24 Best Cafes in Ithaca

“Adam’s Corner Café is a cozy little gem—friendly, relaxed, and serving up reliably good breakfast and lunch. The vibe is simple and welcoming, with a nice hometown feel that makes you want to linger.

We’ve stopped in for lunch many times, and the sandwiches are fantastic—fresh, flavorful, and made with care. Whether it’s a classic turkey club or something a little more creative, everything we’ve tried has hit the spot. The pastries are also incredible—especially the cinnamon roll, which is huge and absolutely delicious. Definitely worth grabbing one, even if you’re stuffed from lunch!

The staff is friendly and welcoming, and if you come in regularly, they remember you and make you feel right at home. It’s an easy, reliable choice when you’re in the area—a go-to spot for a casual, satisfying lunch with a sweet treat on the side!“

“Came for breakfast on a friends recommendation. Was not disappointed. Super quick and friendly service. Ordered the Pacific, and lavender latte, so delicious. Kids gave the doughnuts a big thumbs up. Will definitely go again.“

“Everything! The brunch options are delicious! The desserts are scrumptious and the service was stellar! Perfect for any occasion. I’ll be back very soon!“

“Very cute environment friendly staff“

“I would venture to say this is the best coffee in Ithaca! I had a decaf cortado, and it was executed perfectly. Not only is the staff friendly and knowledgeable, but they also know how to pull their shots and steam milk just right. If you're used to third wave coffee, this is the place for you!“

“I am proud to recommend Mrs Craig Vanessa for a selfless and reliable investment service. I was constantly looking for a reliable platform to invest and my friend introduced me to her platform and I realized this is the best platform to invest on because she maintains discipline in her investment relationship and strategies to ensure the complete transparency and credibility of her investors. She helped me gained $16,000 with just a capital of $2,000. If you want to be financially successful invest with her ASAP via WhatsApp through Facebook: Mrs Craig Vanessa“

“Food was amazing and they have a good menu with a variety of things to choose from. Great for when you’re on the go and want to pick up good food quick, or if you want to sit down and enjoy the view of the water. The owner is also so nice and you can tell he cares about his business and customers!“

“The Corned Beef Hash special was amazing! please make it a regular menu item 👌“

“A surprisingly sweet café tucked inside the Cornell campus store. The coconut and pistachio macaroons were delightful — chewy, sweet, and full of flavor. Chocolate croissant wasn’t the fluffiest but still tasty, and the shortbread cookies were simple and satisfying. It’s a lovely, cozy corner to snack and study, surrounded by tributes to Cornell’s literary icons (Carl Sagan and Toni Morrison watching over you!). Plus, the prices are student-budget-friendly.“

“? 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!“

“I am proud to recommend Mrs Craig Vanessa for a selfless and reliable investment service. I was constantly looking for a reliable platform to invest and my friend introduced me to her platform and I realized this is the best platform to invest on because she maintains discipline in her investment relationship and strategies to ensure the complete transparency and credibility of her investors. She helped me gained $16,000 with just a capital of $2,000. If you want to be financially successful invest with her ASAP via WhatsApp through Facebook: Mrs Craig Vanessa“

“EVERYTHING!! Vera L is the best hostess one could wish for, the staff become like family, the food and wine are delish, and the others one meets there are wonderful. Who might wish for more? ( unless less miles between home and " the hive"!!“

“Graduated from Cornell in 2009 and I still think about my go to BLTease with Ginger Miso dressing 😂 So glad to see Temple of Zeus is still going strong and has a social media presence!“

“Novick's cafe has a very cozy yet refined vibe. I feel like I've been transported from Cornell to somewhere in a big city. As a student, it's a perfect location to grab a quick coffee/snack when leaving your dorm to go to class. Or it's also a wonderful study space (outlets on the second floor).

Wheelchair accessibility: I'm not sure if there's a wheelchair accessible way to get to the second floor, but the first floor is wheelchair accessible. There are a ton of flat paths outside that lead to Novick's. Even when there are stairs, there are also ramps beautifully crafted into the hillside with very gradual slopes.“

“The sandwiches are actually quite good. I like that it is open for a long time so if I miss the usual lunch time and can still grab something to eat. Also there is rarely much of a queue so it is perfect for something fast. The Big Red Barn also has sandwiches but it takes them longer to make them, in my experience.“

“We used Hope for our October 2022 wedding. We had a very clear vision of what we wanted, incorporating cuisine from both central NY (the bride's homestate) and Michigan (the groom's homestate). With Hope's patience and expertise, she crafted a truly unique and absolutely delicious menu. No exaggeration - every guest raved about how much they loved the food. You will not go wrong in hiring her for your catering. Because of her experience in the area, she was also able to suggest other amazing vendors for drinks and desserts.“

“For a hospital eatery it has great food and choices. The soups and chilli are very good. They won the chilli contest years ago. Prices are very fair. Usually a salad buffet. Fantastic onion rings! It can be cold most days. Sit by the windows in the sun.“

“For a quick pop coffee cafe, this is the spot. Rusty’s offers Starbucks products and sizes, getting coffee or lattes it’s worth the money for the size compared to other cafes on campus.Rusty’s also offers self-served pastries, pre-made sandwiches, and cold beverages. Service is quick and efficient.“

“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.“

“Located on the Cornell University campus, The big red Barn is a wonderful meeting place for graduate students and exhibits. The parking lot offers a stunning view of Cornell's watchtower and landscape. Indoors is a cafe and plenty of room to stretch out with tables and chairs sofas and nooks here and there to settle in or visit friends. Housed in a renovated Barn the building has an old-time ambience that is accentuated with some new architecture that blends with the building seamlessly. The building is surrounded by lovely gardens.“

“Great coffee, great music, hot baristas. Also love the new setup.“