By Rohan

I’m sitting at the bar, my laptop open as rain patters against the side of the window. The sky is a murky shade of grey, the harbinger of a classic spring shower. A chipper barista, who is way too happy considering the dismal weather, brings me my cappuccino. The foam art is impeccable. I feel at home in the midst of midterms week.

Cafe Kubal is an institution in Syracuse, New York. With locations on University Hill, two shops downtown, and a few in the city’s suburbs, it is clear that central New Yorkers cannot get enough of Kubal’s globally inspired coffee. What sets this chain of coffee shops apart is the care and love that goes into every aspect of the Cafe Kubal experience. Each location is uniquely decorated, with the newest Creekwater Commons location boasting an Art Deco aesthetic to match the stunning Niagara Mohawk building across the street. Kubal isn’t just a coffee shop. It’s where students catch up with former professors, where lovebirds swoon over one another after a play, and where everyone, rich or poor, student or alumnus, can expect to be treated like family.

Coffee is only part of what makes Kubal so special. Their baked goods are absolutely divine. Treat yourself to a piece of their chocolate chip banana bread (perhaps dip it in your piping hot cappuccino as you people watch in Armory Square). In the mornings, nothing energizes you quite like their pour-over coffee and a warmed croissant that’s baked to perfection, flaky and buttery on the outside and soft on the inside, practically melting in your mouth. If you have an unquenchable sweet tooth, try their Monkey Bread, made with walnuts, honey, and cinnamon for the ultimate midday dessert. The possibilities are endless and regardless of what you get, you’re in for a meal that is made with love.

We highly recommend making a stop in Syracuse to try this amazing chain of coffee roasters. They have two locations downtown, one by campus, and in Eastwood with a food truck that is usually out and about in the summertime. We can promise you that you’re in for a spectacular treat.

For more about Cafe Kubal, visit their website: www.cafekubal.com