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Coal Yard Cafe
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Ithaca

Coal Yard Cafe

★★★★★ 4.5 · 100 reseñas

En Coal Yard Cafe, te damos la bienvenida a un rincón acogedor donde disfrutar de un café excepcional, elaborado con granos de tostadores locales. Además de nuestro café, te ofrecemos deliciosos productos horneados, sándwiches y otras opciones para deleitar tu paladar. Descubre...

Coal Yard Cafe

Cake, sandwich, fish and chips, american, breakfast, coffee shop, crepe, bagel, diner · Ithaca

4.5 · 454 reviews Google

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www.thecoalyardcafe.com

About Coal Yard Cafe

En Coal Yard Cafe, te damos la bienvenida a un rincón acogedor donde disfrutar de un café excepcional, elaborado con granos de tostadores locales. Además de nuestro café, te ofrecemos deliciosos productos horneados, sándwiches y otras opciones para deleitar tu paladar. Descubre un ambiente único en...

En Coal Yard Cafe, te damos la bienvenida a un rincón acogedor donde disfrutar de un café excepcional, elaborado con granos de tostadores locales. Además de nuestro café, te ofrecemos deliciosos productos horneados, sándwiches y otras opciones para deleitar tu paladar. Descubre un ambiente único en Ithaca, donde la calidad y el cariño se combinan en cada bocado y cada taza.

What Customers Say About Coal Yard Cafe

Coal Yard Cafe is a small, quaint cafe known for its delicious and inventive breakfast and brunch options. The sweet potato hash, breakfast croissant, and special dishes are highly praised. Service is generally friendly and efficient, though seating can be limited.

Popular Dishes

sweet potato hash breakfast croissant falafel salmon on quinoa Rachel and Grits crepes with berries shakshuka

Best For

Brunch Casual Tourists Locals Quick Bite

Tip: The cafe is small and can get busy, especially on weekends, but the service is surprisingly fast. Consider outdoor seating in the back if available.

Features

🌳 Outdoor 🅿️ Parking Accessible 🌅 Breakfast 🍽️ Lunch 🥗 Vegetarian Coffee
🎯 Casual 🛋️ Cozy Trendy

What to see nearby

Schoellkopf Field
A 430m

Schoellkopf Field

estadio

View details
Robison Alumni Fields
A 620m

Robison Alumni Fields

parque

View details
Bill & Melinda Gates Hall (Cornell)
A 628m

Bill & Melinda Gates Hall (Cornell)

edificio

View details
Robert J Kane Sports Complex
A 655m

Robert J Kane Sports Complex

parque

View details
Bradfield Hall
A 822m

Bradfield Hall

edificio

View details
Peter Plaza
A 838m

Peter Plaza

parque

View details

Data from Wikidata

Explore the area around Coal Yard Cafe

Coal Yard Cafe is located in Ithaca, surrounded by cultural and historical points of interest. Here are some of the most notable places nearby.

Parks & Gardens

  • Robison Alumni Fields (A 620m) — park in Tompkins County, New York, United States of America
  • Robert J Kane Sports Complex (A 655m) — park in the United States of America
  • Peter Plaza (A 838m) — park in the United States of America
  • Rockwell Azalea Garden (A 858m) — park in the United States of America
  • Students Centennial Garden (A 900m) — park in the United States of America

Other Points of Interest

  • Schoellkopf Field (A 430m) — stadium at Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
  • Bill & Melinda Gates Hall (Cornell) (A 628m) — building in United States of America
  • Bradfield Hall (A 822m) — building in New York, United States
  • College Avenue Bridge (A 845m) — historical entrance bridge to Cornell University campus, Ithaca, New York
  • Mann Library (A 862m) — main library of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

Data from Wikidata

Frequently asked questions about Coal Yard Cafe

Coal Yard Cafe is located at 143 Maple Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, Ithaca.
Near Coal Yard Cafe you can find points of interest such as Schoellkopf Field, Robison Alumni Fields, Bill & Melinda Gates Hall (Cornell), Robert J Kane Sports Complex.
Coal Yard Cafe offers cake;sandwich;fish_and_chips;american;breakfast;coffee_shop;crepe;bagel;diner cuisine.
Coal Yard Cafe has regular opening hours. Check their profile for updated schedules.
Coal Yard Cafe offers the following services: dine-in, takeaway.
The most recommended dishes at Coal Yard Cafe based on customer reviews are: sweet potato hash, breakfast croissant, falafel, salmon on quinoa, Rachel and Grits.
Coal Yard Cafe is ideal for brunch, casual dining, tourists, locals, quick bites.
Coal Yard Cafe is a small, quaint cafe known for its delicious and inventive breakfast and brunch options. The sweet potato hash, breakfast croissant, and special dishes are highly praised. Service is generally friendly and efficient, though seating can be limited.
The cafe is small and can get busy, especially on weekends, but the service is surprisingly fast. Consider outdoor seating in the back if available.
454
Reviews

Coal Yard Cafe Ithaca Reviews

4.5
454
5★
72%
4★
18%
3★
5%
2★
3%
1★
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Reviews (100)
S
S W

Love this place. Gets crowded weekend mornings (for a good reason), but they have good outdoor seating too. Highly recommend the canary and the salmon

A
Ashton Kozlik

Favorite breakfast in Ithaca, sneaky great lunch too. Recommend the breakfast burrito, bowls, and funky coffees they make.

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Vivek Jhunjhunwala

Fresh and delicious food. Loved the outdoor seating to enjoy the vibes. Recommendation - falafel eggs 😋

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Layla Zang

Love this place. Food is great, the hash brown is a must try!

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Kristi

Fantastic little gem of a place for brunch. Visited with a friend and love that they have added some outdoor seating as it becomes really full inside when the students are back in town. Fresh food with high quality ingredients. Definitely worth a visit. Note: there is very limited parking so carpool or walk if you can.

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Lori Bennett

Highly recommend this stop for breakfast/brunch delicious food!!

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Rachel Barnett

Delicious food and great atmosphere!

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Heather Scott

Love the food and the vibe here! I have probably eaten here 100 times. Shakshuka, falafel with egg, and turkey Rachel are my faves. My friend swears by their quinoa bowl. Their Matzo ball soup cured us of many ailments!!

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Laurel

Coal Yard's food is always delicious and unique. You can tell they take care in what they're preparing. The outdoor dining area they have set up is really pleasant, although I will be pleased when they open up the inside again. (It's so cute!) All their drinks and even plain coffee are delicious! Never had a bad experience here. Thanks Coal Yard Cafe!

L
Luke Bernick

Great spot for a quick breakfast or lunch or just a coffee on the way to campus! They do get busy on Weekends and holidays, with waits occasionally getting up to 30-45 minutes, but I think that just speaks to their popularity around East Ithaca. Staff is friendly, food is great, and the decor is cozy and authentically historic

E
Erik Angerstig

Passing through on vacation, decided to get brunch here. It did not disappoint! We got the crepes and the ranch eggs and my wife who doesn't like eggs even liked the ranch eggs. We will definitely come back if we ever pass through again.

A
Alexey Kurnikov

Amazing, fast, delicious... Thanks, guys!

D
Daniel Barton

The food here is fantastic! I don’t believe I’ve ordered something I didn’t like. It is often crowded here, but I find that the food is well worth the wait. Unfortunately I can’t speak to the quality of the coffee as I’m not a coffee person, but thy seem to take a lot of pride in their espressos and such. You will probably not eat here for less than $15. While they do have some “less expensive” options, the good stuff starts at $10 and up.

E
Ernesto Andrade

Quick pit stop for lunch, nice/cute location. Clean environment, friendly service. Delicious food, very clean, very fresh, freshly made!

M
Megan Martinez

I love this place. The food is delicious (and unique; the breakfast rice bowl is awesome!). The drinks are tasty, and the place itself has a cozy feel to it. The employees are all extremely helpful and enthusiastic about what Coalyard has to offer. Who can blame them? It's all delicious!

M
Melissa Drexler

Food is fantastic. Service is friendly, and they serve it up fast. It is in a quaint, location with sparse parking and seating is limited so plan on waiting or taking your food to go. Be courteous and don't linger too long if you choose to take a table - remember I mentioned it is busy.

J
Jeney Wierman

Great lunch! Look for their daily special. Lines can be long at peak hours, and it can be tough to find a table, but it goes quickly and is worth the wait. In good weather, outdoor seating is comfortable out back.

I
Ida Liu

Delicious food - I got the curried egg sandwich with a side of fresh fruit. The cold brew coffee was great and would highly recommend. Great little place, lovely setup - really enjoyed this place.

B
Bea K

Small but cute. Loved the atmosphere. Smelled amazing! Which made it hard to order 🤭 hot chocolate was yummy, not overly sweet. Food came out hot, fresh, and delicious. Everyone was friendly and attentive. Can't wait to go back. Ty everyone!

K
Kellysphotos

Excellent food. I got the sliced turkey roast, it was delicious! The wait was short and the food came fast. Popular place for young people.

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Phương Đài Trịnh

Coal Yard Cafe is a cozy, charming spot tucked away in Ithaca, offering a welcoming atmosphere and a menu filled with simple yet flavorful dishes. This small café has quickly earned a reputation for its laid-back vibe, great coffee, and mouthwatering breakfast and brunch options, making it a local favorite for both students and residents alike. The menu at Coal Yard Cafe features a mix of comfort food with a creative twist, perfect for starting your day or enjoying a leisurely afternoon. Their avocado toast is a must-try—served on thick, toasted sourdough, with ripe avocado, a sprinkle of chili flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil that ties it all together. For something more hearty, the breakfast burrito is packed with eggs, cheese, and fresh veggies, delivering a satisfying and flavorful meal that’s perfect for fueling your day. Their coffee is exceptional—smooth, rich, and made with care. The baristas are skilled, crafting every cup to perfection, whether you’re in the mood for a classic latte or something more adventurous, like a cinnamon honey latte. The café also offers a great selection of pastries, from buttery croissants to gooey cinnamon rolls, all freshly baked and perfect for pairing with your drink. The atmosphere at Coal Yard Cafe is intimate yet lively, with a relaxed vibe that encourages lingering over your coffee or meal. The staff is always friendly and helpful, making you feel like part of the family. Whether you’re working remotely, catching up with friends, or simply grabbing a quick bite, the cafe is a perfect spot for any occasion. For anyone looking for a cozy, no-frills café with great food and coffee in Ithaca, Coal Yard Cafe is a must-visit. It’s a charming local gem that truly embodies the essence of the city.

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Satyajit Ghosh

Found this small and local restaurant while I was roadtrip for fall foliage. Absolutely love the taste and price was very reasonable.

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Miriam Epstein

Coal Yard Cafe is one of my new favorite places for brunch. The food is creative, beautifully presented, and generous portions. I've been telling my friends about this place

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Peppers! Snails

The service and atmosphere was amazing, they had historical decorations . On the back of the menu there was information about the area's history. The food was amazing, I got a rice bowl and crepes, the crepes were mildly overcooked but it didn't bother me. It came with unsweet homemade whipped cream and fresh berries. It wasn't too sweet. The rice bowl was an Asian take on a breakfast rice bowl and the flavors went very well together. I also got a cold brew coffee and it was brewed very well, it came black and there was a section with milk and multiple kinds of sweeteners. The employees were very kind and quick. The seating wasn't the best as they only had tables of 2 and one table of 4. There was outdoor seating but it was on top of parking so there was only 3 parking spots.

T
Tiffany Fernandez

COME HERE! All the food my group and I ordered was amazing! Coffee flavor is good too. Also amazed at the variety of food options they had. Our Asian friends got the Asian salad and “LOVED it” Chicken pesto salad - “nice flavor” Yard burger - “very well cooked “ Shakshuka- “delicious!” Breakfast burrito - “yummy” The thick-cut bacon.m- “best bacon I’ve had so far ! “ Very friendly staff. Thank you! Suggestions: Low music in the dining area. (Only in the front) More seating And a way to keep the dining area cooler

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Justin Mokayed

Super cute space and the food was delicious. You can tell they genuinely care about the food and service. Really great and a must try.

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Beth Garrett

The food was really good! We had a rice bowl, a grit bowl, crepes, and a bagel sandwich. As a southern girl, I can say the grits were a little al dente ... but very tasty, with a unique combo of flavors. Definitely recommend. Will be back!

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Rich Lomnicki

Although we had to stand up to eat our cinnamon roll and drink our coffee everything else was great

R
Rosario Freeman

10/10 Food and Service We had the burger and pancakes with duck. Very unique menu. Everything was amazing.

R
Ryan

Really good sandwich “danwich” and fresh fruit. Little pricey but makes sense for the proximity to cornell. Highly recommend

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Vera Scroggins (Progressive Media)

Great menu and had my fav crepes with my grandkids.

A
Amy Dionne

We had the sweet potato hash bowl and the pork and rice bowl. Both were amazing. The coffee was very good. Highly recommend

D
D Bozz

We've never really enjoyed the sandwich shops in Ithaca, until now. We like fresh and unpretentious ingredients, no greasy flavored bread, not cooked and not a sub, but still has thought and flavor. They have many great choices. Our first visit we decided to use the "build your own" option. Real nice thick sliced turkey and ham sandwiches with our favorite low ingredient bread (Heidelberg Peasant). Not overly mayo'd with fresh toppings and a nice coleslaw side. The wait wasn't too long and the staff was friendly.

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Venessa

We ordered Shashuka and Falafel breakfast plates and both were BANGIN!! So good, wanted to lick the plates. The only problem with them was that there wasn't enough to eat myself sick. We also got the Ithica Mud and Nutella coffees. Both exquisite. Good music playing inside and a pretty little herb garden patio outside. 5 stars, will go again.

T
Tim Fraser

Nice cafe in Belle Sherman! Good coffee, nice meals. I think they recently made some great strides at making it much faster to get orders in too!

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Marcellus Windley

Visited Ithaca for a few days this past weekend and loved the space here. Had the Sweet Potato Hash, with an extra scrambled egg on top and it came out amazing. I also had the two egg scramble, and that was awesome too. There wasn't much wait time, though you do have to order up at the register and bus yourself. When my brother and I came early afternoon on Saturday, we missed a rush of students coming in for their food. Great place to talk to come cool locals/students while chomping on some great food. The Barista who was there (a college aged young lady) was on top of her game with the caffeinated drinks. Order your drinks separately, and enjoy!! Great place and highly recommend. Seating is limited, but we were always able to find a spot.

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Lexi Chipules

Always so delicious! I drive to Ithaca from cuse just for these potatoes 😍 Hard to find seating sometimes, but it's a very small place, so that's to be expected. They have outdoor seating options as well.

M
Mason Sopchak

First time here today. What a charming little cafe. Healthy tastey cafe fare. Rice bowls to lattes to omelettes. I had a croissant sandwich which was delicious and ready quickly. Pictures are of lattes and crepes. update: Going to Coal Yard Cafe has become a weekend staple for our family. We all have our favorites, but we have ventured away from time to time and each dish is very good.

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Daniel Rosenhaus

Sweet potato hash was really good!! The place has a cool history - read it on the menu. Counter service, got food quick and it’s nice inside. Easy coffee refills too. It’s a quaint, quality spot for breakfast or brunch in Ithaca/College Town. I recommend it.

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Amanda Pereira

Very cute and inviting building from the outside. Inside was just as cute and the staff could obviously tell that we were new and they were very helpful. The food came out very quickly and my Tex Mex Melt sandwich was fresh and delicious. The flavor pairings complimented each other well. Would definitely recommend this place for it's cozy-cafe atmosphere and its selection of quality food and baked goods.

Y
Yonah Edens

I recently started a Google maps list titled "great coffee" so I'll always know where to go for a good cafe in any given area (I travel quite a bit, so that can be a hassle). This is absolutely going on the list. The coffee was a little bitter for my taste but good overall and the food was BEYOND BELIEF good. Service was also lovely. 5 stars.

M
Mary Salcedo

Line out the door had me curious! Worth the wait. Sweet potato hash was SO TASTY! Coffee was good. Definitely going to visit again. Space is small but there are tables inside and out to sit. You can also order and wait outside for your order when it’s crowded.

P
Persistent Dreams

Very small place with excellent food and service. We stopped in for lunch and made the mistake of going around noon. It would have been quieter if we had waited an hour. The food is excellent, though. We tried their version of a falafel sandwich and the rice bowl. Both the chickpea patty and chicken were delicious. Parking can be difficult in their rear lot as it is shared with several apartment buildings as well. Still would recommend, though. I think it's worth the hassle for such excellent food.

D
Dustin Cross

This is an excellent local Cafe with amazing food and very friendly staff. After ordering, food came out amazingly fast, which with two hungry waiting kids, was appreciated. Excellent soup and sandwiches, and great coffee and Chai. Will be returning here again.

A
Alexa C.

Had a great little breakfast here (shrimp & grits, a daily special). It’s cozy and historic which I love. Also for the matzah ball soup which was good and they had great coffee. It’s counter service so good for a quick bite.

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Nancy Tinch

My family and I went here while visiting Cornell for a reunion and it did not disappoint. I would describe the cuisine as elevated diner food. For instance, my guest and I had the Quack Jacks — Johnny cake pancakes topped with the most perfectly cooked duck breast drizzled in a balsamic reduction. Although we didn’t get to try much else, the place was packed and bustling with customers so I am sure the rest of their menu is good! The restaurant also had a variety of very interesting coffee dishes in addition to your standard coffee and espresso-based drinks. I had their cafe niro, an orange flavored coffee espresso drink that was tasty but not overly sweet. We dined in. We found the dining room a bit tight given that we came with two kids and huge stroller but our waitress accommodate us by rearranging some tables. The restaurant also offers carry out which the majority of patrons (young college students) opted for. This place is a hidden gem with a unique history related to coal hence the name (no spoilers here). The menu lays it all out. I have added this place to my must visit Ithaca/Cornell list. I highly recommend!

C
Christina Docenko

Such an amazing place to get breakfast. The rice bowl was refreshing and delicious, and the service was incredibly fast. I definitely recommend checking this place out!

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Frankie Riley

wow, the sweet potato hash is delicious and reasonably priced! service was quick. we went with a larger group (7) and there was enough seating for lunch

S
Sydney Dunbar

Fun menu that tastes pretty decent, self serve register that delivers to your table. Everyone is always friendly and food is prompt. The Thai tea is surprisingly delicious.

K
Kayra Kalay

Fantastic food, amazing espresso and friendly faces. 10/10 come here if you haven’t been, like coffee and want good food!

Adrienne Stearns
Adrienne Stearns

We want here after hiking at Minnewaska State Park. Food & service was excellent. Sandwiches were delicious and big enough to take home 1/2! Will definitely go again!

Minard Hamilton
Minard Hamilton

Coal Yard Cafe has the best breakfasts in Ithaca. They are delicious, inventive, healthy and filling. You MUST try this place if you are in the area.

Kyaw Hsan Hlaing
Kyaw Hsan Hlaing

Brunch at Coal Yard is a pretty good. Mostly I tried their special dish of the day. Enjoy.

Nana Potenza
Nana Potenza

Yum in the tum! I’ve only been here for brunch. Even though it is busy at that time (on the weekend), the service is excellent and the food comes out surprisingly fast. I like any option on the ‘Unusual Suspects’ menu. Coffee drinks are great, too!

Amrita Diol
Amrita Diol

We liked our sandwiches. The salmon on quinoa was yummy. Indoor seating is limited. Everyone was polite. Professional staff. Some outdoor seating under the canopy at the back. There is some parking as well.

Deano M.
Deano M.

Nice quirky set up, attentive and friendly staff, excellent food and a very solid coffee. The sweet potato hash was definitely the star of the show. Thin and crispy almost like chips as a base to the egg dish was delicious. I got a standard coffee drink (very good) but my wife’s coffee with lavender was excellent.

Parshad Mehta
Parshad Mehta

Went to have a breakfast and the place is nice and quaint. The coffee is nice and I had ordered a sweet potato hash. The dish was appetizing and had fresh egg and pork in along with a toast and sweet potato hash. The coffee is brewed freshly. If you find yourself hungry and in Ithaca, Coalyard cafe is definitely up there in the list of places to hit.

ANTHONY R ARDILLO
ANTHONY R ARDILLO

Honestly, honestly, 10 star food and service. We came to Ithaca to rush our horse into emergency surgery and the next morning decided to stop here for breakfast. We were greeted by smiles and happy staff and probably one of the best breakfast I've ever had in my life. The special, shrimp and grits was the most amazing rendition of the dish I've ever had! I would absolutely recommend to anyone to stop and give this place a chance because it is top notch!

Dayan Siri
Dayan Siri

Loved our visit for sunday breakfast. Cool place with both indoor and outdoor seating. Great service and friendly staff.

Jennifer Barnes
Jennifer Barnes

Had this several times in the last week. Its been great every time. They have some interesting flavor combos. The Rachel and Grits have been standouts. Also the brownies. They're quick with service. Also, the Matzo Ball soup was so good it it made realize every other time id had it had the places must have been taking shortcuts because this was great.

Patricia Coughlin
Patricia Coughlin

Its a VERY small place but it packs a punch with flavor and kindness. I had the crepes with berries and they were delicious. Seating can be hard to come by but once you're in you get a menu and order at the counter and they will bring your dish out. I walked out and left my purse on the chair and a kind fella chased me down. Would definitely stop again.

Hong Hanh Dinh
Hong Hanh Dinh

Very small but cute cafe that was perfect for breakfast as we were travelling. The dishes are filling and delicious. They had taro milk tea, which I think is seasonal. I wanted to get it to try but I was too full at the end. Nonetheless, I was impressed by that. For a small upstage New York, it was experimental and not only offering the usual, typical breakfast items.

Kaitlyn Fedele
Kaitlyn Fedele

We were pleasantly surprised by how upscale this cafe was - the food was delicious and the atmosphere was perfect! We got the Ranch Eggs meal, crepes, and a vanilla latte. Everything really hit the spot and I'd say the pricing makes sense for the quality you get there. We also sat outside, there were a lot of seating options to choose from. Will be back again!

The Suave Sultan
The Suave Sultan

A super cute cafe in a converted coal office building. They really lean into that heritage and have a lot of cool decorations and furniture that hail back to that era. The coffee and food are both very delicious and the staff are very friendly!

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Kurt Weber

Quaint restaurant good for brunch breakfast and lunch. Interesting artifacts showing the history of coal being that this is an old coal weighing station. Order at the counter and they bring the food out to you right away. Park is a little tough as a lot of small and can only hold about six cars but we were lucky this time and parked in the small lot. Super friendly staff and very good food.

Kashaf Jamshed
Kashaf Jamshed

I have been visiting coalyard cafe since 2020, it’s my go to place for a quick filling and fulfilling breakfast experience! I always get the falafel or the breakfast croissant (hands down the softest croissant in the world). Definitely swing by when visiting Ithaca ❤️

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H Chan

You order and pick-up your food outside at a small window. They have unique breakfast items and excellent coffee. I ordered the jailhouse wrap and it was good and filling. My friends enjoyed their meals as well, but it wasn't filling for them.

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Zachary Bolotte

Great aesthetic with unique takes on breakfast classics and a few unique dishes overall. Lost a star in my mind today when I tried their lunch for the first time. Ordered a Cuban sandwich - the meat and cheese was great, but it was made without any pickles or mustard… I checked back on the menu and apparently that’s the way they do it - but when I asked for a side of pickles and mustard they didn’t have any. A Cuban sandwich is literally six ingredients; why they wouldn’t even bother stocking the two cheapest ones is beyond me.

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Heidi Wohlfahrt

Hubby and I brought our daughter and her roommates here for lunch. It was a cold day and had to sit at the picnic table outside because there is VERY little seating inside. Staff is friendly but overworked, looking for help. Food was delicious and affordable . We'll definitely go back on a warm day

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Liz Carney

Good fancy lattes on a Saturday morning. Pretty long wait and a little claustrophobic to wait by the counter, but overall I liked the feel of the place and want to go back for breakfast sometime. They had compost and recycling bins out for customer use, which I like to see personally.

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Kushal Kumar

Lovely ambience and a cute place to sit, work and hangout. Great outdoor seating as well! Food is fine :)

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Roman Rabinovich

Cool intimate spot for breakfast and lunch items that ate a cut above the usual bacon and eggs offered else where.

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Timothy Kent

We stopped here for breakfast and walked away feeling meh about the flavors. The ranch eggs were quite wet while the rice in my rice bowl needed more cook time. Thank you regardless for the experience.

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Joel Semel

Food was really good. It’s a bit pricey and you don’t get much for the price. I ordered avocado with my omelette for an up charge and it was less than one quarter of a slice of avocado. I added two additional eggs to my omelette too and it was still shockingly small for a 4 egg omelette. It’s a good place and we enjoyed it.

M
Mark Midmark

Cute little spot for breakfast with weird/limited parking. Food is ordered at the counter and picked up at the counter as well. Service was just okay. Food was decent, but I can't remember what I got, so there's that.

A
Ari W.

Great cafe style breakfast. This restaurant is small and doesn’t take reservations so you might have to wait a while to sit. It’s very casual and they have a good variety on the menu.

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Niechelle Wade

Such a quaint Cafe, the food was really good and prepared quickly. Comfort food with a unique twist. Best falafel I've ever had!

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FastKart!

Cute little cafe in the heart of Ithaca. Breakfast and coffee, great for a quick bite. Friendly staff. Parking was confusing as there's a residential building sharing the rear parking lot. Service was great! Food and coffee were good but not the best, can't complain though it gets the job done.

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Jen G.

This is a quaint, little cafe. Nice decor and a casual, student-friendly vibe. A range of health-savvy options, such as natural nondairy options, etc. The chef was knowledgeable about gluten free requirements. I got the gluten free rice bowl, with spiced pork, avocado, carrots, cucumber, and a fried egg on top. Tasty and visually appealing. My friend got the regular El Cubano. It was cheesy and toasty and really good, he said. Quality food and I felt confident in their promise to accommodate my dietary needs. Would go again!

Segal Siri-Princz
Segal Siri-Princz

This place is a hidden gem! Really delicious food, so happy to find this! We had some delicious shakshuka & and open faced falafel plate w salad n pesto & home fries on the side! It was all sooo good!

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Clara

It's very small place with limited seating so it would be helpful if they could implement a courtesy rule where you can't save a table until after you've ordered. We went on a Sunday when it was busy and there was a long line to order food but an even worse wait for a table. Servers just had to hand customers their food...while they were still standing waiting for a table. It was a stressful, chaotic dining experience and I will try to visit another time when it's not as packed.

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Sandra Vadhin

I wish I could give 3.5 stars. I went here both before and during the pandemic. The service was great the few times I've been. The food is bland and the portions are small, but the coffee is good for the price. Pastries are also generally decent. Breakfast burrito (takeout) - very little seasoning and the beans were very wet but still hard; it's been at least three years and I still remember this as one of the worst burritos I've ever eaten Danwich (takeout) - the egg in it was oily and overcooked; not worth it Sweet potato hash (dine in) - pretty good

u
uday Sam

Israeli Salad is an Arabic salad with maybe a feta or some twist. Call it Mediterranean Salad! At least it sounds genuine and not a thing that doesn't exist.

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Matthew Hofmann

By Ithaca standards, the food here is pretty good. However, the place is too small to properly handle a rush of brunch customers. Moreover, the prices are pretty high.

S
Stuff I Bought

Was just here. Space is decent. Got the $10 croissant an egg w an extra egg. Was asked what toppings I wanted to add on. Was not told that there would be a charge. So $10 for a tiny croissant and egg. $1 charge for extra egg. $4 for half a small avocado ie two slices. And the kicker, when it arrived, the extra egg did not. Decaf coffee is a long wait, btw.

Amanda Gorges
Amanda Gorges

The food left a lot to be desired. Not a lot of flavor and the portion sizes were small. I felt there was more volume in the cup of coffee than the food. Also kinda disappointed to have it served in a take out container even though we were eating in the Cafe.

J
Jessica Baker

Not amazing. Ordered the rice bowl, and it was a scoop of rice with pork sausage and some shredded carrot. Felt pressured to tip.

K
Kate

I’m not sure how I feel about this place. This morning, I ordered the falafel and egg dish but asked for no feta due to my dairy-free diet. The dish came with a lot of tzatziki sauce on the bottom and top of the dish, not mentioned on the menu. I requested it to be remade without tzatziki due to not eating dairy, and mentioned that it did not have tzatziki listed on the menu, but when I received my new dish it still had sauce on the bottom. It's disappointing that the menu didn't mention such a common allergen. I couldn't send it back again without feeling horrible for the kitchen staff, so I ended up with a stomachache. Be cautious if you have dietary sensitivities like me.

K
Kim Klock

Disappointing. Stopped in for Breakfast. Ordered eggs over easy, both orders came eggs hard, over done for that even. Bacon means one slice cut in two to make two slices. Home fries are an expensive side and are deep fried, not grilled. Interesting atmosphere but the food was disappointing.

s
sanaz sadeghi

I think it's overrated. The whole ordering and paying procedure could be better organized. You can go ahead and choose your table, but there are no signs telling which tables have been cleaned. There is no boards or LCDs at the ordering section to easily have access to the menu and once I asked for a menu the staff didn't have one to hand me, and was like go pick it up from there! I think it was a little rude and disorganized. Then I asked to pay for my friends and they said "yeah, I got their order, you can pay at the end" then I realized one of my friends was charged separately and they had forgotten to write down my other friend's order. The food was average. Omlet was not that tasty, and the bread was either not toasted at all or it was hard to notice. I was excited to find a good place for breakfast or brunch in Ithaca and I was disappointed.

A
Ali Wazir

Though the place is packed all the time the food is very mediocre. Breakfast places are a scam in general but this place is particularly disappointing. Shakshuka was barely cooked and just tomato paste from a pan. The bagel with Lox was crumble and sloppily put together. The crepes were ok. I won't recommend it.

E
Edward Weiss

We were really looking forward to having a nice weekend breakfast here but were significantly disappointed. The staff taking our order were not welcoming and seemed vaguely annoyed that we were there. While the food arrived quickly, the poached eggs were essentially raw, the bread barely toasted, and all of it it was served with a meagre five grapes on the side. The breakfast burrito was bland and underspiced. The only positives were the coffee (very tasty, and from a different place - Gimme Coffee) and the iced tea. We won't be coming here again.

S
Sondra

Super adorable spot with attentive and friendly staff. Seems very popular with the college kid crowd. Ordered a cortado and a cinnamon roll. The cinnamon roll came served in this egregiously huge box (maybe ask if its going to be eaten right away and serve on a simple napkin--save the waste) and tasted impressively blank. I wanted butter and cinnamon and warmth to come thru, but it was just heavy and doughy and tiresomely sweet. Cortado tasted like charcoal with a lazy little swath of foam at the top.

O
Olivia Jeske

Food was good enough but parking makes me never want to come here again. There are 3 designated parking spots and that’s it. Second time we came we turned around and went somewhere else. Really unfortunate.

HMT
HMT

Expect to get judged if you don’t pay tips for nonexistent service! There was one time I ordered a coffee to go and didn’t pay tips, because I ordered at the counter and waited right there to pick up myself (It’s not like they took my order at the table and had to bring it to me and clean the table after me or anything.) Before the barista made my coffee, she was exchanging eye contact with the cashier. The cashier was frowning and waving her hand under the counter, which I assumed signaling her that I didn’t pay tips. The barista rolled her eyes, made the coffee, gave it to me with a terribly unpleased look and didn’t say a word. The worst experience ever! Though I liked their sweet potato hash from previous visits, I have never visited this place since then.

A
Anika Sayed

While the staff and space were incredibly nice, the food was deplorable. Shakshuka was water on a plate with eggs (any person who has had a traditional shakshuka knows the base of tomatoes and onions would become a paste not watered down.) The burrito lacked in any substantive flavor and coffee beans need much improvement. Food should be a joy to serve not difficult to consume. The worst part of this place is their labeling of Israeli salad. What is Israeli salad? The occupied olive trees? The generations of land, heritage, and people being bombed mercilessly? In a collegiate town, boasting your colonization is exceedingly tasteless. Remove it from your menu, it’s antisemitic and unauthentic. Also if this is meant to be a faith-based establishment, pork is not kosher.

F
Farid Gojayev

My wife got poisoned from omelette. I felt a weird taste but didn’t think much of it until my wife fell ill. It was either because of ham or bacon. Pay closer attention to ingredient quality

Dustin Som
Dustin Som

Stopped in for lunch before my trip back home to Philadelphia. The coffee came out quickly, after that I was left waiting for my food for 45 mins. When it finally came out the fries were cold. The service was abysmal and so was the food. If it weren’t for having to drive 4 hours back home I would have sent it back and got a refund. After looking at past reviews I found other customers of Asian descent experience similar treatment. I’ll be sure to avoid this place in the future.

Z
Zoe Atkins

Came with a group of about 15 girls, all of us ordered food and a coffee. A staff member came up and said in an exasperated tone, “guys, I’m sorry, but we need the table. We have people waiting.” We hadn’t even finished our food and all the coffees were half full. Probably got a good 15 minutes before he decided to come over and ask us to leave. A big group of well paying customers in a cafe for brunch. This is unacceptable and they should be ashamed of this kind of treatment. I saw in the reviews that we are not the first to experience this. Next time we will be taking our business elsewhere.

Josh Dennis
Josh Dennis

What began with such promise ended with the worse crash and burn and experience in some time. All the descriptions of this spot are accurate. Cute. Charming. Historical. Service was helpful at the beginning. I was born and raised in Ithaca 50 plus years ago and have lived in New York City for 30 plus years. I was up visiting family for the weekend and coal yard was my moms suggestion. We got two coffees. A croissant and a yummy egg sandwich. We waited a few minutes for a table to open. No problem. Cafe life is first come. First served. Anyone who goes to popular breakfast spots knows this. Room was very cold but again loved the vibe and food was good. 25 minutes at the most we were sitting when the young guy who had served us came sheepishly over and asked us to leave that he " needed the table" needed the table? Was the queen mother in the room? Had we made a scene or been sitting for hours on a laptop? 10000× no. To say i was embarrassed was an understatement. Did i want to push back and suggest that whoever was waiting could wait just as i did? Like getting erroneously scolded by a life guard. It stung. We took our final sips. My mother hadn't even finished her croissant. You have the word "cafe" in your name. You don"t want people to sit? Take the chairs out. You want a pace and turn over? Hire a server who will move the tables. This way is passive aggressive and wildly unprofessional. Too bad. Really too bad.

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About Coal Yard Cafe

How to get there

143 Maple Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850

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Highlights

Highly Rated
4.5/5 stars
💬
Many Reviews
454 reviews
💰
Moderate Price
Price level
👨‍🍳
cake;sandwich;fish_and_chips;american;breakfast;coffee_shop;crepe;bagel;diner
Cuisine type

Services

🥞 Breakfast
🥐 Brunch
🍽️ Lunch
Coffee
🍰 Desserts
🥗 Vegetarian Options
🥡 Takeout
🍴 Dine-in

Dining Options

🍽️ Dine In
🥡 Takeout

Restaurant Info

🕐 Hours Today
8AM-3PM
Rating
4.5/5
💬 Reviews
454
💰 Price Level
$$
⏱️ Typical Visit
People typically spend 20 min to 1 hr here
📞 Phone
+1 607-277-0734
🌐 Website
www.thecoalyardcafe.com

Amenities

🅿️ Parking
🌿 Outdoor Seating
Wheelchair Accessible
🚻 Restroom
💳 Credit Cards
📱 Mobile Payments
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143 Maple Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850

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