Mello Velo Bike Shop and Café is a hidden gem located on Westcott Street, just a few blocks from campus. The café serves breakfast, lunch and dinner made with fresh, organic and local ingredients. It’s the perfect spot to grab a coffee, fuel up with breakfast and even spend a few hours studying. The café has a cozy atmosphere with creative decorations that will make you never want to leave – and once you try the food, you definitely will be ready to live here.
Photo by Megan Mills
As you walk up the stairs, you are greeted with a colorful chalkboard list of the seasonal drink specials; perfect for the holidays. I’m pretty sure I had a slight crisis when picking out something to order because there are so many delicious and unique options. After a while, I decided on The Randonneur, a panini with smoked Gouda cheese, pear, maple bacon and their homemade sun-dried tomato pesto mayo. This combination of savory, fresh and sweet was one for the books.
Photo by Megan Mills
The menu has tons of options you will want to check out for yourself, but here’s a sample of the dishes that made my mouth water:
Bacon or Ham, Egg, and Cheese: Vegetable egg soufflé on an English muffin or baguette. It comes with chipotle pesto, your choice of maple bacon or black forest ham, and melted NY sharp white cheddar.
Porto “Cheese steak” Wrap: Balsamic marinated portobellos, field greens, sautéed peppers and onions, fresh mozzarella, wrapped in a spinach tortilla and served grilled.
Turkey Quinoa Salad: Spinach, curry-roasted turkey, quinoa and sliced pear, topped with crumbly blue cheese, almonds, golden raisins and scallions. Served with scallion vinaigrette.
High Wheeler Panini: Cajun chicken, maple bacon, spinach, red onion, house-made chipotle pesto mayo and New York sharp white cheddar cheese. Served on a fresh baguette, pressed and served warm with choice of side.
Photo by Megan Mills
Mello Velo Café also delivers! Order here.
Location: 550 Westcott St, Syracuse NY
Hours of Operation: Mon-Sat 8am – to 8 pm, Sunday 10am – 8pm