The best cafes in Ithaca

3 cafes we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Cafes · 3 places · showing the latest additions first

The Waterfront Cafe

Cafes

The Waterfront Cafe is your grab-and-go-plus-chill spot for smoothies, acai bowls, avo toast, wraps and grain bowls built with seasonal,…

310 Taughannock Blvd

“The Waterfront Cafe is your grab-and-go-plus-chill spot for smoothies, acai bowls, avo toast, wraps and grain bowls built with seasonal, locally minded ingredients. Watch the Cayuga Inlet while you sip Ithaca Coffee Company brews, then check their monthly specials this week for a little delicious routine upgrade.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 24, 2026

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Coal Yard Cafe

Cafes

Ithaca’s Coal Yard Cafe turns breakfast into a small adventure with shakshuka, cheddar grits bowls, and the legendary Flap Quacks, aka duck…

143 Maple Ave

“Ithaca’s Coal Yard Cafe turns breakfast into a small adventure with shakshuka, cheddar grits bowls, and the legendary Flap Quacks, aka duck confit on johnny cakes with local YBF Farms maple syrup. Swing by this week when you’re craving comfort that still feels a little clever.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 11, 2026

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Alley Cat Cafe

Cafes

Alley Cat Cafe is a legit mood booster, pouring good coffee and tea, stacking vegetarian sammies, pastries, and vegan options, and inviting…

112 N Cayuga St

“Alley Cat Cafe is a legit mood booster, pouring good coffee and tea, stacking vegetarian sammies, pastries, and vegan options, and inviting you into a separate cat room to hang with adoptable felines from Browncoat Cat Rescue. When the week feels heavy, go pet a purr machine and reset.”

From the Finger Lakes newsletter, August 19, 2026

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