Restaurants in Ithaca, NY

Ok, I'm sorry, but all these people are recommending good, but not great restaurants. If you're taking a girl out, and you're only in town for a night, do it right: The Heights Cafe. Trust me. It's expensive, formal to the point where you'll need a jacket, but my god, it is probably the best food in Ithaca. I've had most of their menu after living in Ithaca for 17 years, and truth be told, I have never not gotten laid after taking a date there. It's a great mix of Italian and American, with the occasional Asian or Middle Eastern influenced special. Really though, if price doesn't matter, don't shortchange yourself. All the Commons restaurants (Ale House, Simeon's, Madeline's, Sushi Sake, Just a Taste, Mahogany Grill, etc.) are ok, but the Heights Cafe is in a whole different strata.

If you are going for Chinese/Japanese/Korean Asian, definitely [Asia Cuisine](http://www.yelp.com/biz/asia-cuisine-ithaca). Small place with little ambiance, but their food is *amazing* and the folks who own the place are super nice. They do Sushi, Korean, and Korean-style Chinese. For Thai, do NOT go to Taste of Thai. The owner of that restaurant has been cited for illegal employment practices several times and the food is, at best, mediocre. Hands-down the best Thai place in town is [Thai Cuisine](http://www.yelp.com/biz/thai-cuisine-ithaca) on Meadow Street across from Wegmans. Doesn't look like much on the outside, but the place actually has a really nice, classy ambiance on the inside, the food is great, and it is very inexpensive. Best hidden gem in Ithaca IMO. All of the Indian places in town are kind of teh suck, but a new "fusion" place opened in town this summer called [Mia](http://www.yelp.com/biz/mia-restaurant-ithaca). I haven't been there myself yet, but I have heard great things. [ZaZa's](http://www.yelp.com/biz/zazas-cucina-ithaca) has great food but it is very fancy and expensive. It's the kind of place you take someone on a first date if you really want to impress them or take someone on a business dinner. Not really a good "hang out with a friend" kind of place IMO. [Ithaca Ale House](http://www.yelp.com/biz/ithaca-ale-house-ithaca) if you want burgers and beer. Reasonably priced. [Simeons](http://www.yelp.com/biz/simeons-on-the-commons-ithaca) if you are looking for bistro and ambiance. A bit pricey but a great nice/casual place. Great bar. [Maxie's](http://www.yelp.com/biz/maxies-supper-club-and-oyster-bar-ithaca) is *fantastic*, it's just not in the commons. I grew up in the south and I approve of all the food I've gotten there. They are a bit pricey but it's worth it, and the restaurant itself is a neat place. Take your friend to [Stella's](http://www.yelp.com/biz/stellas-cafe-ithaca) afterward for coffee ;)

Keep in mind that several of the biggest restaurants are owned by the same people. Joes, The Boatyard and Ciao are one "group" while Mia, ZaZa, Thai Cuisine, Just a Taste and Madelines form the other. Maxies or the Bandwagon Brew pub would be my top choices for really good food.

Maxies will not disappoint you

jacks grill and rulloffs,

Half my high school went to UConn; it's a great place. I'm a big fan of Plum Tree Japanese Restaurant if you're into that type of food. It's reasonably priced and close to campus. Mahogany Grill is probably a step up, but their menu items have been limited the past few times I've been there. The best food I've had in Ithaca has been from the Taberna Banfi at the Statler Hotel. It's pricey, but it won't break the bank if it's a one time affair.

Sticky Rice, Glenwood Pines, The Rose is a typical american diner type place.

Don't forget the world famous Moosewood! http://dining.14850.com/dining has pretty decent overviews of several of the restaurants mentioned here.

What's your price range, and where will you be? In the commons, I can recommend: Ithaca Ale House - great beer selection, great burgers (NOT a chain) Asian Cuisine - no ambiance, but great food Madeline's - great food, classy, pricey Just a Taste - tapas, trendy, tasty, a bit expensive

Taste of Thai Express is extremely good. They're usually completely swamped on evenings. Cafe Pacific in collegetown is my personal favorite place to eat in Ithaca. It's a bit of a dive but the food is hearty and delicious.

Best burgers in town are at [Ruloff's](http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Rulloff's+Restaurant,+College+Avenue,+Ithaca,+NY&hl=en&cid=11095400711042614286), in my opinion. Ithaca also has good Greek food... [Aladdin's](http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=aladdin's&hl=en&cid=15140712904857113519) has a nice atmosphere, but if you're willing to sacrifice a little atmosphere for some great food, try [Souvlaki House](http://maps.google.com/maps/place?q=Souvlaki+House&hl=en&cid=3896356025576438636).

I'm assuming you have a car then? If yes - I always loved ZaZa's downtown. Maxi's has really good oysters too but they may be expensive now out of season. If you're walking, try Stella's in collegetown or head to the commons and eat at Mahogany Grill. I can give more specific recommendations if you want to specify price / food type.

Ignore WMills4. For Thai: Sticky Rice, as long as you don't mind rugged decor. For Americana: Boatyard grill (used to be better, though). For sushi: Asia cuisine. Burgers? Hit or miss, but Blue stone and Ale house often are ok. Chinese? Forget about it. Madeleines has good desserts, but can't speak to anything else since I haven't eaten their mains since they've changed format. Mahogany Grill is crap. So is Just a Taste. And Viva is NOT Mexican. For Italian, go to Ciao's up by the mall. Their specials are often decent. If you do go to ZaZa's, don't get pasta.

If you're interested in some really good craft beers and delicious American food, Bandwagon Brewpub down in the commons is excellent. I was actually blown away by how good the food was there.

at some point I'm for sure going; https://www.twitter.com/megandfigueroa and https://www.twitter.com/bellmaison know where it is or what it's called! :)

has a great veggie burger & you can find great veggie pastas & salads at https://www.twitter.com/osteriapronto ! Welcome!

Arlos is possibly walking distance from the conference, BBQ Revolution is a bit further

Northstar House is great (upscale pub fare with a nice beer garden), as are Just A Taste (tapas), Mercato Kitchen, Viva Tacqueria (inexpensive Tex-Mex), Saigon Kitchen, Taste of Thai Express (not the one on the Commons, which is currently closed).

Moosewood, Boatyard Grill, Northstar Pub, and Crystal Lake Cafe (at the Americana Winery) are on the list of restaurants with hosts. We'd love to add a few more (with hosts, of course). Please let me know if you have a favorite eatery in the Ithaca area and whether you'd like to host---it's really simple! If you're going to the Leadership Institute, check out the wiki page for Sunday dinner: http://researchandthecommoncore.wikispaces.com/Sunday+Dinner

In Rochester a good, cheap Italian place is Rocky's http://www.yelp.com/biz/rockys-rochester

Anthony's Pasta Bar

I'll have to check. I know for certain I have a menu from the Victoria restaurant, when it was owned by Rose ( Parente) and Joe Natali. Prior to that,it was owned by Mary ( Macera) and Guy Natali.

AND, Studio West Ithaca is a great venue for events and an awesome co-working space!!