36 Best American Restaurants in Ithaca

“I drove down from Cape Vincent to meet one of my best friends from college who was in the area for a family wedding. I was completely blown away by my meal. The waitress was incredible. I had the Chilean sea bass and it literally melted in my mouth. The salad with fresh fruit and a raspberry vinaigrette was outstanding. We ordered coffee and I was brought a little tray with fresh whipped cream, as well as other delightful garnishes. Finally… the mile high carrot cake!! Pure bliss. Thank you for a truly memorable experience. And I was so grateful that we weren’t rushed. We don’t get to see each other frequently and it was a blessing to just spend time together.“

“We love the Milkstand! It's a locally owned and sourced restaurant with a wide variety of choices on the menu - all of which are available all day. The wait staff is always very good, our server today, Jennifer, was definitely a five-star server. Friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. Just a great place to go!“

“We came here during royal feast night and had an amazing experience!
The food was great, service was very professional and well trained, and the overall atmosphere created went further to enhance the culinary experience.
I really enjoyed how everything was organized and presented. From the table settings and menus to the plating of food, the care and attention to detail was evident.
Everyone did a great job to ensure we had a wonderful time.
I’ll definitely be back (if I can score a reservation ;))“

“The Rook is always a must-visit whenever we’re in town! The menu is full of flavorful dishes, and their cocktails and beverages are equally impressive. The atmosphere is inviting and lively, making it a perfect spot for any occasion. The staff goes above and beyond - Manny in particular is friendly, attentive, and a joy to chat with. We can’t recommend The Rook enough for great food, drinks, and an unforgettable experience😍🙌“

“From the cocktails to the coffee wonderful. Had the bread basket loved it Prime rib was great. And the srver Blake was beyond good , great service. Will be back again“

“The food was fresh and delicious. Portion sizes were excellent. I can't wait to go back!“

“Me and my boyfriend had a great time! Food was amazing“

“Fantastic Restaurant!! A must see and delicious healthy cuisine!!!“

“Nice people,service was tops.“

“? Yummy Alert! ?The crab and corn soup is soooooo tasty! Try it.Layout of the food area is a bit odd which creates a bad logistical flow for people getting food and those exiting with their food. Also, the staff are seemingly unfriendly and I swear I thought the guy serving in the hot food section was going to drip sweat into the curry. The older lady next to him served the rice so sloppy. The dish looked ugly because of how it was served and presented and so I left it. But, the crab and corn soup is fantastic!“

“Tonight I placed a delivery order and it was fabulous. I ordered the fried haddock dinner with penne pasta and tossed salad. The fish was cooked perfectly,( Not greasy at all)., and the portion was very generous. The Penne pasta was. Also delicious. Delivery was quick.. This is one of My. Favorite. Take out places. Can't go wrong!.“

“best service and breakfast ever. we stop every march on our way home from the finger lakes.“

“Stopped by for lunch today, had a great experience!“

“This cafe has decent food but it is in a really weird location. It’s in Statler but it is downstairs and really hard to find. Nevertheless, it has good hours compared to a lot of places on campus which is really convenient. The food is basic but good.“

“Had a lovely time. The food was mostly good, but the poutine gravy was just poorly reheated, canned chicken gravy. It was gelatinous and had no flavor. It was like a pile of phlegm on fries. Everything else was great. Fantastic outdoor area and craft brew selection. Will be back for burgers.“

“Was in town for a work training. Colleagues and I came to Chilis. Had a greaaaatttttt night, food was delicious. As were the drinks, shoutout to bartender Kristy!! And the biggest star of the show was our server Cat.
Her humor and customer service were top notch. We all adored her and will definitely ask for her. If we are ever out this way again. Thank you Cat!!“

“Best place for a sub!! We love it here“

“This is a college town Cafe, right in the middle of Cornell University's hill district. There is very limited parking, but the food and service is exceptional. We stop twice a year on our return trip from a conference in Binghamton and haven't been disappointed.“

“After a four hour drive from Pennsylvania their special cornbeef hash breakfast made me feel at home. Rose was a gracious and accomodating host. Me and my dog found breakfast on the outdoor patio to be an excellect start to the day before traversing Buttermilk Falls. If I'm ever in town again I'll be coming back!“

“Shortstop deli is a go-to stop for me. Kristen always provides top-notch customer service! Definitely recommend.“

“Tonight was my first visit. I was traveling for work and it was amazing. Great food, atmosphere and drinks. Wish this was in my home town!“

“Great variety of unique food choices and love that you can not only get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, but also have a beer/drink at night.“

“Las pizzas más ricas que he probado!“

“Excellent place to eat food. They have a huge variety of foods. I actually like them better than the dining halls because the salad bar has more options and is more organized. They also pay by the lb for a lot of stuff, so you don't have to feel compelled to stuff yourself to get your money's worth. On the go snacks are available too.“

“Very nice vibe! Patrons are friendly, great drinks, and a super HOT 🔥 tall bar tender who resembles Rock Hudson!“

“very good waitress was busting her but and did amazing“

“Wonderful, friendly staff and great food. Excellent prices and location - close to Ithaca Commons.“

“What a beautiful experience. We arrived for an early dinner after a long hike (Buttermilk Falls). Our dogs (2) received the best welcome!!! A lovely big bowl of fresh cold water and bacon appetizer for them!!! And to top it off, our food was excellent! Staff were lovely!! Our server, Gina, made our visit very warm and welcomed!!! Will definitely go back again!!! 🥰“

“There’s something special about a place that feels like home the moment you walk through the door, and that’s exactly what you get at The Glenwood Pines. A truly great locally owned and operated restaurant that has stood the test of time, I know it for its friendly staff, welcoming atmosphere, and food that keeps people coming back year after year. What I find really sets it apart is an owner who genuinely cares about his people, his customers, his community, and every meal that leaves the kitchen. In a world full of chains, The Glenwood Pines remains a proud local staple and a place our community is lucky to have.“

“Great variety of unique food choices and love that you can not only get breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, but also have a beer/drink at night.“

“The NYS Orchard Burger is beyond amazing! My go to when I’m in town!“

“We stayed at a nearby and wanted a real hot breakfast not one prepared and set out for everyone. This was not even a block away. We arrived right after they opened at 8:30 am so they were not busy. We were greeted immediately and told to sit where we wanted. Our drink orders were promptly taken. I ordered a latte and it was delicious. For breakfast my husband created a ham & mushroom omelette and I had the Farmhouse breakfast with fried eggs and sausage. The sausage was different I could definitely taste the herbs used, it was good. The breakfast potatoes were cooked just the way I like with skins on and browned. If we return to Ithaca I would definitely return for breakfast but they serve lunch as well.“

“Something for everyone ! Always delicious. Desert stone cookies 😋“

“my favorite super underground spot to eat on campus. okay, it does fall short when it comes to lunch options, but in terms of variety and accessibility, it EXCEEDS expectations! the menu is consistent and the staff are super friendly… my favorite is eating dinner at this place - i loveeee eating dinner here (except wednesdays). HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS DINING SPOT!“

“Val and Jim were amazing! We came all the way from Pennsylvania, and they truly made our visit unforgettable. They gave us a tour of the brewery and went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable and enjoyable experience. They were so personable, friendly, and welcoming from the moment we arrived.

The experience was fantastic, and I would highly recommend stopping by. I’m not much of a beer drinker and usually don’t like most beers, but I was pleasantly surprised. I actually loved the beers here! Whether you’re a beer enthusiast or not, this place is definitely worth visiting.“

“Our party of 3 was seated right away during the dinner rush. Foods on the hot line were being refreshed often and everything we tried was good. Our waitress kindly complimented me on my chopstick use (thank you 🙏🏻). We will be returning.“