It’s no secret that the Ithaca Commons has some of the best places to eat in town. After living just a few blocks from the library my whole life, I’ve probably tried every restaurant there (except for BRGR Hub, which I refuse to visit until I get over the devastating loss of Waffle Frolic). Here, I bring you three of my favorite eateries from downtown Ithaca, paired with nonsensical anecdotes about my friends at said restaurants.
Breakfast of Champions: Hound & Mare
Tucked away off the main stretch of the commons is Hound & Mare. The restaurant, located just down the street from Asia Cuisine, specializes in breakfast sandwiches and baked goods. My former co-star and close friend, Hayden Sheley ’24, dragged us into the cafe at nine am, where I ordered a delicious Melrose sandwich (a surprisingly decadent meal, considering it was a simple bagel with egg and bacon). The inside of the restaurant was quite beautiful—brightly lit with ample seating and tons of fresh sweet treats on display. I thoroughly enjoyed my breakfast, and I was very happy to support a local, Asian-owned business.
Cheap Eats: Marrakech
Pizza is easily one of the most classic cost-effective meals, and Marrakech does it the best. Their prices are great, and their pizza is, dare I say, the best on the Commons. I usually pop in for a slice whenever I’m out doing some frivolous shopping, especially with my girl Sage Golden ’26. They usually go for plain cheese, but I like to mix it up with whatever specialty flavors they have (their white pizza is to die for). At this point, I’ve lost count of how many times we’ve gone there together, simply because the pizza is so good. There is some seating in the restaurant, but I prefer to just take some slices and head outside to sit on a bench in the fresh air. The staff there are always very friendly, and it has become a comfort restaurant for the two of us.
Dinner for Two: Sushi Osaka
Sabetha Hersini ’23 and I visited Sushi Osaka before seeing the Barbie movie. Were we dressed in all pink? Yes. Did we have a delicious dinner while in said pink outfits? Absolutely. In the heart of the Commons, Sushi Osaka is one of my favorite places to get classic Japanese cuisine. Usually, I just pop into the restaurant for boba tea, but it’s always nice to get to sit down and take in the atmosphere of the restaurant. All of the staff members are incredibly friendly and the wait time is never too long. Their ramen is delicious, and it’s always such a peaceful place to be in—lively, but never too crowded. I never fail to love every bite of my meals there.
Of course, these aren’t the only restaurants with delicious food on the Commons. Honestly, you could get a satisfying meal in any restaurant you pop into, but these happen to be a few of my favorites. Food is love, so I hope you adore these restaurants just as much as I do.