Alley Cat Cafe
Browncoat Cat Rescue
One of our most common questions is, “Where do the cats come from?”
They come from Browncoat Cat Rescue! AKA, BCR. BCR is a volunteer run organization that focuses on unwanted and abandoned cats in Ithaca and its surrounding areas. Volunteers create awareness within the community, and educate people of the importance of spaying and neutering. By working with committed foster parents, local veterinarians, and members of the community, we can empower feral cat colony keepers, and find loving adoptive homes for rescued cats.
BCR brings adoptable rescued kitties to the cafe, where they can socialize with people and other cats alike, and meet their future forever parent! It’s been a great way to spread awareness of cats in the community, as well as get these little ones the attention and homes they deserve.
The Cafe
Did you know the first ever cat cafe was in Taipei, Taiwan, in 1998? From there it spread to Japan, and quickly became popular since many people live in small homes that can’t house a cat. The concept since then has been popularized in many other countries – from Austria, Scotland, Canada, Australia and much much more! All over the world now, people seek the comfort of cats at cat cafes.
We also have been asked why BCR chose a cat cafe instead of an adoption center. Our mission is to create a sense of community; a place for people to come together with a common interest. Not only do we get cat-lovers, but we get coffee-lovers too! Amazing things happen when the two are combined, and the smiles left on peoples’ faces is so worth it to us. The cafe not only provides delicious drinks & fare, but also supports BCR and its cause.
Angelhearts Diner
Gourmet vegan comfort foods made from scratch.
Capital Corner
One restaurant, two menus. The Capital State Kitchen and Capital Corner Restaurant serves asian cuisine with Chinese and Japanese menu options. The restaurant has a newly renovated dining room with wooden floors as well as a private party room. The Capital State Kitchen and Capital Corner Restaurant serves sushi, teriyaki and tempura dishes. Lunch specials and lunch and dinner Bento boxes are always available. Customers can dine in or take out. Delivery is available.
Collegetown Bagels
It all began with a bagel. Collegetown Bagels, to be exact. For over 20 years, stacks of excellent bagels have formed the foundation of the Brous & Mehaffey stores, now numbering five Ithaca locations.
A family business, Brous & Mehaffey grew from two bagel stores, on College Avenue and Aurora Street. By 1983, CTB Appetizers was in place, as a gourmet deli and full-service catering center focused on fine specialty foods.
Seven years later, the acquisition and renovation of the 80-year-old Ithaca Bakery added both a centrally situated, highly visible and high-traffic location, and a fully equipped bake shop capable of turning out traditional, restaurant-style Italian bread as well as dozens of delicious, creative new artisan breads and pastries.
Today, the stores serve daily waves of Ithacans from every walk of life and dazzles travelers passing through our fair city. Customers find sustenance from a simple cup of good coffee to super sandwiches, exquisite entrées and the most ornate, customized cakes they can imagine. But more, they enjoy an exciting, ever-evolving environment built on good service, tantalizing taste temptations and an ongoing welcome with a local touch and a cosmopolitan vision.
Online ordering and call-ins are available for pickup orders. Make sure that your picking up from the N. Aurora St. location!
Coltivare
Farm-to-table Restaurant | Culinary Education Center | Event Venue. Home to Tompkins Cortland Community College programs in Culinary Arts, Hotel & Restaurant Management, and Wine Marketing. The downtown Ithaca culinary center, special event venue, and farm-to-bistro restaurant of Tompkins Cortland Community College.
Seasonal menus, locally sourced ingredients, and fresh, inventive preparation.
Craft cocktails – Finger Lakes wines – New York State beer
Gorgers Subs
Gorgers, started by brothers Barton and Matthew Diamond, was formed with a desire to use high quality, fresh ingredients to produce an affordable, yet desirable dining option. Subs are served on either an Italian roll or grilled flatbread, both of which are made in house, daily. All of the sauces (some of which use herbs from the owners’ garden) are house-made, without preservatives or high fructose corn syrup.
Gorgers hopes to fill the void in Ithaca’s hot sub market by offering unique options such as Chimichurri, Coconut Shrimp with pickled vegetables and a sweet thai chili sauce, and Chicken Modena which features mozzarella cheese and tomatoes soaked in a balsamic vinegar reduction. Gorgers also roasts fair trade, organic coffee beans, imported from Guatemala.
Gorgers offers free delivery from 1:00pm-9:00pm.
GreenStar Food Co+Op – Dewitt Mall
GreenStar At Dewitt Mall is a cozy downtown natural foods market located in the historic Dewitt Mall. Whether you’re looking for a hot meal, a few vitamins, your week’s groceries or just a cup of tea, GreenStar At Dewitt Mall has you covered!
Ithaca Social Pub & Grille
Jimmy John’s Sandwiches
A sandwich chain with corporate headquarters based in Champlain, IL. Offering take out or delivery service, Jimmy John’s claims to have ‘the world’s tastiest gourmet sandwiches.’ You be the judge.
Now with online ordering available: see link below to place your order.
Just A Taste
Tapas are a Spanish tradition of tasting and sharing a variety of appetizer-size dishes, and Just a Taste has not only perfected this, they have turned it into an art form. An Ithaca favorite, Just a Taste serves up culinary marvels in the form of reasonably-priced sharable plates.
Just a Taste does not take reservations; plan to arrive early and have a pre-dinner cocktail at one of the nearby bars or cafes. It will be well worth the wait and their ever-friendly, professional staff are happy to call you on your cell to let you know your table is ready. The patio out back is one of Ithaca’s best kept secrets – ask to sit outside if it’s a warm evening.
Over 40 wines by the glass. Can’t decide? Try one of their flights.
Mama Said Hand Pies
Made by hand & baked to perfection, our hand pies feature a flaky, golden crust and fillings that celebrate comforting flavors from around the world.
Mia Tapas Bar & Restaurant
Mia Restaurant offers Pan-Asian cuisine, the combination of the ingredients and flavors of several ethnic dishes. Owned by Lex Chutintaranond, one of Ithaca’s top restaurateurs and the founder of some of Ithaca’s most popular eateries – including Just a Taste, Madeline’s, and ZaZa’s Cucina. Mia Restaurant uses local produce, sustainably harvested seafood, and hormone & antibiotic free meats in their delicious Pan-Asian cuisine. Try the watercress and jicama salad with goji berries, the Ahi tuna steak with wakame miso and Japanese mustard sauce, or the fried red snapper Kerala style with southern Indian curry.
Monks On The Commons
A full-service restaurant serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch. Located inside Marriott on the Commons.
Moosewood
Named one of the 20th century’s most influential restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine,
Moosewood has been a driving force in the world of creative vegetarian cooking since 1973. Moosewood, Inc. is a collectively owned business with nineteen members who share responsibilities to run what has grown from a small natural foods restaurant to become a large and diverse company.
Since its inception, Moosewood has published thirteen internationally acclaimed vegetarian cookbooks, and a line of frozen vegetarian dinners, salad dressings and soups that are sold in natural food stores and supermarkets across the country.
With a menu of tasty and nutritious entrees that change daily, Moosewood is known for using only the freshest produce (organic whenever possible), whole grains, beans, soy, quality herbs and spices, and the finest imported or domestic ingredients available. Moosewood serves fresh seafood, great homemade desserts, and offer natural sodas, fresh juices, coffees, beers, spirits, and a good selection of wines from New York State and beyond.
New Delhi Diamond’s
New Delhi Diamond’s offers authentic North Indian cuisine to the Ithaca community. New Delhi Diamond’s is a great place to go when you’re on a budget, or when eating out in a big group. New Delhi Diamond’s has a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere; the daily lunch buffet is a popular spot for both working professionals and students.
‘Diamond’s’ is owned and operated by the Sekhon family who are originally from the city of Ludhiana in the Indian state of Punjab. Preparing authentic North Indian cuisine in the traditional Indian way, many of the dishes are prepared in a tandoor, a traditional Indian clay oven. The menu offers vegetarian, chicken, seafood and lamb dishes, as well as a variety of delicious Tandoori bread flavors.
New Delhi Diamond’s All-You-Can-Eat Lunch Buffett is $7.99 (+tax) and is offered every day.
One Ring Donuts
Features freshly baked, locally made and seasonally inspired donuts. Its donut recipe is actually made with potatoes – giving it a decadent texture that we cannot WAIT to share with you. (yes gluten free! yes vegan! as well as good ol’ gluten-full.)
Pizza Aroma
Located on the corner of Green and Cayuga Street opposite the Tompkins County public library, Pizza Aroma offers delicious gourmet pizzas with a light, crunchy NY style crust. Pizza Aroma offer an imaginative array of combinations; try the potato pie or the chicken ranch pizza. As an extra bonus, they even make vegan pizza with soy cheese.
Estimated delivery time is 45 minutes. There is a minimum of a $15 purchase for delivery. Please see their website below for details on Pizza Aroma’s delivery range.
Sacred Root Kava Lounge & Tea Bar
Sacred Root is Ithaca’s newest nightlife alternative, serving kava – a traditional and relaxing ceremonial elixir from the South Pacific – as well as a diverse selection of organic and local teas, coffees, and RAW desserts.
Simeon’s on the Commons
Simeon’s is an upscale American bistro that provides delectable food to accompany an incredible variety of beverages. Simeon’s serves exceptional cuisine inspired by the seasonal bounty of the Finger Lakes region. Simeon’s has been welcoming guests in a warm turn-of-the-century setting for over twenty-five year.
The Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge
We’re true New Yorkers at heart.
We believe in our soil, the people who grow our food, and the community we feed.
We work hand in hand with local farmers, growers and purveyors to source ingredients that have been the products of genuine care.
We grow the herbs used to garnish your cocktails, and take pride in the spirits we place before you.
We craft our wine and tap beer program to highlight New York’s talented winemakers and brewers.
The result is thoughtful drinks and provisions that pay homage to the state we call home. We want you to taste our food and sip our drinks and feel the spirit of New York pulsing through you.
By embracing homegrown foods, The Greenhouse not only supports New York’s farmers and growers, but it advocates for the larger principles of sustainability.
Know a great purveyor we should partner with? Let us know!.
Viva! Taqueria & Cantina
Founded in 1995, Viva Taqueria brings to Ithaca a California-style taqueria that offers healthy and delicious Mexican food at reasonable prices.
Viva Cantina, a full service restaurant located next door to the Taqueria (take-out), offers margaritas made with fresh lime juice, a huge selection of premium tequilas, Mexican and local beers, and fresh sangria. Viva’s menu features tacos, burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, soups and salads, and more. Items from the Cantina menu are available for takeout in the Taqueria.
Viva does not take reservations. First-come, first-served!
Waffle Frolic
Waffle Frolic specializes in sweet and savory waffles loaded up with an assortment of delicious toppings that change daily. They also carry an array of baked goods with vegan and gluten-free options, and a full espresso bar featuring fair trade certified and bird friendly Coffee Labs Roasters coffee from Tarrytown, NY.
Waffle Frolic serves full breakfasts and late night goodies such as the Viking Donuts and funnel cakes. In addition to waffles, Waffle Frolic offer paninis, soups and salads, and daily specials (savory grilled cheese sandwiches, fried chicken, and homemade turkey chili). On hot summer days, stop by Waffle Frolic for a smoothie or frappe drink.
With ample seating on the upstairs level, Waffle Frolic is a great place to sit and work thanks to their free WiFi service.
Waffle Frolic hosts poetry slams, a free book exchange, and rotating monthly art shows.