Recess Coffee House & Roastery

I’ve been a regular here for a while now. I love the hip staff and clientele (mostly students). The drinks are all very good, you can’t go wrong – but you’ll stare awestruck at the menu anyway… I wish they would develop they’re pastry/​breakfast goods a little more.
The prices are up there, but fair for what you get – dessert in a cup! The ambience is perfect, great music – sometimes they play it too loud, so like others, I opt for my own music/​headphones…
Several times, when I’ve ordered a small drink, they’ve given me a medium instead. Did I mention they’re open late at night? Best café in Syracuse!

We stopped by this cozy café for a coffee before we headed back across the border. It was pretty busy when we got there after lunch. There were quite a few coffee and hot chocolate and coffee/​chocolate mix options. Did someone say coffee meets chocolate?! Yes, that’s their specialty here. I opted to try one of these instead of an enticing chai latte or apple cider.
We ordered, waited in line with the rest of the folk, a lot of whom looked like students (we were probably near the university). There were no tables available in this café, which was basically the ground floor of a house-​turned-​café. If it was warmer, it would have been nice to sit out on the deck with our coffees. We had parked at the lot across the street briefly as we weren’t sure what the street parking situation was there.
I would probably go back and try something else, just because it’s different. The coffee wasn’t out of this world good, but it was definitely interesting and the vibe from the shop was that it was like a hub.
They seemed to source some of their foods locally, which was great. Unfortunately, we’d already eaten lunch by then, so I didn’t grab any snacks/​food to go.

You know what I find amazing? In the year that I have lived up here as an ESF student, living literally a block away, and considering how much I love cute coffee shops, that I have never stepped foot inside until tonight. It is really a cozy coffee shop where you can hang out with your friends, study all night, or just relax by yourself on the patio. I had ordered a Dirty Chai, which is Chai tea with a shot of espresso. I’ve never had anything like this before. It was delicious, albeit this will keep me up night (I seriously feel like I can race a train to another galaxy). Definitely a go to place to wind down and enjoy some delectable drinks, snacks, and sandwiches. I will for sure be returning here frequently!

After years of living and going to school in the Westcott Nation (where Recess 1 exists), I never made it a point to come here. Now I curse myself, because as I sit here to enjoy a Crazy Shawn (peanut butter latte named after my friend, Crazy Shawn Kolpak) I wish I was a regular here. Michael Jackson is playing in the background, despite the owners of this place being in a GrindCore band, because they know how to create a lovely mood.
Today was the first snow of Syracuse’s winter this year (2015) and the boys were all out shoveling the crust of snow/​ice off their porch (that they share with residents and neighbors) because they’re cool, and want people to enter the store safely.
Adam, owner and old friend, told me about their new vegan baker on staff and pointed out the new vegan cherry bars and vegan cinnamon rolls on the top shelf of their case. He knows I’ve been vegan for years and treated me like he’s seen me every day for the past 7 years (even though I’ve lived in California since ’09).
The computer crew is quietly typing away, but I’d have a conversation with any one of these people because the clientele is student-​based and locally-​based, and this area is the hub of hippies and progressives for Syracuse. Excellent, excellent experience here. Maybe it’s come of the caffeine talking… but that’s what a latte is supposed to do, right?
I also drink copious amounts of water, which they have in a cooler which is accessible without having to ask for it. I would come here weekly if I wasn’t 3,000 miles away every other day of the year.

Recess is #1 for Syracuse café’s in my book. They have amazing coffee, roasted in house, with extreme knowledge and care about coffee, from its source to your cup. They have plenty of choices for food as well, which is unique compared to your typical café fare of just baked goods or something light. But don’t get me wrong, they have an amazing selection of homemade baked goods as well! Like the menu, the environment is organic, and has a rustic yet artistic feel. It fits right into the Westcott neighborhood. My only suggestion, bring headphones if studying, it can get a bit noisy. Also, probably not the best place for a private or intimate meeting as the seating areas are quite open and the tables are close together.

Recess is a great place to meet friends for coffee, grab a pastry or sandwich on the go, and study late into the night. It fits right in with it’s funky Westcott vibe, located in a refurbished house with old comfy furniture. I am a fan of their great variety of hot chocolates, but anything tastes good at Recess. Check out their new hip location downtown too!
Lots of parking on the street and across the street in a parking lot. Free wifi and late hours. What else could you ask for?

Absolutely favorite coffee place in upstate, central NY. Friendly, funky, delicious and inviting neighborhood coffee shop. My favorite!

After meeting a really cool local Syracuse artist at a music festival in upstate New York this past weekend. I decided to crash at his house for a bit until the next music festival. Upon talking over his artwork for a bit, food started to become the topic of conversation. Being the huge foodie that I am I started grilling him about all the local gourmet spots. Since it was already really late breakfast was the main focus, there were several places he had mentioned but only one that he was set on going to. Since he promised me as a fellow artist not only would I love the atmosphere, but the food and drinks were top notch.
So upon walking in here your immediately welcomed in by the lovely aromas and delicious smells. As I looked around everyone in here seemed to be regulars for they were all conversing as if they have met before. Comfortable furniture in a warm sun kissed front room with big windows overlooking the street, it appeared that they all had their usual favorite chairs/​spots judging by how content the look on all their faces were.
As for the food I’d much rather not drop more than $ 5 on a bacon egg and cheese but considering I’m Syracuse and other places charge almost $ 7 I can’t complain. On that note it was very delicious and loaded with bacon so I can atleast say it was worth it. For a drink it was hard to decide, that had lots of fun and funky combos, but I settled on a peanut butter hot chocolate which was pretty good. If it wasn’t so close to lunch I would have gotten a couple pastures but resisted, however they all looked wicked good.
As for service the staff was they were very pleasant and friendly. It’s a little slow for the wait on breakfast sandwiches because they are prepared on a tiny electric griddle but and there was a line but I didn’t mind because I was busy scoping out all the art on the walls.

I love your coffee, your service is friendly and just generally fantastic, your atmosphere is inviting, and your snacks are quite good! But could you please please PLEASE get a new toilet seat? It’s seen its day.

Stopped by while touring Syracuse yesterday. The girl at the counter was super helpful and over all some of the best coffee I have ever had. Currently day dreaming about it hence the 24 hour delay on the review.

I go here to feel like a hipster, get work done, drink good coffee, or all 3. I’ll be the first to admit I’m not a coffee connoisseur, but I think even a novice can tell how this one stands out from generic brands like Starbucks. I’ll try my best to describe it, but their coffee is earthy, bold, and complex. When I think of starbucks, I think 1-​dimensional flavor without much layers, and the dreaded bitter aftertaste that people complain about (that’s why they put out the light roast a while back). But my favorite dessert coffee is the Crazy Shawn. Just make sure you’re not going to get an anaphylactic reaction to peanuts or peanut butter.

Just found this place a few days ago, and it is definitely going to be my new coffee hang out. Great specialty coffee options and yummy food!

Best place to get a delicious hot chocolate. Nuff said.
Parking is a con since they don’t have their own lot and you may have to park on the street or else the parking lot across the street.

Delicious coffee drinks, nice study space with plenty of outlets. Not too loud, kind of a hipster bohemian scene.
Community parking lot across the street. There is also plenty of side street parking.
Would be back if I visit Syracuse again!

I have come here many times for food and a place to work over the past month and would absolutely rate my experiences as five star.
There are many places to sit and for various numbers of people, such as single seats at a high-​counter area in the front, there are numerous four and two seat tables, and a couch/​chair area in the back (more for chatting than working). There are plenty of outlet areas, which is always nice. There are also about 3 – 4 tables on the front deck to sit as well. During busy times, it can be hard to get a seat, but usually people shift around the area fairly regularly.
As for the food, there are three sandwiches you can count on, a bakery area, some kind of salad special, and a soup option. I love the food here as much as the atmosphere. Also, there is obviously lots of coffee options.
Great place to meet with a friend, get some schoolwork done, or relax after work!

A cute spot in Westcott for sure — this coffee shop has everything that you could expect from a hipster coffee establishment that is built in a beautiful old home: excellent coffee, really great and inventive espresso-​based drinks, good pastries, and terribly slow (but really nice) service. The coffee is great, which it was should bring people in and the vibe of the place certainly matches that of its neighborhood. There is ample outdoor seating which is great on the rare good weather days in Syracuse. The service is excruciatingly slow though if you are in a rush to get anywhere — if you’re an SU student looking for a great place to study though, this is the spot.

I am not from Syracuse… Was visiting with a Frnd who studied here… This place is awesome. Students hanging out and studying all day… Good music playing in the background… I wish Pittsburgh (where i studied) had something like this !

comfortable hang in spacious converted house. lots of people in here but it doesn’t feel crowded at all.
game closet!
couches, tables, window seats=options
quick friendly service
gf/​vegan treats (not a lot tho)
outdoor porch seating
street parking
good value
soy/​almond milk options, and a large is 20 oz. … love that
mainly student clientele, much studying on a saturday, a little some chatter
I’d come back.

I love cafes and I am a huge fan of cute local cafes! I was recommended to try Recess because I like Café Kubal. I had a panini — avocado, bacon, pesto, mozz, on rye bread and it was GREAT! I also got a latte before leaving and the expresso tasted really fresh. I asked for a pumpkin flavor, but I think they forgot that part of the order. It was still great!
I wish there was more setting available, but then also appreciate the small and cozy feel.
I’ll be going back regularly!

Location: I’m not from Syracuse, it appears to be in a hot spot area for college students. Not too far from the University. I accidently found this place when I parked my car on a side street. It looks like a house that is converted into a coffee shop. I am from New York City so seeing this style Coffee Shop was something out of the movies. NYC coffee shops are retail spaces and not actual houses. Very unique experience and the inside has a very «college feel».
Coffee: They have a nice variety of specialty coffees /​drinks. I kept it simple and got a regular latte and it was honestly perfect. Like most specialty coffee shops, they made a nice design on the top for the wow factor.
I would come here more often if I lived in the area. Will revisit when coming back!