40 restaurants, complemented by an array of delightful drinks and chili-inspired snacks from regional craft breweries, local cideries, wineries, and beloved local establishments.
Chili enthusiasts will be competing for the titles of Best Meat Chili, Best Vegetarian Chili, or Vegan Chili, and the coveted People’s Choice for the Best Chili in all of Ithaca!
Photo courtesy of Ksenia Verdiyan
Embrace the flavors of fall in Ithaca at the annual Apple Harvest Festival! Bite into farmstand-fresh apples and produce, seasonal baked goods, and taste your way through a variety of food truck offerings. There is also live music and entertainment, plus a cider trail to sip your way through crisp ciders and apple-inspired products.
Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Worldtravelers.
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