Highest-rated restaurants in Ithaca by diners
Humans are creatures of habit. We tend to stick to our morning routines, rewatch movies we've seen time and time again, and hit up the same tried-and-true restaurants when going out for a meal. In fact, 35% of Americans said they rarely, if ever, try a new restaurant they haven't been to before, and 5% say they never do, according to a survey of more than 2,600 diners from TouchBistro.
But those numbers look quite different when you focus on younger generations—56% of Gen Zers and 47% of millennials in the U.S. say they visit new restaurants once a month or more. When it comes to deciding which new restaurant to try, younger generations are also more likely to rely on online reviews, through sites like Yelp or Google or from social media. The TouchBistro survey found that 71% of Gen Zers and 72% of millennials have opted to try a new restaurant solely because of favorable reviews online.
Some of the best restaurants in your neck of the woods might be those established spots that customers have been visiting for decades, but some may be brand new. More than 10,000 new restaurants opened in 2023, up 5.7% from 2022, according to a report from BentoBox. The states that saw the most new restaurants open up in 2023 were Florida, Texas, California, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, but new locales are popping up all over the U.S.
To help you determine which spots—both new and long-standing—to try out, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated restaurants in Ithaca, according to Yelp reviews from diners as of January 2024. Only restaurants with at least 20 reviews were considered. Read on to find some inspiration for the next time you dine out.
Note: The photos in this article are stock images and do not necessarily reflect each restaurant listed.
#30. Maxie's Supper Club & Oyster Bar
- Rating: 4.0/5 (455 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 635 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Cajun/Creole, Seafood, Southern
- Read more on Yelp
#29. Lincoln Street Diner
- Rating: 4.0/5 (138 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 309 East Lincoln St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Diners, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#28. Mercato Bar & Kitchen
- Rating: 4.0/5 (167 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 108 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Italian, Wine Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#27. Saigon Kitchen
- Rating: 4.0/5 (721 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 526 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Vietnamese
- Read more on Yelp
#26. Creola Southern Steakhouse
- Rating: 4.0/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 112 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Southern, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#25. Tian Jin Foods 天津小吃
- Rating: 4.0/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: 171 East State St. Ste 136 Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Chinese, Food Stands
- Read more on Yelp
#24. Zocalo Mexican Bar & Grill
- Rating: 4.5/5 (71 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 40 Catherwood Road Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Mexican, Bars
- Read more on Yelp
#23. Coal Yard Cafe
- Rating: 4.5/5 (127 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 143 Maple Ave. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Breakfast & Brunch, New American
- Read more on Yelp
#22. Temple of Zeus
- Rating: 4.5/5 (22 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: Goldwin Smith Hall Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Cafes
- Read more on Yelp
#21. The Rook
- Rating: 4.5/5 (149 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 404 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: New American, Cocktail Bars, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp
#20. Maru Ramen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (251 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 512 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Ramen, Bars, Soul Food
- Read more on Yelp
#19. Louie's Lunch
- Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 500 Thurston Ave. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Pizza, Sandwiches, Food Trucks
- Read more on Yelp
#18. Paris Baguette
- Rating: 4.5/5 (26 reviews)
- Address: 125 East State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Bakeries, Coffee & Tea, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#17. MIX Kitchen & Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (422 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 205 Elmira Road Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Tapas/Small Plates, Cocktail Bars, Steakhouses
- Read more on Yelp
#16. Thompson and Bleecker
- Rating: 4.5/5 (164 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 220 East State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Pizza, Wine Bars, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#15. Gorgers Subs
- Rating: 4.5/5 (275 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 116 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Salad, Soup, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#14. Hound and Mare
- Rating: 4.5/5 (60 reviews)
- Address: 118 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#13. Franco's Pizzeria
- Rating: 4.5/5 (125 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 527 West State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Pizza, Italian
- Read more on Yelp
#12. Silo Food Truck
- Rating: 4.5/5 (27 reviews)
- Address: 620 West Green St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Food Trucks, Comfort Food, Breweries
- Read more on Yelp
#11. Lev Kitchen
- Rating: 4.5/5 (63 reviews)
- Address: 222 East State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Middle Eastern
- Read more on Yelp
#10. Hakacha Restaurant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 311 3rd St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Ramen, Pasta Shops
- Read more on Yelp
#9. Cornell Dairy Bar
- Rating: 4.5/5 (146 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 411 Tower Road Stocking Hall - Department of Food Science Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#8. Allechant
- Rating: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
- Address: 903 Hanshaw Road Ste 13 Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Cafes, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#7. Angelhearts Diner
- Rating: 4.5/5 (64 reviews)
- Price level: $$
- Address: 401 East State St. Ste G2 Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Vegan, Diners, Comfort Food
- Read more on Yelp
#6. Brewer's Cafe and Taproom
- Rating: 4.5/5 (48 reviews)
- Address: 1384 Dryden Road Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, American, Beer Bar
- Read more on Yelp
#5. Le Cafe Cent-Dix
- Rating: 4.5/5 (107 reviews)
- Price level: $$$
- Address: 110 North Aurora St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: French
- Read more on Yelp
#4. Dolce Delight
- Rating: 4.5/5 (121 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 1080 Danby Road Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Coffee & Tea, Comfort Food, Breakfast & Brunch
- Read more on Yelp
#3. The Yellow Deli
- Rating: 4.5/5 (21 reviews)
- Address: 143 East State St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Desserts, Juice Bars & Smoothies, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#2. Circus Truck
- Rating: 5.0/5 (43 reviews)
- Price level: $
- Address: 720 West Green St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Food Trucks, Breakfast & Brunch, Sandwiches
- Read more on Yelp
#1. Eta Pie
- Rating: 5.0/5 (45 reviews)
- Address: 1006 West Seneca St. Ithaca, New York
- Categories: Pizza, Salad, Desserts
- Read more on Yelp
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Jaimie Etkin, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 331 metros.
