So, the pros first: coffee is always strong and good, wait isn't terrible for a party of one or two, price isn't terrible, and it's a nice place to go for a quiet breakfast alone (there are plenty of small tables) The not so great: sometimes the servers aren't terribly attentive. It took about 10 after getting my coffee for someone to take my order. Same with the check- after waiting for it to arrive, I was waiting another ten minutes for someone to take it and bring back change. It was a busy Sunday, but it didn't exactly make me feel taken care of. The food- the specials always sound good and look good, and they come out quickly, but they're almost never hot- which is odd, since the kitchen is so close to the dining room. None of the cheese in my omelet was melted today, and my eggs Benedict a week or two ago was similarly lukewarm, on stale toast to boot. I want to give this place another chance, maybe try the sweeter side of the breakfast menu, but really, I would just be happy if my food was hot by the time it got to me. read more

On weekdays, they don't have brunch specials. I ordered the tex mex, which was delicious. They could have given more eggs, but the salsa went well with the eggs. This was the second time I've been here and !last time I got the huevos rancheros, which was very disappointing. I would come here again to try some of their other brunch specials. read more

I have been to Cafe Dewitt more times than I can remember. I love the savory breakfast and brunch - that I'd give a 4.5/5. However, every time I or someone has ordered something sweet off the menu it has not been good. All of the sweet dishes sound amazing and look that way too - however they just don't meet taste expectations. This is based off probably 5 or more times ordering waffles, pancakes, or desserts. Each time no good. Additionally, there is one waiter there in particular that does not seem to wear deodorant or shower. He STINKS. Every time he passed or filled up our water I had to hold my breath. This did not help my appetite at all and is unprofessional and gross. read more

Came here on Ithaca College family Weekend. All the restaurants were packed and we didn't make reservations in advance. They open at 10 and we got inline around 9:55. Line was pretty long but we were seated about 15 minutes later. We had omelettes , hash dish and eggs Benedict. Very good service , delicious food and I was very impressed at how quickly they turned the food out. Would go again for sure. read more

This was my first time at the café. I sat down at a table and waited 10 minutes for a waiter to deliver a menu. I ordered two eggs, over cooked fried potatoes and two slices of toast for $9.95 plus tax. Took another 15 minutes to get the food on the table. I then ordered coffee and cream. Took another 10 minutes. Then I realized there was no cutlery or napkins on the table and it took another five minutes to get that. The potatoes were terrible the toast was too dry and generally unsatisfactory. When I ordered the check by yelling at the waiter you told me they don't take credit cards. I said is this a restaurant?. The waiter replied yes it's an old-fashioned restaurant.I should've looked at the reviews more closely But too many of them are highly rated. That's the last time in there for me. read more

3.5 stars It's not the food that gets Cafe DeWitt 3.5 stars. To speak in general terms about the food, it's always been excellent. Omelets are fluffy and perfectly filled with just the right amount of stuff. Great choices. Home fries are crispy, flavorful, not greasy. Coffee is dark roast and good, refilled frequently. The option of fresh squeezed o.j. is always nice and, overall, the menu, including specials are a neatly contained pantheon of good quality, locally sourced foods that you want to eat for breakfast, lunch or brunch. They don't try to do too much in their tiny space, and what they do they do well. Portions are just right, plates are attractively presented. In sum, there is nothing that smacks of Denny's of the place, including the quaint location. Negative: The service. Blasé, inattentive, and strange for so few tables easily in view -- there are mirrors everywhere. Maybe they rest on the food and the central location to bring back customers. A typical example: The restaurant is not busy, so our hip and social server is across the not-very-big room talking with his back to us to two girls, apparently friends, who are at another table. I have Squirmy Kid with me, and it's Time to Leave. I'm sending pointed looks over in their direction for maybe 10 minutes, hoping the his friends will alert him that a customer wants something. Instead, they shoot me "WTF is she looking at?!?" looks and say nothing to him. Eventually he wanders over, oblivious. Expect this. The place is often jammed. What's another customer or two? Positive: I went with my mom mid-week around 11. No wait, fantastically attentive and conscientious server! Sweet! Wonderful food, as usual. Also: I don't think it's too pricey for what you get by the way. It's the quality and the menu that keeps me coming back. read more

You don't come to Café DeWitt if you want a quick meal or typical ambiance. I'm not going to dispute anything that others have said in this regard - it's a café in a basement in which there are often long lines to be seated. If you're okay with sometime waiting a bit and, window views aren't your first qualification when it comes to come food, come to Café DeWitt. If not, Carriage House on Stewart has a good brunch (though also often has long waits) as does Simply Red Bistro at La Tourelle (pricier and more full of itself). So, you don't mind waiting sometimes and you're okay with not having a window view, what can you expect out of Café DeWitt?: -Really, good creative specials --they're not always your typical brunch fare, but among the often offbeat ingredients of the specials, there are always one or two gems. The lemon zest blueberry pancakes and some of the omelets are my favorites - though read the omelet ingredients carefully, they often contain a handful of unexpected ones. -Good standard fare - if you feel like an egg sandwich, or just eggs and potatoes and toast, it's all solid. -Good people watching -seriously, the place if full of hipsters, college kids and local Ithacans. It's fun to watch people and wonder what they're up to. -Fun fishtanks. Though I wish they decorated them a bit more. read more

This is neat cafe with an unlikely location but they manage to pull of something unique that suits the Ithaca scene. I think that if lived in the Dewitt building I would surely eat here every day. In fact, when you dine there, you will notice how heavy their crowd of regulars is. I think one of my favorite moments there was a server very nonchalantly headed towards a blind patron as he approached, taking his arm and leading him right to a table (it seemed pretentious upon first site for me, since the cafe is essentially in a hallway between all of the first floor shops and is not always a person's destination when walking through - but it became clear that this was the man's intention). She knew what he wanted but asked politely if he wanted something different that day. It was clear that he is there often, and that the staff know and treat him well. The menu has the appearance of being healthy - I couldn't vouch for whether or not this is actually the case, but I tend to want to go to the Dewitt Cafe when I don't want fried or otherwise greasy food (ok I always want fried and greasy food - I should say that I go there when my *husband* wants to eat a healthier meal). Portions are on the smaller side in comparison to most restaurants - but of course in other words, this means that they bring you about as much as you actually want to eat, instead of a gluttunous portion that ends up with half of it going to waste. I enjoy the food here - it is simple and it is well done. The regular menu items as well as the many specials are always good. In fact, I don't believe that I have ever had a bad meal there. And I love the desserts - I think this is where they excel the most. The variety is key - a dessert menu that always changes is a way to guarantee that I will appreciate a restaurant! (don't even get me started on some of the restaurants in town that change their small dessert menus only once every 5+ years!). The service is interesting. I know, not an adjective that a manager would want to be hear as the only descriptor. It is beyond laid back - it is almost aloof. Everything ends up happening fast enough, but you just always wait a little longer than you want to, or seems necessary. In some ways I appreciate that it's not a hustle and bustle crazy scene (seeing servers run marathons around you can be rather distracting in its own way), but especially when the cafe is packed (on weekends!), you just start to wonder why there isn't a little more jump in their step. It's not a huge issue for me, but again, I just find it interesting. Prices are perfect, if not generous. Be aware though that they do not take credit cards! They'll take checks, but who carries checks around these days? (well I suppose I do, but only because Gimme also does not take credit cards!). read more

No better than the average American diner. The waffles were generic and lacked the subtle sweetness that an amazing waffle has. This waffle needed layers of added on fruit/cream to dress it up. The bacon was really really terrible. Thick, dry, crumbly. Like a flavorless block. Little fat. So boring. Omelette was watery and doesn't come with bread. The breadbasket was cute and flavorful but was tiny. Made for two people MAX and even then just a taste. The place is terribly understaffed and a lot of the time is waiting. The venue is a bit dingy and outdated without Windows or charm. read more

Their food is top notch. I can always count on an excellent meal at Cafe Dewitt. Love their lunches and weekend brunches. Highly recommend.

The brunch here is great despite the crowded atmosphere and lackadaisical service. Be prepared to pay at least $15 (cash only) per person. My husband can't stand it here for that very reason so I only go with friends. They always offer creative daily specials which all sound delicious and can make deciding what to eat a time consuming endeavor. Today I finally settled on the morning glory breakfast sandwich which consisted of a scrambled egg with bacon, cheddar and tomato chutney on multi-grain bread. Sounded pretty basic but tasted AMAZING! If you are a brunch lover, this is the place to go in Ithaca. read more

3.5 stars Great place for brunch. It's a little pricey, and the service is a little slow but I think it's worth trying. You don't feel rushed to leave and can enjoy catching up over some delicious food. read more

Cafe Dewitt is a little pricey for lunch, considering you're sitting in an open mall (a cool mall, but still a mall). However - this is one example of getting what you pay for - the food is phenomenal! I had the corn chowder (the soup of the day) and I literally wanted to lick the bowl clean. My egg salad sandwich was also perfect - a great amount of egg, mayo and spices on fresh, homemade bread. The warm drinks aren't bad either. Bottom line - it's worth the extra $5 for a truly exceptional lunch experience. read more

Cash Only, Good food but Be warned of long Lines, slow service, and mall-like atmosphere read more

The food here is pretty good, we came for brunch after Thanksgiving, our wait was only a few minutes. If you are not an egg eater it is pretty difficult to get anything on the breakfast side of things. I opted for a mozzarella basil concoction on french bread which was quite good. The highlight was the side of roasted rosemary potatoes I ordered- Very good! The rest of my brunch party had omelettes- one was unimpressed with the lack of shrimp and sausage in the omelets given those were the first 2 ingredients touted on the menu. Service is a bit spotty and we did have quite a wait for our food to come out. At the end of our meal we saw quite a line forming for tables. It made me wonder is this the best Ithaca has to offer? It's not really great but it's not bad food either. Prices are a little steep for the actual quality of the meal. read more

Decent place to get brunch in Ithaca, and it has a pretty nice staff. I got an omelette, and you can choose up to three things to include in it. I had bacon, cheddar, and avocado. The bacon and cheddar went together with the egg nicely, though the avocado pieces kept falling out. Coffee is pretty good too but a little pricey for a really small cup. They don't take cards, so bring cash or checks. This is probably the only place I've ever seen take checks but not cards... read more

Cafe DeWitt is a Euopean-style cafe situated on the first floor of DeWitt Mall. They don't accept credit cards, and the service can be spotty, but they food is usually delicious, and if you imagine away the fish tank and the Lite-Brite things along the banquette, you could be on a sidewalk in Amsterdam. They do have creative and tasty specials, and I am rarely disappointed. Their French Toast is a favorite of mine, served with 2 fried eggs and bacon, making it a filling breakfast and a very good deal. Someone else here mentioned a bread basket that comes with brunch - they either don't do that any more, or they didn't give us one. I don't recall ever getting a bread basket at brunch there, though. I usually love CafeDeWitt, but my experience yesterday makes me think they might be slipping. I ordered the Omelette Hans, which comes with home-fried potatoes and toast. The potatoes came up rather dry, with the edges burned, and my omelette was thick and rubbery. Maybe they had a different chef that morning, but it wasn't up to the quality standard I associate with Cafe DeWitt. Overall - this used to be a consistently great place for lunch/brunch, but now, you take your chances: you might get an exceptional experience or a so-so one. read more

It's our third time visit but the first time to get in. There were long lines for the first two vists(the first visit we got there at 10:30 and the second visit we got there at exactly 10am when they just open. But the place was all filled both times!!!) So this time we get there at 9:40 and there was still a short line in front of us... We had to say that we are so lucky to get in this time...What a crazy place... My friend got the special lemon pancake and it's truly AMAZING. I got the Eggs Benedict. It's great but a little too greasy for me. Another friend ordered the pancake, and she thought it's okay. The Belgium hot chocolate was sweet and tasty. The services were all very efficient and we were served with all the food within 7 or 8 minutes after ordering. Seeing the long line waiting, we felt a bit bad to enjoy the brunch for too long, so we were out like 10:40. In general, the food is great but might not worth the long wait or getting up early on Sunday. We might wanna try it another time for lunch. Hopefully there won't be a long wait for lunch =P read more

This place was terrible. Where do I begin? I took my family here this weekend, and it was their first time in Ithaca. There was one staff who was a little bit racist, and we waited an incredibly long time to be seated, and an even LONGER time to get talked to by a waiter. They were literally just standing around and ignoring us. What's even worse is that the place ran out of potatoes! Halfway through their brunch on a Saturday! I find that to be incredibly poor planning and poor business practice. I'm sorry I took my family there, and I'm definitely not going to go back. read more

Delicious food! Good location in Ithaca Commons. Definitely will return to try more of the yummy bites and very good coffee and espresso drinks. read more

Cafe Dewitt - French toast! Absolutely to die for. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ithaca, New York

BEST BRUNCH in Ithaca, we've been here so many times and everything is delicious every time. They always have great specials that are unique but are still comfortable and simple (eg. bacon, caramelized onions, roasted grapes in an omelette), and the standards are always great (stuffed french toast, APPLE SAUSAGE POTATO HASH). I don't think we've ever had a bad meal here out of easily a dozen meals. It is in the DeWitt Mall basement, so the environment is pretty simple, and overall it is clean and comfortable. Yes, the service is slow and there are usually moderate wait times for a table, but that is because it is usually full of people. However, I have never had any problems with the wait staff, and although they do not come by the table often, they are helpful and easy enough to get ahold of. Mainly, Cafe DeWitt is entirely about the food, and it is so delicious I cannot see how one would regret coming here. read more

**Cash or Check only** they don't have this posted anywhere and we spent 45 minutes running around town trying to get the extra $6 in cash to pay for the meal. Breakfast ok, service super slow but they are kind. read more

If you're judging by the food quality this is definitely the best brunch in Ithaca! The food is super local. One of my favorite items is the ricotta stuffed French toast with berry coulis that's often on special. It's very rich so I often split this and something else with another person. Way way better than carriage house's brie stuffed French toast with berry coulis. They also had corn waffles with peaches on special once that were the best waffles I've ever had. I also highly recommend the Belgian hot chocolate. They have chicken sausage, which is great for me because I don't eat red meat or pork but still occasionally want some meat with my brunch. The atmosphere isn't too fancy. The only drawback I can think of is that sometimes there's a long wait but it's totally worth it! read more

Excellent fresh cooked food using local foods and ingredients. Brunch is great. On weekends there are specials for brunch written on chalkboards. There are different specials every day for lunch, as well. Service isn't bad, but it is very slow when the place is busy, which is often is. I distinguish between slow and bad service because while the service can be slow the servers are always kind. read more

I'm on a two week trip in Ithaca and I've eaten at Cafe Dewitt every day for the last week. I keep thinking I should try other places, but after a mediocre experience at Ithaca Bakery, I'd rather stick to what I know is delicious. I haven't had any problems with the service, and I've been there during the very busy Sunday brunch twice. The prices are quite reasonable, averaging around $11 for me. My only complaint is that the omelet size is reduced by maybe 60% when you order it made with egg whites, especially since there is a $1 upcharge. Even with that downside, the flavor is worth it. read more

Fantastic brunch spot- probably the best in Ithaca, in my opinion! A wide array of meat/meat-less items, mostly locally sourced, at affordable prices. The cafe is in the center of DeWitt Mall, off street and next to the book store. Definitely recommend it! Easier to seat than Carriage House and certainly the food is at least as good. read more

Breakfast was absolutely amazing. The homemade biscuits were delectable as was the hot chocolate. Highly recommend for breakfast. read more

Cafe Dewitt - Biscuit breakfast plate with a side of chicken apple sausage. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Ithaca, New York

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The food here is excellent. I would have given it five stars except I think they need to ramp up their regular menu a little bit. The two times I've been there I've had the specials which were excellent. I can't quite remember exactly what I had now that I think about it but they were both savory and delicious. Yes delicious isn't the most descriptive word but it'll have to do for now. One thing I do remember was the hash. It was a mixture of potatoes and sweet potatoes with a flavorful curry added to it. Awesome. Best piece of advice is to get here early so they don't run out of stuff and you can actually get a table w/out waiting forever. I also think they need to sharpen the wait staff somewhat. I think they're all doing too many wasted moves (I worked in a restaurant for a while). I think this is some of the best in Ithaca. read more

Hands down the best food in Ithaca. Five stars for the food. The flavors are consistently well balanced, and everything is always fresh. It's clear that the chef (cook?) truly understands the ingredients. I've enjoyed literally every dish I've had at Cafe Dewitt. The ambience is off because of the setup, and the service is slow, occasionally sassy. It's true. But the food is so delicious that it makes up for these shortcomings. I haven't been to Ithaca in a while (found this review just now, guess I never posted it) but ate here at least once a month, and always looked forward to my next visit. read more

This place is seriously AS GOOD AS IT GETS!!! It's truly a nice little hidden gem. It's located inside the Dewitt mall, which can make it a little interesting to find, especially your first time here. Now, come prepared to wait in line. I often come, put my name on this list and then check out the local stores with my friends while we wait. You might have to wait some time but trust me it is so worth it. The food is simply delicious, you seriously can not go wrong - for real I've tried more or less everything on the menu and have yet to decide which I can truly call my favorite. PLUS most of it is local and fresh food. Overall I love this place (if you can't tell). It might be a little funky in that it is located in the middle of the mall but I like it. Tip: Do not arrive starving - there is a line and you will regret it. Arrive hungry and then let your hunger build while you wait in line and then chow down once your delicious food is served. Will save you lots of frustration! read more

Came for Sunday brunch, would come back! Note - cash only. Long wait for a table and long wait for food probably because the kitchen is so small. Food was good overall - brunch specials added a lot of variety to the menu. But omelette toppings are pre-mixed so no room for customization (i.e.: omitting the meat) unfortunately. *Correction: the omelette specials are not customizable; was informed that omelettes off the menu are customizable* On the farmhouse breakfasts, I was able to sub a small fresh fruit cup (berries banana apple) instead of the meat. Rosemary potatoes are so good! crispy red skin, soft and flavorful inside, not too salty Cornmeal pancakes would have been better off being called flapjacks. Blueberries and ricotta cream were a nice touch. The jam - think it was cherry? - was delicious, not too sweet and a little tangy. Fresh squeezed OJ was tart which I guess is a sign that it really was freshly squeezed! read more

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The food is fresh and delicious. Talented chefs. Very polite and thorough staff. Making the best they can given COVID. We are in from out of town for a makeshift honeymoon and this was a lovely last meal before we pull out of town :) read more

Some of the best scrambled eggs I've ever had-- very soft, delicate, perfect eggs. Try the John Denver or the Fried Chicken sandwich.. both are incredible!! read more

Best brunch in town! I go here almost every weekend, and love it every time. Staff is super friendly and the food is delicious. If you go around noon on a weekend, expect a wait! (but totally worth it) read more

Arguably the best brunch spot in all of Ithaca. This place is a hidden gem. During the week, it's hard to spot it since it's open for only a few hours. During the weekend, it's packed with locals. It has a nice, simple atmosphere. You can dine staring at its massive aquarium or into the storefronts surrounding it. The food is scrumptious! The stuffed french toast always fills me up as do the numerous delicious omelettes that they have. The waitstaff are also great. They are pleasant, accommodating and come by very often to make sure that your coffee and water are filled. Whenever I make the trek up to Ithaca, I make sure to stop here! read more

The Cafe DeWitt is likely the best cafe in Ithaca. The sandwiches, weekend brunch, service, prices, everything is excellent! The majority of the produce, meats, and breads they use are locally grown or made, and I've never had anything that wasn't absolutely delicious at this cafe. It's also a nice spot for people watching, and the staff are always polite and intuitive hosts. I highly recommend the DeWitt for a casual lunch with a friend or coworker (or on your own!), and the weekend brunch is fantastic (my family loves to go here for brunch when they're in town for a visit). Do remember to bring cash or a check with you -- no credit/debit cards are accepted (old school cool, yo)! read more

I have been in Ithaca for 4 days and I have eaten here 3 times. Their brunch menu is varied and the stuffed French Toast is amazing. The service is quick even when they're busy and the servers are friendly. read more

Good/decent food but absolutely horrible service. The host is a wonderful person - she was kind and enthusiastic and upbeat. A great way to introduce people to the restaurant. The waiter? Forgot things and just seemed like he didn't want to be there and was fed up with serving us. Coffee is from Gimme Coffee, which I love ... but this place managed to burn it somehow (after waiting forever for a cup of coffee and reminding the waiter that I wanted coffee). Long story short, I am not happy with the service and the food is not good enough to make up for that fact. read more

I will NEVER eat here again-and not for the food. I just experienced one of the worst brunch, no wait, dining outings of my life. Eating a breakfast sandwich from McDonald's would have resulted in friendlier treatment from the owners-I am sure Ronald McDonald would have been more gracious and happy to have our business. I am visiting family in Ithaca and as a former server at Cafe Dewitt I like to stop in on my trips home and sample what used to be the best brunch place in town. I took my brother here for breakfast this morning and we had a very nice breakfast-the food is good, I won't knock that. And our server was friendly and attentive. My mother then joined us as we were finishing our meals and ordered a very unique omelet that was quite delicious-that is until she was halfway finished with it and the owners wife/hostess marched over and announced rudely to us that I would have to leave at that moment (I believe the sentence was "You're going to have to leave now") because she couldn't seat a table next to us as we were "crowding" them. She continued to bully us to leave, towering over us at the table (until we just asked for the check) and turned what was a fun pleasant brunching experience into one that will certainly not be forgotten for all of the wrong reasons. Let me recap, we were all paying customers who were enjoying our dining experience until we were asked to leave while one of our dining companions was still enjoying her meal. I guess we overstayed our welcome at the cafe, no worries, we won't ever be back. But you know what they say, a satisfied customer tells two people how much they enjoyed their experience, a disgruntled customer will tell ten. read more

Very great breakfast and very nice people! :) I was there for the first time for breakfast, just gave them a tried and not disappointed. Great omelette and sausage. Staffs were very nice. And please prepared check or cash because they're not accepted card at all. :) They also served Gimme coffee, that's oasis in town. And I plan to be there for weekend brunch soon! :) read more