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    Recess Coffee - Downtown

    4.4 (61 reviews)
    Closed 7:00 am - 4:00 pm

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    Business Info

    RECESS COFFEE - DOWNTOWN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for working
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Recess Coffee - Downtown

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    Maple cold brew
    Sophia K.

    I love the downtown location of recess! I walked in and was immediately greeted and chatted up by the staff. It was quiet in here since it was around 11 so it was easy to order and get my drink quickly. I had a maple cold brew with cold foam and it was absolutely delicious! I would recommend this place to anyone around the area who wants a coffee or quick bite.

    Inside
    Joanne R.

    My first time at this location and it's a cool spot. They have a small seating area to the left of where you order. They also have a few tables outside. I purchased a light roast coffee to go with my slice of Big Mommas ricotta cheesecake that I purchased at the Italian festival. It was a perfect match.

    Inside
    Angela R.

    I've been to the other locations, but never this one before now. I was getting tires on my car, needed to get work done, and the cafe was a short walk away, so I made the trip. This location is right downtown, near the Fish Friar. This space is very small, first off, maybe four or five tables total. Regardless, it wasn't crowded (midday on a weekday.) There were some other people working and some people chatting, so a pretty mellow crowd. A good number of outlets. I made the mistake of grabbing a table directly in front of the door, and it was CHILLY when people came in or out of it, but other than that the space is pretty cozy and conducive to work. I just got a regular coffee, which was cheap and tasty. The staff was nice and I felt totally welcome hanging out and working for a couple of hours while I waited for my errand to finish.

    12 oz Chai Latte
    Tara M.

    Small location, street parking can be a pain, but definitely well worth it. I stopped here on a rainy Saturday afternoon. Ordered a hot chai expecting it to be the sweet powder stuff a lot of places use. I was pleasantly surprised! This is actual chai! Definitely more delicious and less sweet. I will definitely be stopping by again.

    Inside
    Jay C.

    First time in Syracuse and I got recommended this coffee shop in downtown. Very cool atmosphere and very nice staff. I order a 16oz drip coffee with a panini turkey and cheese sandwich. If I'm ever in Syracuse again, I would totally come back here

    Irina B.

    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!

    Accessible entrance
    Adrianne O.

    The classic on an everything bagel was delish! The fruit & nut oatmeal was also very good and filling for a quick brunch stop. The caramel latte was pretty good and the jasmine green tea was refreshing. This was a good and accessible local spot to stop on our journeys.

    Downtown latte
    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.

    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.

    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.

    Café at laît
    Naomi S.

    Recess was the next stop on my Syracuse coffee tour. We stopped into the downtown shop and I was very impressed by their locally roasted coffee and fresh baked bagels. The one thing that stuck out was with two groups ahead of us in line (4 people in total) the line was out the door. While on a lazy fall Saturday where there's no rush and the weather was nice it was not an issue. However during the week even if the line was to move fast the perception may be that there won't be enough time to get in and out. Also if it was a bone chilling winter morning that might make the café a less than pleasant option for relaxing. As it went though the line mined quickly I ordered a café at laît and a everything bagel and my fiancé got a drip coffee and bagel sandwich. The coffees came out quickly and the bagels almost immediately followed. I got a light roast and was pleasantly surprised with how well it held up to the steamed milk and even though it was African it didn't sour as it cooled like many African and Latin American beans tend to do. I was also very impressed by the bagel, it was nice and soft and had great flavor. The seasoning on my everything bagel was a little light for my taste but the quality more than made up for it. Knowing that they do a light seasoning I'd like to try their rosemary bagel next time. I'm updating my review to state that their iced coffee is very good. A smooth neutral flavor would make it a nice complement to any snack. Okay. One more update here. Came back for a cappuccino which is usually my favorite espresso based beverage. The espresso is very sour here, not bad, just sour and needed some sugar added.

    Even the logo is trendy. I saved a sleeve in my car, it just added something decorative/eye-catching to all of the napkins and wrappers.

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    17 days ago

    Always love my Recess coffee & whatever else I have had. Cookies & fresh made are always different & delish

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    2 months ago

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    3 years ago

    Coffee was great. I got a smores latte, and my partner got a regular latte. Staff was friendly. Place was chill to hang out and chat.

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Hands down Best coffee in Syracuse. Friendly staff and always playing good music. Love that they are now open on Sunday's too

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

    This is a great little spot and the coffee is really good. Love the seating areas. Definitely feels like a hometown spot.

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    10 years ago

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    Jesse D.

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    6 years ago

    Beautiful little coffee roaster! Bakery and food selection is a bit small, but the coffee is ON POINT! Love recess!

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    8 years ago

    Coffee is weak and the Chai is not very tasty. There are other Syracuse coffee places with better options.

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    Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends - Lattes never looked so good.

    Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends

    4.6(79 reviews)
    0.9 mi
    $$

    Really adorable coffee shop which is small but cozy. The aesthetic is immaculate and it's really…read moreclean. Parking is relatively easy to find as well.

    This spot has been on my radar for a long time, back when it was Peaks. It recently went through a…read morerebrand. I found myself with some work to do on a Saturday morning and decided to swing by. There's on street parking on the block it's on and surrounding blocks. There's also an abandoned store across the street with a small lot, which is where I wound up parking. The space is small but I didn't have any trouble finding a seat, though I imagine that might be a different case later in the day or during peak study time for the students. I got an ube iced coffee special with oat milk, and impulsively ordered the breakfast burrito too. I figured if they have shirts advertising the burrito, it must be good. The decor is very trendy and chic and well-curated, and you'll feel super hip hanging out here. The coffee was alright but my shot was a bit on the bitter side - assuming this was just a one-off. The breakfast burrito lived up to the hype. Fluffy eggs, perfectly crispy pressed tortilla, a flavorful aioli generously slathered all over the plate. Definitely one of the places to come (if not THE place) in Syracuse if you want a breakfast burrito. Unfortunately for me, the WiFi was down when I went, so I couldn't actually do my work and didn't stay long. Womp womp. Perhaps unavoidable, but definitely not ideal for a coffee shop. I wish I'd brought a book with me that day or had more time just to spend, because I'd say this spot is great for silent reading and unplugging more than working or socializing. Worth checking out, for the aesthetics and the tasty egg burritos.

    Photos
    Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends - Breakfast Burrito

    Breakfast Burrito

    Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends - Breakfast Burrito sauce on the side

    Breakfast Burrito sauce on the side

    Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends - To go cups

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    To go cups

    Recess Coffee - Downtown - cafes - Updated May 2026

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