Guidebook for Ithaca
Food Scene
Some of the finest dining in Ithaca, and it is delicious Italian food. May be open Wed-Sat for dinner. Check first. Just cross the footbridge at the intersection of Giles St and Columbia St, head right up the stone path, and look for the big fish statue. You might need to get buzzed in to enter the building.
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Gola Osteria
115 S Quarry StSome of the finest dining in Ithaca, and it is delicious Italian food. May be open Wed-Sat for dinner. Check first. Just cross the footbridge at the intersection of Giles St and Columbia St, head right up the stone path, and look for the big fish statue. You might need to get buzzed in to enter the building.
This is definitely a local favorite. Good price, great menu with all kinds of nori rolls, noodles, and other Korean, Chinese and Japanese favorites. They have long-term staff, and they do it right. Just off the Commons on Aurora and Seneca. Call to order and you can pick it up. They do not do delivery or online ordering. And sometimes they are closed on Wednesdays.
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Asia Cuisine
126 N Aurora StThis is definitely a local favorite. Good price, great menu with all kinds of nori rolls, noodles, and other Korean, Chinese and Japanese favorites. They have long-term staff, and they do it right. Just off the Commons on Aurora and Seneca. Call to order and you can pick it up. They do not do delivery or online ordering. And sometimes they are closed on Wednesdays.
Messy and delicious. Try the flatbread. Just past the Commons on State St.
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Gorgers
116 W State StMessy and delicious. Try the flatbread. Just past the Commons on State St.
Taste of Thai
216 E State StAn Ithaca tradition. On the Commons.
Four Seasons
404 Eddy StGreat Korean food in Collegetown
New Orleans style restaurant and bar that does it right.
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Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar
635 W State StNew Orleans style restaurant and bar that does it right.
Fun place to taste outstanding local beer and food. Lovely views. It's on the way to Treman and Buttermilk Parks. And families love the outdoor seating when it's not too cold outside. There is also a newer location up in Collegetown.
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Ithaca Beer Co.
122 Ithaca Beer DrFun place to taste outstanding local beer and food. Lovely views. It's on the way to Treman and Buttermilk Parks. And families love the outdoor seating when it's not too cold outside. There is also a newer location up in Collegetown.
Fancy and delicious Asian Fusion. On the Commons. Has outdoor seating in nicer weather.
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Mia
130 East State StreetFancy and delicious Asian Fusion. On the Commons. Has outdoor seating in nicer weather.
Great restaurant and bar very close to the amazing Ithaca Falls. Has outdoor seating in nicer weather.
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Northstar House
202 E Falls StGreat restaurant and bar very close to the amazing Ithaca Falls. Has outdoor seating in nicer weather.
Upscale Trumansburg style, about a 20 minute drive away and 6 minutes from Taughannock Falls Park. Check the hours and make a reservation before you go. So lovely.
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Hazelnut Kitchen
53 E Main StUpscale Trumansburg style, about a 20 minute drive away and 6 minutes from Taughannock Falls Park. Check the hours and make a reservation before you go. So lovely.
Thai Basil
118 W State StVery delicious and within walking distance. It's just past the Commons.
Tamarind Thai Restaurant
503 N Meadow StA smaller restaurant with great food
Fun and funky place on Restaurant Row (Aurora St) with outdoor seating in nice weather, a delicious menu, drinks, and quick service. The whole front of the restaurant opens so there is plenty of air circulation when it's not too cold outside. If Viva Taqueria is full you can head a couple doors down to Luna.
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Luna Inspired Street Food Downtown
113 N Aurora StFun and funky place on Restaurant Row (Aurora St) with outdoor seating in nice weather, a delicious menu, drinks, and quick service. The whole front of the restaurant opens so there is plenty of air circulation when it's not too cold outside. If Viva Taqueria is full you can head a couple doors down to Luna.
So delicious. You might have to wait a while for the food, but it's always good. It's on the less-traveled other side of the Commons (Cayuga St). Call the restaurant to order pickup.
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Hawi Ethiopian Cuisine
113 S Cayuga StSo delicious. You might have to wait a while for the food, but it's always good. It's on the less-traveled other side of the Commons (Cayuga St). Call the restaurant to order pickup.
Great bread and sandwiches and fun atmosphere. Tons of outdoor seating. Not the best bagels or coffee, but we all love it! There is also one in Collegetown with a lot of outdoor seating.
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Collegetown Bagels
420 College AveGreat bread and sandwiches and fun atmosphere. Tons of outdoor seating. Not the best bagels or coffee, but we all love it! There is also one in Collegetown with a lot of outdoor seating.
They do brunch! We aren't fans of this restaurant, but people who enjoy Americana menus seem to love it.
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Simeon's American Bistro
224 E State StThey do brunch! We aren't fans of this restaurant, but people who enjoy Americana menus seem to love it.
Coffee lovers love Gimmie! Order online or in person for contact-free pickup. And they do delivery. That's right. Fancy coffee delivery.
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Gimme! Coffee
430 N Cayuga StCoffee lovers love Gimmie! Order online or in person for contact-free pickup. And they do delivery. That's right. Fancy coffee delivery.
Maru Ramen
512 W State StThey even have gluten free ramen! Awesome Korean food.
Alley Cat Cafe
112 E Seneca StComplete with kitty cats!
Amazing tequila selection and margaritas. They also serve guacamole, burritos, salads, tacos, etc.
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Viva Taqueria & Cantina
215 E State StAmazing tequila selection and margaritas. They also serve guacamole, burritos, salads, tacos, etc.
One of the best Farmer's Markets in the US. Right on the lake. Not to be missed! Check for seasonal hours. It's open most of the year on Saturdays 9am-3pm and May-November on Sundays. You may also get lucky and find Macro Mama's peanut lime noodles, Cambodian food, Tibetan momos and other great prepared food and produce. Beautiful art, pottery, Ithaca's own Silk Oak clothes, etc as well.
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Ithaca Bauernmarkt
545 3rd StOne of the best Farmer's Markets in the US. Right on the lake. Not to be missed! Check for seasonal hours. It's open most of the year on Saturdays 9am-3pm and May-November on Sundays. You may also get lucky and find Macro Mama's peanut lime noodles, Cambodian food, Tibetan momos and other great prepared food and produce. Beautiful art, pottery, Ithaca's own Silk Oak clothes, etc as well.
Yum. Yum yum yum. Great vegan and gluten free options too!
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Bickering Twins Restaurant & Tequila Bar
114 N Cayuga StYum. Yum yum yum. Great vegan and gluten free options too!
Sightseeing
Everyone loves taking a break in this wooded paradise along a creek. It is on Giles St just on the other side the bridge over 1st dam (aka Business Man's Lunch). You'll pass by Jim Sherpa's one-of-a-kind sculpture garden featuring a hovering platypus, giant bowling pins, and a monster in the making...
Mundy Wildflower Garden
320 Caldwell RoadEveryone loves taking a break in this wooded paradise along a creek. It is on Giles St just on the other side the bridge over 1st dam (aka Business Man's Lunch). You'll pass by Jim Sherpa's one-of-a-kind sculpture garden featuring a hovering platypus, giant bowling pins, and a monster in the making...
TREMAN STATE PARK
105 Enfield Falls RdOur favorite park in Ithaca
The best way to get from downtown Ithaca to Cornell...walking up the side of the waterfalls!
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Cascadilla-Schlucht-Trail
Cascadilla Gorge TrailThe best way to get from downtown Ithaca to Cornell...walking up the side of the waterfalls!
Big powerful waterfall that is fairly easy to walk to. And you can walk over to Northstar and have a drink and dinner.
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Ithaca Falls Natural Area
Lake StreetBig powerful waterfall that is fairly easy to walk to. And you can walk over to Northstar and have a drink and dinner.
The 5th floor hosts a lovely Asian Art Collection and the best 360 degree view of Ithaca. Open Tues - Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays.
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Johnson Museum of Art
114 Central AveThe 5th floor hosts a lovely Asian Art Collection and the best 360 degree view of Ithaca. Open Tues - Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mondays.
Great for hiking. Has a magical feel different than Treman, Taughannock, and Buttermilk.
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Shindagin Hollow State Forest
Great for hiking. Has a magical feel different than Treman, Taughannock, and Buttermilk.
Thayer Preserve Lick Brook
454 Sandbank RdA beautiful place to hike along a creek
Paradise on Giles St. If you are walking with downtown behind you, the bridge over first dam will be in front of you. When you are about 20 feet from the bridge, take a left at the big gate. The path down is steep, so wear good hiking shoes. The bare sycamore tree roots and abandoned factory above the gushing waterfall will take your breath away.
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Wells Falls (Businessman's Lunch Falls)
Paradise on Giles St. If you are walking with downtown behind you, the bridge over first dam will be in front of you. When you are about 20 feet from the bridge, take a left at the big gate. The path down is steep, so wear good hiking shoes. The bare sycamore tree roots and abandoned factory above the gushing waterfall will take your breath away.
Drinks & Nightlife
Family friendly with some outdoor seating and delicious beer. This place is a little walk from the Commons, but it's worth it. And Silo Foodtruck will bring delicious food to your table while you enjoy your drink!
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Liquid State Brewing Company
620 W Green StFamily friendly with some outdoor seating and delicious beer. This place is a little walk from the Commons, but it's worth it. And Silo Foodtruck will bring delicious food to your table while you enjoy your drink!
Fun bar that celebrates bicycles and delicious beer. Have dinner on Aurora St and stop here for a beer.
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Bike Bar
314 E State StFun bar that celebrates bicycles and delicious beer. Have dinner on Aurora St and stop here for a beer.
Owned by a local fiddler, they often have great live music and always have delicious local cider.
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South Hill Cider
550 Sandbank RdOwned by a local fiddler, they often have great live music and always have delicious local cider.
The Range
119 E State StOne of the few places downtown with live music.
The Greenhouse Cafe & Cocktail Lounge
320 East State StreetThis is a nice newer bar with a very interesting menu
A hopping and classy space with great cocktails
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Argos Warehouse Lounge & Event Space
416 E State StA hopping and classy space with great cocktails
A great live music venue with a big deck on the inlet. See what shows they have scheduled for when you are in town! It's also a fun bar on nights without shows. It's about a 30 minute walk from Giles St, so it's farther than the Commons but still walkable.
Deep Dive
A great live music venue with a big deck on the inlet. See what shows they have scheduled for when you are in town! It's also a fun bar on nights without shows. It's about a 30 minute walk from Giles St, so it's farther than the Commons but still walkable.
Essentials
The smaller version of our amazing food co-op. Great grab and go and staples and natural pharmacy. 1 block from the Commons.
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GreenStar DeWitt
215 N Cayuga StThe smaller version of our amazing food co-op. Great grab and go and staples and natural pharmacy. 1 block from the Commons.
Huge, amazing store with great produce, prepared food, ethnic food, natural food, and just about everything else you can want in a grocery store.
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Wegmans
500 S Meadow StHuge, amazing store with great produce, prepared food, ethnic food, natural food, and just about everything else you can want in a grocery store.
The best co-op I've ever seen. Delicious (vegan, gluten-free, meat, etc) grab and go food as well as produce, bulk, bakery, etc. The biggest location is on Meadow Street and there's a smaller Greenstar Dewitt near the Commons and another location up in Collegetown. We are so grateful to have Greenstar!
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GreenStar
770 Cascadilla StThe best co-op I've ever seen. Delicious (vegan, gluten-free, meat, etc) grab and go food as well as produce, bulk, bakery, etc. The biggest location is on Meadow Street and there's a smaller Greenstar Dewitt near the Commons and another location up in Collegetown. We are so grateful to have Greenstar!
A fun place to shop with young kids! They have second hand kids clothes, many useful items for infants and young children and toys throughout the store. If you are traveling with a small child, you can rent car seats, strollers, cribs, pack'n'plays, etc from Kelly, the owner of Jillian's Drawers.
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Jillian's Drawers
609 W Clinton StA fun place to shop with young kids! They have second hand kids clothes, many useful items for infants and young children and toys throughout the store. If you are traveling with a small child, you can rent car seats, strollers, cribs, pack'n'plays, etc from Kelly, the owner of Jillian's Drawers.