As a junior at SUNY Cortland, one of the things I have heard students say quite often is “There’s nowhere good to eat here.” or “I can’t wait to go home to have a real meal”. While I have definitely also had a similar conversation with my roommates more than once, over the past 2 years spent in this small town, I have finally found a few go-to places to grab something good to eat with friends.
1. The Rock Sports Bar and Grill- While it is probably the newest addition to the Cortland restaurants, The Rock is a great option to grab something
quick and enjoyable to eat. Not only does the restaurant just have an overall great vibe, filled with TVs, a huge bar and constantly streaming sports games. They also offer a decent-sized menu with really well-made meal options.
2. Harry Tony’s- Located right on the corner of Main Street and Tompkins, this restaurant is easy to get to no matter where you live in town. It offers good food at a reasonable price. Harry Tony’s has been around for over 15 years and it is honestly the perfect atmosphere for all occasions. Whether it is family in town to visit or just grabbing dinner and drinks with a few friends the menu has options for everyone.
3. Cortland Diner- The Cortland Diner is a great place to get together with friends and enjoy great food. It offers a very welcoming staff and atmosphere along with many meal options. Whether you have a large or small group, the staff is always very accommodating. With reasonable prices and a menu with many options, I would recommend just about anyone to try it out. It is overall a very casual place to grab something to eat. The Cortland diner is one of my and my roommate’s favorite Sunday spots, and honestly just a go-to when we don’t know where to eat.
4. Brix- Brick Oven Pub- Brix is another staple for Cortland restaurants. It is arguably one of the best spots to grab a slice of pizza in town. As well as offering many pasta and pizza dishes, it also provides customers with plenty of gluten-free and vegan-friendly options, making it enjoyable for all. On top of all the everyday dinner and lunch options, once a week they run a Sunday brunch. The brunch menu offers plenty of special dishes and even drinks that you can only order once a week. Brix has a very casual but fun vibe, with a big bar that is located in the center of the restaurant, it is definitely a great option to stop in for dinner with friends.
While I have also struggled with finding good food options during my time here in Cortland, I think the restaurants here are what make Cortland what it is. The homey atmospheres, and welcoming staff that they all offer have made my experience so far at this school really great. So next time before you look at your friend and say there’s nothing to eat here, give one of these places a chance.
