It may seem odd to claim that one of the best cafes in America can be found in a small town in central New York state, but some might say that the Pewter Spoon Cafe is just that. The Pewter Spoon is located on Albany Street in Cazenovia, N.Y., a scenic half-hour drive from the Colgate University campus. Regularly frequented by Colgate University students and local residents alike, the only imperfection to be found is the lack of open seating on a busy Saturday afternoon.
The Pewter Spoon is a family-operated business that opened in 2012 and was “designed to be a space for people to meet old friends, relax, get some work done and share new ideas.” Open every day except Monday, the cafe serves breakfast and lunch, along with a robust coffee and beverage menu. They also stock ciabatta they sourced from a bakery in Skaneateles, N.Y., as well as cookies, muffins and other bakery items, and an array of other merchandise.
They are perhaps best known for their absolutely incredible sandwiches, served on the most flavorful and soft ciabatta. The classic egg sandwich is a standout, as are the Caprese panini and the Positano greens. Truly though, every single thing on their menu is fantastic, the kind of quality and flavor that puts a cloud over graduating Colgate and moving away from this region of the country.
Senior Jessie Brazeau, who frequents the Pewter Spoon, offered another order suggestion — though you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu.
“My go-to order is the Flora [panini], an apple and brie sandwich, and their amazing iced matcha,” Brazeau said.
Brazeau has been making the drive to the Pewter Spoon for a few years now and finds the cozy and friendly interior as appealing as the delicious food.
“I started going to the Pewter Spoon my sophomore year whenever I wanted an escape from Hamilton or a quiet place to study,” Brazeau explained. “I love the warm, inviting atmosphere — especially the little window tables with a view of Cazenovia.”
Brazeau is not alone in her high praise. The Pewter Spoon gets rave reviews from many Colgate students, including senior Anna Mednick, another avid fan of the lovely local establishment. It’s hard not to love a space where everything tastes even better than it looks, and the staff is so helpful, friendly and welcoming.
“Pewter Spoon has an amazing savory breakfast menu in addition to a charming ambiance,” Mednick said. “The drive up to Cazenovia is worth it every time!”
Mednick’s friend, senior Sophie Cucinotta, emphatically agreed.
“The sandwiches at the Pewter Spoon are so good,” Cucinotta said. “And the ambiance is great!”
While the cafe is a bit of a drive away from campus, the town of Cazenovia is also a great place to spend an afternoon. After you finish eating, pop over to Ink & Paper Bookstore around the corner or spend some time by Lake Cazenovia. Colgate is a bit rural and isolated, but let that be a motivation to get out and explore other cities and towns in the area. You never know when you’ll find the best little cafe you’ve ever tried!
