Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks offer discounts for restaurants seen on tv

Syracuse, New York has a surprisingly great food scene for a small-sized city. There’s your typical Italian, Mexican, and Chinese dishes. But also Ethiopian, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai, Jamaican, Irish, Greek, and so many more cultures represented in the local restaurants. The local food scene is so good that it has earned the attention of celebrity chefs and Food Network executives. So this year during Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks, you can eat some of the same dishes as your favorite foodie stars – at a discount.

This article is written in collaboration with the Downtown Committee of Syracuse.
Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks is presented by Visions Federal Credit Union in partnership with the Downtown Committee of Syracuse.

When is Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks?

What started as a weeklong event celebrating local restaurants has grown into two weeks of delicious dining. Typically planned for the middle of winter, it’s the perfect excuse for folks to emerge from their winter hibernation in the search for palate-pleasing discounted meals.

For 2026, Downtown Syracuse Dining Weeks is happening from March 1 through March 14 with 53 restaurants participating. The participating restaurants offer discounts on lunch, dinner, and dessert. Diners can enjoy two-course lunches for $15 (or less), three-course dinners for $40 (or less), and sweets & treats for $10 (or less). And for someone like me who loves supporting local AND saving money, this is one of my favorite events of the year.

With so many great restaurants downtown, it’s no surprise that several have garnered national attention. So much so that they have been featured on tv by beloved celebrity chefs. This year 5 of the participating restaurants have been featured on national television — and you can eat there for a discounted price.

Downtown Dining Weeks at Byblos Mediterranean Cafe

Byblos Mediterranean Cafe was established on May 5, 2010 and what better birthday present could I ask for? The family-owned restaurant specializes in Mediterranean cuisine, bringing their Lebanese food and culture to Syracuse. Byblos has gained such popularity in the local community that they also operate a food truck (weather dependent) to bring their food to local businesses and events.

Don’t miss: their baklava and falafel sandwich.

Byblos on TV

Guy Fieri stopped by the restaurant for the ‘Authentic Eats’ episode of “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Drives,” raving about the Lebanese dishes with homemade quality. Owner Violet Khabbaz also shared her sambousek recipe with Food Network. You can find the recipe for the Lebanese version of empanadas on their website.

Downtown Dining Weeks at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que has been a staple of the Syracuse food scene for over 40 years. Visitors and locals alike rave about the smoked meats and barbecue sauces. Multiple replicas of the beloved restaurant have opened up across the state, including in Rochester, Hamburg, Troy, Brooklyn, and Harlem. So it’s only fitting that Upstate New York’s favorite barbecue joint has been featured on several national media outlets.

Don’t miss: the meats! BBQ half chicken, pulled pork, brisket, and slathered ribs.

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que on TV

In March 2009, Adam Gertler from “The Next Food Network Star” visited Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for an episode of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate.” A graduate of Syracuse University, he wanted to share his love for the local biker bar with great barbecue food.

Then Dinosaur was featured on other Food Network shows, including “Roker on the Road,” “Guilty Pleasures,” and “Hungry Detective.”

Then Adam Richman visited the restaurant for an episode of Travel Channel’s “Man Vs. Food” in 2010.

In December 2022, owner John Stage talked about the restaurant chain on Good Morning America.

You can also save money throughout the year at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que with your Wandercuse passport. (Since the offers cannot be combined, the passport discount is not available during dining weeks.)

Downtown Dining Weeks at Funk ‘n Waffles

Funk ‘n Waffles has been a beloved favorite of mine for many years, as I used to get lunch there nearly every week when I worked at Syracuse University. While their Marshall Street location is no longer (literally the building doesn’t exist), their downtown eatery is still serving up food and live music. Funk ‘n Waffles is known for their delicious waffles – available in both sweet and savory options – as well as their chicken tenders and spicy maple syrup.

Don’t miss: Jive Turkey Waffle, Chicken & Waffles.

Funk ‘n Waffles on TV

Funk ‘n Waffles is so beloved by Guy Fieri that it has been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives” four times. It’s also been featured on Food Network’s “Guilty Pleasures”. One of the most popular items featured (as well as my husband’s favorite) is the Jive Turkey. It’s basically Thanksgiving dinner on a waffle and it’s delicious.

Downtown Dining Weeks at Kitty Hoynes

Kitty Hoynes is like a slice of Ireland in downtown Syracuse. The restaurant’s legacy goes back over a hundred years to County Kilkenny, Ireland. Generations later, the Hoyne family emigrated to the United States and Kitty Hoynes David Hoyne opened the bar in 1999. Now, they are determined to provide the most authentic Irish experience in Syracuse. Located in Armory Square, the bar offers a wide array of Irish whiskey, a rotating selection of great beer, and some great Irish meals.

Don’t miss: Reuben fritters, Irish meatloaf, Irish poutine, and Irish coffee flights.

Kitty Hoynes on TV

Downtown Syracuse’s beloved Irish pub has been featured on “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives” twice. Once for “Northeast Feast” and again for “Turn on Traditional.”

Downtown Dining Weeks at Pastabilities

Another beloved Syracuse icon is Pastabilities. This woman-owned restaurant has been serving homemade pasta dishes for over 40 years. Their most iconic item they offer – by far – is their hot tomato oil. Served warm with their signature stretch bread, no meal at Pastabilities is complete without hot tom as an app.

Don’t miss: hot tomato oil, stretch bread, and chicken riggies.

Pastabilities on TV

Pastabilities is another favorite of Guy Fieri’s and he has featured the beloved Italian restaurant on “Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives.”