ABC Cafe
308 Stewart Avenue, Ithaca
607-277-4770
Collegetown
Hours: 9:30am-11pm Sat & Sun, 11am-midnight Tue-Thu, 11am-1am Fri.
At the foot of Ithaca's Collegetown neighborhood, ABC Cafe is Ithaca's only meatless restaurant. The atmosphere is casual, to say the least; you'll be more comfortable in tie-dye than in black tie. The menu, all vegetarian and mostly vegan, caters to a variety of tastes. Those accustomed to meat might enjoy the delicious ABC-made veggie burgers, on a bun or in a pita. There are stir-frys, salads, interesting pastas, delicious calabacitas burritos, and an entire page devoted to beverages. The appetizers include fine french fries and great nachos. Prices are reasonable and portions are large, but nothing beats the nightly specials for value, such as Mexican night with half-priced Dos Equis beer and two enormous burritos for under $9. Service varies, but the food is worth the occasional annoyance. [ALR] (Web Site)

Aladdin's Natural Eatery
100 Dryden Road
607-273-5000
Collegetown
Aladdin's offers passable Greek-style food, so-so service, and an unfortunate inattention to detail. The high points are the desserts and their extensive selection of bottled beers.

Applebee's
2300 North Triphammer Road
607-257-6200
Ithaca Northeast
Hours: Daily for lunch, dinner, and late-night fare
Considering the disdain with which “cookie-cutter” establishments are viewed by some, I was very impressed with how smoothly this trendy, yuppie-oriented chain restaurant has fit into the area. Applebee’s offers very speedy and friendly service, a pleasant surprise to anyone expecting anonymous or uncaring treatment. The food is good, reasonably priced, and plentiful, as well. Hot, tasty soup and a grilled chicken sandwich made a good lunch, and a recent visit for dinner yielded an excellent “Bourbon Street Steak,” their 10oz. sirloin with Cajun spices, all cooked perfectly as we’d ordered them. (Web Site)

Boatyard Grill
525 Taughannock Blvd
607-256-BOAT (2628)
Ithaca West End
This restaurant was opened by Mark Campagnolo, a former partner at Joe's Restaurant. The beautiful building with its nautical theme is a great setting for the quick and friendly service and the exceptional, hearty food at this comfortable restaurant. Naturally, there's lots of fresh seafood (brought daily from Boston), but the Texas Cowboy Steak (a porterhouse with a chipotle glaze served on the bone) and Boatyard Angus Sirloin (smothered with fresh roasted garlic) aren’t to be missed. Be prepared to wait for a table. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Chariot, The
420 Eddy Street
607-273-0081
Collegetown
Like the Nines, the Chariot offers great pizza and a variety of entrees and sandwiches. The entrees lean toward an Italian theme, and there’s a good selection of beer on tap at the full bar. The Chariot’s round pizza is its forte, with a broad array of toppings and several “specialty pizzas” with pre-selected combinations. The crust is crisp and a little bit sweet, and we love the Chariot’s sauce. We recommend the corn nuggets as an appetizer.

Chili's Grill & Bar
614 South Meadow Street
607-272-5004
Ithaca Southwest
Hours: Lunch & Dinner 7 days a week
The latest of the nationwide chains to reach Ithaca offers an eclectic mix of American-grill-style entrees and sandwiches and southwest or Mexican-style dishes. The huge rack of signature babyback ribs are an example of the generous portions, and the cajun tuna sandwich features a plentiful piece of tuna steak that overflows the large roll. The bar specializes in good (if pricey) margaritas, and they badly need to add Maker's Mark to the shelf. (Web Site)

Corners Deli
200 Pleasant Grove Road
607-257-4019
Ithaca Northeast
Hours: M-F 8:30am-6:30pm, Sat 9-4.
This Community Corners institution is a family-owned delicatessen specializing in Middle Eastern specialties in addition to a wide array of fresh American-deli-style foods. The overstuffed sandwiches and pitas barely leave room for the exceptional baklava and other desserts. Great falafel and gyros, and fresh roast beef whose aroma permeates the neighborhood. In the morning, stop by for a pastry or rice pudding and a cup of flavored coffee. (Web Site)

Dempsey's Fine Restaurant
1638 East Shore Drive
607-277-3433
Lansing
Three miles north of Stewart Park on NYS route 34, Dempsey's drab exterior belies the exceptional food and service found within. Entrees come with two different bread services, choice of mixed green salad or fruit salad, vegetables, and a choice of potato, rice pilaf, or a side of cappellini with red sauce. You're unlikely to leave hungry. We were delighted with two specials on the night we visited, a surf and turf with a tender, juicy sirloin and a generous lobster tail, and a seafood symphony featuring fresh scallops, shrimp, mussels, and clams over linguine with a light, fresh white wine, lemon, herb, and cream sauce. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Dino's Cosmopolitan Restaurant
313 College Avenue
607-273-4563
Collegetown
They’ve got a full menu, but it’s the breakfasts that seem to keep people coming back to “the Cosmo,” attached to the popular Dino’s Collegetown bar. The food’s not that special, and don’t expect expert service, but it’s decent diner fare, and it’s inexpensive and quick.

Doug's Fish Fry (Cortland)
206 West Road (Rte 281), Cortland
607-753-9184
Nearby
Hours: 11am-9pm Sun-Thurs, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat
Doug's Fish Fry is worth the drive from Ithaca. It's a small, privately owned chain that prides itself on simple, quick food, with no table service, no wait staff, and no tipping. Excellent lobster bisque or clam chowder, huge fried fish sandwich that overflows the roll, or even steamed live lobsters. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Doug's Fish Fry (Skaneateles)
8 Jordan Street, Skaneateles
315-685-3288
Nearby
Hours: 11am-9pm Sun-Thurs, 11am-10pm Fri-Sat
Doug's Fish Fry is worth the drive from Ithaca. It's a small, privately owned chain that prides itself on simple, quick food, with no table service, no wait staff, and no tipping. Excellent lobster bisque or clam chowder, huge fried fish sandwich that overflows the roll, or even steamed live lobsters. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Felicia's Atomic Lounge
508 West State Street, Ithaca
607-273-2219
Ithaca West End
Felicia's has a very simple menu and a very straightforward lounge philosophy that says a lounge is for lounging. The funky decor, with metal panels and velvet couches, fits nicely. On the menu when we visited were personal-sized flatbread pizzas, salad, and homemade apple pie. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Friendly’s
Cayuga Mall, Triphammer Road
607-257-5797
Ithaca Northeast
We’ve never been a big fan of Friendly’s, but they certainly have their place in the local dining scene. This restaurant, across Triphammer Road from the Pyramid Mall, offers decent service. There are also Friendly’s locations inside Pyramid Mall (next to Café Square) and along Fast Food Row on Route 13 south of downtown Ithaca. We find Friendly’s does best at breakfasts (which are inexpensive) and ice cream (expensive but with good variety). For lunch and dinner, we suggest going elsewhere.

Glenwood Pines
1213 Taughannock Boulevard
607-273-3709
Ithaca West Hill
Hours: 11-11 Sun-Thu, 11-Midnight Fri-Sat
A casual eatery four miles north of Cass Park on Route 89, with an active bar and plenty of relaxed seating. We highly recommend the fresh fish fry dinner or sandwich (depending on how hungry you are) or the infamous Pinesburger, served on French bread. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Grist Mill Cafe
3825 Main Street, Burdett
607-546-7770
Nearby
Hours: Mon-Sat breakfast & lunch
This tiny eatery, on Route 79 between Ithaca and Watkins Glen, just past Burdett's four-way flashing stop light, offers pancakes and egg sandwiches for breakfast, and delicious fresh sandwiches for lunch. The coffee is top-notch, and a "large" mug is the size of a measuring cup! A warm roast beef sandwich was served on a fresh roll with caramelized onions and garlic mayo -- complete with garlic cloves. Yum! The lemonade was fresh, and went nicely with the quiet outdoor deck, which overlooks a stream with a small waterfall.

Hal's Deli
115 North Aurora Street
607-273-7765
Downtown Ithaca
A Jewish-style deli with good hot and cold deli sandwiches, burgers, salads, soups, and breakfasts that include bagels and lox. The triple-decker sandwiches are named after Hal (the deli’s late founder) and assorted relatives and regulars; the "Ron Mack Special" is a plate of potato pancakes and corned beef named after the late Cornell professor of psychology. The food's not fancy and the service is friendly and well-meaning, if not expert, but sometimes you just gotta have a Reuben and a knish, y’know? (Full Review)

Ida May's
21 Main Street, Trumansburg
607-387-3478
Nearby
Hours: Lunch and dinner, 7 days
Creative, tasty, and affordable homestyle cooking. Appetizers include a fun twist on chicken wings... large meaty drumsticks fried with wing sauce, and excellent calarmari. Fruity marinated pork tenderloin medallions were great, and the sweet potato fries were incredible. The sole dessert was fantastic, a thick, warm, toasted slice of pound cake with strawberry-rhubarb sauce and slivered almonds. Should have a wider variety of vegetarian entrees. (Full Review)

Ithaca Bakery
400 North Meadow Street
607-273-7110
Ithaca West End
When I told a friend in Florida I was going to visit the Ithaca Bakery, she exclaimed, "Oh, I love bakeries!" I had to stop and think for a moment, then explain that our Meadow Street "bakery" doesn't just do bread and pastries. They do bake the fresh bread, rolls, donuts, cookies, and cakes for a staggering number of hotels, stores, offices, and other eateries around the region, but I was there to visit the eatery part of the business. Any time of day, you can satisfy your appetite at the Ithaca Bakery for just a few bucks for a bagel sandwich or deli sandwich, or spend $5-10 for a full meal. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches
122 North Aurora Street, Ithaca
607-645-0075
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 11am-3am daily
This sandwich shop offers well-stuffed sandwiches on French bread or thick-sliced whole-grain bread, with delivery available (the prices are higher for each item). The sandwiches are made to order, and they're lightning-fast. (Web Site)

John Thomas Steakhouse
1152 Danby Road, past Ithaca College
607-273-3464
Ithaca South Hill
Hours: Dinner starts at 5:30, 7 days a week
If you’ve just eaten at John Thomas Steakhouse, you know you’ve eaten. It’s a carnivore’s paradise (though there’s some effort to provide for the vegetarians who occasionally arrive with meat-eating friends) with substantial, top-quality steaks, chops, lobsters, and more. The entree doesn’t come with any side dishes, and we recommend the creamed spinach and roast garlic mashed potatoes, served family style, as sides. John Thomas also has a good wine list and an excellent whisky selection. Ask about their occasional cigar-and-scotch theme nights. Expensive, but worth every penny.

Juna’s Cafe
146 The Commons
607-256-4292
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 7:30-7:00 Mon-Thu, 7:30-9:00 Fri, 9:00-11:00 Sat, 10:00-7:00 Sun
Juna’s offers a wide variety of fresh, tasty, made-to-order sandwiches, salads, and wraps, and a vegetarian-frendly attitude. (The chef salad, for example, offers tempeh in place of the chicken at no extra charge.) On a cold day, try the chili, and don’t miss out on the coffee drinks. (Web Site)

Just a Taste
116 North Aurora Street
607-277-9463
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Dinner Sun-Thu 5:30-10 and Fri-Sat 5:30-11.
Catering to an interesting mix of business owners, college students, and everyone in between, this wine and tapas bar offers an ever-changing menu of creative food, and a broad array of wines to sample. Since the menu changes every night we can’t suggest a specific dish, but we’ll tell you that if it sounds like an odd combination, it’s probably exquisite. Try the sangria. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Kelly’s Dock-Side Kafe
319 Taughannock Blvd
607-273-9642
Ithaca West End
Kelly’s, opened in a 28-seat trolley car 28 years ago, is famous for its omelettes and Sunday brunches, and has outdoor seating that’s perfect for a pleasant Saturday morning. The owner, whose full name is Albert Kelly, though everyone just calls him Kelly, does most of the cooking. Try the spinach, mushroom and cheese omelette, with a side of crisp bacon and some home fries. Even the toast was done to perfection.

Lehigh Valley House
801 West Buffalo Street, Ithaca
607-273-4410
Ithaca West End
There’s nothing extraordinary about the dinners at the Lehigh Valley House, unless you consider sheer generosity of portions. You can order appetizers or snacks or a sandwich (such as a burger), but if you order an entree, be prepared for a feast. The entrees come with soup or tomato juice, plus a small salad, plus two side dishes, plus bread and a plate of onion rings for the table. The entrees themselves aren’t small, either. It’s traditional American steaks, seafood, and chicken dishes, and while it’s not the best food in town, you won’t leave hungry.

Lost Dog Cafe
106-112 South Cayuga Street
607-277-9143
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Closed Mondays
The Ithaca version of this legendary Binghamton hangout was a long time in the making, but it was definitely worth the wait. It’s both coffee shop and eatery, and dinner was a wonderful array of creative flavors. Sundried tomato dip with slices of garlic toast, and smoked trout served with crackers and a creamy horseradish sauce, were great appetizers. I recommend the tortellini amore, tricolor cheese tortellini served with a mound of lobster chunks, enormous shrimp, and spinach and mushrooms in a cream sauce. The Dog has several good beers on tap, including Guinness and the fine Ithaca Stout, and a wide array of coffee drinks. The Lost Dog is a welcome addition to the west end of the Commons, and to Ithaca’s culinary landscape! (Full Review) (Web Site)

Lucatelli's Ristorante
205 Elmira Road
607-273-0777
Ithaca Southwest
Lucatelli’s is best known for its plentiful Italian-style entrees. It’s also best known for its juicy steaks. And, it’s best known for its extensive antipasto salad bar. The food’s tasty, the parking’s easy, the pasta and gnocchi are fresh, and if you haven’t been here in a while, what are you waiting for? Lucatelli's has a surprisingly good bourbon selection -- important to this bourbon afficionado. The shrimp cocktail features four large, juicy shrimp and deliciously sharp cocktail sauce, and the "side" of pasta (one of the choices with each entree) looks like a meal in itself.

Madeline's
215 East State Street
607-277-2253
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Lunch and dinner 7 days
A trendy bar and eatery with fancy food and fancy prices, on the east end of the Ithaca Commons. Exceptional bar featuring a great single malt Scotch selection. Listed only.

Mahogany Grill
112 North Aurora Street, Ithaca
607-272-1438
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Until 1am
American cuisine with lots of steaks and seafood entrees. Listed only.

Manos Diner
Elmira Road
607-273-1173
Ithaca Southwest
Hours: 24 hours
Dubbed "The Diner of Fate" by those who know, Manos offers the usual diner fare, from breakfasts 24 hours a day to sandwiches, burgers, and entrees, plus a full bar (and the same food menu) in the attached Ichabod's. Manos is perfect for an inexpensive but filling breakfast. Later in the day, try the fries with a side of gravy, and if you’re in the mood for a big meal, the turkey dinner can’t be beat. Ichabod's also features a nice, fresh salad bar, great with your dinner. (Full Review)

Maxie's Supper Club
635 West State Street
607-272-4136
Ithaca West End
Hours: Sun-Thurs till Midnight, Fri & Sat till 1 am.
It’s worth putting up with the cramped feeling and excessive noise in this marvelous oyster bar and Cajun eatery. The food is almost all spicy, and you’ll need to go again and again to try everything that tempts you on the menu. Happy hour until 6 pm means half-price oysters and clams from the raw bar. For a good sampling, try the Cajun Mixed Grill and a side of fresh corn bread with tasty orange-honey butter. Vegetarian options are limited; go for the veggie jambalaya. (Web Site)

Mi Casita
704 West Buffalo Street
607-273-1113
Ithaca West End
Hours: Lunch and dinner
A new eatery featuring Latin & Cajun cuisine right on the Cayuga Inlet, featuring empanadas, Cuban sandwiches, po boys, and more. Listed only.

Nines, The
311 College Ave
607-272-1888
Collegetown
Like the Chariot, the Nines offers great pizza and a variety of entrees and sandwiches. The entrees lean toward an Americana theme, and there’s a good selection of beer on tap at the full bar. The square deep-dish pizza is its forte, with a broad array of toppings and a thick crust. The four slices easily feed two or three people. If you’re not in a pizza mood, try the astonishingly good ribs or the roast chicken. The Nines used to house one of Ithaca’s fire stations (now next door) and offers great music many evenings. They’d rate a “5” if the service weren’t so often slow and inattentive. (Web Site)

Olivia
381 Pine Tree Road, Ithaca
607-272-1020
Ithaca
Hours: Lunch to late night
The latest eatery in town is Olivia, on Pine Tree Road near East Hill Plaza. Olivia aims for a sophisticated but comfortable dining experience, and we think they've hit the nail on the head. Their building, formerly Coyote Loco, has been completely renovated and rearranged. It looks great, and everything seems to flow well. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Pangea Restaurant
120 Third Street
607-273-8515
Ithaca
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday nights
Pangea offers a surprising and delicious variety of dishes, varying in size and price, with a creative menu they call “precontinental cuisine.” (The menu changes frequently.) Many of the dishes seem ideal for sharing; they’re all flavorful and colorful. We were especially pleased with the summer risotto, featuring roasted red peppers, wild mushrooms, and white truffle oil; and the tagarashi-dusted seared scallops. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Pie Girl
1006 West Seneca Street
607-273-9800
Ithaca West End
Hours: 7am-7pm seven days a week
Pie Girl specializes in all sorts of pies, including fruit and other dessert pies, quiches, meat pies, breakfast "handipies," and more, plus fresh soups.

Ralph's Ribs
344 Elmira Road, Ithaca
607-277-RIBS
Ithaca Southwest
Hours: Lunch and dinner
This new restaurant from the owners of Ralph's Momma's Gourmet Sauces offers delicious BBQ ribs, pulled pork, chicken, gumbo, chili, and lots more. There are even a couple of vegetarian entrees. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Rogue’s Harbor
Corner of Rts 34 & 34B
607-533-3535
Lansing
Hours: Dinner 4-10 Mon-Sat, 3-9 Sun, brunch Sat & Sun
Situated in an old building on the corner of two main Lansing thoroughfares, Rogue’s has a great selection of beers on tap and Finger Lakes wines, and appetizers that fall heavily into the fried category but are worth sampling. They’re known for their prime rib and large portions of everything; we recommend the Chicken Riggies, a rigatoni and chicken dish with vegetables in a delectable cream sauce. Ask about the building’s past as a station on the underground railroad, and its underground tunnel to Cayuga Lake, and check out the antique maps on the walls. (Web Site)

Rose, The
Triphammer Mall
607-257-5542
Ithaca Northeast
This casual American-style restaurant offers wings and fajitas in addition to an array of sandwiches, steaks, chicken and fish entrees, and salads. The salad bar is a meal in itself.

Sadie D’s Deli
DeWitt Mall
607-273-9027
Downtown Ithaca
This friendly, family-run deli, named after a dachshund, offers tasty sandwiches, delicious soups, and great coffee drinks in a convenient spot in downtown Ithaca, a short walk from the Commons. The usual deli sandwiches are supplemented by house specialties, such as the wonderful “Godfather” sandwich. They have a wider-than-usual selection of cheeses, and such interesting sandwich toppings as artichoke hearts. Try a half sandwich with some fresh soup, and don’t forget a slice of the peach pie.

Shortstop Deli
200 West Seneca St., Ithaca
607-273-1030
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 24 hours every day
Whether you call them subs or grinders or hoagies or whatever, Shortstop Deli specializes in those long sandwiches on fresh-baked French bread, or smaller sandwiches on kaiser rolls. They've got the usual ham, roast beef, and turkey, but they've also got seafood salad, eggplant, seitan, or prime rib. For the last couple of years, the Shortstop hot sub menu has had a selection of the famous Hot Truck French bread pizza subs. Supplement your sub with a fresh hot bowl of soup or chili. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Simeon's
224 East State Street, on the Commons
607-272-2212
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 11 am to midnight daily
Simeon’s is a favorite spot for seeing and being seen, at the corner of State and Aurora Streets on the Commons, but it’s also a good place to eat and drink. Long-time Simeon’s fans will be pleased to see the menu still has most of the old favorites, and we’re also pleased at the variety of creative and tasty dishes added to the specials board nightly. The “sandwiches with a history” are a good fallback if you don’t need lots of food, and the generous salads are a good choice as well. Or, dive in with garlic bread with cheese, a crock of French onion soup, and Jamaican Jerk chicken or pork. The good wine selection should have more local choices, but the scotch and bourbon offerings are without peer. (Web Site)

Simply Red Village Bistro
53 East Main Street, Trumansburg
607-387-5313
Trumansburg
Hours: Mon, Thu-Sat 5-10pm; Sun brunch 10-2
Upscale dining in a casual atmosphere, featuring pasta, fresh vegetables, free range chicken, seafood, steaks, and more. Monday is "Southern Night." Listed only.

Station, The


Ithaca West End
The Station used to be such a wonderful place, and we wish we could still recommend it. The cooking's fair at best, and the price quickly climbs if you want a vegetable or a potato with your entree, which will otherwise look pretty lonely on a too-big plate. We wonder if they're intentionally delivering the message, "Hey, you should have ordered more food," when they deliver your paltry entree.

Stella’s Cafe
403 College Avenue
607-277-1490
Collegetown
Stella’s makes a darn good martini or Manhattan, but if you’re planning to eat as well as drink, we’d recommend another destination. The drinks themselves are a touch on the pricey side, but we can’t imagine why you’d want to spend $9 on a cheeseburger. Some of the menu items are creative or tasty, and the food is in fact fairly good, but the prices are just too high. Have your martini, then go next door for a slice of pizza. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Sunset Grill

Wendy’s
Pyramid Mall & Elmira Road

Ithaca
Wendy’s isn’t Ithaca-specific, but it’s always got affordable, tasty food, usually beats the other chains on quality, and if the staff isn’t the quickest or most talented around, at least they’re not ruining any expectations. A pair of 99 cent “double stack” cheeseburgers and a soda makes a filling and quick meal, and if you’re inclined to step up to a spicy chicken sandwich or a stuffed pita, so much the better. The fresh and inexpensive salads and potatoes have always edged Wendy’s onto the good side of healthy eating for those who want it, and the grease is of course there for those who prefer that approach.

Willow
202 East Falls Street
607-272-0656
Ithaca
Hours: 5-10pm Tue-Sat, Martini bar till 1am Fri & Sat
A contemporary American restaurant in Ithaca’s Fall Creek area, next to Fall Creek Pictures. Chef Sean O’Brien has whipped up an enticing menu that features a number of creative appetizers, salads, pastas, and entrees. The menu includes several fresh seafood dishes, and they've added more vegetarian variety. We were very impressed with the food quality and presentation, and the service and decor are top-notch. (Full Review) (Web Site)

Wings Over Ithaca
East Hill Plaza
607-256-WING (9464)
Ithaca
Hours: 11a-1a Sun Tue Wed, 11a-3a Thu-Sat, 4p-1a Mon
This new branch of "Wings Over Albany" offers an affordable lunch buffet and free delivery (4pm to close, daily). The hottest "Afterburner" wings are hot enough for Ithaca, if not Buffalo, and flavourful as well. Vegetarians are basically out of luck, unless they're satisfied with fries and macaroni salad. Poultry-eaters, though, might enjoy the 15 varieties of wings, and those who can't stand bones should try the "boneless wings," excellent hand-battered chicken strips sold by the half pound. We have yet to try the wraps, sandwiches, or ribs. Let us know what you think. (Web Site)