Collegetown Bagels - Aurora & Seneca/Hwy 79, near the Commons . Great deli and bagels, including excellent salad bar. Also, CTB in Collegetown, 415 College Ave. is open much later that the other branches.
Culture Shock New, popular hip cafe, family friendly, youth friendly, fun, great for vegetarians and vegans. Ball pit and board games. Cozy seating. Outstanding frozen yogurt from grass fed organic milk, vegan varieties too. Wide variety of huge salads. Kombucha on tap. The food is all gluten-free. 109 S. Cayuga St. near State/MLK St & the Commons 379-6175
Farmer’s Market –Saturdays, Apr-Dec. Sundays May –Nov Festive, uplifting atmosphere, great weekend lunch event. Line up at Macro Mama’s, (local, macrobiotic), Solaz (burritos), Khmer Angkor Cambodian , and much more, then sit by the water and enjoy the magic of Ithaca. Steamboat Landing, by the lake, off Hwy 13, NW side of town, 3rd St Exit 273-7109
Gimme Coffee – Best coffee in town. 3 locations. Cayuga & Cascadilla St (Fall Creek Nrbhd) 277-8393, 506 W State St. (W. Side) 273-0111, Green St. Bus center (by Urban Outfitters, near the main library )
GreenStar Deli- Great natural foods co-op. Good deli, salad bar, hot bar, great wraps & veg. options, not much dining atmosphere. Hwys. 79W (Seneca St.) & 13, West Side. Also, Greenstar/Oasis Deli Buffalo St., near Cayuga, at Dewitt Park, Downtown – Healthy fast food, and groceries. Convenient!
Ithaca Bakery – Great deli and bagels, cozy atmosphere, a popular local institution, same owners as Collegetown Bagels. Meadow Street/Hwy 13 N., corner of Court St.
Mandible Cafe - Popular campus cafe, attractive local food options, like an organic, local burrito bar and an organic salad made with greens grown across campus. Mann Library, Cornell campus
Wegman’s Deli- Huge 24/7 supermarket , nice dining area, large natural foods and organic produce sections. Wide-ranging Deli includes good vegetarian , Chinese & Indian buffets, great salad station, sushi, Mediterranean bar, etc. Eat here if hungry and the restaurants are mobbed. Set back from Hwy 13 500 S. Meadow St. 277-5800
PIZZA
The Nines - Popular Collegetown pizza spot with good deep-dish pizza. 311 College Ave. 272-1888
Pizza Aroma - Excellent pizza, varied and interesting toppings, including vegan. Not notable for atmosphere. Corner of Green & Cayuga Sts., near the Commons. Opposite the County Library. 273-6165
MODERATELY PRICED RESTAURANTS, NICE DINING ATMOSPHERE
Aladdin’s Natural Eatery – Excellent Mediterranean dishes, lots of healthy choices, outdoor option, kid friendly, in Collegetown, 100 Dryden Road, 273-5000
Bandwagon Brew Pub – Below ground, cozy and inviting, delicious beers brewed onsite, including inexpensive flights, good food, highlight local farms, modestly priced, good service, dim lighting 114 N Cayuga St, near State/Mlk St & the Commons Downtown 319-0699
Boatyard Grill – Great waterfront location, excellent grilled foods, contemporary American menu, no veggie main dishes, but excellent pasta/veggie dish upon request. No reservations, long-ish waits for outdoor dining, unless early. Inlet Island, 525 Taughannock Blvd./Hwy 89 256-2628
Café Dewitt - Classy breakfasts/brunches. Downtown, in Dewitt Mall, near Buffalo and Cayuga, 215 N. Cayuga, 273-2473
Carriage House Cafe- Scrumptious Sunday brunches and light evening fare, great atmosphere, reasonably priced, nice weekend music scene. 305 Stewart Ave, Collegetown 645-0152
(New Delhi) Diamond’s- Excellent Indian food, lunch buffet is a deal, near the Commons and main library, 106 W. Green/Hwy 79 near Cayuga St. 272-4508
Glenwood Pines - Lake views, down home atmosphere, traditional American food, substantial portions, friendly service, a local favorite. 1213 Taughannnock Blvd. Hwy 89, North of town 273-3709
Kyushu – Japanese, Sushi & Hibachi- The hibachi grill is great theater, esp. for family dining, - 2300 N.Triphammer Rd., entrance area to Ithaca Mall, north of Town. 257-6788
Ling Ling – No atmosphere but good, reasonably priced take-out Chinese. Ithaca Shopping Plaza, opposite Staples/Kmart, off of Hwy 13 South. 272-0718 . Also at East Hill Plaza 273 –1668
Lucatelli’s – Popular, classic Italian place, home-made pastas, generous portions, 205 Elmira road, South side, 273-0777
Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar - Lively, popular, excellent service, Cajun accents, includes seafood bar, live music, outdoor seating in warm months. 635 W. State St. and Hwy 13. West Side. 272-4136
Miyake - Good Japanese food, best in Ithaca, sushi is cheaper on Tuesdays, service a bit slow 416 Eddy St., Collegetown 277-6767
Moosewood- World-famous vegetarian place (other choices as well), festive atmosphere, reasonable prices, adjoining café, no reservations, substantial waits during prime time, 5:30 is easiest. In Dewitt Mall, near the Commons. 215 N. Cayuga 273-9610
NorthStar Popular pub, cozy ambience, quiet setting, good food, local food focus, reasonable prices. Good beer selection. 202 E Fall St Fall Creek Ngbrhd Combine with a visit to nearby Ithaca Falls 216-8580
Mehak Authentic Indian Cuisine. Newest and best Indian food in town. Delightful spicing, great value 410 Eddy Street, Collegetown 256-3425
Taste of Thai Best of the many good Thai places - Popular, delicious food, good vegetarian/vegan options, lively atmosphere, reasonable prices, outdoor option, nice location, reserve or expect a wait around prime time. 216 The Commons 256-5487
Taste of Thai Express – Fine, affordable Thai take-out and dining in. Convenient location, but right on highway. 209 S. Meadow Hwy 13N, West side. 272 -8424
Thai Cuisine – High quality, elegant preparation, nice atmosphere, a bit higher-priced than Taste of Thai, highway location, 501 S. Meadow, Hwy 13, opposite Wegman’s 273-2031
Viva Taqueria & Cantina Popular Mexican food place, eat in or take out. Festive, cheap, good food, good variety, near the Commons. 101 N. Aurora St., at E. State 277-1752
UPSCALE RESTAURANTS
Taverna Banfi’s - Classy setting, great views, Tuscan-inspired specialties, local sources, great lunch buffet. At the Statler Hotel, near center of Cornell campus. 254-2565
Just a Taste - Popular, high quality wine and tapas bar and restaurant, highlights local foods, near the Commons, nice outdoor dining in rear, noisy at prime times, no reservations, beat the crowds by lining up before 5:30 116 N.Aurora 277-9463
Madeline’s – Innovative International/Fusion fare, classy atmosphere, great dessert place, on the Commons, 215 E.State, at Aurora 277-2253
Za Za’s - N. Italian cuisine, fresh-made pasta, topnotch food and service, elegant décor. 622 Cascadilla, on Hwy 13 N. 273-ZAZA
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