After 6 years of school in Ithaca, NY, I feel like I am qualified to recognize my top 5 favorite restaurants with clarity and decisiveness. I have eaten a lot of delicious meals in this town and while these are my top picks, this list is not exclusive.
Of note, I am also a pescatarian. However, all but 1 of these restaurants have very yummy meat dishes as well (or so I have heard).
asia cuisine
From the outside, this place doesn’t look like a showstopper. However, Asia Cuisine has the best value sushi in all of Ithaca. It is incredible! It’s packed at dinnertime and they stop taking take-out orders once it’s busy, so go for an early dinner or late lunch to get a table.
My order: miso soup, edamame, spicy tuna roll, alaska roll
bickering twins
Bickering Twins is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Ithaca (which is saying something with the steep competition of Viva and Old Mexico). I recommend doing their tequila/mezcal tasting if they start hosting them again!
My order: house margarita, chips and salsa, garlic shrimp taco plate with black beans on the side
moosewood
This restaurant already has all of it flowers as the Moosewood cookbooks are insanely famous. This vegetarian restaurant has a rotating menu with the seasons that never disappoints. Their cocktails are also excellent.
My order: whatever curry/soup vibes they have on the menu in that season
maxie’s supper club
Maxie’s Supper Club is my favorite splurge dinner in Ithaca. Think graduations, birthdays, and anniversaries. This is the only restaurant that I trust getting raw seafood at in all of upstate New York. Make a reservation ahead of time to secure a table.
My order: 4 raw oysters, cajun-seared ahi tuna, fun cocktail
thompson and bleeker
Ithaca frequenters know Thompson and Bleeker is an iconic Ithaca spot that is nearly impossible to get a table at. Their pizza is insanely good. Either show up early before they open at 5pm and wait in line or order out.
My Order: panzanella salad, CLAM PIZZA (just trust me on this one)
honorable mention: northstar public house
One if my favorite hidden spots to bring people was Northstar Public House. They unfortunately have announced they are closing soon </3 I am hoping deep in my heart that they will find a buyer and continue having really delicious fake-meat meals and creative cocktails. I love you Northstar!!!!!