Rico H

traditional American style family restaurant, not a modern fancy environment but “traditional, old time” like the place in 70’s movies. 9am already lots of people there. Quickly seated with big welcome smile. Food delivery fast, tasty fresh and yummy. refill coffee every minute. Good place for breakfast .

R K

If you love classic American diners with a retro touch, then State Diner in Ithaca, NY, is a must-visit. This cozy little spot on State Street has all the nostalgic vibes of an old-school diner, complete with booth seating, bright red accents, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy comfort food, whether you’re a local or just passing through. For lunch, I ordered the Greek Burger with Fries and a handmade milkshake—a combo that perfectly hits the spot. The Greek burger is served on pita bread instead of a traditional bun, adding a nice twist. However, the patty itself was a bit dry and could have used a bit more seasoning. The fries, on the other hand, were crispy and golden, exactly how you’d want them in a classic diner setting. Now, let’s talk about the real highlight—the milkshake. This thick, creamy shake, topped with whipped cream, was the definition of indulgence. The retro-style ad on the table proudly states, “They’re Delicious,” and I have to agree! Whether you go for vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry, it’s the kind of treat that brings back childhood memories. Overall, State Diner is a charming little gem in Ithaca that serves up a nostalgic dining experience. While the burger could use a little more flavor, the atmosphere and that killer milkshake make it a spot worth checking out. Perfect for a laid-back meal with a touch of old-school Americana!

+2

Tina Sanborn

I ordered the special omelet, it had bacon, Swiss cheese, mushrooms and tomatoes, it was delicious 😋, I also ordered the biscuits and gravy, and they were even more delicious 😋. My husband ordered the meat lovers omelet, he must have loved it cause he ate it before I could get a picture..lol...I also had the macaroni salad and I have to say that did not taste good at all, tasted like it had been sitting for awhile, like it went sour, but the waitress was so nice, I told her it tasted funny and she took it off my bill. I would definitely recommend going to eat here.

Bill Knitter

Very good quick service, breakfast was good. Home fries were good and crispy. I go the meat lovers omlette and it had tons of meat in it, very good! There is street parking out front but you need to feed the meter with coins or use an app.

+1

The food was great! I had the gravy fries and a grilled cheese on rye with bacon. The sandwich was perfectly buttered and grilled. The gravy is delicious. Our server Tori was THE BEST!!!!

The food was great! I had the gravy fries and a grilled cheese on rye with bacon. The sandwich was perfectly buttered and grilled. The gravy is delicious. Our server Tori was THE BEST!!!!

The food was great! I had the gravy fries and a grilled cheese on rye with bacon. The sandwich was perfectly buttered and grilled. The gravy is delicious. Our server Tori was THE BEST!!!!

This was a true diner experience. The special omelette was outstanding, the French toast and pancakes were a hit and the sausage gravy and biscuits also had raving reviews. Our coffee stayed filled…

This was a true diner experience. The special omelette was outstanding, the french toast and pancakes were a hit and the sausage gravy and biscuits also had raving reviews. Our coffee stayed fi…

Wow I absolutely suggest the cheese fries with gravy! Whoa that was fantastic & I wanted more cause they were so good! I also got a chilli cheese dog & that chili was terrific.\n\nMy friend got the…

This was actually our second attempt at getting breakfast on a Saturday morning. The first place was a major failure. Well from now on this will be our first choice!!! From the moment we walked in …

Delicious breakfast! Had the meat lovers omelet, potatoes and toast. A really cool place to go. Great atmosphere! Got take out but would dine in next visit. Keep up the good work!

Being so far away, I try to visit at least once per year. Old 1950's style diner where food is prepared the way it should be. Not fancy or looking like plastic. Sausage patties handmade and home f…

Being so far away, I try to visit at least once per year. Old 1950's style diner where food is prepared the way it should be. Not fancy or looking like plastic. sausage patties handmade and ho…

A throwback diner from the 50's. Food was as you expected. Service was great, and food was comfort breakfast food. Place was clean and maintained. Only thing that threw me off was the $4 coffee.

Open almost at the crack of dawn. And the servers are good. The menu looks straightforward but is actually mildly confusing. For example, you have to mix and match different items to "assemble" a lumberjack breakfast. The French toast is priced as a singular item, so you'd have to add eggs, sausage, and bacon (all priced as sides) to create it. By that time, you'd find that the chicken and waffles, is the most honestly priced item on the menu (It's not 22, it's 25). I ordered the two eggs scrambled with sausage and swapped the toast for the cinnamon toast. The cinnamon toast was great. The eggs (amazing) came with homefries, which were okay. We were easily seated and there are booths in the back for parties larger than 4; you can probably stick six in there and be fine. Standard seating is flip down booth style chairs. Very interesting place, I'll give it that.

Angelo Garcia

It’s been my first visit although I have been in the same vicinity for several months when visiting from Canada! I liked the retro look of the place however the stalls are very small and confined thus not allowing one to be comfortable specially a large man like myself who has trouble sitting on tight spaces! I barely fit today in the small booth surrounded by plexiglass windows… sorta reminds of when we were under the COVID pandemic and isolating in tiny spaces… the coffee was excellent, my eggs and toast were fine, the ham was a bit over cooked , grits were a bit dry and the sausage patty I ordered extra was not worth the price! I don’t think I will be coming back…

+2

Ya Yay

Very generous portion sizes. The chicken wrap was very good, and the breakfast food is what you’d expect from your local diner. Overall, very solid.

erica yurt

Food was great! Our server was not tentative. No refills on an extremely small 4$ cup of pepsi. Prices were outrageous. $13 for two eggs, potatoes and toast is insane. I suppose you could say being unhappy with prices was on us because we could have looked at the menu before we went. 4 stars

Emily Prigot

It’s always great to eat in an independent restaurant, not a chain place, and even better if it’s a diner. Extra points for being a really old diner. The vegetable omelette was tasty, and waitress was friendly and accommodating. Just one minor complaint: mushrooms should always be fresh, and never canned.

John Evans

Walked here from our hotel for breakfast during a short overnight stay on our way to Niagara Falls. Classic don't judge a book by its cover place. Our server was awesome. Food was very good. Pretty typical diner food, but on the good side of that range. Very interesting seats!

+1

The food was classic diner fare and the service was impeccable. Really, what more could you ask for from a diner!

The food was classic diner fare and the service was impeccable. Really, what more could you ask for from a diner!

The food was classic diner fare and the service was impeccable. Really, what more could you ask for from a diner!

Excellent diner food. Great atmosphere. Superb service. A definite stop if you're visiting Ithaca NY.

Excellent diner food. Great atmosphere. Superb service. A definite stop if you're visiting Ithaca NY.

$11 for 2 eggs with toast and fried potatoes plus $4 for a cup of meh coffee. \n\nA very expensive breakfast experience for what you get. No early bird specials anymore. \n\nThe whole "since 1936" …

$11 for 2 eggs with toast and fried potatoes plus $4 for a cup of meh coffee. \n\nA very expensive breakfast experience for what you get. No early bird specials anymore. \n\nThe whole "since 1936" …

$11 for 2 eggs with toast and fried potatoes plus $4 for a cup of meh coffee. \n\nA very expensive breakfast experience for what you get. No early bird specials anymore. \n\nThe whole "since 1936" …

The service was good the staff and were very friendly and quick at getting our food in. I got the steak and eggs with home fries and my friend got blueberry pancakes the portion sizes were decently…

Great old school diner. Our first time but our IC student has been a few times. I had Mediterranean omelette, lived it. Waffle good size and perfect crisp. service very good. Much larger than we …

We stopped here for breakfast on a Friday and almost no one was there. In fairness, it was pouring rain as the remnants of a hurricane was coming through so maybe that had something to do with it. …

Seated quickly, our orders were taken and delivered in a very reasonable time. waitress was very pleasant and helpful. It is the old 50's style railroad car design with addition. We were all ver…

We ate here for a wintery Saturday Breakfast with the kids. High points include: great, fast service, very friendly with our two young kids, big menu with both breakfast and lunch options availabl…

We ate here for a wintery Saturday breakfast with the kids. High points include: great, fast service, very friendly with our two young kids, big menu with both breakfast and lunch options availa…

True diner food in a true diner setting. Good service - friendly server and quick food delivery. The omelette was delicious

Breakfast was disappointing and expensive. We love diner food but the toast here was minuscule, the eggs were runny and even the napkins were cheap... thin as can be. Friendly service doesn't mak…

I haven't been to the state st diner in a couple of years. I use to go there a lot when i was younger. I took my kids there this morning. First the prices were outrageous. I personally would have l…

This place has a great breakfast. Must come eat here while in Ithaca. The service is very good and the food is worth the money. The staff are awesome!!!

Nice little dinner in Ithaca. Typical dinner atmosphere. The food was priced fairly, it tasted okay. Not bad yet nothing to write home about. I got French toast , eggs 🍳 and bacon 🥓. I had planned on getting a milkshake to go (yes at 8 something in the morning lol). Unfortunately I did not due to how cold it was inside. With it being my first time there I'm not going to place blame on anyone. Could have been that they just opened and the heater hadn't caught up to speed yet. IDK. The booths have seats that have to be folded down to sit on. Like being in a baseball stadium 🏟️. However I did notice in the back they have traditional bench seats in those booths. The waiter was nice, on point and quick. My meal came to $24.00. I want to go back and give it a second shot to see if the heat was just a fluke or not.

Joe Waugh

Very disappointed with my experience at this diner. I was really expecting more of like a family, welcome, well priced experience, but unfortunately didn’t find this here. The food is ok and pricey $$$, our order was incorrect and our waitress was rude and seemed overwhelmed, rather than in control and friendly. Ambiance was just ok, for a diner this was a let down. No free parking, wouldn’t go again.

+1

BullionTooth

Came here for lunch and was surprised to get pretty authentic diner vibes in the middle of Ithaca, New York. I'd say my experience was alright, but nothing special. I got the biscuits and sausage gravy, which came out to ten dollars. As a whole, prices here are pretty high on average and something that definitely hold this place back from being somewhere that is above average and a place I'd come back to. My food was average. Service was fast and effective, on the other hand. My server was super prompt in getting our orders in and food came quickly. Water was refilled quickly, so I can't hold anything back there. Overall, this place is pretty mid - food is alright, prices are a bit high. Probably won't be back but you won't die if you eat here. If you want a diner experience, you can get it here but it's not some wonderful one.

We arrived 9:30ish on a Saturday morning and luckily were seated right away. Our server was great. breakfast was very good. As I looked over the bill, I was surprised to see that we spent $10 on tw…

State Street Diner. A cool old diner on State street, offers egg breakfast and coffee at 8am Mon- Friday along with other diner menu items. Less costly than some other local places and makes you fe…

Meh. Started with burnt stale coffee and then waited over 40 minutes for an omelette & chicken fingers.... overpriced for a diner. $6 for 3 tiny pieces of bacon- come on mannnn.

Food was fair.. waitress obviously had other things on her feeble mind.. and prices were absurd...health department should have a look as well.. stay away unless you enjoy punishment for being a cu…

Today I experienced the bad business practices that this restaurant will go to, to make an UNDERSERVED dollar. I ordered a cheeseburger. Just a cheeseburger with fries. $11.00. Simple right? Waitre…

Today I experienced the bad business practices that this restaurant will go to, to make an UNDERSERVED dollar. I ordered a cheeseburger. Just a cheeseburger with fries. $11.00. Simple right? Wa…

I ordered breakfast and as usual, the Home fries were overdone to the point where they were crunchy. They still owed me an order of home fries from a while back when they were in edible as well. …

I ordered breakfast and as usual, the Home fries were overdone to the point where they were crunchy. They still owed me an order of home fries from a while back when they were in edible as well. Bu…

Noah Harrington Tenney

Do not go to this diner. No reason for the prices to be this outrageous. 20 dollars for a Mediterranean omelette? Come on people. There are better options in Ithaca, NY. Lincoln Street Diner and Sunset bar and grill. Save your money and go elsewhere.