Ithaca is host to a wonderful selection of terrific places to eat. We’ve listed some of our favorites here to help you make a good choice. Our absolute besties are marked with an *. You can also read up to the minute updates and Ithaca restaurant reviews on TripAdvisor
Inexpensive Café, Deli & “To-Go” Options
Collegetown Bagels (CTB)
Innovative, high quality deli, nice salad bar, vegan/vegetarian options. 301 E State St in City Centre Ithaca, near the Commons. CTB in Collegetown (420 College Ave) . Also see Ithaca Bakery below.
*Farmer’s Market
Festive, uplifting atmosphere and location, great weekend lunch place. Line up at Macro Mama’s, (local, macrobiotic), Khmer Angkor Cambodian, Solaz (burritos), or many others, then sit by the water and enjoy the magic of Ithaca. Saturdays, Apr-Dec. , Sundays May-Nov. Steamboat Landing, by the lake, off Hwy 13, 3rd St Exit, NW side of town. Indoor Winter market on Saturdays at The Place Jan. through March 273-7109. www.ithacamarket.com/ or www.facebook.com/ithacamarket Great boat tours on the lake start at same site! Also: Great food and produce at Tuesday Farmer’s Market by Dewitt Park , 9-2, and Wednesday market in Trumansburg, 4-7.
Gimme Coffee
Best coffee in town. 4 locations. 430 N Cayuga St (Fall Creek neighborhood) 277-8393, 506 W. State/MLK St. (W. Side) 273-0111, 343 Campus Rd, Collegetown 227-5391 and 7 E Main St, Trumansburg.
Ithaca Coffee Company
is quite good, too, and has a beer pub in the back
GreenStar Natural Grocery
Great natural foods co-op and social hub for alternative community folks. Good deli, salad bar, hot bar, great wraps & veg. options, indoor and outdoor dining areas. 770 Cascadilla St. 273-9392.. Also, GreenStar Dewitt – Convenient downtown location across from Dewitt Park. Healthy food and groceries. Outdoor seating. Buffalo St., near Cayuga St. 273-8213
*Ithaca Bakery
Great deli, café, bakery, hot food bar, salad bar, sandwiches, entrees, pastries, artisan breads. Cozy atmosphere. Popular local gathering spot. Same family ownership as Collegetown Bagels. 400 n. Meadow Street/Hwy 13 N., corner of Court St. 273-7110
Ling Ling
Very good, reasonably priced, take-out-only Chinese. Ithaca Shopping Plaza, between Hwy 13 South and Elmira Road. 272-0718. Also at East Hill Plaza 273 –1668.
Manndible Cafe
Popular campus café, attractive local and organic food options, “Cornell University’s premier sustainable eatery”. In Mann Library off Tower Road in the Ag Quad, Cornell Campus. Metered parking on Tower Road, 5-10 min walk away. 254-6206
On The Street Pitas
301 Taughannock Boulevard, excellent Greek food, good prices, generous portions, falafel pitas, gyros, souvlaki, friendly service, mostly to-go Also at Framers Market (607) 277-7482
ShortStop Deli
Popular sandwich/sub place and convenience store. An Ithaca staple for the last 35 years. Open 24/7/365. 200 W. Seneca (Hwy 79W) on the W. End. 273-1030.
Melissa’s Ice Cream
shop (open during warm months, has vegan options) attached to the back. Very popular. Seneca & Geneva Sts.
Wegman’s Deli
Huge, attractive, bustling 24/7 supermarket, nice dining areas, very large natural foods and organic produce sections. Wide-ranging prepared food area includes great bars and stations for: Chinese, Indian, vegetarian, award winning “Wings of Life” salads, sushi, subs, etc. The stations close by 9 PM Good place for a quick, decent meal. Set back from Hwy 13 500 S. Meadow St. 277-5800.
Pizza
*Pizza Aroma
Excellent pizza, varied and interesting toppings, including vegan. Salvadoran food as well. Not much for atmosphere.. Corner of Green & Cayuga Sts., near the Commons. Opposite the County Library. 273-6165.
Franco’s Pizzeria
508 W. State/MLK Street 319-5132 NY thin style pizza, gets great reviews
Moderately priced & nice atmosphere
*Agava
Very popular. Farm-to-table ingredients, Southwest–inspired cuisine, wood-fired oven, seasonal menu, community-minded, fun atmosphere. Nice outdoor seating. Wednesday night salsa music & dancing. Indoor part of restaurant can get quite noisy during prime time. East Hill, near Cornell. 311 College Ave 319-4366
*Bickering Twins Restaurant & Tequila Bar
114 N Cayuga St 319-0653 Great tacos, margaritas, and more
Boatyard Grill
Gorgeous waterfront location, contemporary American menu with good grilled foods, esp. seafood, decent veggie options. Very popular, long-ish waits for outdoor dining or window seating, unless you go early. Service can be slow. Inlet Island, 525 Taughannock Blvd./Hwy 89. 256-2628.
Café Dewitt
Excellent breakfasts/brunches/lunches, seasonal bistro cuisine, locally sourced foods. A favorite of locals. Downtown, in Dewitt Mall, near Buffalo and Cayuga, 215 N. Cayuga. 273-2473.
Ciao
Casual, family-style Italian restaurant, lots of choices, big portions, modest prices, good value. Wood-fired pizza & Tuscan-accented pasta. Very popular, gets busy early, call in to get preferred status. If vegetarian or vegan, you need to ask for special menu, which is quite good. Lunch & Dinner. 2 Hickory Lane near the Ithaca Mall in Lansing, 10 minutes North of Ithaca. 257-2233.
(New Delhi) Diamond’s
Excellent Indian food, lunch buffet is a deal, near the Commons, 106 W. Green St/Hwy 79 near Cayuga St. 272-4508.
Glenwood Pines
Traditional American food in a family atmosphere. Lake views, friendly service, substantial portions. A local favorite, esp. for the “Pinesburger Challenge”. 1213 Taughannock Blvd. Hwy 89 10 minutes north of town. 273-3709.
Ithaca Ale House
Noted for its burgers and great beer selection. Popular, lively. On main restaurant row, see you have lots to choose from 111 N Aurora St 256-7977
*Ithaca Beer Co.
Popular pub/eatery, lively atmosphere, spills over into a spacious rolling landscape! Locally sourced foods, much of it grown right on site. Wood fired pizzas, burgers, salads, soups, vegetarian and vegan options, local/seasonal specials. Expansive and fun outdoor options, (frisbees Ok) can become crowded and noisy inside. Award winning beers brewed onsite, brewery tours on weekends. Hidden away on south edge of town. Check about the wait. 122 Ithaca Beer Dr. just off Rt 13A 273-0766
*Just a Taste Wine & Tapas Bar
Popular, high quality tapas (small plate) offerings. Don’t miss! Nice flights of wine. Plenty of vegetarian (but not vegan) options. Highlights local foods. Reasonably priced for the value you get. Lovely outdoor dining in rear, indoor tables closely spaced, so noisy at prime times. No reservations, beat the crowds by lining up before 5:30 or going after 8 Near the Commons, 116 N. Aurora. 277-9463
Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar
Lively, popular, Cajun/Creole cuisine, slow-smoked BBQ, seafood bar. Excellent service, live music Sun & Tue, outdoor option.
635 W. State St. and Hwy 13. West Side. 272-4136
Mehak
Best Indian food in town. Delightful spicing, good value. 410 Eddy Street, Collegetown. 256-3425.
*Mix Kitchen
Steakhouse with a multi ethnic small plate menu, excellent service, nice indoor and outdoor dining spaces, a bit pricey. Rated #1 by Trip Advisor. 205 Elmira Road 319-4248
*Moosewood
World-famous vegetarian restaurant (fish options as well). Festive atmosphere, delicious and healthful food, much of it locally sourced. Creative drinks. Senior discounts 10%, 25% student discount on Thursdays. Outdoor option. Online reservations or substantial waits during prime time. In Dewitt Mall, near the Commons. 215 N. Cayuga. 273-9610.
*Northstar Pub
Popular pub, cozy & quiet setting, great atmosphere, very good local food and beer. Reasonable prices, nice outdoor option. Fall Creek Neighborhood. Can combine with a walkable visit to stunning Ithaca Falls . 202 E Fall St. 216-8580.
*Saigon Kitchen
Popular Vietnamese place offering reasonably priced generous portions. Great food. One of the best Asian eateries in town. Eat in, take out or delivery! Easy, pleasant location. Tables are close to one another. Can get very busy between 6-9 PM . 526 W. State/MLK St., nr Hwy 13 257-8881
Sunset Grill
Inexpensive breakfast and lunch place. Generous portions, good food, friendly service, nice view of the lake from on high, outdoor seating in warm months, a real “find.” Near Ithaca College. Can be crowded on Saturday and Sunday mornings during the academic year . 823 Danby Rd. 272-1986
Taste of Thai
Popular, delicious food, good vegetarian/vegan options, lively atmosphere, outdoor option, on the Commons. 216 The Commons. 256-5487.
*Taste of Thai Express
Very good, affordable Thai. Outdoor and take-out options. Convenient location, though right on the highway. No alcohol served, but can bring. 209 S. Meadow (Hwy 13N), West side. 272 -8424.
*Viva Taqueria & Cantina
Very popular, festive Mexican food place. Affordable, fresh, tasty food. An Ithaca favorite. Cantina offers full dining service, taqueria side is take-out and sit-down. Outdoor option. Adjacent to the Commons. 101 N. Aurora St., at E. State 277-1752
Waffle Frolic
Innovative, yummy waffle place on the Commons, also with coffee, teas and pastries. Vegan and gluten-free options. 146 E. State. 319-0999.
More Upscale
*Gola Osteria
Innovative, high-quality Italian food; classy, festive atmosphere; great service; outdoor seating in warm months; pricey for Ithaca. Hidden away off Hwy 79 east of downtown, parking and access to the restaurant is easier from the rear lot 15 S. Quarry St. 273-0333
*Hazelnut Kitchen
in Trumansburg, 15-20 min from Ithaca, near Taughannock Park
High quality, innovative cuisine, focuses on seasonal, local foods, well worth the extra cost and the time to get there. Thu-Mon. Reservations strongly recommended. 53 E. Main St. Trumansburg, 20 min. north of Ithaca. 387-4433.
The Heights Restaurant
Great ambience, service, and food in Cayuga Heights 903 Hanshaw Rd 257-4144
*Mia
Innovative Pan-Asian cuisine, nice atmosphere, outdoor option, on the Commons. Fun tapas menu, handy for cutting costs. 130 East State St. 277-2000.
*Stonecat Café
on Seneca Lake, 35-40 min from Ithaca
Great local food, atmosphere, service, and views of Seneca Lake, many music nights. Very popular. Indoor & outdoor. Closed in winter. 5315 NY Hwy 414 607-546-5000
Taverna Banfi
Classy atmosphere, great views, Tuscan-inspired specialties, local sourcing, great breakfast buffet and Sunday brunch, pricey for Ithaca. At the Statler Hotel, near center of Cornell campus. 254-2565.
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