Where to Eat in Finger Lakes Wine Country
The Best Restaurants in Ithaca NY
Ithaca, New York sits at the southern tip of Cayuga Lake, surrounded by working farms, vineyards, and creameries, so it makes sense that the best restaurants in Ithaca lean hard into fresh, seasonal ingredients. This college town has a food and wine scene that rivals anywhere else in the Finger Lakes, with everything from lively spots for craft cocktails to quiet tables for a romantic date night. Whatever the occasion, the best restaurants in Ithaca NY cover every mood, and we have gathered our favorites below to help you plan a night out during your wine country getaway.
Of course, great food is only part of what makes a trip to this corner of the Finger Lakes memorable. Once you have worked up an appetite, the region offers waterfall hikes, award-winning wineries, and small towns worth a slow afternoon, all within a short drive of downtown.
Favorite Restaurants in the Ithaca Commons
Ask us for the best restaurants in Ithaca and Modern Ohana tops the list these days. It is run by the team behind the longtime local favorite Mix Kitchen and Bar, now reimagined around Pacific Rim and Asian fusion flavors, tropical cocktails, and a lively, family-friendly room. It serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it works for a casual lunch stop or an evening out.
For Southern comfort food with a Louisiana twist, Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar is one of the most distinctive restaurants on the Ithaca Commons. Expect fresh-shucked oysters, shrimp and grits, jambalaya, and a raw bar regulars keep coming back for, all served in a colorful room with live music on many nights.
Ithaca Beer Company rounds out the Commons with wood-fired dishes and award-winning beer in a relaxed setting, while The Heights offers a lovely patio and locally sourced American fare right in the heart of downtown Ithaca. For something smaller, The Rook is a cozy choice for fried chicken and shareable plates.
Where to Go for a Romantic Date Night
If Italian is more your speed, Gola Osteria remains one of the best restaurants in Ithaca, NY for date night, with scratch-made pasta, house-made mozzarella, and a wine list built around Finger Lakes and Italian bottles. Cent Dix, a Parisian-style cafe downtown, is another favorite for an intimate meal, especially for classic French dishes like moules frites paired with a glass of wine. And for a true local institution, Moosewood Restaurant has served inventive vegetarian food for decades and is worth a visit even for guests who do not usually gravitate toward meatless menus.
Your Home Base for a Finger Lakes Wine Country Getaway
Before you start making dinner reservations, lock in your lodging first. Inn at Gothic Eves is a Finger Lakes Boutique Hotel in the village of Trumansburg, just 10 minutes from downtown Ithaca and a short drive from the Cayuga Lake and Seneca Lake wine trails. Their eight guest suites are each named for a wine or lake found throughout the region.
Mornings start with a farm-to-table breakfast made from local, organic ingredients, and evenings end with time in our outdoor hot tub or a session in the infrared sauna in the on-site spa.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best restaurants in Ithaca Commons?
Modern Ohana, Maxie’s Supper Club and Oyster Bar, Ithaca Beer Company, and The Heights are among the top picks for dining in the Ithaca Commons, with options ranging from Asian fusion to Southern comfort food.
What are the best Italian restaurants in Ithaca?
Gola Osteria is one of the top Italian restaurants in Ithaca, known for scratch-made pasta, house-made mozzarella, and a wine list focused on Finger Lakes and Italian selections.
Are there good vegetarian restaurants in Ithaca, NY?
Moosewood Restaurant is Ithaca’s best-known vegetarian restaurant, serving inventive meatless dishes that have drawn visitors for decades.
Where should I stay to be close to the best restaurants in Ithaca?
Inn at Gothic Eves in nearby Trumansburg is about 10 minutes from downtown Ithaca, making it an easy home base for a wine country getaway built around the area’s best restaurants and wineries.