Hound & Mare

If there was a James Beard award just for Breakfast sandwiches, the Hound and Mare would win for sure JUST for The Pacific. This is easily the most complex breakfast sandwich I’ve ever tasted. I don’t even like Feta and I will be dreaming about this until the next time I can eat one. Don’t even bother with any other breakfast place. Oh, and the latte I had was 100% 🔥. It paired so well I felt less like I was eating a quick breakfast and more like being pampered at a fine dining establishment!

Yunong Shi

A nice local space. The cappuccino was well-crafted—smooth, rich, with microfoam that held a lovely leaf pattern. The breakfast sandwich (court fox?)—steak, egg, cheddar, and caramelized onions on a sesame bun—was hearty and satisfying, though a touch too sweet and tangy from the onions or sauce. Service is quick, the pastry counter temptingly stocked, and the vibe is low-key but lively. It feels like a modern café built atop the bones of an old community gathering spot—and that’s a good thing.

John Guzman

Don’t miss this little gem of a spot when visiting Ithaca. The service is gentle and kind and the food is delicious; prepared with care and creativity. Pick a window seat and watch the world go by while sipping coffee. As you leave with a full, happy belly, look up and smile…

Melissa Fergusson

Hound and Mare is a coffee shop with a nice ambiance and a rustic/urban warehouse feel off the downtown commons in Ithaca. I’ve been looking for a coffee shop with great breakfast food in Ithaca, and this place definitely fits the bill. If you’re looking for something a bit more gourmet, but still in a relaxed environment this is the place to go. There are plenty of food and drink options to choose from which are creative. It was also nice to hear Adele playing in the shop, one of my favorite artists! I got a lavender latte (which was flavored just right - not pictured but delicious) and the breakfast burrito. It comes with homemade salsa that has the right balance of acidity and kick. It was also a very generous portion size. My husband got the Maple Latte, iced, and the Melrose sandwich which is a bagel sandwich with bacon, fried egg, cheese crisp (which is really good), and he added roasted tomatoes. Definitely a tasty bagel sandwich! We also tried a couple of the pastries which were also well done - the scallion cheddar scone and the pumpkin cream cheese muffin which wasn’t too sweet. Would definitely come again!

Drew Hoover

We stopped by for a normal breakfast and coffee before heading out of town and were blown away by the Hound and Mare! Their signature coffees were spectacular - especially their fall themed drinks. The bagels were fresh and the sandwiches were made quickly and tasted delicious! We ordered pretty early in the morning, and by the time we left, there was a line almost out the door!

Nick King

Great place. Good looks and smells great and an amazing atmosphere. The matcha latte had a perfect balance of sweetness and flavor. The bagel with cream cheese had a good amount of cream cheese as well. The Apple fritter I got was originally undercooked but they gave me a new one and it was a bit better. That isn’t their fault because they actually get their pastries from another company. Overall I would definitely recommend.

Darryl Clark

I wasn't expecting the food to be as good as it was. First impression is that of a up scale eatery. Clean minimalist atmosphere. The menu is displayed on the wall behind the register via a projector . As a AV guy I thought that was interesting. (Not sure how long the projector will last being on a static image all day.) Besides that wow was my breakfast sandwich good! I don't remember the name of it but it had steak,egg, cheese and some type of light spice sauce. Damn good! Lot of people where coming in and picking up orders they placed online. Definitely a good place for breakfast on the go. There is indoor seating. 5 stars on taste. I feel the price was a bit high but with as many people that came in and out no one seems to care . I spent $17.80 for my sandwich and a bottle of OJ. I do have to say it was worth it. Damn good.

Dawn Iler

This place is fabulous! ‘The Melrose’ was legit one of the best breakfast sandwiches I’ve ever had. Everything about it was perfect. My iced matcha was delicious as well. The ambiance was clean and relaxed. The barista was friendly and I also really appreciated the giant cyanotype prints on the wall! Thank you Hound and Mare, you are a new favorite for when I visit Ithaca.

Jeremy Yowell

Went to Hound and Mare on a bright and early Thursday morning while visiting Ithaca. The space inside was large and inviting, with a much more varied food and coffee menu than I anticipated. The pasties I got were solid, but the real highlights were my delicious sandwich and strong coffee. The barista was also exemplary, taking orders, making coffee, and announcing when food was ready. Would come back next time I'm in the area!

Chris Cochran

If there was a James Beard award just for Breakfast sandwiches, the Hound and Mare would win for sure JUST for The Pacific. This is easily the most complex breakfast sandwich I’ve ever tasted. I don’t even like Feta and I will be dreaming about this until the next time I can eat one. Don’t even bother with any other breakfast place. Oh, and the latte I had was 100% 🔥. It paired so well I felt less like I was eating a quick breakfast and more like being pampered at a fine dining establishment!

Ariel Casper

Really great food! Had a sandwich for lunch that was the just the best. Bagel was cooked perfectly. Baked cookies where delicious. Will absolutely be eating here frequently. Ordering online is super easy. Everyone was wearing a mask, contactless payment system too!

Jaclyn

This place is so cute! I had a dirty chai and basic b bagel Sammy. Everything was up to par for breakfast and the staff were really cool, check it out if you're in the area! Also very cute area to walk around and super close to all the planets for the planet walk.

Visited Ithica this week and found this perfectly located coffee spot. The coffee was coffee, hot and tasted like coffee, just how I like it. But, the breakfast sandwiches were next level. The default egg on their sandwiches is over easy, which works out awesome and is not as messy as you'd think. They do ask if you're ok with that or would like it cooked any other way. My favorite was the Melrose. It had so much flavor for a breakfast sandwich. The employees are very freindly and the ambiance is the perfect mix of darkness and light.

The whole staff was so kind, talkative and friendly even at 9am! I didn't catch her name, but the barista with the pink hair was incredibly sweet and welcomed me with so much energy. It was my first time there and they made it an experience - I will be back! (Also great coffee and atmosphere!)

Ed B

Visited Ithica this week and found this perfectly located coffee spot. The coffee was coffee, hot and tasted like coffee, just how I like it. But, the breakfast sandwiches were next level. The default egg on their sandwiches is over easy, which works out awesome and is not as messy as you'd think. They do ask if you're ok with that or would like it cooked any other way. My favorite was the Melrose. It had so much flavor for a breakfast sandwich. The employees are very freindly and the ambiance is the perfect mix of darkness and light.

Lacey Berk

Best cold brew in the Ithaca Commons, no doubt. The Pacific breakfast sandwich was amazing! perfect combo of sweet and savory (I added Chalula hot sauce to it and it was amazing). The staff were all very friendly and kind, and the atmosphere was really nice. Highly recommend!

Delightful breakfast/dessert/coffee spot in Ithaca, New York. We had read that they have some of the best breakfast sandwiches in the town.... and they did not disappoint! Ordered a couple of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burrito (possibly large enough to feed 2 adults) and a couple of coffee options. The bagels for the sandwiches were smaller than we are used to in New York, but they were fresh and delicious. The food menu was not extensive, but all looked like good choices. The drink menu was pretty extensive. Service was friendly and quick. It looks like they are open Wednesday through Sunday. We were there on a Sunday morning and they were busy. There were a few tables on the sidewalk and then a decent number of tables inside. I did not order the avocado toast, but it looked amazing...

Hound and Mare got to be one of the best places for breakfast. I had their Melrose sandwich and avocado egg toast from their menu. From the drinks I had ice coffee and their macha which were so good. Highly recommend this place for breakfast. Staffs just need to be more welcoming to tourists and large groups/families.

Izzy P

Delightful breakfast/dessert/coffee spot in Ithaca, New York. We had read that they have some of the best breakfast sandwiches in the town.... and they did not disappoint! Ordered a couple of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burrito (possibly large enough to feed 2 adults) and a couple of coffee options. The bagels for the sandwiches were smaller than we are used to in New York, but they were fresh and delicious. The food menu was not extensive, but all looked like good choices. The drink menu was pretty extensive. Service was friendly and quick. It looks like they are open Wednesday through Sunday. We were there on a Sunday morning and they were busy. There were a few tables on the sidewalk and then a decent number of tables inside. I did not order the avocado toast, but it looked amazing...

Basit Naeem

Hound and Mare got to be one of the best places for breakfast. I had their Melrose sandwich and avocado egg toast from their menu. From the drinks I had ice coffee and their macha which were so good. Highly recommend this place for breakfast. Staffs just need to be more welcoming to tourists and large groups/families.

Food was amazing! Coffee was amazing! Service was fast and pleasant. My big complaint is that everything is in to go containers. There is nothing like going to a cafe for breakfast and chat with a friend - the vibe is hurt by the fact that you sit and eat with plastic utensils out of a to go box.

Rachel Dufour

Food was amazing! Coffee was amazing! Service was fast and pleasant. My big complaint is that everything is in to go containers. There is nothing like going to a cafe for breakfast and chat with a friend - the vibe is hurt by the fact that you sit and eat with plastic utensils out of a to go box.

This is a solid little coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Ithaca. They offer a great selection of fresh sandwiches and hearty breakfast items. The atmosphere is vibrant and seems to cater to many Cornell students looking for a cozy spot to study or grab a quick caffeine fix.

Les Lusk

This is a solid little coffee shop located in the heart of downtown Ithaca. They offer a great selection of fresh sandwiches and hearty breakfast items. The atmosphere is vibrant and seems to cater to many Cornell students looking for a cozy spot to study or grab a quick caffeine fix.

I recently visited this place with high expectations, only to leave disappointed. Here’s what I ordered and my thoughts on each item: Coffee: I opted for a large decaf coffee, which turned out to be below average. It was watered down, lacking the robust flavor one expects. There was no balance between the espresso shots and the water, making even McDonald's coffee seem stronger and tastier by comparison. Tea: The tea was the only redeeming part of my order. It was a black tea with rose, and it was quite enjoyable. Avocado Toast: This was the biggest letdown. The avocado paste (consistency of baby food) barely covered the bread and seemed to come from a tube or package, almost certainly previously frozen. The flavor was almost nonexistent, with only the marinated onions providing any taste. These onions, while the best part, couldn't save the dish. The toast was bland, with the avocado paste being the cheapest quality one could find at a grocery store. Overall, the avocado toast was one of the worst I've had, not worth the money at all. Given the number of alternative options in the neighborhood, I’m baffled by the high ratings this place receives. I felt misled by the description; this wasn’t avocado toast, but more like baby food smeared on bread. I wouldn't recommend this place based on my experience. Save your money and try one of the many other breakfast spots in the area.

Alex

I recently visited this place with high expectations, only to leave disappointed. Here’s what I ordered and my thoughts on each item: Coffee: I opted for a large decaf coffee, which turned out to be below average. It was watered down, lacking the robust flavor one expects. There was no balance between the espresso shots and the water, making even McDonald's coffee seem stronger and tastier by comparison. Tea: The tea was the only redeeming part of my order. It was a black tea with rose, and it was quite enjoyable. Avocado Toast: This was the biggest letdown. The avocado paste (consistency of baby food) barely covered the bread and seemed to come from a tube or package, almost certainly previously frozen. The flavor was almost nonexistent, with only the marinated onions providing any taste. These onions, while the best part, couldn't save the dish. The toast was bland, with the avocado paste being the cheapest quality one could find at a grocery store. Overall, the avocado toast was one of the worst I've had, not worth the money at all. Given the number of alternative options in the neighborhood, I’m baffled by the high ratings this place receives. I felt misled by the description; this wasn’t avocado toast, but more like baby food smeared on bread. I wouldn't recommend this place based on my experience. Save your money and try one of the many other breakfast spots in the area.

Stopped in for breakfast and coffees. Two sandwiches and two small hot coffees - $40. Coffee is ok - food is totally inedible. Greasy and bland. I’m giving two stars because the cashier was incredibly polite and the space did look to be well taken care of. Was really looking forward to this, and unfortunately it fell flat.

Gwen Harrington

Stopped in for breakfast and coffees. Two sandwiches and two small hot coffees - $40. Coffee is ok - food is totally inedible. Greasy and bland. I’m giving two stars because the cashier was incredibly polite and the space did look to be well taken care of. Was really looking forward to this, and unfortunately it fell flat.

It took me a couple of times going here to realize I think anyone is better off going anywhere else, like Collegetown bagels right down street. There’s a wonderful place called Dolce Delight just outside of downtown. The first time service was great, other 2 times not at all friendly and it was a different person each interaction. Don’t get the steak, it’s rubbery, tastes like Taco Bell and looks like a McDonald’s patty. I took one bite out of it and it had something stringy coming out of it, that was enough for me to throw it out. The people who work there now just don’t seem happy but if you don’t mind having shitty interactions with where you’re spending money and having to tip then hey more power to you. I also did not get asked what kind of milk I wanted in my coffee and that was a bummer once I realized after the coffee was made and given to me, but I was in a rush.

Jocelina Rodriguez

It took me a couple of times going here to realize I think anyone is better off going anywhere else, like Collegetown bagels right down street. There’s a wonderful place called Dolce Delight just outside of downtown. The first time service was great, other 2 times not at all friendly and it was a different person each interaction. Don’t get the steak, it’s rubbery, tastes like Taco Bell and looks like a McDonald’s patty. I took one bite out of it and it had something stringy coming out of it, that was enough for me to throw it out. The people who work there now just don’t seem happy but if you don’t mind having shitty interactions with where you’re spending money and having to tip then hey more power to you. I also did not get asked what kind of milk I wanted in my coffee and that was a bummer once I realized after the coffee was made and given to me, but I was in a rush.