For a small town, Ithaca is blessed with a number of excellent local restaurants. Authentic Thai food is a bit of a town specialty, as is natural organic cuisine. Even the pickiest eater will be able to find something to eat in Ithaca, with restaurants ranging from classic American food on the waterfront to a swinging New Orleans-style supper club. Be sure to try a glass of locally produced wine when dining out -- if you haven't already sampled enough while on a Finger Lakes wine tour.
Just a Taste Address: 116 North Aurora Street Cuisine: American, Tapas, Vegetarian Word of Mouth: "The best by far was Just a Taste. Man, oh man, what a meal. The brussel sprouts with brown butter, pecans and romano cheese were totally out of this world. I could have just kept eating. ... For this huge meal, the entire bill with tip was under $80. Being from NYC, we were astonished at the quantity and quality of the food at that price point." -- inflammatorywrit
Shortstop Deli Address: 635 Stewart Avenue Cuisine: Delicatessen Word of Mouth: "The sandwiches are phenomenal in the different combinations. I had the pulled pork which I considered outstanding, to the tune of eating them for three days consecutively. The prime rib sandwich was also superb. The great thing about the SS is you can have anything with anything on almost anything; it is all up to you to decide." -- riggins16
Carriage House Cafe Address: 305 Stewart Avenue Word of Mouth: "Perhaps the best cooking in all of Ithaca, with a small number of seasonal dishes. The atmosphere of the historic, stone-walled Carriage House is romantic and sophisticated. The brunches are the best in town, the bakery is amazing, as good as anything you would find in any major city. The only reason it's not mobbed every night is the parking." -- ClaiborneIthaca
Maxie's Supper Club Address: 635 West State Street Cuisine: Seafood Word of Mouth: "They did all that a restaurant featuring Cajun-style seafood should do. I had their great rwb coleslaw (red, white and blue coleslaw -- red and white cabbage with blue cheese in a Champagne dressing, I believe -- the stuff is as addictive as crack), great wine and beer list (check out the wide selection of NY wines and beers) and my salmon was just right." -- jmdc1
Taste of Thai Address: 216 East State Street Cuisine: Thai Word of Mouth: "This is the kind of restaurant that make you want to go back night after night. In fact, this is precisely what we did! Taste of Thai was founded by a student who had come to Cornell for graduate school. She learned her cooking lessons from her mother well. Everything was absolutely perfect in a homespun, earthy kind of way, down to the cleanliness and the decor of the bathrooms." -- stixvelo
Heights Cafe & Grill Address: 903 Hanshaw Road Cuisine: American, Mediterranean Word of Mouth: "The food was amazing, meaning this was the best place I have dined in upstate NY and it could easily rival the majority of NYC restaurants I have been to. There is enough variety on the menu and it is accompanied by an extensive but neatly laid out wine list. Dishes are generally American fare (steaks and cuts) but they are accompanied by a fusion of different global cultural dishes and experimental items." -- JazzpeRR
ZaZa's Cucina Address: 622 Cascadilla Street Cuisine: Italian Word of Mouth: "My husband and I go to ZaZa's frequently (it's on our list of top Ithaca restaurants). We are never, ever disappointed. Their eggplant parmesan is luscious, pasta is fresh, and I've always found the seafood to be excellent. The seafood stew is superb." -- LocalTravelerNewYork
Dijon Address: 311 Third Street Cuisine: French Word of Mouth: "From the moment you walk in the door and put the strip mall behind you, you feel transported to Paris. The decor, complete with plats du jour painted on the mirror, lace curtains in the windows and banquettes along the wall, evokes a little neighborhood French bistro. The frites are to die for (order a portion for all to share as soon as you sit down to munch while you peruse the menu and wait for the rest of your food to come)." -- Robinella
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For a small town, Ithaca is blessed with a number of excellent local restaurants. Authentic Thai food is a bit of a town specialty, as is natural organic cuisine. Even the pickiest eater will be able to find something to eat in Ithaca, with restaurants ranging from classic American food on the waterfront to a swinging New Orleans-style supper club. Be sure to try a glass of locally produced wine when dining out -- if you haven't already sampled enough while on a Finger Lakes wine tour.
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