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)

About Bangkok
11 Graham Road
607-266-8780
Ithaca Northeast
Hours: Lunch and Dinner
Authentic Thai food featuring seafood, vegetarian dishes, curry, and specials every day for lunch and dinner, with special lunch prices. Listed only.

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)

Asian Noodle House
204 Dryden Road, Ithaca
607-272-9106
Collegetown
From the folks who brought us Little Thai House, Asian Noodle House (formerly "Tap") is a classic noodle shop with a substantial variety of noodle and rice dishes and soups, plus gourmet Asian pizzas, with plentiful portions and reasonable prices. The curry puffs appetizer were a treat, and Thai grilled chicken with noodle was served with a perfect Thai peanut sauce. Our entrees came with a small salad, generously adorned with bean sprouts and bits of tofu.

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)

Commons Delicatessen
218 East State Street on the Downtown Ithaca Commons
607-272-5484
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 8am-10pm 7 days a week
Opened in January 2005 by Lou Cassiniti, the owner of the seasonal hot dog stand on the Commons for several years, the Commons Delicatessen is a traditional deli making inexpensive handmade sandwiches to order from top-notch Boar's Head cold cuts. There are fresh salads, the pumpernickel is good, the meat's piled on thick, Lou makes soup daily, and there's even dessert. You can even get one of Lou's famous hot dogs with Nance's mustard all year 'round. (Full Review)

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)

Dryden Queen Diner
84 North Street, Dryden
607-844-5060
Dryden
The Dryden Queen is a clean, simple diner, with friendly service, good food, and reasonable prices. What more do you need? Crispy corned beef hash? Yep, they do that pretty well, too.

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)

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)

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.

King Buffet
734 South Meadow Street
607-256-3388
Ithaca Southwest
Hours: 11 am - 9:30 pm daily, til 10:30 Fri & Sat
King Buffet starts out as a Chinese buffet, but ends up with a much broader array of food. Their fresh and flavorful dishes include plenty of vegetarian dishes, sushi, carve-to-order ham and roast beef, and kid-friendly items like pizza and spaghetti.

Kyushu
2300 North Triphammer Road
607-257-6788
Ithaca Northeast
A new Japanese hibachi restaurant and sushi bar in the Tops/Applebee's plaza on North Triphammer Road in front of Pyramid Mall, Kyushu offers hibachi-style dishes (cooked table-side), fresh sushi, and a variety of other Japanese meals. The food is delicious, well prepared, and surprisingly affordable; complete lunches cost $6-9, and complete dinners $12 and up. Things seem vaguely uncoordinated, but on opening day, we won't complain. (The hibachi chefs certainly aren't uncoordinated, or someone would lose a finger!) When the staff has everything down pat, they may well rate a "5."

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.

Lincoln Street Diner
309 Lincoln Street, Ithaca
607-216-1616
Ithaca
Hours: 6am-2pm M-F, 7am-1pm Sat
In the Fall Creek area near the Ithaca Falls, the Lincoln Street Diner, formerly Ziffy's, serves breakfast all day, hot and cold sandwiches, burgers, and daily specials like chicken and biscuits or a NY strip sandwich. The omelets are generous, and the signature breakfast is a pile of home fries and corn bread smothered in sausage gravy.

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 Old 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.

Main Moon Buffet
401 Elmira Road, Buttermilk Falls Plaza
607-277-3399
Ithaca Southwest
Ithaca’s original "Chinese Buffet," Main Moon has expanded in response to the arrival of competing buffets in town. They’ve added sushi and a more complete salad bar, in addition to the wide array of Chinese food and such kid-friendly offerings as chicken wings and french fries. There are always vegetarian dishes on the buffet.

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)

Napoli Pizzeria
401 East State Street
607-272-3232
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: 11am to 1am (weeknights) or 2am (weekend)
Napoli, at the foot of the State Street hill in the Gateway Center, has some of the best pizza and wings in town, for dine-in, carry-out, or delivery. Hot and cold subs and Italian specialties round out the usual pizzeria menu, but they also have ribs, burgers, and fried clams, shrimp, or scallops in addition to the typical fare.

New Delhi Diamond's
106 West Green Street, Ithaca
607-272-4508
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Lunch and dinner daily
On Green Street just off the Commons in Downtown Ithaca, Diamond's features an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet with an ever-changing variety of Indian specialties, as well as a dinner menu for sit-down dining. They never manage to maintain the supply of nan, the traditional Indian flat bread, or refill water glasses in a timely manner, costing the restaurant a rating point. The silver lining? When there's nan, it's fresh and warm, and perfect for mopping up some spinach aloo or other thick sauce. The tandoori chicken is always delicious, and we recommend a mango lassi (think smoothie) with your meal. There's always room for a bowl of kheer, a sweetened, creamy rice dessert.

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)

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)

Red Newt Winery & Bistro
3675 Tichenor Road, Hector
607-546-4100
Nearby
Hours: Wed-Sun, lunch noon-4 and dinner 4-9
A few miles northeast of Watkins Glen on the east side of Seneca Lake, Red Newt Winery & Bistro offers a remarkable variety of delicious foods that changes frequently. We recommend the appetizer of phyllo triangles with duck sausage, golden raisins, chard, and cheddar cheese with a balsamic syrup, and the pasture-raised chicken breast stuffed with lavender chevre in a lavender white wine sauce. Vegetarian options abound. The bistro not only serves Red Newt's fine wines, but also generously offers a broad selection of wines from other Finger Lakes vintners. (Web Site)

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.

Sangam
Center Ithaca
607-277-6716
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Open 7 days a week
There are a few select entrees from the main Collegetown Sangam Indian Restaurant here at this steam-table counter in Center Ithaca. The food always tastes fresh, and it's always ready when you walk up. There's also a small selection of Indian groceries and videos.

Sangam
424 Eddy Street
607-273-1006
Collegetown
Hours: Open 7 days a week
Sangam's daily lunch buffet is a good way to sample this Indian restaurant's offerings, though there's not quite enough variety on the buffet from day to day to explore what they're capable of. Come back for dinner, or order lunch from the menu. The mango chicken is excellent, and Sangam offers traditional tandoori (clay oven) roasting. They can cater to vegetarian and even vegan needs.

Souvlaki House
315 Eddy Street
607-273-1650
Collegetown
If you’re a fan of Greek food, you should never move to a town that has none. If you’re in Ithaca, the options abound, and Souvlaki House represents the best combination of good food, reasonable prices, and good service. In fact, Souvlaki House offers both Greek food and Italian food, with the area’s best souvlaki, Greek salad, and stuffed grape leaves, plus very good chicken (or veal or eggplant, etc.) parmigiana. Inexpensive lunch choices include subs, souvlaki and gyros, and Greek-style pizza. We recommend a bottle of Demestica, a Greek wine, with your meal.

Sticky Rice
401 East State Street, Ithaca
607-275-3641
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30, dinner 7 days
Thai and Laotian restaurant at the back of the Gateway Center, just east of the Ithaca Commons. Theoretically open for lunch, but always closed when we try to go. Listed only.

Sunset Grill

Taste of Thai
216 The Commons
607-256-5487
Downtown Ithaca
Hours: Tues-Sun, 11am-3pm lunch, 5pm-10pm dinner
With a great fancy Thai restaurant on Route 13, and a great casual Thai restaurant in Collegetown, it’s nice to see something in the middle price-wise, but with top-notch food. The Pad Thai was delicious, and not quite what we were used to, and the Khao Pud Supparod, or pineapple and chicken fried rice, with slices of Thai sausage and raisins, was our first experience with sweet fried rice. Nearly all the dishes can be made vegetarian, using tofu, vegetables, or mock chicken or duck in place of meat ingredients. Our waitress was great, but some of the “supporting cast” in the dining room seemed to need a bit more coordination.

Taste of Thai Express
526 West State Street, Ithaca
607-272-8424
Ithaca West End
Hours: Mon-Sat, 11:30am-2:30pm lunch, 4:30pm-10pm dinner
This west end eatery, just east of Route 13 on State Street, features the same exceptional food as Taste of Thai on the Commons, but this one delivers as well as having eat-in service. Our food arrived far faster than the promised 40-45 minutes, and everything was correct, fresh, and hot. The cashew chicken, a Vietnamese-style dish, was a delightful surprise, with a marinated wood-grilled flavour and crunchy strips of onion and green pepper. (Web Site)

Wendy’s
Ithaca 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.

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)