Cornell University Guide: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay in Ithaca

50 restaurants, coffee shops, bars, hotels, waterfalls, and campus landmarks near Cornell - built for students, alumni, parents' weekends, graduation, and first-time campus visits.

Skye LevyJuly 2026

Cornell University Guide: Where to Eat, Drink & Stay in Ithaca

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Whether you're an incoming freshman figuring out Collegetown, a current student looking for your next study spot, a parent visiting for the weekend, an alum coming back for Homecoming, or a prospective student touring campus, this guide pulls together the restaurants, cafés, bars, hotels, and campus landmarks worth knowing around Cornell University.

The full collection includes 50 recommendations, all organized into a RoamRecs map you can save and use during your visit.

Best restaurants near Cornell University

One of the best parts about Cornell is that Ithaca's food scene is far better than you'd expect for a college town. Most student favorites cluster around Collegetown, while downtown Ithaca offers some of the city's best restaurants. From iconic college staples to date-night spots worth leaving campus for, these are the places every Cornell student ends up recommending.

Places to check out

Collegetown Bagels

420 College Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

The unofficial Cornell dining hall. Breakfast sandwiches, bagels, coffee, and the place where everyone eventually runs into someone they know.

Things to do

Gola Osteria Restaurant & Catering

115 S Quarry St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

An intimate Italian restaurant tucked just below Collegetown, serving seasonal pasta, seafood, and an exceptional wine list. Worth the short walk from campus for one of Ithaca's best meals.

Things to do

Simeon's American Bistro

224 E State St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A longtime favorite overlooking the Ithaca Commons, serving elevated American fare, seafood, and craft cocktails. A dependable pick for parents weekend, celebrations, or a nicer dinner downtown.

Things to do

The Heights

903 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Upscale American dining overlooking Cayuga Lake. One of the nicest restaurants near campus.

Things to do

Ithaca Ale House

301 E State St Suite 1, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Comfort food, local beer, and a dependable downtown option.

Things to do

Mercato Bar & Kitchen

108 N Aurora St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A cozy downtown Italian spot known for fresh handmade pasta, wood-fired dishes, and excellent cocktails. One of Ithaca's best choices for date nights, graduation dinners, or parents weekend.

Things to do

Best coffee shops near Cornell

Cornell runs on coffee.

Between marathon study sessions, prelim season, and snowy mornings walking up Libe Slope, these cafés become second homes.

Places to check out

Gimme! Coffee - Cayuga St.

430 N Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Arguably Ithaca's best coffee.

Things to do

Café Jennie

135 Ho Plaza, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Located inside the Cornell Store and one of the easiest places to grab coffee between classes.

Things to do

Botanist Coffeehouse

1201 N Tioga St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Beautiful space for studying with excellent espresso.

Things to do

Forty Weight Coffee Roasters

770 Cascadilla St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Worth visiting if you're downtown.

Things to do

Temple of Zeus

232 E Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A Cornell classic hidden inside Klarman Hall, known for great espresso and homemade soups. Equal parts coffee stop, study break, and unofficial campus meeting place.

Things to do

Collegetown Bagels

420 College Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

As much a coffee shop as it is a bagel institution.

Things to do

Best bars near Cornell

Cornell nightlife mostly revolves around Collegetown, with a few downtown favorites mixed in. Thursdays through Saturdays the bars fill quickly, while alumni weekends and graduation bring everyone back to the same familiar spots.

Places to check out

Level B Bar, Lounge, & Dancing

410 Eddy St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

The quintessential Cornell college bar. If you've been to Cornell, you've probably ended up here.

Things to do

Hideaway

409 Eddy St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Another Collegetown favorite known for dancing and packed weekends.

Things to do

Bar Argos

408 E State St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A cozy cocktail bar inside the historic Argos Inn, known for creative drinks and one of the best date-night atmospheres in Ithaca.

Things to do

Liquid State Brewing Company

620 W Green St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Excellent local beer with rotating food vendors.

Things to do

Ithaca Beer Co

122 Ithaca Beer Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

The city's flagship brewery, pouring locally brewed beers with a spacious outdoor beer garden that's perfect for sunny afternoons and visiting families.

Things to do

South Hill Cider

550 Sandbank Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A laid-back cidery just outside downtown, serving small-batch hard ciders with scenic orchard views. A great stop for parents, alumni, or anyone looking to experience the Finger Lakes beyond campus.

Things to do

Parents weekend, graduation, move-in, and Homecoming sell out hotels months in advance. If you're visiting Cornell, booking early matters more than almost anything else.

Hotels near Cornell

Places to check out

The Statler Hotel at Cornell University

130 Statler Dr, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

The iconic on-campus hotel run by Cornell's Hotel School. Easily the most convenient place to stay.

Check availability

Canopy by Hilton Ithaca Downtown

324 E State St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Modern rooms within walking distance of the Commons.

Check availability

The Hotel Ithaca

222 S Cayuga St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A longtime favorite for families visiting campus.

Check availability

Argos Inn - Ithaca's Boutique Hotel

408 E State St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Beautiful boutique hotel inside a restored historic mansion.

Check availability

Hilton Garden Inn Ithaca

130 E Seneca St, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Reliable and convenient downtown.

Check availability

The Dorm Hotel

518 Stewart Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A newer boutique hotel designed specifically with Cornell visitors in mind.

Check availability

Cornell campus landmarks worth seeing

Cornell's campus is one of the most beautiful in the country. Even if you're only visiting for a day, these are the stops you shouldn't miss.

Places to check out

Libe Slope

351 West Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

The iconic hill overlooking Cayuga Lake. Every Cornell student has sat here between classes at least once.

Things to do

McGraw Tower

Tower Rd, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Listen for the famous chimes concerts that happen throughout the day.

Things to do

Cornell Botanic Gardens

124 Comstock Knoll Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

Over 4,000 acres of gardens, forests, and trails surrounding campus.

Things to do

Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art

114 Central Ave, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA

Free admission with incredible views over Cayuga Lake.

Things to do

Beebe Lake

Beebe Lake, New York 14850, USA

Especially beautiful during fall foliage.

Things to do

Flat Rock

397 Forest Home Dr, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA

A beloved swimming hole along Fall Creek where generations of Cornell students have come to cool off on warm fall and spring days.

Things to do

Some booking links are affiliate links — if you book through them, RoamRecs may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which places we recommend.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the best restaurants near Cornell University?

Cornell has one of the best food scenes of any college town. Students love Collegetown staples like CTB, Louie's Lunch, and Plum Tree, while downtown Ithaca is home to standout restaurants like Mercato, Gola Osteria, Simeon's, and The Heights. This guide includes both everyday student favorites and the restaurants worth booking for parents weekend, graduation, or date night.

Where do Cornell students go out?

Most undergraduate nightlife centers around Collegetown, with favorites like Level B, Hideaway, and Rulloff's packed on Thursday through Saturday nights. Graduate students, alumni, and visitors often head downtown for craft cocktails at Bar Argos, local beer at Ithaca Beer Co., or cider at South Hill Cider.

What is Collegetown at Cornell?

Collegetown is the neighborhood immediately south of Cornell's campus and the center of student life. It's where you'll find many of the university's most popular restaurants, coffee shops, bars, apartments, and late-night food spots, all within walking distance of campus.

Where should parents stay when visiting Cornell?

The Statler Hotel is the most convenient option because it's located directly on Cornell's campus. Visitors looking to stay downtown often choose Canopy by Hilton, Hotel Ithaca, Argos Inn, or Hilton Garden Inn, all within a short drive of campus and close to the Ithaca Commons. Hotels regularly sell out for parents weekend, graduation, and Homecoming, so booking early is highly recommended.

What are the best things to do when visiting Cornell?

Beyond touring campus, don't miss Libe Slope, the Cornell Botanic Gardens, the Johnson Museum of Art, Beebe Lake, and the Suspension Bridge. If you have extra time, explore the Ithaca Commons, Buttermilk Falls, Taughannock Falls, or one of the Finger Lakes wineries.

Is Cornell's campus walkable?

Yes. Cornell's campus is large but very walkable, and most students get around on foot. Collegetown sits directly next to campus, while downtown Ithaca is about a 20–30 minute walk or a short drive or bus ride away. The hills are steep, but the views make up for it.

How far in advance should I book a hotel for Cornell graduation or parents weekend?

As soon as dates are announced. Graduation, parents weekend, Homecoming, and move-in weekends are some of the busiest times of the year in Ithaca, and the closest hotels often sell out months in advance. Booking a refundable room early is usually the best strategy.

What are the best coffee shops near Cornell?

Cornell students practically run on coffee. CTB and Temple of Zeus are campus classics, while Gimme! Coffee, Botanist Coffeehouse, and Forty Weight Coffee Roasters are local favorites for studying, meeting friends, or taking a break between classes.

About the creator

Skye Levy

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Published July 2026 Spot something closed or wrong? Report a correction