food tours ithaca ny

Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tours

Review Highlights

“ (We ended up going back and shopping there.) My only disappointment was Moosewood . ” in 5 reviews

“ Had a wonderful experience visiting the downtown Ithaca food scene with Seth ! ” in 4 reviews

“ Sarah was super friendly, helpful and definitely arranged some great stops for us. ” in 2 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

Ithaca, NY 14850

Serving Ithaca Area

You Might Also Consider

Canal Side Experiences

Canal Side Experiences offers unique accommodations on a clean, clear and healthy waterway. We have kayaks, canoes and a fishing boat for rent. (If you stay with us there is no charge for these. We have a 25 foot diameter Yurt that… read more

in Boat Tours, Rafting/kayaking, Campgrounds

Discover the Ultimate Travel Experience With OurBus Premier Charter Bus Rental Service! Experience Unmatched Comfort and Convenience! Get an Instant Free Quote Today Looking to transport your group hassle-free and in style? Look no… read more

in Travel Services, Buses, Bus Rental

Amenities and More

About the business.

Business owner information

Business Owner

Enjoy local cuisine on a guided walking tour of Ithaca's unique restaurants. During a three-hour culinary adventure, satisfy your appetite for inventive and delicious food while getting a taste for our town's history, culture, and architecture. …

Ask the Community

Ask a question

Yelp users haven’t asked any questions yet about Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tours .

People also searched for

Public Transportation

Specialty Food

Foodie Spots

Walking Tours

Recommended Reviews

• 1 star rating Not good
• 2 star rating Could’ve been better
• 3 star rating OK
• 4 star rating Good
• 5 star rating Great

Select your rating

Overall rating

Ithaca Is Foodies was arguably one of he best food tours that I've ever had the pleasure of attending. Our guide Seth showcased Ithaca's diverse food scene (a lot of which was locally sourced fare, which was super impressive) while tying in interesting historical facts about the city of Ithaca--which was totally unexpected but definitely well received among the group as well as very much appreciated. A decent bit of walking, which was fine, but it's good to point out for our less mobile friends looking to partake. At every stop we had small drink and food portions, which after the 2-3 hours I was relatively full, which is always nice after completing a food tour. We started off at Moosewood Restaurant and worked our way through the Ithaca Commons to 6 total different spots, stopping along the way to point out fun facts about certain areas, murals, general historical tidbits as well as highlighting local business practices that may not be commonplace elsewhere (did you know that Ithaca commonly uses a "Collective" business model versus the generally practiced "Cooperative" business model, where individuals in charge share equal responsibilities/shares and others are welcome to work their way up through work efforts and such). I'm sure the general order/selection of restaurants rotates given time of year and availability so I won't go into much detail about where we went here, but all of the choices were awesome and accompanied by narration from either Seth or the owner of the restaurant about the food we were enjoying as well as a small history of the establishment. Overall a wonderfully thorough tour that left me wanting to know more about the city of Ithaca and it's quite interesting history. Would highly recommend to anyone visiting the Finger Lakes Region!

See all photos from Rachel H. for Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tours

Traveled to Ithaca for a conference and came in a day early to explore. So glad I did, and so glad my co-worker found this tour. Our tour guide (believe her name was Kathy) was fantastic and the tour included some really great spots. Moosewood, Ten Forward Cafe, Luna and Monks were really fantastic. Mama Said Hand Pies...wow. By far the tour favorite. All kinds of deliciousness - try their version of a Welsh Rabbit. We also stopped at F. Olivers and that was amazing too. At the end of the weekend, I left with a few bottles of olive and balsamic, which will be perfect gifts. Highly recommend - great food, and a great way to check out Ithaca.

We moved to Ithaca about 8 months ago and haven't gotten to explore downtown as much as we would like. This is a great cross section of what The Ithaca food scene is like. Highly recommend this tour for anyone

Mild disappointment. Ithaca known for great food and interesting venues. 3 of the 6 stops hit the mark. Moosewood, Ethiopian, and F. Oliver's achieved on both. You could skip Ten Forward, underwhelming Star Trek theme and basic sandwich. Coltivare was an excellent tour and an even better tour guide, but surprised to see basic flatbread as our sample. Ice cream shop was ok but nothing special to make it onto Foodie tour. Not a bad way to spend a day, just needs a little work.

Nov 20, 2018

Hi Chris, Thank you so much for taking the time to write a review! Honest feedback from our guests is incredibly valuable to us and helps to shape our future tours; since you joined us in June we have already implemented a few ways to improve the experience. I have sent an e-mail to the purchaser of your party's tickets to continue the conversation, and we hope you'll join us for one of our other tours should you return to Ithaca again. We look forward to hearing from you! Best, Sarah Barden Owner & Guide, Ithaca is Foodies Culinary Tours

Good tour. I went with a private group and it was a combination of a walking tour of Ithaca Commons and 6 tastings through different restaurants all within walking distance. I got the alcohol drink pairings which I enjoyed. We went to a street food type place, Ethiopian food, two vegetarian food places, a dessert place, and an olive oil specialty place. Would recommend it!!

I did this tour with Sarah in September 2018 for my bachelorette party. Sarah was super friendly, helpful and definitely arranged some great stops for us. You can tell she's built great rapport with other businesses owners in the community and it definitely enhanced our experience. Will definitely do this again when I return to Ithaca!

This tour was such a fun way to spend a Saturday afternoon! There was a great selection of delicious tastings and we also got to learn about the history of the area. Vegetarian options were available too which was nice.

What a great tour! Seth from Ithaca is Foodies! was a great host, filling the day with history, humor, and wonderful food.. All of the food was great, but there were especially noteworthy stops at the legendary Moosewood, a fabulous dessert at Madelines, and also a behind the scenes look at Coltivare,. Coltivare is an excellent example of the vibrant farm-to-table movement in Ithaca and serves as a training ground for the students at the Tompkins Cortland Community College. Make a day of it and join Seth for a fun day filled with yummy food.

We had a great time on our Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tour led by Seth. I was very grateful to Sarah who opened a second time slot so we could all do the tour. We were a group of five lady friends and were joined by another couple so only 7 of us which was perfect. The two favorites stops of the group (though there was discussion on which was THE best) were Mama Said Hand Pies, which was a pop-up vendor in Press Bay Alley (soon to be a store front there ~ congratulations Gabe!) and Hawi Ethiopian restaurant which only one of us had eaten Ethiopian food before. Zach and Mary at F. Oliver's Oil and Vinegars were very knowledgeable and fun. (We ended up going back and shopping there.) My only disappointment was Moosewood. I think I'd built it up in my head so much because of the 3 cookbooks I have that the real thing just didn't measure up. We were served small two soups that were luke warm, although the mushroom one was very flavorful; and a soba noodle salad that was so spicy only one of the seven of us enjoyed it. What we all did like there however was the Jaywalker Black Diamond hard cider, snapping pics of the label so we could look for it at home. Sweet Melissa's hard icecream was tasty but I'm spoiled as we have some amazing ice cream places at home. Seth was a great host and tour guide. He was very knowledgeable and personable. I'd highly recommend this tour.

Great way to experience a variety of restaurants and different foods! Would definitely recommend doing this tour! Loved it!

23 other reviews that are not currently recommended

Collections Including Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tours

People Also Viewed

Experience! The Finger Lakes, LLC

Screech Owl Tours

School’s Out Charters

1890 House Museum

Silver Thread Vineyard

Stone Bend Farm & Lodging

Schooner Excursions

Southern Tier Balloon Tours

Lime Hollow Nature Center Visitor Center

John Joseph Inn and Elizabeth Restaurant

Best of Ithaca

Things to do in Ithaca

Browse Nearby

Restaurants

Bike Rentals

Other Food Tours Nearby

Find more Food Tours near Ithaca Is Foodies Culinary Tours

Related Cost Guides

Town Car Service

222 South Cayuga Street • Ithaca, New York 14850 • (607) 272-1000

Ithaca is Foodies - Culinary Tours

Year-round food tours encourage visitors to rediscover their five basic tastes while exploring Ithaca’s most beloved restaurants and notable landmarks. Between scrumptious samplings, guests will be treated to an expert guide’s knowledge of Ithaca’s history and culture, as well as their love for Ithaca’s historic sites, architectural gems, and public art. The food tours are family-friendly, and do not exceed a one mile radius. Visit the Ithaca is Foodies website here for tickets and details. 

• 757 Warren Rd. #3945, Ithaca, NY 14850
• 5.5 miles from the hotel, 13 min. drive
• Tours offered year-round

Join our Mailing List for news & Offers:

• About The Downtown Ithaca Alliance

• Do Business

Downtown Ithaca Gift Card • Areas to Explore  •   Entertainment & Attractions  •  Parking & Transportation  •   Accommodations

Downtown ithaca is host to an impressive array of events, activities, and exhibitions, 
including the city’s many festivals which flood the spacious venue sometimes spilling out 
onto the adjacent streets., every season offers exciting entertainment opportunities. catch a film at cinemapolis, a 
distinctive and independently-owned movie theatre; or see a performance at the beautifully renovated and historic state theatre., touted in the new york times as one of america’s “best emerging cities,” ithaca is unquestionably the ideal playground for all., check out our new page, "holidays in downtown," for updates on all the great things happening in downtown ithaca during the holiday season  , areas to explore, with a variety of unique neighborhoods to explore, the opportunities to discover downtown are endless.

NEW! Free Community Wi-Fi

Enjoy FREE Community Wi-Fi outdoors on the Commons. Connect on your device via the Downtown Ithaca Free Wifi Network!

More Information

Entertainment & Attractions

From sold-out headline shows at the historic state theater, to art house theater productions, to local live music and a vibrant nightlife, there's no end to the entertainment downtown ithaca has to offer take a walking tour, explore our infamous waterfalls and gorges, or extend your experience beyond downtown to experience the finger lakes..

State Theatre

107 W. State St. | (607) 277-8283

Ithaca's Historic State Theatre had its opening night on December 6, 1928. The building dates to 1915 and was originally an automobile garage and showroom. Today the 1600 seat State Theatre offers a calendar of events featuring performances of nationally recognized performers, outstanding regional groups, dance companies and theatre troupes. With the non-profit theatre's dedication to historic preservation, the building continues to be renovated while hosting dozens of events each year.

See a Show  

Cinemapolis

120 E. Green St. | (607) 277-6115

Where can you see more Oscar winning films plus all of your favorites? At Cinemapolis, Ithaca's independent first-run movie theater. Cinemapolis hosts evening movies plus Saturday and Sunday matinees. The theater also features an array of special events. Check the website for details. Cinemapolis has been a staple in Ithaca's downtown community for 25 years. In 2009, Cinemapolis opened its doors to a brand new, stadium seating theater with great success. The combination of beautiful space and new programming has made it Ithaca's premier movie theater. Their unique concessions include the best popcorn in Ithaca as well as baked goods, and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Cinemapolis is located at 120 East Green Street in the Green Street parking garage complex.

Catch a Film  

Kitchen Theatre

417 W. State St. | (607) 273-4497

With a full lineup of productions, the Kitchen Theatre is, "Bold, Intimate, and Engaging". The Kitchen Theatre challenges the intellect, excites the imagination, informs, and entertains. The Kitchen Theatre Company nurtures a community of diverse artists and brings excellent art to the Ithaca community.

Hangar Theatre

801 Taughannock Blvd/Rte 89 | (607) 273-8588

The Hangar Theatre is a professional regional theatre that opened in 1975, in a renovated municipal airport hangar. The Hangar Theatre is located just 2 miles from downtown Ithaca on Route 89 at the Treman Marina entrance of Cass Park.

Catch a Show  

Cayuga Chamber Orchestra

110 North Tioga Street, Suite 302 | Ithaca, NY 14850

Officially designated as “Ithaca’s Orchestra” the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra has been sharing vibrant, live classical music for all ages since 1976.  In addition to an Orchestral Series, Chamber Music Series and free Family Concert & Storytime events, the CCO offers a Youth Orchestra program, Diversity Fellowships, and the award-winning Willard Daetsch Youth Outreach Program.

Ithaca Murals

Ithaca Murals is a network of people transforming gray walls into beautiful meaningful works of art that tell stories of the diverse people who live here and what we care about

For a mobile walking tour of art downtown download the Free Pocketsights Mobile App to your smartphone.

Carl Sagan Planet Walk

Center of the Ithaca Commons - Sciencenter

The Sagan Planet Walk, a scale model of the Solar System, is named in memory of Carl Sagan, a respected scientist and member of the Ithaca community for nearly 30 years. The Sagan Planet Walk seeks to inspire wonder about the immense scale of the cosmos and our precious and fragile relationship with it. The model, at 1 to 5-billion scale, just exactly fits in the 1,200-meter distance between the Ithaca Commons and the Sciencenter.

Discover the Planet Walk  

Ithaca is Foodies Culinary Walking Tours

www.ithacaisfoodies.com  | (607) 272-4830

Delve into the heart of Downtown Ithaca on a guided walking food tour! During a three-hour culinary adventure, enjoy inventive and delicious food paired with a local's knowledge of Ithaca's history and culture.

Find Your Tour  

Experience the Finger Lakes

experiencethefingerlakes.com  | (607) 233-4818

Experience! the Finger Lakes offers guided t ours and events around the Finger Lakes.  Tours features exquisite wines, farm-fresh cuisine, stunning lakes & waterfalls throughout the Finger Lakes region.  Book a tour during your visit in Ithaca, tours can even be booked leaving from Downtown Ithaca

Discovery Trail

Cayuga Nature Center

8 world-class locations in Ithaca connecting science, nature and culture. Cayuga Nature Center, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Cornell Plantations, The History Center, Johnson Museum of Art, Museum of the Earth, Sciencenter, Tompkins County Public Library.

Discover the Trail  

The all new Tompkins Center for History and Culture is a vibrant cultural destination on the Commons in downtown Ithaca, NY delivering engaging multimedia exhibits and program experiences on local and regional history.

It is located at 110 N. Tioga Street on the Commons, right in the heart of downtown.

Where to Stay

Lodging options abound in downtown Ithaca, with great stays at locations such as the historic William Henry Miller Inn, the 10-story Hotel Ithaca, the newly built Marriott on The Commons, or the downtown Hilton Garden Inn. Quality accommodations in the surrounding area run from cozy bed & breakfasts - many within easy walking distance to the center of downtown - to comfortable hotels that offer the latest in services and amenities you want at the value you expect.

Downtown Ithaca Living & Staying Tour

Explore inside some of the best places to stay overnight during your visit to Downtown Ithaca.

Take a virtual tour inside the hotels and see the luxe options with shops and dining right outside your hotel!

Waterfalls: Ithaca is Gorges!

Getting around, public transportation.

Tompkins County Consolidated Transit (TCAT) provides regularly scheduled bus service throughout downtown and Tompkins County. The main downtown bus stops are located on the southern and northern sides of the Ithaca Commons at the Green St. Station and the Seneca St. Station .

A convenient shuttle route (the #10 line) takes passengers to and from Cornell University every ten minutes between 7:30am and 8:00pm Monday - Friday. The shuttle departs from the Seneca St. station, located at the corner of Seneca and N. Tioga .

Where to Park

Free parking: On weekdays, 8:00pm – 3:00am in the garages and 6:00pm – 3:00am on the street.

All day Saturdays & Sundays except when special event parking rates inside the garages apply.

The Green Street Garage is closing mid-March 2021 for reconstruction.  Learn more about the project   HERE .

• Seneca Street Garage
• Cayuga Street Garage
• Valet Parking Downtown

A versatile way to shop. Accepted in over 100 stores, restaurants, and services in the Downtown Ithaca district. Cards can be purchased online and make a great gift for locals and visitors.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates from downtown Ithaca.

Newsletters Weekly E-News Gallery Night Newsletter GO ITHACA transportation Newsletter

You have Successfully Subscribed!

Ithaca Is Foodies Tour

Finger Lakes Region

by Chris Clemens

The Upstate New York region has a long list of creatives that celebrate our region. There are podcasts, Instagram accounts, blogs, writers, YouTubers, and probably some other platforms that I can’t think of right now. There’s travel experts, history buffs, and plenty of food nerds. Instead of sleeping, these folks are researching the best place to score a fish fry in Skaneateles, or the best coffee in Buffalo, or the best hot dog in Middletown.

We cross paths online regularly, but it’s rare that we all get to explore together in person. Lining up that many schedules for a common free day is an operational nightmare. Against the odds, nine of us from Rochester made it happen, and we caravan-ed to Tompkins County last weekend for an afternoon of hanging with Ithaca Is Foodies .

The duo behind the tour company is Sarah Barden and Seth Wraight. They offer a walking experience with multiple food-centric places around the city. For one ticket price, attendees are guided by a local expert while making stops at various pre-determined eateries. At each location, an item from the restaurant’s menu has been selected in advance. Attendees get a sample portion at each stop to get a sense for what the restaurant is doing with their menu.

Our group began at the Moosewood Restaurant , an Ithaca icon known for their long history of vegetarian dishes. We sampled a couple soups and a seasonal version of their latke before shoving off for the rest of the afternoon.

Each tour is tailored to fit the interests of your group, and for our tour, we included a little bit of local history. Seth pointed out interesting landmarks along the way like the Boardman Home, and the painted electrical box project the city is working on. Walking from place to place is an awesome way to become familiar with a city, and having someone point out things that the average person might miss is a really fun way to explore.

For more from our tour, be sure to check out the folks from Rochester that I was hanging with!

Adam Wilcox of the Democrat and Chronicle on Instagram

Amanda Antinore of the Democrat and Chronicle on Instagram

Chris Lindstrom of Food About Town on his website and Instagram , and you can catch a podcast episode where he talks more about our adventure in Episode 99

Julia Antenucci of Follow Your Fork on Instagram

Linh Phillips of Sir Rocha Says on her website and Instagram

Pete Wayner and Leah Stacy-Wayner of Boomtown Table on the website and Instagram

Stephanie Hanna of Sip and Savour Rochester on her website and on Instagram

By the way, if you love the idea of taking a guided food tour in Rochester, be sure to checkout Boomtown Table’s collaborative effort with Rochester Brainery! They started the Whistlestop Tours last year and will be ramping back up in April. I led one of the tours last year and had a great time, so I’ll be leading a few more this summer. Stay tuned to the Boomtown Table Facebook page for event announcements and information on how to snag tickets!

Chris Clemens is the Founder/Publisher of Exploring Upstate . From his hometown in Rochester, he spends as much time as possible connecting with the history, culture, and places that make Upstate New York a land of discovery. Follow him on Twitter at @cpclemens

Share this:

• Share on Tumblr

Related Posts

5 Unique Things To Find At Sauder’s In Seneca Falls

How Central New York Fueled The Flat Earth Debate

Bergen Water Gardens and lots of Lotus Flowers

“The Upstate New York region has a long list of creatives that celebrate our region. There are podcasts, Instagram accounts, blogs, writers, YouTubers, and probably some other platforms that I can’t think of right now.”

Like clothing brands? 😉

F.A.T. Podcast Episode 99 – Ithaca, Movies and Music | Food About Town April 2, 2018 @ 10:31 am

[…] journey to talk about a few topics that have been going through my head recently. I touched on an Ithaca food tour I went on with a group of Rochester food people, going to the movies on Moviepass and my thoughts […]

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

The Finger Lakes Region has been voted the best wine region in the United States. Plan your trip and discover it for yourself!

Wine Region of the East

Come see for yourself why the Finger Lakes is considered to be the Wine Region of the East as you hop around to over 25 unique wineries on Cayuga Lake . Wine tours depart from various locations throughout Ithaca. You won't want to miss any of the Finger Lakes wineries and tasting rooms along the  Cayuga Lake Wine Trail , the oldest and longest running wine trail in America!

Sip and sample your new favorite wines along the Cayuga Lake Wine Trail.

Wineries Near Ithaca, NY

Near cornell, downtown ithaca restaurants, farm to table, breakfast & brunch.

Experience! Cider, Wine, and Waterfalls Tour

Quick Details

• Clock Duration: 4 Hours
• Users Ages: Ages 21+
• Calendar When: 1 p.m. - 5 p.m.

Cider, Wine, and Waterfalls Tour in Ithaca

This tour is available in three different options:

Shared Tour:  Small, guided experience for up to 6 guests (2-3 different households) with knowledgeable wine professional tour guide. This is the enhanced shared group experience for which we are known, now in an extra small format.

Traditional Private Tour:  The high-quality experience you have come to expect in an E!FLX tour, now available as a private experience for 2-6 people

Premium Private Tour Upgrade:  All the enhanced features of our traditional private tour along with premium tastings at each winery. Tastings will feature limited library and reserve wines not typically offered to the public. You can upgrade your Traditional Private Tour to a Premium Private Tour for an additional $50 per person.

Want to get even more out of your private tour? Premium Private Tours offer the option to have a certified sommelier serve as your tour guide for the ultimate experience!

• Chevron down Itinerary

This tour features three stops around Ithaca – two are home to producers of hand-crafted, boutique-style ciders and wines, and one shows off our favorite Ithaca waterfall.

We visit Black Diamond Farm, home of Black Diamond Cider. The farm has been producing high-quality heirloom, modern and European cider apple varieties for over two decades. Although we only began producing hard cider commercially in 2014, cider making has been a passion of owners, Jackie and Ian, for more than 30 years. When we arrive, Ian, or one of the family, will take you on a tour of their farm and share with you the process of quality cider making. Afterward, enjoy a tasting of their cider. As a special treat, enjoy some local cheese paired with one of the ciders.

Head to  Bet The Farm Winery  where winemaker and founder, Nancy Tisch, along with her husband Kit Kalfs, create small-batch wine that represents the magic of the Finger Lakes region. Their well-balanced, thoughtful wines pair great with food and are also enjoyable on their own.

Our last stop is the spectacular Taughannock Falls or Ithaca Falls. We get up close and personal with either of these awe-inspiring waterfalls, providing the perfect ending to the afternoon. There is a short walk along an unpaved trail to get to the base of the falls, so we encourage you to wear appropriate footwear!

Join us on this tour and get a taste of how good it gets in Ithaca!

• Chevron down What's Included
• All-inclusive, COVID-19 safe, wine tour experience for  2-6 guests 
• Transportation provided in either our well-appointed 14-passenger high-roof Ford Transit or our 6-passenger Mercedes Metris, depending on group size and desired shared or private option
• Tour followed by tasting with the winemaker at the first winery
• Vineyard tour and tasting at the 2nd winery.
• Private, fully-curated, enhanced, tasting experiences at each winery
• An experiential food pairing at each winery
• Added services including water and snacks onboard your vehicle
• Full COVID-19 safety protocol with social distancing, PPE, and sanitizing in place and observed throughout the tour
• Chevron down Departure Locations

The following locations are available for pick up and drop off on our Shared Tours:

• La Tourelle Hotel and Spa, 1150 Danby Road, Ithaca NY
• The Hotel Ithaca, 222 S. Cayuga Street, Ithaca NY

On private tours, we provide custom pick-up and drop-off at your preferred location (additional fees may apply).

• Chevron down Guest Minimum & Maximum on Shared Tours

All Shared Tours require a  minimum of 4  total guests  in order to run the tour at the listed price. These tours will typically consist of 2-3  separate parties joining together in a shared experience, offering exceptional value for couples and small groups.

In the event that the 4 guest minimum is not met, we will contact you one week prior to the scheduled date where you will be offered the following options depending on the number of guests currently booked:

• Take the tour at a semi-private rate when there are three guests who all agree to an additional $35 per guest to run the tour.
• Switch to the Traditional Private Tour when there are only two guests who want to experience at the most personalized level.
• Reschedule the tour for a future date at no penalty
• Cancel the reservation and receive a full refund
• Chevron down Important Information
• Please let us know if you have any dietary restrictions or special considerations, and we will do our best to accommodate.
• All guests are required to verify they have read and understood our COVID-19 Health and Safety Policies and Procedures, sign an Assumption of Risk Waiver, and pass a Health and Safety Screening to ensure the safety to all on board.
• For more information about our Health and Safety Agreement and Screening, please  CLICK HERE

Related Tours

• Users Ages 3+
• Clock 1.5 Hours

Ithaca is Gorges & Waterfalls: Fabulous Falls Driving Tour

Enjoy a narrated driving tour that features majestic waterfall views and colorful tales of the town’s history, culminating in a visit to Ithaca Falls.

• Users Ages 4+
• Clock 4 Hours

Ithaca is Gorges and Waterfalls Tour

This tour combines our two shorter waterfalls and gorge tours into one fabulous day of Ithaca waterfalls and gorges, with beautiful Upstate NY scenery.

CNY Pizza Tour, stop #25: Don’t overlook this lesser-known treasure flanked by two heavyweights

• Updated: Jun. 25, 2024, 10:08 a.m. |
• Published: Jun. 25, 2024, 10:07 a.m.

Jason and Elaine Nash present our deluxe pizza. They own Antonio's Italian Kitchen, our 25th stop on the CNY Pizza Tour. (Charlie Miller | [email protected]) (Charlie Miller | [email protected])

• Charlie Miller | [email protected]

(It’s a debate every Central New Yorker has had at some point: Who’s got the best pizza? This year, we’ll do our best to find out. I’m on a quest to find the best pizza shops in the Syracuse area. Throughout 2024, I’ll visit 50-plus pizzerias. At each, I’ll sample their most popular pizza, or whatever they recommend. As I go, I’ll score each one, and tell readers a little bit about the shop itself.)

More from the CNY PIzza Tour

• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #24: Let Valentine’s prepare your lakeside menu for date night
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #23: Gino & Joe’s will tailor a pizza specially for you
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #22: At Pavone’s, thankfully, it’s the same ol’ same ol’
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #21: Eat here and get gas. Seriously!
• CNY Pizza Tour, stop #20: The kids are alright at this slappin’ pizzeria

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

The best restaurant for Tex-Mex food in Ithaca, according to diners—plus, see the runners-up

Posted: June 24, 2024 | Last updated: June 24, 2024

Highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Ithaca, according to Yelp

Have you ever been in your kitchen, trying to decide what to make, and you're baffled? You open the fridge, and there's just a mish-mash of ingredients that on the surface, perhaps don't feel like they belong together—until you open the fridge for the fourth time and realize the contents aren't changing, so you make them work? That moment? That moment is what Tex-Mex cuisine is—but in the best way possible. It's a delicious mish-mash of cultural influences that came together in a melting pot of flavors that make you feel like you're experiencing something that feels familiar but for the first time.

Tex-Mex, as the cuisine is affectionately coined in the Southwest, is the by-product of what happened when traditional Mexican cuisine combines with things that weren't normally available in the land borders renamed Mexico; more cuts of red meat, cheeses, and far milder chiles that provide more smoke than heat. It found its way into the hearts of the Southwest, eventually spreading around the rest of America.

With that kind of reach, where do you begin when it comes to finding that perfect Tex-Mex dish to make your palate dance? Who has managed to create that just-right blend of smoky spice and cheesy goodness that you've come to know and love of Tex-Mex food?

Stacker did a little of the heavy lifting for you and combed through data on Yelp to put together a comprehensive list of the highest-rated Tex-Mex restaurants in Ithaca. We looked at how many reviews and their average ratings to make sure your guide to Ithaca cuisine is ready. Take a look to see where your new favorite restaurant will be! Note, some of these may have recently closed, so make sure to double-check.

You may also like: Highest paying jobs in Ithaca that require a graduate degree

#9. Chili's Grill And Bar

- Rating: 2.0/5 (60 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 2553 Vestal Pkwy E Vestal, NY 13850 - Categories: Tex-Mex, American (Traditional), Bars - Read more on Yelp

#8. Chili's

- Rating: 2.5/5 (47 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 1624 Clark Street Rd Auburn, NY 13021 - Categories: Bars, Tex-Mex, American (Traditional) - Read more on Yelp

#7. Chili's

- Rating: 3.0/5 (44 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 608 S Meadow St Ithaca, NY 14850 - Categories: Bars, American (Traditional), Tex-Mex - Read more on Yelp

#6. Chili's

- Rating: 3.0/5 (61 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 3691 Erie Blvd E Syracuse, NY 13214 - Categories: Bars, Tex-Mex, American (Traditional) - Read more on Yelp

#5. Chili's

- Rating: 3.0/5 (36 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 3347 Chambers Rd Horseheads, NY 14845 - Categories: American (Traditional), Bars, Tex-Mex - Read more on Yelp

You may also like: Homes for sale in Ithaca at every price point

#4. Little Boomers' Burrito Bar

- Rating: 3.5/5 (75 reviews) - Price: $ - Address: 30 W Market St Corning, NY 14830 - Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex - Read more on Yelp

#3. Garage Taco Bar

- Rating: 3.5/5 (286 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 211 Washington St Binghamton, NY 13901 - Categories: Mexican, Bars, Tex-Mex - Read more on Yelp

#2. The Angry Burrito Company

- Rating: 3.5/5 (18 reviews) - Address: 105 N Lehigh Ave Sayre, PA 18840 - Categories: Tex-Mex, Salad, Tacos - Read more on Yelp

#1. Alto Cinco

- Rating: 3.5/5 (480 reviews) - Price: $$ - Address: 526 Westcott St Syracuse, NY 13210 - Categories: Mexican, Tex-Mex - Read more on Yelp

More for You

Do you get a jolt when you're falling asleep? Here's the reason behind that and other strange bodily reactions.

Lady Gaga Just Debuted Chunky Black Highlights and a Feather Mohawk

'Tallest Women's Basketball Player Ever' Turned Heads in National Team Debut

8 Of The Unhealthiest Canned Beans You'll Find At The Store

Social Security Issues Major Update to Benefits

Spy agency issues urgent warning to billions of smartphone users to avoid being spied on

Here's the average balance Americans held in their 401(k)s at the end of 2023. How does your nest egg compare?

Your socks are showing your age

Scientists unveil optimal age for being alone and avoiding relationships

I quit sugar for 6 months and this is what it did to my face and body

These Are The 7 Things Stroke Doctors Say You Should Never, Ever Do

Tom Hanks and Robin Wright Are De-Aged by Decades in ‘Here' First Look Photos; Robert Zemeckis Reveals the Camera Never Moves in 104-Minute Film

Use Coffee Grounds To Give Tomato Plants A Boost

This maths brain teaser will put your skills to the test

This common trait is a red flag of a toxic boss, says ex-IBM CEO: 'I used to think it was a great skill'

When Companies Ask for Your Social Security Number, Try Saying No

Ice Cream Recall Map Shows 25 States Impacted by Health Warning

'10-foot-tall people' discovered by archaeologists in Nevada cave

I Make This Ground Beef Dinner for My Family When I’m Totally Exhausted

Supreme Court Rejects Religious Freedom Challenge

• Twitter / X
• Readers' Choice
• Food & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Travel Guides

Vote for Toast Tours

USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Best Wine Tour Company

Toast Tours will get you off the beaten path and behind the scenes in California's Paso Robles wine country. The owners of the company have sommelier training and worked as wine guides in Napa, Sonoma, and even Barcelona, Spain, and they offer custom-tailored private tours of the area's top wineries. Toast also gets creative and has tours that take in far more than just the vineyards. For example, they offer a Tin City walking tour, exploring an area that has become home to innovative winemakers.

Toast Tours will get you off the beaten path and behind the scenes in California's Paso Robles wine country. The owners of the company have sommelier training and worked as wine guides in Napa, Sonoma, and even Barcelona, Spain, and they offer custom-tailored private tours of the area's top wineries. Toast also gets creative and has tours that take in far more...   Read More

Photo courtesy of Toast Tours

see all nominees | rules

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

The Experts

Dena Roché is a wellness travel expert who stays...   Read More

Dena Roché is a wellness travel expert who stays on top of trends in the wellness travel space traveling the world on assignment for a variety of luxury lifestyle and travel magazines and online publications. Her travel, spa and lifestyle articles have been featured in Modern Luxury, Robb Report, Great Golf, Destination Weddings & Honeymoons, Life Refined, LuxeBeat and more. She speaks on wellness travel at events like the New York Times Travel Show. Dena is often quoted in media like USA TODAY, The Street and TripIt on the subject of luxury wellness travel.

Jenny Peters

Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los...   Read More

Jenny Peters – aka Jet Set Jen – is a Los Angeles-based freelance journalist, editor and party columnist specializing in travel, entertainment, film, food, wine, fashion and the other good things in life. She is a founding/voting member of the Critics Choice Association, who present the Critics’ Choice Awards every January. Her favorite places to be are on the beach in Southern California playing volleyball, scuba diving with the sharks in warm tropical waters or strolling the streets and soaking in the atmosphere of one of the world's great cities (New Orleans and Florence are her favorites).

Joanne and Tony DiBona

Travel memories may fade over time, but...   Read More

Travel memories may fade over time, but photographs recall those magical moments.

Lynn and Cele Seldon

Lynn and Cele Seldon make up the team that is...   Read More

Lynn and Cele Seldon make up the team that is Seldon Ink and have spent more than 25 years covering all aspects of culinary and travel writing. With a keen focus on the Southeast and a particular love of the Carolinas, they have written dozens of magazine and newspaper articles about the area and have become self-professed experts along the way. Their work has appeared in Southern Living, Taste of the South, The Local Palate, Cruise Travel, South Carolina Living, South Carolina Magazine, TrailBlazer, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Charlotte Observer , various in-flight publications and many AAA magazines. They are also the authors of 100 Things To Do In Charleston Before You Die from Reedy Press. Follow along on their adventures at www.seldonink.com or @seldonink.

Sarah May Grunwald

Sarah May Grunwald is a wine, food, and travel...   Read More

Sarah May Grunwald is a wine, food, and travel writer originally from California She is a certified sommelier and former professor of wine. She gardens and keeps bees in the Roman countryside and has seven rescue dogs and three cats. She leads wine and food tours in Rome and the country of Georgia. She co-owns a Tbilisi food and wine tour company called Taste Georgia. Sign up for her Substack newsletter Contadina , and find her on Instagram at @sarahmaygrunwald and @tastegeorgia .

Tamara Gane

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best...   Read More

Tamara Gane is an expert panel member for 10Best Readers' Choice Awards. She's based in Reno/Lake Tahoe and in addition to USA Today 10Best, her work has been published in Travel & Leisure, Fodor's Travel, The Washington Post, SF Gate, Houston Chronicle, Lonely Planet, and more.

10Best Editors

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,...   Read More

USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.

Leaderboard

• 1. Toast Tours - Paso Robles, California
• 2. Asheville Wine Tours - Asheville, North Carolina
• 3. Cottonwood Wine Tours - San Antonio, Texas
• 4. Cork and Keg Tours - Loudoun County, Virginia
• 5. Pop The Cork Wine Tours - Atlanta, Georgia
• 6. Perata Luxury Tours - Napa, California
• 7. Snake River Wine Tours - Boise, Idaho
• 8. Wine de Roads - Newberg, Oregon
• 9. Black Tie Tours - Newberg, Oregon
• 10. Windsor Wine Tours - Healdsburg, Napa, and Sonoma, California
• -- Check the Full Leaderboard --

Browse links

• © 2024 BuzzFeed, Inc
• Consent Preferences
• Accessibility Statement
• Trending badge Trending

I Went On A "The Bear" Food Tour In Chicago And I Was Completely Shocked At How Delicious Everything Was

I love a good challenge, but my stomach was truly not ready for this.

BuzzFeed Staff

If you've ever seen an episode of The Bear , you probably know it's full of screaming, swearing, delicious food, and Jeremy Allen White .

The show is based in chicago and shows the inner workings of the restaurant industry for people who eat, sleep, and breathe food. jeremy allen white stars as carmy who takes over his brother's italian beef shop after his death and ultimately turns it into a fine dining establishment..

I was a little late to the party but binged the season in record time. As someone who contemplated being a chef for 30 seconds when I was a kid, I found it extremely stressful and pretty accurate. Shoutout to the chef I worked with in high school who forced me to peel garlic for 8 hours.

Recently, I was invited to Chicago to take a Bear- inspired food tour. Since I've never been to Chi-town before, I was excited for the opportunity to not only E-A-T but also take in the sights and sounds of Chicago.

Here I am at the top of Chicago on the Skydeck . This isn't AI folks – it's 103 floors above Chicago and the only thing that separated me from my untimely death was 1.5" of glass.

* BuzzFeed was provided this trip free of charge; however, we were under no obligation to give a positive review.

First things first, we met up with Chicago Food Tours who organizes " Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear -Inspired Food Tour ." The tour highlights some of the restaurants featured in the show and of course includes some delicious eats as part of it. The tour is $129 and lasts about 3.5 hours. You're bussed around the city in a luxurious party bus and guided by a Chicago expert. Our host was Casey and not only does he love Chicago – but he's also an actor who has even auditioned for the show.

I'm including the prices below, but if you're taking the actual tour just know that it's all included in the price of the ticket.

The first stop on our tour had to of course be Mr. Beef – arguably the main character in The Bear . Located in the River North neighbourhood of the city (666 N Orleans St), it looks exactly the same IRL as it does on the show. They haven't let success go to their head either — the only real mention of the show is a newspaper clipping found in the main seating area.

Our guide told us the pilot was shot at Mr. Beef while in subsequent episodes they opted for a soundstage that included an exact replica of the shop.

Enough talking — let's eat! We started with the classic Italian Beef Sandwich ($9.50) that's absolutely smothered in aus jus and served on French bread. I am an absolute sucker for beef sandwiches and I was not expecting it to be so... (pardon my French) moist . They say it's covered in aus jus, but it definitely had a greasy feeling to it as well. That being said, the sandwich was delicious. It's exactly what you expect from a greasy spoon establishment – it was nothing fancy, frilly or out of the ordinary but a good, solid, classic sandwich.

We hopped on the bus and headed over to our second location: Urban Belly at Time Out Market Chicago (916 W Fulton Market). Now this one was a bit of a fake-out because in Season 2, Episode 3 of The Bear, Sydney actually visits Lao Peng You for dumplings. There were about 30 of us on this tour and because Lao Peng You is on the small side, some sacrifices had to be made. A little disappointed, but still hungry — we grabbed our chopsticks and dug into these Caramelized Chicken Dumplings ($12).

These little pockets were filled with chicken and a very sweet and tangy sauce made from lemongrass and soy that was a bit overwhelming at times. Overall, it was good, but maybe ask for half the sauce if you visit. Or just visit the real deal at Lao Peng You.

Next on the docket was Pizza Lobo (3000 W Fullerton Ave). You might remember this location from Season 2, Episode 3 as well, where Sydney grabs a slice from the take-out window. The difference is we were able to sit down on the patio and enjoy our pizza with a ice cold glass of beer. Sorry Syd! And shocker — it's not Chicago-style!

Yes Chicago is known for Chicago-style, but like every big city, they've got an amalgamation of different pizza styles to cater to any palette.

Pizza Lobo's New York style by the slice ($5) is truly my favourite style of pizza. Thinner crust, not too saucy, not too cheesy, and tiny pepperoni that curls when cooking and filled with delicious oil. I hope you put "loves curled pepperoni" on my tombstone.

The downside is that this location is a little bit of a hike if you're staying in more touristy areas of the city. From the Bean, its about a 30 minute drive. But worth it if you're on a food tour and someone else is driving.

Next up on the food tour was a stop at Roeser's Bakery (3216 W North Ave) which was featured in Season 1, Episode 4 of The Bear . At the beginning of this episode, Marcus watches from outside as delicious donuts are being made — eventually using them as as inspiration for his donuts back at the restaurant.

Roeser's has been in business since 1911 so you know you're getting a quality product when you visit. This location was teeny-tiny, so we got our donuts to go. Let me tell you, this was a messy endeavor. I decided to split mine as I was already getting full, and we still had a another sweet stop on the food tour left. Our donut looked exactly like the one Marcus eyes on The Bear . She was hefty with a sugary glaze and sweet strawberries on top. On a normal day I would devour this whole thing, but I'm glad I showed a bit of restraint. Delicious!

The final stop on this officially unofficial food tour was a visit to Margie's Candies (1960 N Western Ave) for a sundae! In Season 2, Episode 3, Sydney visits Margies as the last stop of her very own food tour, so it was only fitting that it was the same for us! Margie's was built in 1921 and it felt like stepping back in time.

Our Hot Fudge Sundae ($8.95) came in the iconic wavy dish, the same one from the episode. It came complete with whip cream, chocolate fudge, a wafer cookie, and of course a cherry on top. When you think of sundaes, this is what you expect. The chocolate and whipped cream is what really elevated this treat for me — the chocolate was creamy and not overly sweet, while the whipped cream really made the whole dish feel a little bit lighter. I loved it.

While that was the end of the scheduled food tour with Chicago Food Tours, there was way more to see and eat. So the next day, we ventured out to try some more restaurants and dishes... all in the name of science.

Just to be clear — everything from here on out is not  included in the "Yes, Chef! Chicago: A Bear -Inspired Food Tour."

First things first, brunch. In Season 2, Episode 3, Sydney visits Kasama (1001 N Winchester Ave) and enjoys some delicious Filipino dishes for breakfast — this is actually where she gets the text that Carmy won't be joining her. One thing we didn't see in the episode? Sydney lining up to get in. We had been tipped off to arrive at least 30 minutes before opening to secure a seat – and I'm glad we did. We were about 20th or so in line and still had to wait about another 15-20 minutes once the restaurant opened to get in.

And I'm not exaggerating when I say this has to be some of the best breakfast food I've ever had. Not only has Kasama won a James Beard Award, but they also have a Michelin Star which I'm finding out in this very moment. Their bakery case is STOCKED with some incredible pastries like almond croissants, cardamom buns and even a salmon danish.

We started with the Breakfast Sandwich ($11) which included longganisa (a Filipino sweet sausage), egg, cheese, and the side hash brown ($3) added to the sandwich just like Syd eats it. This sandwich? 10/10. No, 20/10. It was so good. Everything worked together in perfect harmony. Nothing was overpowering, just very cohesive. And then with the addition of the golden, crispy hash brown in the middle? Truly nothing better. Might be the best thing I ate all weekend.

Next up was the Chicken Adobo ($17) made with chicken thigh, coconut, palapa and garlic rice. On the show Syd eats the mushroom adobo which I'm sure is delicious, but I'm sadly not a mushroom guy. But the adobo I ordered was right up my alley. The chicken was slightly crispy and charred, the garlic rice had just the right amount of garlic, and all of it together was a nice tasty dish. I basically eat chicken and rice on a daily basis, so I knew I was gonna love this.

Then I devoured the Mango Tart ($13) because I'm a sucker for mango. This tasty little number has an oat frangipane base, coconut pastry cream, and of course beautifully sliced and placed mango topped with zingy lime zest. Now I know I already said the breakfast sandwich was my top pick, but maybe I need to change things? Writing this is making me wanna plan a trip back to Chicago ASAP. It was just so light, bright and tasty. I loved it.

Finally — you can't come to Chicago without checking out a more fine-dining establishment – and boy did I have a doozy of a location to check out. The next and last step on our Bear food tour had to be Ever (1340 W. Fulton St.) Ever is a two-Michelin starred restaurant by Chef Curtis Duffy. It was featured in Season 2, Episode 7 of The Bear called "Forks". In this episode, Richie staged at Ever and eventually found his love for fine dining. You might remember when he began his shifts by just polishing forks. I'm happy to report I didn't have to polish any forks.

Just so you know I was paying attention to the server, not just scrolling through my phone. I was taking video of the pour, just like all good foodfluencers do.

Now I'm not going to go through every single dish that I had on the menu, because it was a lot and the dishes are constantly changing. The menu consisted of 10 dishes from their tasting menu and it was $325. $325!!!!! Now I'm trying to play it cool here, because I'm a cool, hip food writer, but that's a lot of dinero.

Luckily the fine folks at Ever and Choose Chicago covered my bill for me. Thank you. Love ya.

I'm not usually a fine dining connoisseur, but there were some standout dishes on this menu. First up was the Scallop with coconut, squash and nasturtiums. Apparently nasturtium is a peppery flower which I really enjoyed. I also loved the stuffed agnolotti pasta, and not to sound super basic and unrefined, but the bread and butter was incredible.

The dessert course was also incredible. There was a rice pudding with different flavoured jells on top, a jasmine tea orb that had a brownie inside, and of course, a big delicious donut with flavoured dips to go alongside it.

Ever was an experience, to say the least. They even took us back to the kitchen to see how it all goes down. I didn't see Richie polishing any forks, however I saw a kitchen that was run with military precision all while remaining eeeerily quiet. If you ever seen a restaurant kitchen, or even walked by one, you'll know they are a hotbed for noise (Exhibit A: any kitchen scene on The Bear ), but in Ever there was just complete silence.

They apparently hacked some of the kitchen appliances so that they don't produce any noise, which is incredible, really. Shout out to Chef Curtis Duffy and the team for the incredible service. Also shout out to Matthew McConaughey , whose narrated audio book plays in the washroom. 

And while these aren't Bear- specific restaurants, I also had great meals at Indienne (217 W Huron St.) which is a Michelin-star Indian restaurant, and Lou Malnati's (multiple locations) where I had to have a classic Chicago deep-dish. I also visited Avec for another delicious brunch; however, this wasn't the location featured on the show.

And that completes my world record of eating in Chicago (someone at Guinness gimme a call). If you're ever in Chi-town please give any of these establishments a try! Even if you don't end up on the "Yes Chef!" food tour you can still visit each of these places and live like Carmy, Syd or Richie any day of the week.

And if you didn't know already, the bear season 3 premieres june 27 on fx and disney+ in canada. and follow buzzfeed canada on instagram and tiktok for even more food content, share this article.