I really love Recess. The coffee is great, the staff are great, and the bagels are great. I find myself frequenting recess when I need my coffee fix. I love that they offer coffee ice cubes so that your coffee drinks don't get diluted! Highly recommend it. I also buy a bag of the espresso beans to make the coffee at home as well. I'm a huge fan!
Jessica K.
My boyfriend and I were exploring Syracuse and happened upon this adorable place. Everyone was so friendly to us and the cold brew was very good and strong. We walked around and found some cute spots to sit, so it was a very lovely experience. We also tried the espresso dark chocolate which tasted more like milk chocolate so I was disappointed, but the coffee was great and made up for it!
Josh M.
The best lattes in Syracuse!!!! I love this place, the staff are so friendly and make the best espresso drinks in town. Amazing bake goods are a perfect compliment.
Priyanka K.
Other than a certain national chain, this is the only Downtown coffee spot open so late. Albeit, not as late as their Wescott spot but I won't hold it against them. This location is beautiful. Every seat has a window view and the staff is super friendly. Outlets abound. I haven't tried their food but I have tried the light and dark roast, chai and apple cider. Each one is as good as the next. As a Downtown resident, I think Recess holds its own as a neighborhood coffee joint.
Michael B.
For me, average non corporate coffee shop. The staff was knowledgable and kind. The coffee was just meh for me. My daughter had a dirty chai and said that it was excellent so that is where the 4th star comes from.
Stephanie D.
Had the best cup of coffee! It was so smooth and rich and just perfect. You get used to the typical burnt bean/coffee taste from Starbucks but this was so refreshing and nice to have. The Omega bagel sandwich I had was so delicious! Having an actual cooked egg instead of just something slid out of a package from the frozen bulk box was a wonderful surprise. Can't wait to come back! Had a mocha coffee with almond milk. The staff is so friendly. Love this place!
Lisa K.
The coffee is good, not the best, and they embarrassed my husband and me once because we threw a couple of crumbs to the pigeons nearby. Actually, we've been "talked to" 3 times for a variety of reasons as we sat outside and had our iced coffees. Kinda weird.
Sana S.
Came in for a quick cup of coffee before a road trip - best decision ever! Had a peanut butter mocha latte which was something I've never had before and so good. Wanted the hot chocolate taste with some espresso and the barista made the perfect recommendation . Their coffee is strong too!
Hannah M.
Coffee is weak and the Chai is not very tasty. There are other Syracuse coffee places with better options.
Christian R.
Checked this place out earlier this morning. Got a smoothie and a bagel with cream cheese, and a massive chocolate chip cookie. All great. I might head bed tomorrow morning because there isn't much open at 6am...
Ahh I love this place!! The service is phenomenal!! My favorite barista by far is Ellie! She is always on top of her game & always remembers what I get!! Cold brew is a fave of mine & I love the coffee ice cubes that don't water down my drinks! Definitely recommend coming here!
Sam D.
The primo of hipster cafes. I was walking by Recess and I had to stop by such a funky looking and named cafe (Syracuse is awesome that way!). Good coffee. I loved the decor. Reminds me a bit of Jimmy's in Toronto. Give it a shot if you are nearby.
Sara P.
Friendly, helpful, and honest staff. Great light roast coffee and mocha latte. Still drooling over their everything bagel!
Michelle B.
Delicious drinks, especially the almond joy hot chocolate. I like getting an actual cup as opposed to disposable ones at chain coffee stores. The one downside is that the bagels are way too small. They would definitely have my business in terms of buying breakfast sandwiches if they were bigger.
Hailee C.
It's dangerous that Recess is so close to Le Moyne. After tutoring at the library, I would go back to my dorm and my friends and I would often carpool here for peanut butter hot chocolate and maybe a slice of vegan chocolate cake. A late night reward. It's such a hipster place. Students and 20-something's alike come here to work on homework, assignments, and all sorts of papers and work on their MacBooks, listening to their Spotify playlists while holding some exciting latte such as the Elvis Presley (peanut butter, banana, chocolate--I think). Recently, thank Instagram, I saw that their newest summer drink is The Electric Beach, "a refreshing Americano served over ice, made with coconut water, seltzer and a spritz of lavender syrup." I curse myself for not getting this when I last visited, but it was night and it was freezing outside and I guess just an excuse to come very soon? I ordered the peanut butter hot chocolate. Although it is a classic, and my go-to, the last few sips are always kind of funny--there's often chunks of unmelted peanut butter which even I (who loves cottage cheese and most textures that throw off a lot of people) couldn't finish. But in the sips before this, it's like you're drinking a Reese's cup. Recess is the quintessential vegan, vegetarian, hipster, laid-back, and cool place. I feel like coming here in summer and sitting outside on their porch drinking an Electric Beach (soon!). Or even in the fall where I have the most memories: the foliage, a hot latte (the almond joy latte is yummy). Ugh it's so hard to choose between Recess, Cafe Kubal, Cafe Soleil, Cafe at 401, Freedom of Espresso (which I have yet to try). There are so many coffee shops in Syracuse. Recess also has a tea selection and they make their own marshmallows and whipped cream. I applaud them for that.
I really love Recess. The coffee is great, the staff are great, and the bagels are great. I find myself frequenting recess when I need my coffee fix. I love that they offer coffee ice cubes so that your coffee drinks don't get diluted! Highly recommend it. I also buy a bag of the espresso beans to make the coffee at home as well. I'm a huge fan!
My boyfriend and I were exploring Syracuse and happened upon this adorable place. Everyone was so friendly to us and the cold brew was very good and strong. We walked around and found some cute spots to sit, so it was a very lovely experience. We also tried the espresso dark chocolate which tasted more like milk chocolate so I was disappointed, but the coffee was great and made up for it!
The best lattes in Syracuse!!!! I love this place, the staff are so friendly and make the best espresso drinks in town. Amazing bake goods are a perfect compliment.
Other than a certain national chain, this is the only Downtown coffee spot open so late. Albeit, not as late as their Wescott spot but I won't hold it against them. This location is beautiful. Every seat has a window view and the staff is super friendly. Outlets abound. I haven't tried their food but I have tried the light and dark roast, chai and apple cider. Each one is as good as the next. As a Downtown resident, I think Recess holds its own as a neighborhood coffee joint.
For me, average non corporate coffee shop. The staff was knowledgable and kind. The coffee was just meh for me. My daughter had a dirty chai and said that it was excellent so that is where the 4th star comes from.
Had the best cup of coffee! It was so smooth and rich and just perfect. You get used to the typical burnt bean/coffee taste from Starbucks but this was so refreshing and nice to have. The Omega bagel sandwich I had was so delicious! Having an actual cooked egg instead of just something slid out of a package from the frozen bulk box was a wonderful surprise. Can't wait to come back! Had a mocha coffee with almond milk. The staff is so friendly. Love this place!
The coffee is good, not the best, and they embarrassed my husband and me once because we threw a couple of crumbs to the pigeons nearby. Actually, we've been "talked to" 3 times for a variety of reasons as we sat outside and had our iced coffees. Kinda weird.
Came in for a quick cup of coffee before a road trip - best decision ever! Had a peanut butter mocha latte which was something I've never had before and so good. Wanted the hot chocolate taste with some espresso and the barista made the perfect recommendation . Their coffee is strong too!
Coffee is weak and the Chai is not very tasty. There are other Syracuse coffee places with better options.
Checked this place out earlier this morning. Got a smoothie and a bagel with cream cheese, and a massive chocolate chip cookie. All great. I might head bed tomorrow morning because there isn't much open at 6am...
Restaurantji Recommends
Ahh I love this place!! The service is phenomenal!! My favorite barista by far is Ellie! She is always on top of her game & always remembers what I get!! Cold brew is a fave of mine & I love the coffee ice cubes that don't water down my drinks! Definitely recommend coming here!
The primo of hipster cafes. I was walking by Recess and I had to stop by such a funky looking and named cafe (Syracuse is awesome that way!). Good coffee. I loved the decor. Reminds me a bit of Jimmy's in Toronto. Give it a shot if you are nearby.
Friendly, helpful, and honest staff. Great light roast coffee and mocha latte. Still drooling over their everything bagel!
Delicious drinks, especially the almond joy hot chocolate. I like getting an actual cup as opposed to disposable ones at chain coffee stores. The one downside is that the bagels are way too small. They would definitely have my business in terms of buying breakfast sandwiches if they were bigger.
It's dangerous that Recess is so close to Le Moyne. After tutoring at the library, I would go back to my dorm and my friends and I would often carpool here for peanut butter hot chocolate and maybe a slice of vegan chocolate cake. A late night reward. It's such a hipster place. Students and 20-something's alike come here to work on homework, assignments, and all sorts of papers and work on their MacBooks, listening to their Spotify playlists while holding some exciting latte such as the Elvis Presley (peanut butter, banana, chocolate--I think). Recently, thank Instagram, I saw that their newest summer drink is The Electric Beach, "a refreshing Americano served over ice, made with coconut water, seltzer and a spritz of lavender syrup." I curse myself for not getting this when I last visited, but it was night and it was freezing outside and I guess just an excuse to come very soon? I ordered the peanut butter hot chocolate. Although it is a classic, and my go-to, the last few sips are always kind of funny--there's often chunks of unmelted peanut butter which even I (who loves cottage cheese and most textures that throw off a lot of people) couldn't finish. But in the sips before this, it's like you're drinking a Reese's cup. Recess is the quintessential vegan, vegetarian, hipster, laid-back, and cool place. I feel like coming here in summer and sitting outside on their porch drinking an Electric Beach (soon!). Or even in the fall where I have the most memories: the foliage, a hot latte (the almond joy latte is yummy). Ugh it's so hard to choose between Recess, Cafe Kubal, Cafe Soleil, Cafe at 401, Freedom of Espresso (which I have yet to try). There are so many coffee shops in Syracuse. Recess also has a tea selection and they make their own marshmallows and whipped cream. I applaud them for that.