Guidebook for Ithaca
Food Scene
Agava Restaurant
381 Pine Tree RdSouthwest style food
Quickly becoming an Ithaca standard, this place has a good, informal brunch .
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Cafe Dewitt
215 N Cayuga StQuickly becoming an Ithaca standard, this place has a good, informal brunch .
Simply fantastic - If you have the chance, definitely eat here! They have delicious and creative brunch food, coffee, and baked goods.
33 abantu bendawo batusa
Carriage House Cafe
305 Stewart AveSimply fantastic - If you have the chance, definitely eat here! They have delicious and creative brunch food, coffee, and baked goods.
Chipotle Mexican Grill
740 S Meadow StEthically-sourced Mexican fast-food chain
CTB - an Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as Ithaca Bakery (same owners).
110 abantu bendawo batusa
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveCTB - an Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as Ithaca Bakery (same owners).
CTB - an Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as Ithaca Bakery (same owners).
110 abantu bendawo batusa
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveCTB - an Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as Ithaca Bakery (same owners).
Fun but elegant foodie experience. It's fun to sit at the bar and watch them cook.
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Fine Line Bistro
404 W State StFun but elegant foodie experience. It's fun to sit at the bar and watch them cook.
A local institution that sources and roasts coffee. They have a few locations throughout town.
184 abantu bendawo batusa
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StA local institution that sources and roasts coffee. They have a few locations throughout town.
A local institution that sources and roasts coffee. They have a few locations throughout town.
184 abantu bendawo batusa
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StA local institution that sources and roasts coffee. They have a few locations throughout town.
Great new sub shop in town which has very creative options - the Bahn Mi is fantastic and the usual favorite.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Gorgers
116 W State StGreat new sub shop in town which has very creative options - the Bahn Mi is fantastic and the usual favorite.
Hal's Delicatessen & Sandwich
115 N Aurora StGreat Jewish deli! (Closed on Saturday)
Hazelnut Kitchen
53 E Main StA gem of Trumansburg. Fantastic farm-to-table food.
One of the fanciest places in Ithaca - always a nice and refined place to dine.
29 abantu bendawo batusa
The Heights Restaurant and H Bar
903 Hanshaw RdOne of the fanciest places in Ithaca - always a nice and refined place to dine.
An Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as CTB. Serve sandwiches, coffee drinks, etc.
169 abantu bendawo batusa
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow StAn Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as CTB. Serve sandwiches, coffee drinks, etc.
An Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as CTB. Serve sandwiches, coffee drinks, etc.
169 abantu bendawo batusa
Ithaca Bakery
400 N Meadow StAn Ithaca classic! They have multiple locations around town and are essentially the same as CTB. Serve sandwiches, coffee drinks, etc.
Informal American food at the Ithaca brewery. Lots of outdoor seating.
160 abantu bendawo batusa
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrInformal American food at the Ithaca brewery. Lots of outdoor seating.
A place for locals with traditionally greasy diner food.
20 abantu bendawo batusa
Lincoln Street Diner
309 E Lincoln StA place for locals with traditionally greasy diner food.
Great all-around nice restaurant. Good food and even better drinks & desserts.
25 abantu bendawo batusa
Madeline's
215 E State StGreat all-around nice restaurant. Good food and even better drinks & desserts.
Southern food in a very vibrant and bustling environment. Can be a lot of fun!
108 abantu bendawo batusa
Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar
635 W State StSouthern food in a very vibrant and bustling environment. Can be a lot of fun!
My favorite restaurant in Ithaca. Italian food with creative cocktails (gnocchi are fantastic).
40 abantu bendawo batusa
Mercato
108 N Aurora StMy favorite restaurant in Ithaca. Italian food with creative cocktails (gnocchi are fantastic).
A world-famous icon of vegetarian dining and an Ithaca Institution.
114 abantu bendawo batusa
Moosewood Restaurant
215 N Cayuga StA world-famous icon of vegetarian dining and an Ithaca Institution.
Northeast Pizza & Beer Co
23 Cinema DrMy favorite pizza in town. Their subs & wings are also quite good.
Our local "pub". Has good food and a good beer list and, on the weekends, they serve brunch.
94 abantu bendawo batusa
Northstar House
202 E Falls StOur local "pub". Has good food and a good beer list and, on the weekends, they serve brunch.
Panera Bread
748 S Meadow StA standard Panera chain restaurant. The staff is always very friendly.
An Ithaca classic - hard ice cream. They recently expanded and have a lot of indoor seating now.
99 abantu bendawo batusa
Purity Ice Cream Co.
700 Cascadilla StAn Ithaca classic - hard ice cream. They recently expanded and have a lot of indoor seating now.
A relaxed and informal local restaurant and bar (also a historic inn). They make good wings and brew their own beer.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
Rogues Harbor Inn 1830 LLC
2079 E Shore DrA relaxed and informal local restaurant and bar (also a historic inn). They make good wings and brew their own beer.
Simply fantastic Vietnamese food. Small restaurant but very popular.
111 abantu bendawo batusa
Saigon Kitchen
526 W State StSimply fantastic Vietnamese food. Small restaurant but very popular.
A sub-shop and convenience store (no seating - food is to-go only). They are open 24-hours and are known for their pizza subs.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Shortstop Deli
200 W Seneca StA sub-shop and convenience store (no seating - food is to-go only). They are open 24-hours and are known for their pizza subs.
Delicious, family-style Asian food (i.e. share large plates). The duck with pancakes (Beijing duck, I think?) is our favorite dish.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Spicy Asian
335 Elmira RdDelicious, family-style Asian food (i.e. share large plates). The duck with pancakes (Beijing duck, I think?) is our favorite dish.
Choose between sushi and hibachi - both are great. The service is usually very fast.
19 abantu bendawo batusa
Sumo
2309 N Triphammer RdChoose between sushi and hibachi - both are great. The service is usually very fast.
Another local place & an Ithaca classic! They serve from a counter (outdoor seating only). Most of the menu is classic soft-serve, with some homemade hard flavors. A nice walk from the house.
26 abantu bendawo batusa
Sweet Melissa's Ice Cream Shop
200 W Seneca StAnother local place & an Ithaca classic! They serve from a counter (outdoor seating only). Most of the menu is classic soft-serve, with some homemade hard flavors. A nice walk from the house.
Great Thai food and one of our go-to restaurants. Great for take-out, too.
35 abantu bendawo batusa
Tamarind Thai Restaurant
503 N Meadow StGreat Thai food and one of our go-to restaurants. Great for take-out, too.
Another very good Thai place. (I prefer this location over its cousin, 'Taste of Thai'.)
49 abantu bendawo batusa
Taste Of Thai Express
209 S Meadow StAnother very good Thai place. (I prefer this location over its cousin, 'Taste of Thai'.)
The Cornell Hotel restaurant has a very delicious (but expensive) buffet-style brunch. They are also open for other meals.
12 abantu bendawo batusa
Taverna Banfi
130 Statler DrThe Cornell Hotel restaurant has a very delicious (but expensive) buffet-style brunch. They are also open for other meals.
The Boatyard Grill
525 Old Taughannock BlvdTraditional American food & seafood.
A very unique cafe - has a tattoo parlor in the back! They use Gimmee Coffee beans.
16 abantu bendawo batusa
The Shop
312 East Seneca StreetA very unique cafe - has a tattoo parlor in the back! They use Gimmee Coffee beans.
Tim Hortons
710 S Meadow StCanadian coffee shop chain (like Dunkin Donuts)
Essentials
ALDI
505 3rd StDiscount grocery shopping (Cash or debit only)
A local co-op market known for natural food selection. They have a large, main location and a smaller satellite location.
130 abantu bendawo batusa
GreenStar
770 Cascadilla StA local co-op market known for natural food selection. They have a large, main location and a smaller satellite location.
A local co-op market known for natural food selection. They have a large, main location and a smaller satellite location.
48 abantu bendawo batusa
GreenStar DeWitt
215 N Cayuga StA local co-op market known for natural food selection. They have a large, main location and a smaller satellite location.
P&C Fresh - Ithaca
315 Pine Tree RdStandard grocery store
TOPS Friendly Markets
2300 N Triphammer RdStandard grocery store
TOPS Friendly Markets
2300 N Triphammer RdStandard grocery store
The best grocery option in town. They also have an extensive eat-in section.
143 abantu bendawo batusa
Wegmans
500 S Meadow StThe best grocery option in town. They also have an extensive eat-in section.
Drinks & Nightlife
Arguably the best bartenders and cocktails in town. Sometimes they have live music, too.
70 abantu bendawo batusa
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
408 E State StArguably the best bartenders and cocktails in town. Sometimes they have live music, too.
The Statler Hotel at Cornell University
130 Statler DrGood for cocktails and light bar food on campus.
Shopping
CVS
625 W Clinton StPharmacy
Kinney Drugs Store
513 N Cayuga StSmall local pharmacy
Rite Aid Pharmacy
615 S Meadow StPharmacy
Rite Aid
2309 N Triphammer RdPharmacy
Rite Aid
2309 N Triphammer RdPharmacy
Sightseeing
An Ithaca institution! They are open on the weekend and bustle with fresh produce, live music, and prepared food. It is just a short walk from the house.
266 abantu bendawo batusa
Ithaca Farmers Market
545 3rd StAn Ithaca institution! They are open on the weekend and bustle with fresh produce, live music, and prepared food. It is just a short walk from the house.
A beautiful waterfall with gorge and rim trails.
373 abantu bendawo batusa
Buttermilk Falls State Park
A beautiful waterfall with gorge and rim trails.
Gorge trail with waterfalls along the way connects downtown Ithaca with Cornell’s campus. This is also just a short walk from our house. The gorge trail was recently refurbished.
128 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Cascadilla Gorge Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailGorge trail with waterfalls along the way connects downtown Ithaca with Cornell’s campus. This is also just a short walk from our house. The gorge trail was recently refurbished.
A local park at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake with athletic fields, a public swimming pool, and walking trails.
52 abantu bendawo batusa
Cass Park
701 Taughannock BlvdA local park at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake with athletic fields, a public swimming pool, and walking trails.
Expansive botanical gardens adjacent to Cornell’s campus with a visitor’s center and plenty of walking trails. Be sure to check out:
(1) Robison Herb Garden;
(2)F. R. Newman Arboretum
Mundy Wildflower Garden
320 Caldwell RoadExpansive botanical gardens adjacent to Cornell’s campus with a visitor’s center and plenty of walking trails. Be sure to check out:
(1) Robison Herb Garden;
(2)F. R. Newman Arboretum
150-foot tall waterfall just at the end of our street! A must-see
156 abantu bendawo batusa
Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Lake Street150-foot tall waterfall just at the end of our street! A must-see
Cornell program with a beautiful new building and walking trails and bird watching in neighboring Sapsucker woods.
Wild Birds Unlimited
159 Sapsucker Woods RdCornell program with a beautiful new building and walking trails and bird watching in neighboring Sapsucker woods.
Beautiful gorge trail with waterfalls and swimming at the base. This is my favorite trail and waterfall in the area. You can park either at the bottom or top entrances.
333 abantu bendawo batusa
I-TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls RdBeautiful gorge trail with waterfalls and swimming at the base. This is my favorite trail and waterfall in the area. You can park either at the bottom or top entrances.
Local park at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. Beautiful willow trees line the waterfront. There are grills and picnic tables and a playground. You can easily walk there.
113 abantu bendawo batusa
Stewart Park
71 Stewart ParkLocal park at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake. Beautiful willow trees line the waterfront. There are grills and picnic tables and a playground. You can easily walk there.
State park with recreational area on the waterfront (incl swimming & picnic tables) and a 400' gorge and 215' tall waterfall. The gorge trail to the waterfall is short and flat.
507 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Taughannock Falls State Park
1740 Taughannock BlvdState park with recreational area on the waterfront (incl swimming & picnic tables) and a 400' gorge and 215' tall waterfall. The gorge trail to the waterfall is short and flat.
Arts & Culture
Cinemapolis
120 E Green StIndependent movie theater featuring art, indie, and local movies
The art museum on Cornell’s campus is very interesting with great art exhibits and stunning views from the top floor. Admission is free.
149 abantu bendawo batusa
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveThe art museum on Cornell’s campus is very interesting with great art exhibits and stunning views from the top floor. Admission is free.
Run by the Paleontological Research Institution, this museum has natural history displays and science and art exhibits.
97 abantu bendawo batusa
Museum of the Earth
1259 Trumansburg RdRun by the Paleontological Research Institution, this museum has natural history displays and science and art exhibits.
Regal Ithaca Mall
40 Catherwood RdMovie theater
The History Center in Tompkins County
110 N Tioga StLocal history display and artifacts