Guidebook for Ithaca
Food Scene
A popular Ithaca restaurant, tapas. Usually very busy so either go early or late to avoid a long wait. Or go put your name down and grab a drink at the Argos Inn (just a couple blocks away).
84 locals recommend
Just A Taste
116 N Aurora StA popular Ithaca restaurant, tapas. Usually very busy so either go early or late to avoid a long wait. Or go put your name down and grab a drink at the Argos Inn (just a couple blocks away).
Delicious/high end Italian food. Pricey but perfect if you want great service and expertly prepared food.
40 locals recommend
Mercato
108 N Aurora StDelicious/high end Italian food. Pricey but perfect if you want great service and expertly prepared food.
Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveBagels, coffee, sandwiches.
Flavorful Vietnamese food. Order the pho or vermicelli – you won’t be disappointed. It is BYOB.
111 locals recommend
Saigon Kitchen
526 W State StFlavorful Vietnamese food. Order the pho or vermicelli – you won’t be disappointed. It is BYOB.
Some of the best burgers in town and their pizzas aren’t bad either. This place is always packed – the best bet is to order food at the bar and grab a seat outside.
160 locals recommend
Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrSome of the best burgers in town and their pizzas aren’t bad either. This place is always packed – the best bet is to order food at the bar and grab a seat outside.
Best ice cream in town! They also serve pancakes and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays!
99 locals recommend
Purity Ice Cream Co.
700 Cascadilla StBest ice cream in town! They also serve pancakes and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays!
Great brunch spot! Expect a long wait, but grab a cup of coffee while you wait in their lovely garden.
33 locals recommend
Carriage House Cafe
305 Stewart AveGreat brunch spot! Expect a long wait, but grab a cup of coffee while you wait in their lovely garden.
Cafe Dewitt
215 N Cayuga StGreat place for breakfast/brunch - very "Ithaca".
Le Café Cent-Dix
110 N Aurora StDelicious French food!
Gimme Coffee is an Ithaca institution - there is another Gimme Coffee on Cayuga St - but this one is closest!
184 locals recommend
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StGimme Coffee is an Ithaca institution - there is another Gimme Coffee on Cayuga St - but this one is closest!
Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StAnother Gimme!
Austrian food. Think high end German beer garden food – everything is pretty much amazing.
75 locals recommend
Dano's Heuriger On Seneca
9564 NY-414Austrian food. Think high end German beer garden food – everything is pretty much amazing.
Sit out on the porch if possible. Pulled pork, andouille sausage corn dog, and mac & cheese are all solid choices! My favorite is their catfish or falafel salad though.
149 locals recommend
Stonecat Cafe: Regional Cuisine & Bar
5315 NY-414Sit out on the porch if possible. Pulled pork, andouille sausage corn dog, and mac & cheese are all solid choices! My favorite is their catfish or falafel salad though.
Drinks & Nightlife
A boutique hotel in downtown Ithaca with a terrific cocktail bar. Very beautiful.
70 locals recommend
Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel
408 E State StA boutique hotel in downtown Ithaca with a terrific cocktail bar. Very beautiful.
Local hipster bar/beer garden - great outdoor seating. Locals order takeout from Saigon Kitchen (next door) and eat it outside at this bar. Good beer and Vietnamese food!
53 locals recommend
The Westy
516 W State StLocal hipster bar/beer garden - great outdoor seating. Locals order takeout from Saigon Kitchen (next door) and eat it outside at this bar. Good beer and Vietnamese food!
Carries all cider produced in the region – gorgeous renovated barn.
86 locals recommend
Finger Lakes Cider House
4017 Hickok RdCarries all cider produced in the region – gorgeous renovated barn.
Myer Farm Distillers
7350 New York 89Great local/small batch gin, bourbon, vodkas, etc.
Good wine, lovely views, hard to have a bad time here! (I wouldn’t suggest going to any other wineries on Cayuga Lake – try Seneca Lake if you really like wine!
48 locals recommend
Sheldrake Point Winery
7448 County Rd 153Good wine, lovely views, hard to have a bad time here! (I wouldn’t suggest going to any other wineries on Cayuga Lake – try Seneca Lake if you really like wine!
One of the best places for cider in the area!
11 locals recommend
Bellwether Hard Cider and Wine Cellars
9070 NY-89One of the best places for cider in the area!
Everything Else
Make sure to go hungry because there is tons of really delicious food stalls. Open Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm.
266 locals recommend
Ithaca Farmers Market
545 3rd StMake sure to go hungry because there is tons of really delicious food stalls. Open Saturday and Sunday 9am-2pm.
Sightseeing
Buttermilk Falls State Park
Lovely State Park.
Even if you don't have plans up at Cornell - it is worth a drive or walk through. Beautiful buildings and lovely quads.
143 locals recommend
Cornell University
Even if you don't have plans up at Cornell - it is worth a drive or walk through. Beautiful buildings and lovely quads.
Cornell Botanic Gardens
124 Comstock Knoll DrGorgeous gardens and lovely place for a picnic.
Terrific art museum - go up to the 5/6th floor for a great view across the lake!
149 locals recommend
Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveTerrific art museum - go up to the 5/6th floor for a great view across the lake!
Shopping
Petrune
128 E State StFavorite vintage and "new vintage" clothing store!
Buffalo Street Books
215 N Cayuga StLocally owned bookstore.