I came to Northstar with my boyfriend while we were in town visiting a friend. We started with the cauliflower dip that was unbelievably good--so good, in fact, my boyfriend re-created it two days after we came home. I'm a vegetarian, so my options aren't always amazing when I go out to eat. One of the meals I miss more than anything is a Reuben sandwich, so I was delighted to find a vegetarian-friendly Ruben on the menu. Dinner was so freaking satisfying I'd go back to Ithaca just to eat here. Thumbs way up! read more

Northstar is one of three of my favorite restaurants in Ithaca. My stars given are based on cleanliness, service, cost, menu options, food and drink. My rating is a 4, here's why.... I base my first opinion of a restaurant by the front door. You can tell if a establishment has good management or not by this detail. Like most places I was greeted by a finger and hand print covered glass door. For me this is a first and last impression. -The service is always friendly, up beat, and sometimes quirky. As expected in Ithaca. -Cost is fair. I will always pay for quality. -Menu options are good, a blend of American cuisine. This included a fair amount of vegetarian options. -Food is always great. Sensible, local, options. Great beer/wine and mix drinks. -Cleanliness is good, except the front door thing! Overall this is a great place to take out of town friends and relatives. Brunch is my favorite time to at Northstar. Huevos Rancheros is my favorite dish. Fish sandwich is delicious. The home made soup are always something good. Go try it and tell me I'm wrong,...I would be really surprised. read more

Wow - was this place lame. We had breakfast there on a Sunday morning. Place was about half full - that should have been the first clue. We ordered the french toast, some sausage, eggs scrambled soft, etc..... along with some coffee. French toast- despite its fancy description of being soaked overnight (which it wasn't) - was pretty generic. The soft scrambled eggs were cooked to death, and so it went. The coffee was pretty crappy too. Not really a single good thing to say about this place except the parking was convenient and easy. read more

Northstar is one of our favorites in Ithaca! We've been there several times & they never disappoint. This past weekend was Cornell graduation weekend, and they were super accomodating for us & took a late reservation. They also were flexible when i had to call back & add1 more person to our reservation. Food & service is always amazing. Definitely recommend this place! read more

Went there for Sunday brunch. The service was poor; an inexperienced waitstaff who havent quite grasped the concept of service yet. The decor and lighting were too dark. Fine in the evening, but terrrible at noon. The balance on the music was way off, so all I could hear was the pounding bass, and none of the music until I went up to the bar to pay. Then I could hear that it was decent jazz. Too bad I couldn't hear it elsewhere. As far as the food goes, the local bacon was excellent, the eggs good, but the potatoes over-cooked, burned. I will not go back there again. It was a waste of time, calories, and money. read more

I and my wife attended for Valentines day, it was busy but by no means full. The decor was pleasant, however it was a little cool being seated by the windows. Staff was friendly and efficient. I ordered the special, mac-n-cheese w/ bacon, my wife ordered a cheeseburger no bun, as she eats gluten free. Our dinners were served promptly, however hers was served with the bun, (we expressly asked for no bun). The server intended to remove the bun and replate the burger, this invalidates the gluten free intent, so we asked for another hamburger to be grilled. Though she requested the burger to be cooked medium it came out rare, I understand they were trying to rush as I already had my dinner at this point. Meals were ok, nothing extraordinary. I wouldn't expressly recommend this place, nor would I advise against it. read more

This place is the worst. If you are going to open - serve food!! They open at 4 but don't serve food until 5 - and make their patrons watch everyone who works there eat. Just stay closed until 5. We ordered perogies and a medium rare burger... it took 30 minutes to get perogies and they were bland and cold. Burger was well done and the bartender argued with us about how they use a gauge to tell the temperature of the burger. I don't need a gauge to tell the difference between well done and medium rare. Locals - if this is where you go, I feel sorry for you. So many great restaurants around here - why would you put up with this mess?? read more

Rude service, bugs, mediocre mac n cheese and fries cooked in dirty oil. I would literally have rather eaten a sewer rat lathered in crisco and fried out of a trash can. If I could put zero stars I would. Disgusting read more

Thank you for capably wrangling our annoying party of fourteen people just the other night. We appreciate the excellent service and I know how challenging big groups can be. And great food as always. read more

The food here is really solid! Great pulled pork sandwich, which I ordered, but everything we ordered was enjoyed, including the curry and the burger. The drinks are delicious and innovative and they have an extensive liquor and beer list. They have a backyard beer garden, but when we checked out out, it was low on everything. The ambiance inside is dark and cool; the artwork is interesting. From what I understand, all of the food is organic and all of the things hippies care about. :) read more

I enjoy Northstar's vegetarian burger, and I eat a lot of meat. The best part about it is that it doesn't pretend to be like a meat burger (the most common type of veggie burger disaster in my opinion). It's a unique patty made from local veggies, grains, and beans that tastes like vegetables. The meat burger is also quite tasty. Other favorites include the whole chicken wings and the broccoli side dish. Its a great place to enjoy a meal and beer outside, as their patio is quite nice. read more

LOVE this place. The appetizer spreads are amazing, the tofu "wings" are outstanding and the tofu dinner platter with grilled veggies, pilaf and chickpea gravy is a dish I crave all the time. Can definitely be a wait sometimes on the weekends, but, very fun atmosphere and delicious food. read more

Came here with friends for dinner. It was busy but we got a table in 10 minutes even though they told us 30 minutes. Lots of variety of beer and food sourced from local ingredients. We all loved our food. My brisket sandwich was solid. Not from the area, but if I come back, I would definitely make a point to eat here. read more

Had a very mediocre brunch. They were out of 3 items on their brunch menu. I had chicken and donuts. The chicken had more breading then chicken, the mustard sauce was very tasty. The donuts were boring. Service was lackluster. read more

This is a great casual, friendly place for a bite and a beer. I'd say stick to the appetizers...great chicken wings, surprisingly yummy jerk tofu, and stunningly good artichoke dip. Main dishes can be iffy, kind of like the chef is trying a bit too hard to be clever and not quite hitting the taste marks. But better that than boring! And the staff are all very friendly and the beer on tap is a great selection. read more

One of my favorite go-to places in Ithaca. Terrific service, nice vibe, and they change up the menu seasonally. In warm weather they've added a little beer garden in back which is very nice. Good value, and they never rush you out. Many veggie options, and a good wine list. Once in a while there will be a pretty wide miss on the menu, but I chalk it up to their willingness to experiment and change, so I keep coming back. read more

We got here at 6:00 we got our table at 7:30. You can barely see ur food while you eat cause it's so dark. It took a while for the food to get here. And they thought a 25 year old was 12, very rude. read more

I really like this restaurant. It's one of the few in town where I would go back constantly if it were a little closer to me. The food is fantastic-- the mac and cheese is delicious (albeit a little small) and I've never had a sandwich that I haven't loved. The patio in the summer is perfect-- not too crowded, very cozy. I've only been for brunch once, but that was pretty solid too (dinner is what they're better known for). Also, the service is great. Call ahead for reservations if you can because the wait can be long. Highly recommend! read more

Great atmosphere, great food, great deal if you have a coupon from the Living Local book or restaurants.com. I love that almost everything on the menu is local! Brunch is a amazing. Outdoor seating is great in the summer and they're dog friendly which is a plus! The only downside is they have no happy hour deals. Always packed which is probably why they don't need to resort to happy hour though. Try their tofu wings or bad-b-a cauliflower! You won't be disappointed! read more

This is still a favorite of ours around town, but we do feel that there is a lack of seasoning to the signature soup (that used to be really flavorful). Not sure if it's just a lack of salt, or whether other flavors are lacking. We used to look forward to the soup each time we went there. I had the best vegan 'cheesecake' ever there, recently. It was peach and coconut flavored with a cashew (I think) crust. Excellent! I enjoy the veggie burger that is black bean-based and well-seasoned. I always forget to ask for the bun to be heated/toasted. By default they serve it without it having been heated. All-in-all, still a great place to eat. read more

My favorite Ithaca restaurant. Great brunch and dinner. My favorites include the BBQ Tofu salad, garlic burger, veggie burger, or french toast. I have loved most everything here and continue to return again and again. Sometimes there is something that is just so-so, but they change menus and specials frequently, so it's bound to happen sometimes. Waitstaff is pleasant and knowledgeable. Service could be a little faster but that is just a minor complaint. read more

Northstar was soooo supportive! I have food sensitivities and called ahead of time and talked to the chef. We went over the menu options and he made some suggestions of what he could do to help me have an enjoyable meal. So I arrived about an hour later and had a simple, but locally sourced meal (yay for grass fed beef) that tasting dangerously good. Wow. I was so happy. There are few restaurants, yes, even in Ithaca, that will take the time to explain menu ingredients, talk about origin of the food, etc....but b/c Northstar is willing to do this.....I am coming back.....and telling my friends. So, keep it up Northstar!!!! PS: Don't be shy, please add more local vegs. :) read more

It's a great little restaurant and bar. I highly recommend the wings Baltimore style... The ranch dressing on the side is the best I have ever had....it's a little small inside so prepare to meet the couple next to you...I would definitely go back for seconds read more

The food is yummy (avoid the weird waffle, but everything else is DELISH and made with care) and Lexi the waiter rocked our worlds.

Northstar is a lovely little restaurant in the fall creek area. The outdoor seating is really cute and quaint. The restaurant focuses on using many local and organic ingredients which is what I love about it. The food is usually great and the drinks are strong and tasty. Definitely try the baltimore chicken wings. Soooo good! A little on the pricier side and some of the portions could be bigger (dessert was tiny). The service is usually pretty bad and slow but the food makes up for it. read more

I would give this a 5-star rating based on food and atmosphere, but it is a bit pricey for what it is, so I downgraded it to 4-star. I'll certainly be coming back, though! read more

I love this place. I'm inclined to say it's my favorite place in Ithaca because of the atmosphere for sure and the food is really good. Outdoor patio rocks and they always give your dog water. Indoors is great too. The burger is delicious and local beef or otherwise I wouldn't eat it, the wings are yummy and organic meat, the mac n cheese is incredible (but a bit pricey for the serving size). The pizza's awesome, though I think they just made the serving smaller. The sunday brunch is outstanding (but bring your own Gimme coffee)! The only thing I'd say that could be improved is the menu could use some more frequent changing. The medium size plates particularly, which are what I always order. As a neighborhood restaurants, I frequent the place a lot, as do the many others I always see there, and it would be cool to know there might be something new and seasonal and local on the menu. Otherwise, I go knowing exactly what I'm going to get each time, since I know the menu already. read more

comfortable and casual. Low level lighting. Quieter ambience than you might expect for a bar + restaurant. Good variety on menu with both meats & vegetarian options. The porto mushroom & thyme pasta dish was very tasty. read more

Enjoy this little neighborhood joint. I've only eaten here a few times but everything tasted good enough. I'd try and spend more time there but most times i've tried, they've been so busy I don't even get in the door. This time, I sat at the bar and enjoyed a salad, and a cheeseburger with fries. Unfortunately my salad seemed to be from the bottom of the bag of greens with lots and lots of brown lettuce but I don't take it personally. It was nearly closing time and I was hungry and they got away with it. I also felt that there was WAYYY too much dressing but again, I was hungry and didn't get too hung up on it. Good selection for drinks at the bar, and the bartender was really eager to help my decide on what to get. Wasn't the best meal of my life but I think Northstar will remain a big fish in this small pond of Ithaca. My only complaint is that they close at 9pm but I heard they will extend hours in the summertime. read more

Good place but agree with below, bar staff could be improved. Food always good, however, need to expand large plate offerings. Took some out of town business associates there and the pickings were slim. I think 5 options with no beef. Great pour on the Tito's! read more

My favorite restaurant in Ithaca! Homey and warm pub atmosphere and really fresh farm to table local food. I went Thursdays in a row after not having been there in a long time and my server remembered my drink and dinner order. Made me feel like a regular even tho I only eat out occasionally. The garlic burger is delicious and great sauces for the fires. Lots of interesting choices on the menu. read more

Everything we got was amazing, especially the cheesy potato hash. Quick service, fresh ingredients, extremely friendly staff. Definitely my new favourite brunch place! read more

I really wanted to like this place, especially because I'm within walking distance -- but the bartender was pretty rude, and made me feel uncomfortable. He kind of just put a dent in my experience here. The food I had was tasty, though! read more

First time there. Went due to the overall good reviews. That did not end up being our experience. Very slow service, almost seemed to forget us at times; food came out cold; food should have been prepared better. read more

The quality of the food at Northstar can vary drastically but it is still one of my favorite restaurants in Ithaca with a cool modern, hip vibe and nice bar. Their brunch has an amazing potato cheese hash and a plate with a bit of everything (eggs, bacon, potatoes). they always have a unique waffle or french toast on special which is decadent and delicious. And of course the bloody marys are spicy, big and garnished with 3 olives. read more

It tastes so good my face hurts. Northstar has an amazing atmosphere, great staff, full high quality bar, and local organic food. Yeah, they actually change their menu around to serve what's fresh. We had a beet and cheese pizza, and the mac n cheese, that were out of this world. All of their menu items have enough fusion to make them original, and worth re-visiting over and over. Hands down one of the top 5 places in Ithaca to eat, especially if you like CLEAN FOOD. read more

Northstar House - What a magnificent display of potions and tonics - New American Near Me - Ithaca, New York

Northstar Public House is a fantastic location for those seeking either a casual and delicious meal, or more of an laid back bar scene with ridiculously good drinks. The diversity of their selection of ryes, rums, tequillas, bourbons, and scotchs is surprising and their bar staff make a mean drink. Their blood orange margarita is particularly fantastic. Northstar may also have the finest selection of rotating taps remaining in Ithaca now that Pixel lounge is under new management. They manage to keep something for everyone on draft while specilizing in seasonal fair. They also maintain the largest selection of bottles/cans that I have seen in Ithaca with what I would have to guess is more than 75 different selections. Northstar's menu is also fantastic. They may make the best burger in town with their garlic aioli and honey toasted buns. Their fried fish portion is as large as your head and perfectly cooked. Their Sunday brunch includes crab cakes made in the traditional Eastern Shore Maryland style served with eggs and a maple sauce. I've been going to Northstar every Monday night for more than a year now and have yet to be disappointed with either the food or the service. Definitely worth trying if you are in town and like good, unpretentious food and drink. read more

I like their atmosphere and that they divide the menu to small, medium, and large portion size options. The menu is quite unique with many vegetarian options. read more

Amazing food as well as a great beer selection. The burger was probably the best I've ever had in my four years in Ithaca. No wrong can be said about the staff either. read more

Tried dinner here and have to update my review. I found the food to be only mediocre and the portions small for the price. Their brunch was amazing, but they aren't quite as good at supper. I was also surprised that the beer menu was not as extensive as I had hoped. I still stand by my original positive review of the beer garden and the brunch, but the dinner was disappointing. read more