Cafe Express

Café Express. Great place for espresso or cappuccino on a Saturday morning. Lots of locals speaking in fast Italian, with energetic hand gestures, mostly men in 40’s to 60+. Only 10% women. Non stop line, as soon as it gets down to one person, 2 more appear for a refill. The barista seems to be the bartender here where coffee is revered. Great atmosphere with neighborhood culture, and nowhere else to be or nothing else to do… Hey, it’s Saturday! If you want to meet attractive older Italian men this is the place to be. Marilyn Monroe images on the wall, tile floor, tables for 2 –12. Just heard 70 year old say «Yeah, she wants me for my body.» Another, «I can’t stand a drunk woman.»

You need to understand this is NOT a typical coffee shop. No trendy stuff, lots of locals, no coffee. But excellent expresso and derivatives. Pictures of Marilyn Monroe and today just great for people watching. If you want to listen in to your neighboring table you may need to be multilingual. Perhaps Italian and Persian and Lebanese and —- just saw a Keurig machine so maybe you can get coffee but why would you? The expresso is what you come for and the place!!!

It’s a unique gem! authentic espresso, cappuccino, orzata, and in summer, the incredible caffe fredo, as well as a myriad of other Italian beverages, this café is like a trip to Italy (Calabria in particular). This café is a must visit and one of Syracuse’s cultural treasures!