Coffee is always a win on the cold winter days at Syracuse. Sometimes the Schine Dunkin' just doesn't cut it. Here are some of the best in the area.
1. Kubal Coffee Shop
This is always a go-to place for great coffee, pastries, avocado toast, and salads. When you feel sick of Starbucks, Kubal is the perfect alternative. The best part is you only have to walk a few extra feet. Kubal also serves oat milk, which is the best and isn't available at every coffee shop.
It's one of the best places to study and focus. I'm not sure why, but I always seem to get a lot of work done at Kubal. My personal recommendation is the chocolate chip banana bread. I'm a sucker for banana bread and if you are too, Kubal is the place for you.
2. Peaks Coffee Company
This place just opened up and man, it deserves some recognition. My friend and I have been tracking the opening of coffee shops all over Syracuse because we are what you call coffee addicts. This place has a killer iced latte and great vegan scones, avocado toast, biscuits with jam, and lastly the best turkey sandwich ever. The place is small, but usually not too crowded because it just opened up. It's also fairly cheap for the quality of food and drinks. It is right on Walnut, so if you live on Greek row, just keep walking two more blocks and you will see it on the corner! It's a great walk and you get to save money for an uber. Since it's on Greek row it's almost like its still on campus so it's not like going to scary downtown Syracuse with homeless people everywhere you look.3. Recess Coffee
This place is amazing!! However, I think an uber is essential, walking would be quite a journey, but don't let me stop you. However, it is well worth the trip. It has Nutella mochas, peanut butter mochas, and other fun flavors. I tried a bagel here once and it was life-changing. The place is a little bigger but seems to always be crowded still.
Try to avoid the midday crowds, flowing in on Sundays which usually consists of hungover college kids, who are just itching for a bagel. Instead try to go at (gasp) 10 a.m., trust me you will get a way better seat on the comfy couches. That way you won't be awkwardly standing around that one person who has been sitting at a table that seats four people.
4. Starbucks
Ok so obviously Starbucks in the OG. However, I encourage you to support the local businesses above, instead of just choosing Starbucks every time. Some of the coffee in other places is far superior to Starbucks. However, you will never know if you don't try something new!
Starbucks is a chain and the way I look at it, they have more than enough money. So instead, I would rather go to a place that just opened up, in random places like Syracuse, that are just trying to survive. If you are a caffeine fanatic like me, put down that tall vanilla latte and try something fun with Nutella!
5. Dunkin Donuts
I'm from the West Coast, so Dunkin was a culture shock for me. I didn't even realize how big of a deal it is here. This is always the perfect go to if you are in a rush or on a budget. You can get it from the dining halls and you don't have to worry about waiting forever, they are always super quick. I haven't completely become a Dunkin fan, but I have definitely come around to it. It is a great choice if you are on the run or just in between classes and feel like you need to stay awake from pulling that all-nighter.
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