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Off-Campus Dining:

C+

(explain this grade)

Comparable Schools'
Off-Campus Dining Grades:

Quick Stats

Best Pizza

  • The Nines

Best Breakfast

  • Collegetown Bagels
  • Banfi's Restaurant

Best Chinese

  • Jade Garden Restaurants

Best Healthy

  • Aladdin's Natural Eatery
  • Moosewood Restaurant

Best Wings

  • Buffalo Street BBQ

Best Place to Take Your Parents

  • Benchwarmers
  • Moosewood Restaurant
  • Benn Conger Inn
  • Just a Taste
  • The Heights Café & Grill

College Prowler Take

Off-campus dining options are substantial. Most students are very pleased with Ithaca’s offerings and find a variety of food types available—American, International, fast food, sit-down restaurants, coffee shops, and bars. In addition to its many restaurants, Ithaca Commons hosts food festivals, including Apple Fest and Chilifest.

Collegetown, which is within waking distance from central campus and most student residences, also has an impressive selection of restaurants. Pricing varies from place to place, but it isn’t typically exorbitant. Ithaca offers not only a variety of foods within close proximity of the Cornell campus, but also many restaurants that serve organic or ethically-purchased food.

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Students Speak Out

Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:

Anonymous says:

The restaurants in Collegetown are...

The restaurants in Collegetown are pretty good for quick food (College Town Pizza, Smoothie Hut, Collegetown Bagels, Hong Kong). Other places in Collegetown are decent for a nice sit-down dinner (Rulloff’s and Aladdins). Ithaca Commons also has decent sit-down dinner places, and the local malls have the standard fast food courts.

Off-Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

It’s surprising and especially...

It’s surprising and especially pleasing to find that excellent restaurants are plentiful around the Finger Lakes. Pangea in downtown Ithaca offers an exotic menu of Asian infusion. Plum Tree, the ‘in spot’ on weekends, serves first-rate Japanese and has the best sake bombs around. John Thomas is renowned for its steaks, and Just a Taste is famous for its tapas menu and diverse wine selection. The options are numerous, so make sure you start looking around early as an underclassman and save up leftover beer money for some quality and enjoyable dining experiences.

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Anonymous says:

There are a few nice restaurants...

There are a few nice restaurants around town that are trendy and high class.

Off-Campus Dining
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Anonymous says:

The off-campus restaurants are...

The off-campus restaurants are very diverse from Thai cuisine to Indian cuisine, and most of these can be found in Collegetown as well.

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Anonymous says:

Korean, Thai, and Japanese...

Korean, Thai, and Japanese restaurants seem to outnumber more traditional cuisine offerings. There aren’t too many normal fast-food restaurants close to campus. If you want fast food, you have to go further into Ithaca. If you want nicer, more expensive places, then there are plenty. Most of the stuff around campus and in Collegetown is fast and cheap. My off-campus favorites are Boatyard Grill, Applebee’s, and Benchwarmers. The best places on campus, including Collegetown, are Pita Pit, Subway, and Aladdin’s.

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Facts

Student Favorites

  • Collegetown Bagels
  • Stella's Kitchen & Cocktails
  • Taste of Thai
  • The ABC Café
  • Just a Taste
  • Maxie's Supper and Oyster Bar
  • The Nines

Other Places to Check Out

  • Hot Truck
  • Louie's Lunch
  • College Café
  • College Town Pizza
  • Collegetown Bagels
  • Mama Teresa's
  • Pita Pit
  • Smoothie Hut
  • Subway

Grocery Stores

Jason’s Grocery and Deli
301 College Ave.
(607) 273-0807

GreenStar Cooperative Market
701 W. Buffalo St.
(607) 273-9392
www.greenstar.coop

P&C Foods
2309 N. Triphammer Rd.
(607) 257-7095
www.pandcfoods.com

Wegmans Food
500 S. Meadow St.
(607) 697-0211
www.wegmans.com

Tops Friendly Markets
710 S. Meadow St.
(607) 275-8041
www.topsmarkets.com

Restaurant Listing

Hong Kong Restaurant
Chinese
120 Dryden Rd., Ithaca
(607) 277-7595
Price: $5-$8
Quick delivery
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Ichabod Lounge
American
357 Elmira Rd., Ithaca
(607) 273-9522
Price: $5-$12
Bar stays open until people leave
Hours: Monday–Friday 11 a.m.–10 p.m., Saturday–Sunday 9 a.m.–10 p.m.

Benn Conger Inn
Mediterranean
206 W. Cortland St., Groton
(607) 898-5817
Price: $5-$25
Southern Mansion with a Mediterranean cuisine
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 4:30 p.m.–10:30 p.m., Sunday brunch 10:30 a.m.–2 p.m.

Aladdin's Natural Eatery
Vegetarian
100 Dryden Rd., Collegetown
(607) 273-5000
www.aladdinsithaca.com
Price: $4-$12
Outside seating, light entrees, wine list
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m.–10 p.m.

Applebee's
American
2300 N. Triphammer Rd., Ithaca
(607) 257-6200
www.applebees.com
Price: $6-$12
Carside service to-go
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

The ABC Café
Vegetarian
308 Stewart Ave., Collegetown
(607) 277-4770
www.theabccafe.com
Price: $6-$8
International dinner specials and musical performances
Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 11 a.m.–12 a.m., Friday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Saturday–Sunday 9:30 a.m.–11 p.m.

The Boatyard Grill
American
525 Taughannock Blvd., Ithaca
(607) 256-2628
www.boatyardgrill.com
Price: $6-$25
Ithaca's premier waterfront restaurant
Hours: Monday–Thursday 4 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Lucatelli's Ristorante
Italian
205 Elmira Rd., Ithaca
(607) 273-0777
www.lucatellis.com
Price: $12-$27
Family-owned and operated restaurant with a great wine list
Hours: Daily 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Buffalo Street BBQ
BBQ
708 W. Buffalo St., Ithaca
(607) 277-3287
www.buffalostreetbbq.com
Price: $8-$25
On the water, supports local farms and uses organic produce when possible
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–12 a.m.

Francos Restaurant
Italian
823 Danby Rd., Ithaca
(607) 277-6666
Price: $9-$26
Relaxed dining with a lake view
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–9 p.m.

Benchwarmers
American grill
214 E. State St., Ithaca
(607) 277-7539
Price: $6-$15
All sports, all the time
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m.

John Thomas Steakhouse
Steakhouse
1152 Danby Rd., Ithaca
(607) 273-3464
www.johnthomassteakhouse.net
Price: $25-$45
Everyone is entitled to play poker to win dessert or a T-shirt
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5:30 p.m.–11 p.m.

King Buffet
Chinese
734 S. Meadow St., Ithaca
(607) 256-3388
Price: $6-$8
All-you-can-eat buffet
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Jade Garden Restaurants
Chinese
113 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
(607) 272-8880
Price: $4-$10
Daily lunch specials
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–12 a.m.

Just a Taste
Tapa bar
116 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
(607) 277-9463
www.just-a-taste.com
Price: $10-$15
Menu changes daily, great date restaurant
Hours: Monday–Thursday 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday 5:30 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m.

Kayuga Japanese Restaurant
Japanese
416 Eddy St., Ithaca
(607) 277-7967
www.kayuga.com
Price: $5-$14
Great and long list of sushi
Hours: Tuesday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m., 5 p.m.–10:45 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–2:15 p.m., 5 p.m.–9:45 p.m.

Ling Ling Restaurant
Chinese
222 Elmira Rd., Ithaca
(607) 272-0718
Price: $7-$8
Great view, outdoor seating when weather permits
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Banfi's Restaurant
Italian, Tuscan
11 East Ave., Statler Hotel
(607) 254-2565
Price: $10-$25
Sophisticated, views of campus, cuisine like Castello Banfi in Italy
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Les Ducs
Bistro
113 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca
(607) 277-8942
Price: $17-$25
Fine provincial French cuisine, relaxed setting, reservations recommended
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 6 p.m.–11 p.m., Saturday–Sunday brunch 11 a.m.–2:30 p.m.

Little Thai House
Thai
202 Dryden Rd., Ithaca
(607) 273-1977
Price: $6-$12
You can adjust the spice level in all dishes
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Lost Dog Café
Italian
106-112 S. Cayuga St., Ithaca
(607) 277-9143
www.lostdogcafé.net
Price: $14-$17
Hours: Tuesday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.

Plum Tree Japanese Restaurant
Japanese
113 Dryden Rd., Collegetown
(607) 256-8212
Price: $8-$15
Good sushi
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5 p.m.–11 p.m.

Rulloff's Restaurant
American
411 College Ave., Collegetown
(607) 272-6067
Price: $5-$10
Daily lunch and dinner specials
Hours: Daily 11:30 a.m.-1:30 a.m.

Souvlaki House
Greek
315 Eddy St., Collegetown
(607) 273-1650
Price: $8-$15
Great baklava and traditional lamb meals
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Pangea
Nouvelle Cuisine
120 Third St., Ithaca
(607) 273-8515
www.pangearestaurant.com
Price: $15-$40
A restaurant for people with creative minds and educated palates
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 5:30 p.m.–9 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5:30 p.m.–10 p.m.

Simeon's on the Commons
American Bistro
224 E. State St., Ithaca
(607) 272-2212
www.simeonsithaca.com
Price: $8-$25
Excellent martinis, gourmet sandwiches
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m., Thursday–Sunday 11:30 a.m.–12 a.m.

Wings Over Ithaca
Ribs, sandwiches, wings, wraps
335 Pinetree Rd.
(607) 256-9464
www.wingsover.com
Price: $6–$16
Offering a huge selection of wing flavors.
Hours: Monday 4 p.m.–1 a.m., Tuesday–Wednesday 11 a.m.–1 a.m., Thursday 11 a.m.–2 a.m., Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–3 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–1 a.m.

The Carriage House Café
Breakfast, salads, sandwiches
305 Stewart Ave.
(607) 645-0152
www.carriagehousecafe.com
Price: $5–$12
Carriage House offers inexpensive food, and is known for its breakfast.
Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 8:30 a.m.–3:30 p.m.

Sangam Indian Cuisine
Indian
424 Eddy St.
(607) 273-1006
www.sangamindianrestaurant.com
Brunch is offered six days a week!
Hours: Monday–Friday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday 12 p.m.–3 p.m., 5 p.m.–10:30 p.m.

Collegetown Bagels
Bagels, salads, sandwiches, soup
415 College Ave.
(607) 273-0982
www.collegetownbagels.com
Price: $2–$10
A popular Cornell student hangout offering a variety of food at reasonable prices.
Hours: Daily 6:30 a.m.–2:30 a.m.

Asian Noodle House
Asian, vegetarian
204 Dryden Rd.
(607) 272-9106
Price: $5–$10
Reasonably-priced Japanese style noodles

Manos Diner
American
357 Elmira Rd., Ithaca
(607) 273-1173
Price: $5-$8
Breakfast is served all day
Hours: Daily 24 hours

Viva Taqueria and Cantina
California-style Mexican
101 N. Aurora St., Ithaca
(607) 277-1752
Price: $5-$10
One side is for dine in and the other is for take out, healthy Mexican dishes for cheaper prices
Hours: Daily 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Wok Village Restaurant
Chinese, Mandarin, Szechwan, Peking, Cantonese, and Vietnamese styles
23 Cinema Dr., Ithaca
(607) 257-8881
www.wokvillage.com
Price: $5-$9
All-you-can-eat buffet, special diet menu
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m., Friday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

The Heights Café & Grill
American with a Mediterranean flair
903 Hanshaw Rd., Cayuga Heights
(607) 257-4144
Price: $10-$30
Great upscale place to dine if you need a reason to celebrate
Hours: Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–9 p.m., Friday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Stella's Kitchen & Cocktails
American
403 College Ave., Ithaca
(607) 277-1490
www.stellabar.com
Price: $6-$15
Excellent cocktails, fun dinners
Hours: Daily 10 a.m.–11 p.m.

Taste of Thai
Thai
216 E. State St., Ithaca
(607) 256-5487
www.tasteofthaiithaca.com
Price: $8-$12
Family-owned and operated, authentic Thai dishes, take-out available
Hours: Daily 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m.

Moosewood Restaurant
Vegetarian
215 N. Cayuga St., Ithaca
(607) 273-9610
www.moosewoodrestaurant.com
Price: $6-$18
Wednesday is students' night with ten percent off meals, restaurant sells about ten cookbooks in national bookstores
Hours: Daily 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Madeline's
Nouvelle Cuisine
215 E. State St., Ithaca
(607) 277-2253
Price: $15-$21
Amazing desserts made by their own pastry chef, meals are a bit expensive so it's a good place to bring your parents
Hours: Sunday–Thursday 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5 p.m.–11 p.m.

Maxie's Supper Club and Oyster Bar
Cajun, oyster bar
635 W. State St., Ithaca
(607) 272-4136
www.maxies.com
Price: $9-$23
Happy hour daily featuring half-priced fresh shucked oysters and clams, last two hours of each night features dishes for $2.50, Sunday night live music
Hours: Monday–Thursday 5 p.m.–11 p.m., Friday–Saturday 5 p.m.–12 a.m., Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m., 5 p.m.–11 p.m.

The Nines Restaurant
Pizza
311 College Ave., Collegetown
(607) 272-1888
www.theninesithacany.com
Price: $6-$7
Most popular pizza place in Ithaca, live music on some weekends
Hours: Monday–Saturday 11:30 a.m.–1 a.m., Sunday 3:30 p.m.–1 a.m.

The Thai Cuisine
Thai
501 S. Meadow St., Ithaca
(607) 273-2031
www.thaicuisineithaca.com
Price: $10-$15
Meals served mild spice, medium, hot, Bangkok hot, or jumping hot
Hours: Monday 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m., Wednesday–Thursday 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m., Friday 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Saturday 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m., 5 p.m.–10 p.m., Sunday 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m., 5 p.m.–9:30 p.m.

Did You Know?

Purity Ice Cream, founded by Leo Guenert (class of 1920), is produced in Ithaca and sells 40 different flavors of ice cream.

D.P. Dough, located in downtown Ithaca, makes for a great late-night snack.

From your computer’s Internet, www.campusfood.com allows you to conveniently order food, and it offers daily specials and discount prices.

Moosewood Restaurant is an acclaimed vegetarian restaurant that also makes famous cookbooks. It was named one of the 13 most influential restaurants of the 20th Century by Bon Appetit magazine.

Ithaca has more than150 restaurants!

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