Hands down the best brunch in Ithaca. They always have such unique specials. If you're a egg person the special omelets are killer and always have a lot of veggies! They serve Gimme! Coffee which is delicious. One of my favorite things are their rosemary potatoes and I don't even normally like potatoes. read more

I cannot day enough about the breakfast this morning. Delicious flavors, and prepared with attention to detail, from the oatmeal to the pancakes and lamb sausage. Coffee was strong too. Exelleny read more

One of my favorite Ithaca eateries! Thoughtfully prepared dishes and consistently delicious!

This place goes into my top 5 absolute WORST experiences at a restaurant. Food was decent, though nothing to write home about, and would normally warrant 3-stars from me if not for the incredibly rude and disorganized staff. We arrived at 10 AM for Sunday brunch and were told it would be a 20 minute wait as there were 3 or 4 other parties waiting for a table. We had an appointment at noon and decided to wait. What was supposed to take 20 minutes took over an hour! An older couple came in 15 minutes after us and was called to get seated with only a 10 or 15 minute wait. I went up to the hostess to remind her we had been waiting for 30 minutes and that I didn't understand how the couple should be seated before us. She defensively told me it was because they had a table available for a party of 2, not 4 - yet she sat them at a table with 4 chairs! Then, as we started to get anxious given our noontime appointment, I noticed that 2 tables in the restaurant were just sitting empty for some time. Again, I went to ask the hostess why they weren't seating those tables and ask if we could take them. She informed me that she was waiting for those parties to return! Return?! We had been waiting for nearly an hour at this point and they were holding tables for people that might have left!? I almost lost my cool here, but then, after more than an hour waiting, we were finally seated. Now, I also have a food allergy to nuts, which I have found it is good practice to always inform your server in advance. When coffee and bread was brought out, I told our server who then informed me that some, but not all, of the bread had nuts and simply took it away. Upon her return, she informed me that they wouldn't serve me anything from the griddle or fryer (which is the entire menu)! Now, I have dined at enough restaurants to know that this is completely unreasonable and unnecessary. I have never had a restaurant basically refuse me service because of my allergy - they always (and I mean always, this was a first) find a way to accommodate me in a reasonable way (like cook my meal in a separate fry pan for instance). So after waiting more than hour and stressing about my appointment at noon, I sat down and was treated to a bowl of cold cereal - which they still charged me for!!! Unbelievable - as a student in this town, I have told all my friends of this story and encouraged them not to visit. Horrible. read more

The hot chocolate wasn't that chocolatey, the size of the water glasses is obscenely small, and the eggs are bland. Everything else was alright, I wouldn't come back here though. read more

I'd upgrade my review from last year's super poor one-star review. It appears that they have finally hired at least one, if not two, waitstaff who understand customer service. Last I went for breakfast on a weekday, I was greeted promptly and seated quickly. My order was taken without incident, the European with a side of bacon and the au lait made with either whole milk or oatmilk (I was offered 2% milk, so I went with the oatmilk). The soft-boiled eggs were not cooked and had to be sent back, at which point I offered to accept a poached egg to get my meal moving forward rather than risk another raw egg. No fuss and my egg arrived in a cup and I could finish my meal in peace. The bill was deducted 10% for the issue and I didn't have to make mention of it or make a fuss. It's amazing how a simple apology and doing the right thing can make one feel! I absolutely recommend this place again for the service (I never had any issues with the food quality as long as it was the dish I ordered!). Give it a try and let's hope that the management can keep these new good employees! read more

Loved it! I went here with friends while visiting from California. Everything on the menu looked amazing as well as all the baked goods on display. The omelettes we got were on the small side, with potatoes, no toast or extras, but they use high quality products and it was the perfect amount of food for me. I love the decor and spaciousness, really cool long fish tank along one wall. Great staff, and it's right in the mall which has lots to see. read more

Cafe Dewitt is a lovely spot with delicious food. Sunday brunch is always delightful, their omelettes are perfect (which is a rare feat), and their sweet and savory specials are always creative and tasty. They're super popular, so expect a wait if you arrive at prime brunch time, but the service is great and the food comes quickly, and it's all totally worth it. read more

They do not stick to their hours. If they "have a busy day", they just close super early. The hostess was very short with us and turned us away even after we explained we had walked a long way coming solely because they advertise themselves as a brunch restaurant open later then most. read more

Avoid if you have young children. They are not child friendly and ghettoize families with little ones, making you wait until the one designated table on the margin becomes vacant! read more

I have been in Ithaca for 5 years and my worst restaurant experience was with Cafe DeWitt. My girlfriend and I went there on a Sunday and had to wait 2 hours for our food. The waitress was completely aware of the situation but avoided us for almost one hour. She pretended that she was seeing me when I waved my hand for her a few times. She finally brought the food with no explanation as to why it took them so long. My omelette was OK but my girlfriends French Toasts were the worst we have seen in our lives. read more

After the closure of the beloved ABC Cafe and then its reincarnation, The Giving Tree Cafe, the discovery of Cafe Dewitt was a welcome surprise for me. Though it does not have the cool, rustic ambiance of ABC/Giving Tree, their brunch menu is highly superior. Everything I've had there is scrumptious, but if I had to choose a favorite it would be their eggs florentine: A perfectly poached egg coated with hollandaise laid over a bed of spinach and rosemary foccacia? Yes, please! I will, however, order the lemon souffle pancakes when my sweet tooth calls. As many of the other reviewers have noted, this place is packed at brunch-time, so get up early--you won't be sorry! Food like this is why breakfast is my favorite meal! read more

Stopped here for brunch while visiting Ithaca. Super fresh delicious food! Great service too!

Surprisingly crowded for a Tuesday lunch. Perhaps this is because moosewood, just down the hall, is closed on Tuesdays. We waited about half an hour for a table, and then about 45 minutes between when we were seated and when our entrées arrived. Everyone was very friendly, especially the hostess who knew we were waiting. Fortunately we ordered the cup of soup which was really delicious. Nice depth of flavor. I got a spinach salad with apples and pecans. It was surprisingly underdressed, and under tossed. It kind of looks like just a pile of spinach. I asked for more dressing, which they graciously supplied, and all the taste in the salad were nice. My dining companions had the Ruben and the salmon entrée, and both looked really good. The space is kind of echoey- a lot of hard surfaces for the sound to bounce off of. I appreciate that so many of their foods are locally sourced and fresh. A nice choice if you are not in a hurry, and no one in your dining party has a hearing disability read more

3.5 stars....I've been to Cafe Dewitt on three occasions and their food is solid. I've gotten the Lemon Souffle Pancakes with blackberries, the Omelette Oliver with Dill Walnut Pesto, chives, tarragon parsley and feta, and the Omelette Acapulco with cheddar, avocado and homemade salsa and each one is exactly as amazing as it sounds (although I'd have to say the Acapulco is my favorite.) They have a revolving menu of specials and their coffee is always spot on. I've never tried this place for lunch, but I imagine it is probably equally delicious. Oh, you should also get the bread basket (which used to be free, boo) which is awesome and full of homemade corn bread, scones, etc. etc. My only issue aside from the no longer free bread basket, is that the service is spotty at best. It was the worst yesterday when there were no water/coffee refills unless we flagged out waitress down, which was pretty annoying. Also, we waited close to a half hour for our food (really?!?) Although in the kitchen's defense, when we were there, there were two dudes stuck in a tiny closet-like kitchen looking like a well-oiled machine, which was kind of impressive in itself. Oh, one more thing, cash or check only... guess that knocks them down another half star, you should probably go anyway though, the food is totally worth these petty annoyances. read more

Not happy with customer service. Forced to sit in a smaller table even when party was too big for the table. Was not provided menus when seated. read more

I love Cafe Dewitt.. We have always had excellent meals here, even when we went one day about 15 minutes before they closed, and they still served a great meal. Their tomatoes chutney is AMAZING. Amazing, I say! read more

The service is incredibly slow. The food is overpriced and hit or miss, sometimes very good, sometimes mediocre. Their gazpacho is the worst I've ever tasted. The portion sizes are also variable. Sometimes they give you enough food, and sometimes they label and price something an entree that really should be considered a small appetizer. If this happens, budget for paying for two entrees to get a decent lunch. read more

I was not impressed. One can get much better food and much, much better service for the same price (or less) at Carriage House, up the hill. At Cafe Dewitt, coffee refills were not only not free but unreasonably priced (over $2 a cup for a small cup standard drip); the "specials" ran around $10 or more for smallish portions of uninspired American breakfast food; and I felt like we were inconveniencing the waitresses with our presence. In conclusion, go to Carriage House for a nice breakfast out instead. read more

Cafe Dewitt is great for breakfast! The desserts are also wonderful. If you ever see the marzipan torte you have to get it! Also bring cash. They don't except card. read more

CASH ONLY! Food is very plain. The server was rude and acted as if he wanted to be someone else. They didn't tell us that it was cash only until after we got our checks. They have no sign except for very small print behind the counter that says they don't accept CCs. The server was rude about it and said we had to find an ATM to pay. During our ordering we even told him we were not from here... that was his chance to inform us that they were cash only. Will not go back. Try College Town Bagels... way way better quality and service! read more

Solid. The Tunisian breakfast plate was perfectly balanced. The highlight was the lamb sausage. I asked for poached eggs instead of fried, and they were cooked right. Everything on the plate had a unique touch, down to the carrot chutney. read more

Had breakfast there today with my family. We ordered the honey granola yogurt and cherry onion scone with two soft boiled eggs (one of the specials). Both were delicious! The soft boiled eggs were perfectly cooked and went well with the scone. I was unsure about the scone but it turned out to be very good - sweet and savory. The cranberry jam that came with it was tart and not too sweet - just the way I like it. The granola was filling. The fruits were fresh and sweet. Service was top-notch. All in all, a wonderful experience here. read more

Absolutely fantastic food, especially the brunch menu. The staff are all very pleasant and the atmosphere is really nice. I feel like it's quite a hidden gem in ithaca. Highly recommended. read more

Devine pancakes and perfectly cooked over-easy eggs. Could have done without the too spicy chicken sausage. On balance, a very tasty brunch. read more

Whenever I want a delicious breakfast or lunch in a casual atmosphere, I go to the the Cafe DeWitt. I often spend time there with my adult daughter over our meals, so I don't mind the slowness of service that sometimes does happen. Overall, the staff has been gracious and professional. P.S. The desserts are fantastic! read more

The food here is so delicious. I love the Tunisian plate. It is so healthy and yet satisfying. The prices are reasonable. The only thing they need is some windows since it is in the middle of the Dewitt mall. Great for brunch, especially on weekdays when there is not a wait. read more

We had late breakfast on a Wednesday morning at this local eatery inside DeWitt Mall (not really a mall but an old school building repurposed, love that!). Nice and cozy inside we chose a table against the wall along the hallway to people-watch all the better! Good service, no problems. Delicious breakfast, best French toast I've had in a restaurant. Nicely golden grilled on the sides with tasty eggy layer and warm soft inside. Pure maple syrup. We also had the Chef's Plate with perfectly poached eggs over awesome rosemary potatoes with spinach but not enough cheddar; also an omelette again the cheese (asiago) was lacking and we did inform the manager, also missing tomato; homemade chutney and jam were a nice touch. We city girls liked the atmosphere and ambience and saw none of the issues raised by other reviewers. read more

We had terrible service at Cafe DeWitt. We arrived with our friends from out of town and put our names on the list for a table of 4. We were told the wait would be about 30 minutes. Right after we put our name in, two people came in to request a table for seven! The hostess was not sure if the kitchen could handle this party because the cafe was closing in less than an hour. Alas, when she checked with the kitchen, she said they could accommodate the reservation. After waiting 45 minutes, two tables opened up, the hostess pushed them together, and seated the party of 7 before seating us! How rude! I told the hostess that we were going to leave because we were clearly on the list before the party of 7 and now we would have to wait for their food to be cooked. Instead of being courteous, honest, perhaps offering us a discount, the hostess was defensive and mean. Perhaps DeWitt Cafe was voted Best Brunch, but we will never know. Our brunch of homemade grilled cheese and salad was delicious and much less of a wait! read more

we originally were trying to go to the carriage house, but after we were told it would be an hour long wait we came here. i'm glad we did. it's very cute inside with twinkly fairy lights hung everywhere. i will say that it gets super crowded-we went for sunday brunch- and our waitress wasn't very attentive. we ordered a bread basket (which was absolutely delicious-such amazing bread) but we didn't get it until i had to remind the waitress, while other people had already gotten their food when we'd gotten there before them!!! i mean, we were a party of 5, whereas the people who got their food was a party of two, but there was no excuse for the bread basket to not arrive. however, the bread was soft and light and delicious. and we love/know our bread. the corn bread was so light and sweet and delicious. however, i could tell there was quite a bit of butter in the bread, because afterwards i was feeling sick (i'm mildly lactose intolerant) i ordered the beverly omelet, with egg white which came so light and fluffy. the potatoes on the side were also very good. i ordered the garlic salsa which is meh, and not really worth the extra dollar or two. my mom got the lemon souffle waffles, my friend got the eggs benedict, my sister got stuffed french toast, and my dad got eggs and ham. all in all, delicious food, mediocre service. read more