Areas to Explore GATEWAY PLAZA & EAST STATE STREET

The Gateway Plaza and East State is another niche area downtown to explore at the east end of the Commons, offering visitors and residents mouth-watering dining and culturally rich opportunities. Angelhearts Diner, in the plaza, offers a grand selection of vegan cuisine. For some American fare, grab some freshly baked pizza slices from Domino’s.

Gateway Plaza offers our bestkept secret, the pleasant views of the Six Mile Creek Nature Area, a dedicated pedestrian walkway that extends to Coltivare on Cayuga Street.

Across the street from Gateway Plaza is our boutique B&B, Argos Inn and Argos Warehouse, an event space. Housed in a historic mansion, Argos Inn has 13 luxurious guest rooms, each equipped with a private bath, cozy bedding, and original works of art by local and renowned artists. Innovative and historic cocktails are an absolute must-try in the world-class Bar Argos where you’ll find an extended outdoor bar and cabanas.

Just down the street, you’ll discover a connecting street teeming with activity. Don’t miss Bike Bar Ithaca, a cyclist-themed pub, next to Old Goat Gear Exchange, an outdoor apparel and gear recycler selling new and used gear together, or enjoy vegetable-driven dishes and tasty mixed cocktails at The Greenhouse Cafe and Cocktail Lounge or at The Strand inside of Canopy. Also, make an appointment for self-care at Alta Spa!

Plus, there’s The Community School of Music & Art, a dynamic meeting place for artists, community members and educators to explore ideas, artistic expression, and creativity together. And, on the other side of the street, our newest development, City Centre, offers luxury apartments with the finest amenities. There you’ll find Collegetown Bagels which has the longest list of handcrafted sandwiches in the city, some of which are named for local celebrities, and Ithaca Ale House offering a fun sports bar setting with signature gourmet burgers.

Aptly named for its concentration of diverse dining options, Restaurant Row is home to some of the best chefs in the region and sought-out foodie paradise. 15 of Downtown Ithaca’s 65 restaurants are located on this one block of Aurora St. in Downtown.

The variety is eclectic! At one end where Aurora intersects the east end of the Commons, Viva Taqueria offers freshly prepared and inexpensive Mexican food while at the other end of the street, Asia Cuisine boasts an expansive array of Japanese, Chinese and Korean comfort dishes--their sushi roll menu is vast! Ultra-modern hangouts like Luna Inspired Street Food, allow you to order your worldly favorite street food directly from your phone.

Suppose you need a sophisticated beverage concocted by a skilled mixologist to complete your meal. In that case, you must dine at Simeon’s American Bistro, Monks on the Commons, Mercato, or Le Cafe Cent-Dix. Need a place guaranteed to satisfy your brews and burgers craving? Head into Red’s Place, Mahogany Grill, or Ithaca Ale House. For a selection of brewed coffee and specialty drinks, stop into Ooy’s Deli, and find tasty breakfast and lunch sandwiches at the new Hound and Mare. Plus, check out our newest eatery, Revelry Yards, featuring casual lunch and dinner experiences.

When the weather is nice, half the town will be dining al fresco out front of the restaurants.

Restaurant Row also offers a variety of specialty services and shopping, too!