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Welcome to Scenic Root

Nestled beside the scenic Swan Pond in Manlius, NY, Scenic Root was established in 2016 by owner Mike McDonough, a seasoned restaurateur. This charming New American bar delights patrons with an eclectic menu that features everything from mouthwatering sandwiches like the Heirloom Chicken to the exquisite Ratatouille Stuffed Eggplant. Guests rave about the attentive service and inviting atmosphere, where each meal is thoughtfully prepared. Diners enjoy a beautiful view, whether in cozy indoor rooms or outdoor seating. Scenic Root stands out not just for its delicious offerings but also its commitment to creating memorable dining experiences in a friendly, local setting.

LOCATIONS

Welcome to Scenic Root, a culinary gem nestled in the heart of Manlius, NY. At 301 Fayette St., this New American bar is redefining local dining by seamlessly blending a vibrant atmosphere with unforgettable cuisine. Having opened its doors in 2016 under the guidance of owner Mike McDonough, Scenic Root has quickly distinguished itself as one of the region's must-visit dining establishments.

The minute you step into Scenic Root, you're struck by the warm and inviting ambiance. With its rustic decor and thoughtfully curated seating arrangements, including a cozy fireplace room and charming outdoor options, the restaurant offers a perfect setting for everything from casual meals to special gatherings. As you sit back and soak in the surroundings, you’ll find that the attentive and friendly staff set the tone for a memorable dining experience.

The menu at Scenic Root celebrates the best of modern American cuisine. Highlights include a diverse range of sandwiches, such as the hearty Root Burger, featuring a delightful root beer BBQ glaze, and Turkey Cranberry for those seeking lighter fare. For a taste of something unique, don’t miss the Ratatouille Stuffed Eggplant, a dish that showcases the restaurant's commitment to fresh ingredients and thoughtful preparation. True to its name, the scenic views of the nearby swan pond enhance your meal, making every bite even more enjoyable.

Patrons rave about their experiences, often highlighting the exceptional service that accompanies the delicious food. Reviewers have praised the generous portions and the attention to detail in every dish. For instance, one guest recalled being delighted by the fried meatballs and the seafood chowder, both of which were served hot and bursting with flavor. The fresh, flavorful ingredients shine through every bite, and the homemade dressings add an extra layer of deliciousness to the dishes, such as the popular strawberry salad with shrimp.

Whether you're enjoying a casual dinner with friends or celebrating a special occasion, Scenic Root ensures that every visit is filled with culinary delight. The combination of expertly crafted dishes, attentive service, and a relaxing atmosphere makes it a standout in the competitive dining landscape of Central New York. As one satisfied customer aptly put it, Scenic Root is indeed “the best meal in Manlius.”

If you’re seeking a memorable dining experience that emphasizes quality, taste, and service, look no further than Scenic Root. Make your way to this inviting establishment and discover the amazing flavors that await you.

Contact Information:
301 Fayette St,
Manlius, NY 13104
Phone: (315) 682-3000

START YOUR REVIEW OF Scenic Root
Blair F.
Blair F.

It's been about a year and a half since we dined here. Last night we met up with our son and his wife for a 6:30pm dinner and drinks. We were seated right away which was great because we got the fireplace room, which was a first for us. We got a great view of the staff who were quite attentive to everyone dining. We started off with a round of drinks including a G&T, Malbec, Butterscotch Cocktail and an off menu New York Sour. Apps included a half portion Caesar (which was still quite generous and fresh), fried meatballs and a half house salad. Mains were the eggplant parm (always a favorite), scenic parm (each cutlet was easily 10 oz), and pork tenderloin. Everything arrived in a timely manner and was served at the right temp. Each dish was generous and exceptionally tasty. Our lone desert was another butterscotch cocktail. We each had a box of food to take home for the next day. All in all, a great dinner and they still are the best meal in Manlius.

Mary C.
Mary C.

We enjoyed dining at the Scenic Root for the delicious food and nice variety in their menu. But what keeps us coming back is the excellent servers and staff! We are always treated very well by friendly staff with the best service! They have plenty of rooms for lots of customers but it doesn't feel crowded. I like that it's close by in our neighborhood and we can support a local business.

Edna D.
Edna D.

Great food , service and ambience. We loved the food and the wonderful & friendly service.

Liz S.
Liz S.

My friends and I all met for dinner at the Scenic Root. The menu offered a wonderful selection of offerings. I had the strawberry salad with shrimp. The shrimp were fresh and delicious. The salad was so delicious with their homemade dressing. The service was wonderful. We must have had at least 5 different waiters and staff taking care of us. The water glasses were never empty. The servers were always checking on us to make sure all our needs were met. We had a beautiful private room for our party of 10. The room was very rustic and nicely decorated. I loved the atmosphere. I definitely recommend the Scenic Root for your special dining experience.

Sheila M.
Sheila M.

Love Kat who is the friendliest woman behind the bar. Always knows your name and usually what you drink. Great food, fresh, portions are good, scenery of the swan pond is a nice touch. I have never had a bad meal and enjoy going there. Sheila Marsh

Rebecca F.
Rebecca F.

AMAZING place for cozy, delicious dinners! There's a bar in the front of the restaurant to hang out and get a drink with friends. If you're staying for dinner, the restaurant is very spacious and has a relaxing vibe. The staff was beyond friendly and attentive to our needs, and our food was so good! It also looked beautiful. The dipping oil and bread was the best I've ever had...I will definitely be coming here again!!

Shamila P.
Shamila P.

Love the vibe of this restaurant. Staff are friendly and real nice. We went there for an early dinner, the restaurant does not take reservations for parties 6 or below. There is outdoor and indoor seating for this establishment. Parking seems easy enough at the lot, could possible be limited peak meal hours We were served bread and olive oil after being seated. We ordered the tuna poke and chowder. Brad order shrimp riggies and I had the steak bernaise. It was all really good . We even ordered the shrimp riggies to go for my MIL.

Thomas C.
Thomas C.

Owner Mike McDonough opened the Scenic Root in 2016 next to the Swan Pond Manlius in the space that has housed several restaurants such as Bella Cigna and The Saucy Swan. McDonough had experience working at The Dark Horse Tavern in DeWitt, which is owned by his father, Bob, and partner Kevin Kelley. The menu at The Scenic Root is similar to that at the Dark Horse, offering a varied mix of classic and modern American, Italian and other cuisines. The wife and I recently stopped in for dinner for the first time at the Scenic Root after a Christmas lights walk through at The Wild in Chittenango. It was about 630 on a Saturday, and we were sat immediately without having reservations. It's a small, traditionally decorated restaurant, although a little dimly lit for my taste, with maybe 15 tables total. Our server brought menus and told us the specials for the night. My wife ordered a cup of seafood chowder, the soup of the night, and a Root burger, a burger topped with root beer BBQ glaze, goat cheese, and frizzled onions. I chose their linguine pesto and added grilled chicken. Our meals were made in a timely fashion, about 15 minutes. My wife got her cup of soup first and said it was very good, with large chunks of seafood. Our main meals were both very good, my wife's burgers root beer BBQ glaze was very tasty and I loved the pesto cream sauce on my pasta. Prices were reasonable and comparable to other similar restaurants. 2 main meals, a cup of soup, and a cider cost us $50. Our server was great, she was very friendly and personable and just attentive enough. We're rarely in the Manlius area, but if we found ourselves there again and hungry, we'd definitely eat there again.