Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Central New York

OpenTable

Updated May 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!

Daniella's Steakhouse

4.9

4.9 (413)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Liverpool

About the restaurant

Daniella’s Steakhouse is a locally owned, intimate steakhouse named after Charlie’s mother. With seasonal patio seating and a full bar, Daniella’s offers a warm and personal dining experience centered around hand-selected steaks, fresh seafood, classic entrées, and genuine hospitality.

Rooted in a family restaurant tradition that began with Roman’s Tavern in 1960, Daniella’s carries forward a love for great food, welcoming service, and memorable meals shared around the table. Seating is limited, so reservations are highly suggested.

Top review

J . AnthonyGold

Dined on May 18, 2026

Great atmosphere, great food, great service. The best restaurant in the area.

The Tailwater Bar and Restaurant

4.9

4.9 (855)

$31 to $50

American

Syracuse

About the restaurant

The restaurant at Tailwater Lodge features refined comfort food with regional influences in a cozy, rustic environment. From comforting favorites like burgers and pasta to elevated classics featuring seafood and steaks, our menu is rooted in locally sourced ingredients, with vegetarian and gluten-free options available — all served in a warm, welcoming setting.

Top review

Joy

Dined on May 12, 2026

The food was delicious. Server was attentive and helpful. Restaurant was clean and quiet. Overall, a very pleasant experience.

The Wedge

4.9

4.9 (138)

$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.

We are open for dinner service Wednesday through Saturday and we serve Brunch on Sundays! From 4pm - 5pm Wednesday through Friday we offer an "Aperitivo Hour" with drink specials and light snacks. On these nights dinner service starts at 5pm.

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.

Top review

Linda

Dined on May 20, 2026

Very pleasant evening! Second dinner there. Will return!

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Experience

Dad's Deserve It - Chef's Tasting Dinner

Moro's Table

4.8

4.8 (152)

$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

Chuck

Dined 3 days ago

Theri burger night did not disappoint... great food and great service!!

Krebs 1899

4.8

4.8 (1963)

$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

CynthiaGold

Dined on May 10, 2026

Exceptional ambiance- great service. A very fine dining experience. We will be back!

Phoebe's Restaurant & Coffee Lounge

4.8

4.8 (722)

$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

Caitlyn

Dined 3 days ago

Amazingly quick and friendly service! Food was amazing and the menu is always updating!

Bonefish Grill - Fayetteville NY

4.7

4.7 (16)

$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

NatalieGold

Dined on May 21, 2026

The pairing experience really never disappoints. This was our 5th time at the event at Bonefish. I invited 4 of our friends to join us and they loved the drinks and the food. this was the 1st time we visited a Bonefish in New York rather than in St Petersburg, Florida. It was a little different as dinner was a slower, more relaxing experience. My only complaint was that I personally thought the 1st course salad was over dressed and the size of the sea bass entree was small in size. Otherwise, the drinks served with the food were perfect. Service was great as usual.

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Experience

$5 Martini & Margarita Monday

Experience

$7 Bang Wednesday

Experience

4-Course Bourbon Cocktail Pairing Dinner

Eden

4.7

4.7 (1006)

$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

Megan

Dined on May 15, 2026

We were 2 couples celebrating my brother-in-law’s birthday. He was thrilled, as were we. Everything from the cocktails to the entrees were delicious. I had the bitter bloom cocktail, buckwheat popovers, and halibut. All were superb. My husband and brother-in-law both had the NY strip and both said it was the best they ever had. The service was attentive, well paced for a relaxing meal and pleasant. The atmosphere was unique with full view of the bar and kitchen. We will definitely dine again.

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4.7

4.7 (100)

$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

chaceaGold

Dined 3 days ago

We sat outside on a beautiful night. Out food was delicious and our server was charming. I highly recommend

Jadie & Junes

4.5

4.5 (55)

$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

Dona

Dined 3 days ago

I love this place so much. Atmosphere is wonderful and the staff is amazing. I always get the risotto and flatbread and can’t get enough!

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