A College Kid’s Guide to Ithaca
My name is Lily Kalish, and I’m a freshman at Cornell University in the College of Arts and Sciences. I only started my adventures in Ithaca, NY, about two months ago—in the age of coronavirus nonetheless—so this will be updated frequently as I continue to explore all that this quintessential college town has to offer.
Collegetown Staples
Cornell wouldn’t be Cornell without Collegetown Bagels. This place is packed on weekends, and for good reason. Their seemingly infinite sandwiches, bagel combinations, and coffee/tea flavors simply can’t be beat. Another great brunch spot is Chatty Cathy’s café: their acai bowls are actually to die for. For being so far from the ocean, sushi is really popular here with a bunch of great options. Grab a custom poke bowl and a bowl of miso soup from the state-of-the-art machine at Pokelava, or head down the street to Plum Tree for a sit down meal of Japanese delicacies and seriously good spicy salmon rolls. A few doors down at Kung Fu Teas, grab some bubble tea and enjoy authentic Asian cuisine that you would never expect from little Ithaca, NY. For some Mexican street-style food, head to Dos Amigos and grab some yummy tacos, or check out Luna for a mix of all street food cuisines (personally I prefer the one in the Commons; more on that later), particularly the dreamy mac and cheese and gorgeous sesame chicken pineapple bowl. Feeling like some classics? Collegetown Pizza has some great NY-style slices that make it feel like I’m in the pizzeria from my hometown. There’s Insomnia Cookies down the block from some classic late-night bites, and Wings Over Ithaca has grub that can’t be beat.
The Commons
Ithaca Commons are adorable at any time of the day, any season of the year, and are a short TCAT bus ride from North Campus. Their seemingly endless outdoor dining options during the pandemic are both fun and delicious, with so many restaurants and cuisines sitting in one stretch. Let’s not forget about the shopping and seasonal activities, though! On one block of the commons, there are probably six amazing restaurants. Mahogany Grill has incredible American food with very fast service and drinks that make it easy to order another round. For a more sophisticated bite, head a few doors down to Simeon’s, which has a quieter atmosphere but still the same great taste. Viva Taqueria closes early, but they have a lot of really great healthy options for those who want to avoid the dreaded freshman fifteen. Farther into the Commons, you’ll find Thompson and Bleecker, whose gourmet wood-fired pizza can’t be beat. I’m still drooling thinking about the hot honey and spicy tomato sauce. Coltivare is another great American/Italian option, but on the pricier side. It’s definitely worth it though.
During the fall, the Commons host an Apple Fest, where vendors come and sell apple-themed products all week. I don’t mean Apple computers: apple cider donuts, freshly picked fruit, etc. Honestly, you won’t find better apples anywhere in the world than upstate New York, and the fall tradition of apple picking is taken very seriously here.
Not in the mood for food? No problem. Head to Trader Kay’s, a thrift store, to find some designer goods and vintage tees, or the countless Ithaca boutiques dotting the street. If you want something more mainstream, there’s an Urban Outfitters located right in front of the bus stop, and of course the Commons Cornell Store. There are more chain stores as well as a Salvation Army scattered around Ithaca.
Ithaca Hot Spots
Before classes start, you have to head to Second Dam and spend the day on the rocks, jumping from the cliffs into the warm water of Cayuga Lake. Make a Saturday out of it and bring friends and music, but be ready for the hike back to the car. Of course, a weekend is not complete without a trip to Sumo Sushi and Hibachi. It’s not that the food is amazing, but the hibachi chefs know how to make it an experience to remember. Whether it be spraying sake in your mouth or sharing a scorpion bowl with a friend, Sumo never disappoints. North of Cornell Campus is another great restaurant, Agava. This southwest-inspired restaurant makes every meal an experience, with many healthy options and a very expansive drink menu. The sangria and margaritas are amazing and pair perfectly with an empanada flight, taco plate, or grain bowl.
A great weekend spot to hit up while the weather is still warm is the Ithaca Farmers Market. The line is long, but SO worth it. Vendors sell every type of food, pastry, fruit, and vegetable imaginable, as well as artisanal coffee and jewelry. My friends and I shared a falafel gyro, banana nutella crepe, breakfast burrito, and apple cider donuts last time we went, and I can confidently say everything was a 10/10. Down by Ithaca College, there is the cutest breakfast spot called Sunset Grill. Pancakes, waffles, and eggs galore, but make sure to stop at Wegman’s on your way back to campus and pick up some healthy snacks for the dorm room, because after all the eating you’ll be doing, you’ll need them.
