Spilling the Beans: Best Spots to Snag Coffee Around Campus

Sunday, Sept. 29 is National Coffee Day (Photo courtesy of Salt City Coffee’s Facebook page)

Calling all coffee lovers! Did you know that Sunday, Sept. 29, is National Coffee Day? Whether you are a diehard coffee enthusiast who celebrates every day or a novice just beginning to try coffee for the first time, SU News has you covered. We put together a list of all the great spots and hidden gems on campus—and locally—to score your favorite cup of Joe.

On-Campus Finds

While there are many different spots on campus to grab your favorite brew, one of the most popular spots, which is in the heart of campus, is People’s Place. Located on the lower level of Hendricks Chapel, this nonprofit coffee shop offers great food and prices, a cool atmosphere and is run completely by a friendly and outgoing group of students.

SU News caught up with two managers, Vivienne Love ’26 and Kennedy Williams ’25, to learn more about what inspired them to get involved and what are their go-to favorites at People’s Place.

People’s Place coffee shop, located in the basement of Hendricks Chapel, is the perfect spot to grab a reasonably-priced snack and coffee while meeting some of the terrific students who work there. (Photo by Angela Ryan)

What made you want to get involved with People’s Place?

Love: During my freshman year, I only had 8 a.m. classes, and I would come to People’s Place as a reward for going to class. The staff was so welcoming, and I felt appreciated when they started to remember my order over time. It was always nice to have a treat and listen to the music that People’s Place played. At the end of the semester, I saw they were hiring and I applied! The rest is history.
Williams: Honestly, my friends—everyone I knew loved People’s Place and so did I. When one of my buddies who was a manager at the time asked if I wanted a job there, I couldn’t turn it down.

What is your favorite thing about working at People’s Place?

Love: Definitely the people. What initially drew me to People’s Place is what keeps me coming back. I’m so grateful to have friendships with the staff that have only grown as we’ve worked there over the semesters. Some of my best friends work at “Peeps” and we always make the effort to go in and visit each other during our shifts, even if it’s only for five minutes. Also, I get to choose the syrups we have each week, and I love ordering the weirdest flavors and seeing them sell!
Williams: The longstanding history of it; I love that People’s Place has been around and run by students since the ’70s. I feel like it still holds the same good energy and values when you go to the shop today as it did then.

What is your go-to coffee (or tea) order and favorite treat?

Love: My go-to coffee order is an iced coffee with oat milk and some of the crazy syrup I like to order. My favorite treat we have sometimes around Valentine’s Day is a chocolate cherry pop tart.
Williams: My go-to coffee order is a mocha java with hazelnut syrup and half and half, while my favorite treat is the plain glazed donut we sell from Geddes Bakery.

People’s Place is open Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Follow them on Instagram for upcoming events, specials and all of their latest tomfoolery.

The many faces of People’s Place (Photo by Angela Ryan)

In addition to People’s Place, Campus Dining has cafés tucked all over campus. The locations listed below accept ’CUSE Cash, meal plan dining dollars and credit/debit cards:

• BBBistro: Brockway Hall, Basement
• The Canteen: National Veterans Resource Center
• Gerry’s Café: Eggers Hall, Room 300
• Falk Café: McNaughton Hall, 2nd Floor
• Food.com: S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, Room 244
• Junction Snack Bar: Flint and Day halls, Basement
• Life Sciences Café: Life Sciences Building, Atrium Level
• Neporent Café: Dineen Hall
• Olsten’s Café: Whitman School of Management, Room 211
• Otto’s Juice Box: Barnes Center at The Arch
• Pages Café: Bird Library, Entrance Level
• Slocum Café: Slocum Hall, Main Floor
• Starbucks West Campus: 150 Henry St.
• The Warehouse Café: 350 W. Fayette St.

Off-Campus Favorites

Heading off campus on an adventure but still looking to get your caffeine fix? Below are some of the most popular spots located not too far from campus:

Cafe Blue (Photo by Coco Boardman)

Café Blue
Café Blue is located at the heart of Syracuse’s Inner Harbor, northwest of campus near Destiny USA.
Address: 720 Van Rensselaer Road, Suite 104B, Syracuse, New York 13204
Hours: Mondays: Closed; Tuesday through Friday: 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m.-2 p.m.

Café Kubal
Kubal has six locations around the Syracuse area, with the closest to campus near Drumlins.
Address: S2218 E. Colvin St., Syracuse, New York 13210
Hours: Monday through Friday: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Peaks Coffee Co.
Located on the ground floor of The 505 on Walnut, Peaks is located north of campus.
Address: 1200 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York 13210
Hours: Monday and Tuesday: Closed; Wednesday through Friday: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m. 

Recess Coffee (Photo by Coco Boardman)

Pheobe’s Restaurant and Coffee Lounge
Located across the street from Syracuse Stage, Phoebe’s brews Recess coffee.
Address: 900 E. Genesee St., Syracuse, New York 13244
Hours: Monday: 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Friday: 9 a.m.-9 p.m.; Saturday: 4:30-9 p.m.

Recess Coffee
Recess has three locations in Syracuse, with the closets to campus being in the Westcott neighborhood.
Address: 110 Harvard Place, Syracuse, New York 13210
Hours: Monday through Friday: 6 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 7 a.m.-10 p.m.

Salt City Coffee
Salt City has four locations in Syracuse, with the closest to campus being right off Marshall Street.
Address: 720 University Ave., Syracuse, New York 13210
Hours: Monday through Friday: 7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.