Caffeine and Chill: 3 Cafes Near Campus to Catch a Breather 

Being a new student is daunting; being an old student, even more so. The pressures are not easing any time soon.  

I, like many of my peers, cope with juggling classes and work by relaxing with some good music and even better coffee in the quiet corner of a cute cafe. So, I spoke to three Newhouse students who recommended their favorite places to “caffeine and chill” at a walkable distance from the Syracuse University campus. 

Salt City Coffee

Located at 720 University Ave, Salt City Coffee is a six minute walk from campus.  

Frequented by students grabbing a quick caffeine fix and a bite between classes, this cozy cafe also houses a thrift store, 3fifteen, which sells clothes, Syracuse University merch, books, home accessories and more at some amazing prices.  

Salt City Coffee regular and magazine, news and digital journalism (MND) student Angus Kearney recommended trying their oat milk latte, “if you like oat milk.” 

Peaks Coffee Company

Located at 1200 E Genesee St., Peaks is a 15 minute walk from campus and is also close to many off-campus student residences. 

Whether you want to work, socialize, catch a breath or all three, with its chic interiors in cool, earthy tones and some “really good music” according to MND student Beth Dawkins, Peaks is that classic cozy cafe, offering a wide selection of beverages and baked goods. 

Dawkins recommended trying their iced latte and applauded the service saying, “I even remember the worker there having me try it and making sure that there was enough maple in it because I put maple in my coffee.”   

Recess Coffee

Located at 110 Harvard Place, Recess Coffee is a 25 minute walk from campus.  

The cafe has both indoor and outdoor seating, and remains open until 10 p.m., making it a popular choice for students who want to relax but also get some work done after class. It not only offers a variety of beverages and savory as well as sweet food to choose from, but also sells its house coffee beans for those who want a taste of Recess at home. 

Customer-turned-employee and MND student Madey Lynch recommended trying their smoked butterscotch-flavored Hunters Cabin Latte, which she revealed to originally be an October special but still an available off-menu item, and their sweet-and-spicy Brown Sugar Maple Latte, which tastes “very fall and very cozy.”