Antlers Restaurant

We came on holiday and accidentally chose this restaurant for dinner. I want to say that everything was wonderful, the service was top notch, the food was simply divine, the atmosphere was quiet and calm, a very cozy restaurant. I advise everyone to visit and try the signature soup.

Crab cakes were SO much better than expected.. dare I say the best I've had in a while! I'm glad they made the trip ForkJab all thru this 🤌🏾

I go for their bbq ribs every time. Lovely vibe with firewood in winter. House made honey orange butter is awesome.

The food, service, and atmosphere were amazing. Kaelee was our server and she was excellent! There were four of us and we ordered crab cakes, lobster bisque, steak flights, salmon, and chicken marsala - all cooked perfectly and tasted delicious! We will definitely return. Would recommend making reservations.

I have lived just around the corner from here for years and sadly waited months before I was moving to discover just how good this restaurant is. Good cocktails. Surprisingly good and reasonably priced wine list. Food is great; steak was cooked exactly as I requested it, sauces are great. Serving portions were generous. The waitress I had last time I went, Dana, was phenomenal; if everyone in hospitality was like Dana, I would be dining out more often! Highly recommend Antlers; even their takeout is divine!

A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the Finger Lakes – The Antlers Restaurant. Dining at The Antlers in Ithaca is like stepping into a cozy woodland lodge where warmth, charm, and incredible food come together in perfect harmony. Nestled just a few minutes outside downtown, this restaurant offers a rustic yet refined atmosphere, complete with flickering fireplaces, wood-paneled walls, and friendly, attentive service that made us feel like a long time regular which we are. The menu is a thoughtful blend of classic American comfort food and elevated culinary creations. We started with the Santa Barbara salad. Mine was the Porterhouse Steak and hers was a half beef rib. We shared the steak and saved the ribs for tomorrow's meal at home. Every plate was beautifully presented and accompanied by fresh, seasonal sides that showcased the chef's attention to detail. The wine list is well-curated, with local Finger Lakes selections alongside global favorites, and the dessert menu is impossible to ignore. We shared a warm apple crisp with vanilla ice cream, a nostalgic and delicious ending to a flawless meal. Whether you're looking for a quiet dinner, a celebratory night out, or a taste of local tradition, The Antlers delivers on every level. It's a place that manages to be both sophisticated and comforting—a rare combination that makes it truly memorable. Highly recommended!

So we a had a group of 7. Appetizers were excellent but I was a little disappointed in the shrimp etouffie (sp?)... actually didn't really like it but it's what I chose. Wife had the crab stuffed haddock and she wasn't impressed either. We kept our comments to ourselves. We have been to the Antlers before and have never been disappointed...and we will certainly go back. Maybe just bad choices on our part or maybe just a bad night in the kitchen. The waitstaff was outstanding!!!

My wife and I had an excellent meal at Antlers this evening. We made a reservation online only a few hours earlier in the day. We got welcomed warmly and seated at a lovely corner table which was private and was our style. We enjoyed cold beers, a tasty crab cake appetizer, mac & cheese w/ pulled pork, and I had a grilled chicken sandwich topped with brisket. All food was fantastic. I was very impressed and couldn't believe this was so close to home all this time. We will be going back.

If you see my previous 2 reviews, you'll see what happened last year. This year: Perfect! My husband called the owner, Scott, a couple of days ago to say that we were trying again. From that phone call, to the desserts, Antlers came through. Table ready, great service, delicious food. Scott came by 2x during the meal & all of the servers were excellent! Antlers, and their outlook on customer experience & service, is exactly why we need to support our local businesses. Eat at Antlers for a true Ithaca experience!

Excellent service from two servers who are sisters. Warm interior with quiet atmosphere, interesting decor and pleasant (not overpowering) music. Food was good (the steak flight was creative and the bomb!) I'd go back in a minute!!

I was looking for a spot to host a Galentine's dinner with my friends and this was the perfect restaurant. I called a few weeks in advance and made a reservation and they were very accommodating to my requests. The restaurant has plenty of parking on the left side and the right side of the building. I was able to come a little early the night of the dinner to set the table up and the staff were very helpful. One of my friends has a gluten allergy and she was pleased with the menu options and substitutions. Our waitress Kaelee was so awesome! She was knowledgeable about the menu, gave recommendations, and made sure we had everything we needed. All of the cocktails were delicious and the food was equally amazing! There's a nice fireplace and they had some fun music playing to add to the atmosphere. I couldn't have asked for a better experience and can't wait to go back!

Love the wood burning fireplace it give such a cozy vibe. We love the brunch wish they had it more than just Sunday cause it's delicious. Service has always been great.

For our date night, we decided to give this place a try. The overall welcome was not warm, maybe because we didn't have reservations. We were seated and things were stellar after that. Our server was amazing. As usual I narrowed my choices down to 3-4, she was instrumental in helping me decide as she was very knowledgeable and had eaten items on the menu. My burger was cooked to perfection. My date got the 3 course special. His soft pretzel bites were really good (I don't even like soft pretzels) and he had an ample supply of fish and fries. He had to take the dessert home. The drinks were quite tasty also. The strawberry fields was very refreshing and the jackalope was also tasty if you like drinks with a little spice. The establishment was very clean and the atmosphere was very inviting. I would definitely go again.

I always love the food at antlers. If you're looking for delicious, perfectly cooked meals, this is your place. The meat is always fresh and great quality, cooked exactly how it should be. The shrimp scampi was amazing. Usually shrimp scampi can taste very watered down when ordering at some places but antlers cooks this perfectly. The lobster tails were cooked to perfection and I always love the rice pilaf. And the drinks were great! I love the twist they put on their cocktails, like adding lavender to the citrus blossom. The giddyup wad a bourbon drink with a orange taste twist. The ambiance at antlers is unique. It can be famkly friendly or adult oriented. They have a laid back vibe that is equally fancy for any special occasions. It doesn't give off a vibe where you'd want to bring small children but if you had a large group with kids included it is family friendly. Definitely a place suitable for fancy dinner parties, nice night out, anniversary, or special occasions. The staff are always friendly and very professional. They're all very knowledgeable about the menu and drinks offered. Always willing to give rrecommendations and when they do it feels authentic iinstead of someone trying to get me to buy the most authentic thing on the menu. My one downfall that brings me to the four star is the wait time. And I don't mean wait time to sit. If you don't make a reservation odds are you will be waiting a long time or not sit at all because they book quick and for the whole night. Book ahead! and wait time for food isn't horrible. It's around the amount of time you'd expect. I would say the wait time for the drinks was quite a long time. Then we'd wait a long time for the server just to get our order. And then it would take forever for her to come back and check in on us. We wanted a dessert to eat there but with how long it took her to come back, we did it to go and asked for the check at the same time while simultaneously letting her know we were worried we wouldn't see her for a while. Now, this doesn't take away from how friendly and knowledgeable she was. And when she did come to the table she remembered every ask and delivered appropriately. It was just waiting for her to come back that was a bit disappointing. I find this is frequent when going there which could be attributed to how busy they can get so to an extent I completely understand. But to give an honest review, you will be waiting a long time for your server to come back and check on you.

One of the priciest restaurants in the Ithaca area, but you get what you pay for. They're quite busy, so I'd recommend booking a reservation in advance. The free bread they provide is bussin. Don't get a bread basket, as you're paying six dollars to just get some olive oil. I got the roasted duck, which frankly slapped. I'm a sucker for duck, and it was exactly what I wanted, Portion size was healthy as well. Service was generally quick and kind

What a great little roadside restaurant! They open at 4:30 PM. We arrived approximately ten minutes early and waited in our car in the parking lot. We saw the chef actually come outside to harvest tomatoes from their garden. It was then that we knew we were in for a treat. The interior of the restaurant is rustic. It feels like you are dining at grandma and grandpa's house in the country. Our server was new but she took great care of us. The menu had so many interesting options. It made it difficult (in a good way) to choose. I have never seen a beef flight anywhere else before. I went with the delmonico this time. It was perfectly cooked. The fried green tomatoes were another standout. The bourbon Manhattan I had with my meal was the perfect addition. I can't wait to return here to try some other things from their menu.

The cocktails were average, but then BAM! The filet and mashed potatoes were phenomenal!!! My friend had the Delmonico and we were both sitting there Mmm-mmm-mmm-ing the entire meal. I had the cornbread which was the best I ever tasted, creamy and sweet with a bit of kick on the spicy honey sauce. If in Ithaca, NY this is a must-do.

We were a bit late and arrived at the restaurant at 8:50pm. Grateful that the servers did not hesitate to lead us to the table. We started with the Baltimore crab cake which is surprising good - deep fried with delicious spice and the crab meat tastes flavourful. The 22 oz cowboy steak cooked to medium rare is very juicy with strong meat flavours that surely any steak lover would enjoy. The baby short ribs are one of the most tender ones I have ever tasted. Services are amazing too and the interior setting is cozy and comfortable. Definitely recommended for anyone visiting Ithaca!

The food is good but always takes a long time to arrive. Honestly the wood fireplace is the highlight. Not a place to bring a family with kids.

This place is fantastic. Their food and bar are both phenomenal. They have Upstate Common Sense my favorite beer on tap, as well as a large display of whiskey foreign and domestic like Yamazaki from Japan. They rotate their specials for every night of the week. I wished I lived there because I'd eat there every nite. The parking is sparse because the place is so good that all the spaces are taken!

Had dinner there, my wife ordered scallops gratin and loved it. I had the NY Strip steak was some of the best steaks I've had in a long time. The staff was very attentive, the music was nice and with its low volume, we were able to have a conversation, which seems to be unusual in most restaurants for me at least. Overall, a great experience!

My wife and I lived in Ithaca in the 1990's, and always enjoyed eating out at The Antlers. We returned recently for a 29th anniversary dinner, and found that it lived up to our memories of the place. The horseradish crusted salmon and the roasted duck with cherry glaze were both amazing. Nice to see that they can do more than just beef. A previous reviewer found the decor "dated," but we actually like the slightly kitschy hunting-lodge ambiance. Our server was warm and professional--the evening left nothing to be desired.

HORRIBLE customer service. Arrived 5:30 on a Saturday evening. Met with, Do you have a reservation? Um no...your parking lot has less than 50% of the spaces filled and I see 15+ empty tables....sorry no reservation no service. I have all of my tables reserved for an hour from now.... REALLY??? Called after we left to talk with the MGR...yea same person who couldn't give a "BLEEP" that she turned business away. If you are visiting the Ithica area STAY AWAY!! UPDATE after the business manager replied. The we bait saiid, no wait and to come in prior to our arrival and while sitting in the parking lot. We we visiting the area and were recommended to try this place. There is no planning in advance, it is visiting a local establishment on a BAD recommendation. Dear Mr Business Owner, I am quite aware of how reservations work...I am more aware of walk-ins and customer appreciation for their patronage. You sir do NOT understand customer service or value customers who are new to your restaurant.

Let's start with the service. We've been twice and both times the servers and entire staff have been both professional and personable. I think the staff makes up more of the experience we tend to think until we have a bad encounter. The food... it's better than the staff. The steaks are incredible. They are on the expensive side but worth it if you're going to spend the money on a steak.

No complaints. My father and husband both had the Filet and loved it! I grew up in Ithaca and remember having Delmonico when I was younger so I had to have it since it's not commonly on menu's elsewhere and it was delicious! Also added the bacon-butter topping... mmm-mmm! The bread appetizer was interesting but tasty and no issue with the cocktails. The set up of the dining areas and the lighting made for a cozy atmosphere. The bill was a bit higher than expected but the service was good and we didn't have to wait for a table. This was a great local experience and I may try it again on my next visit just to try the Lobster Bisque my husband recommended.

We stopped in on a Saturday night and we were able to be seated. Breanna was our server, outstanding! Mason was our runner/busboy. Very attentive without being intrusive. The food was outstanding!

Pretty much from the beginning, I was treated disrespectfully by the hostess. Apparently the people she deems as getting a table (even though I had a reservation) is up to her. Food was mediocre at best and way too much. A burger for $19? Maybe that's normal in these parts. Crazy bad experience!

Bri was our waitress for dinner and she was really great as was the food, we would love to go back if we have time!

Amazing restaurant! The decor was impeccable and charming, the food tasted amazing and the service was great! One star off because our food took a very, very long time to arrive

This is a four instead of a three because of the service. We went to The Antler's for my brother's birthday. Our friend lives in the area and said it was reliable, although she hadn't been in some time. The interior is pleasant, if a bit dated. The service was friendly and genuinely concerned about our having a good time. But the roast duck was extremely dry and overcooked. The replacement when we returned it was only slightly less dry, but we were all done by then. To add insult to injury, the menu said the duck was $35, but the check charged $39. When I told them that as be went to leave, they just said "thanks for telling us". The rest of our meals were fine, but nothing to write home about. They are not outrageously priced, but it is not a budget dining experience, so they need to do better.

A good place in Ithaca, NY. I had a salmon dish which was cooked perfectly and my dining companion had a great looking steak and said it was decision. Friendly staff and easy atmosphere.

I got take-out and it was so bad we couldn't eat most of it. We ordered the Mac and cheese with and without brisket. It was nothing like the pictures and description on the website. Claimed to be award winning. But was more like a kids menu of noodles with very little cheese. And the cubed brisket on top looked like dog food. We did like the cornbread and lobster bisque though.

Cake was a little too sweet. Salmon was good but overpriced. Rice was underwhelming but solid and clean.

We had a nice table by the fireplace. I had the Chicken piccata and my husband had the half rack of ribs. Both meals were very generous portions and great. The salads are huge. We've been here a few times over the years when visiting Ithaca and enjoy stopping here.

Cozy atmosphere with delicious food and drink. Free parking. Big fireplace. Good for brunch too.

We live this place. The food is not bad - some selections are a bit unnecessarily pricy, but there's a lot more to choose from. We love bringing people from out of town here. We always feel welcomed and enjoy the atmosphere.

I think The Antlers is the Ithaca-area's forgotten treasure of a restaurant, since it's not in any of the main areas that other restaurants are. I've never had a bad meal there and the service is terrific. When my family comes to visit from downstate, they insist on going there. This past evening, we enjoy their delicious BBQ menu (great music and service from Dana). Go and enjoy--rustic charm and great food.

Good food. Huge portions. Wonderful service. Highly recommend to try dinner here. AND they take reservations!! A huge plus.

Went to the Antlers today for my birthday. We had our mind set on what we saw on dinner menu, however, they have a different lunch menu that doesn't include what we wanted. We were going to just have drinks and go elsewhere for lunch but the hostess checked with kitchen and they said we can order whatever we wanted from full menu! Of course we were so grateful and decided to stay, and so glad we did! First we had the bread basket and shrimp cocktail for appetizers. They were both delish! The olive oil dip was amazing and the cocktail sauce was the best! I had a Bloody Mary that was good. My husband had beer. I had the surf n turf and husband got the Delmonico steak. We had the mile high peanut butter pie for dessert. The food was all cooked to perfection! Can't speak on the cake as we took that home as well as leftovers from my meal. I would definitely recommend this place for a special occasion or just an any day outing. The ambiance and decor was very homey and relaxing. The chef(s) did an outstanding job! As did the hostess and our server, Nickie. Both so very nice and professional! Hats off to the Antlers! We'll be back!

Food was great with very good portions. Very nice place to get away for a date night with a laid back homely feel. Server was very attentive in every aspect.

Went to the restaurant with my son and his girlfriend last night. Ordered a filet mignon medium rare. it was cooked rare inside, with a stinky smell inside. The meat was not fresh at all. The waiter took it back to make it a medium rare, but the stinky smell was still there. This is the worst steak I have ever had in my entire 60+ years of life. The other entries we ordered were so so as well. The decoration and environment were good. The service was acceptable.

It's definitely one of those local places that has been around forever. We really loved the vibe, and the service was great. Everyone enjoyed their food - steaks were great quality and the sides were well prepared. Took dessert to-go since they had some unique offerings.

Great local restaurant outside of downtown Ithaca. We went on prime rib night. Very reasonable price and they did not rush our group.

It was ok. We went for my brother in laws' birthday. It smelt like fish the moment we walked in the door, which I've heard is a sign the fish is old. The space was very dated and dingy. The service was pretty good, but the food was WAY over priced for what it was. The orange butter with bread was very good, though. The margarita was ok, but not great. The mac and cheese was pretty good but weird that it came with a potato or rice as a side. The mashed potatoes were way too salty. My husband said his gumbo was blah. Overall we would skip it.

The food, atmosphere, and staff were superb. There were 8 of us dining, we all had different items off the menu, and no one had a complaint about what they were eating. That's pretty remarkable for us. Steak, fish, pasta, seafood perfect. Only warning...Have Reservations, make them well in advance, and try for a time that is early, 6 PM or before.

one of my favorite places in ithaca. the duck and prime rib are fantastic. great ambiance and good service. reasonable corkage fee of $20

Very friendly staff, great atmosphere. The food was absolutely delightful. I wanted to eat so much more but I left so full. Definitely excited to come back when they offer their steak sampling boards again.

I have been traveling for a long time all around the US and this is one of the best steaks I have had in the almost 2 years on the road in different cities! I got the 8oz prime sirloin steak with the Gorgonzola compound butter..... so good! I grew up in Kansas with good BBQ and great steaks and this place does it well! The guys next to me got the dry aged 22 ounce cowboy steak and it looked amazing! I just can't put away that much steak! Haha! So I loved the 8 oz option. The place was cozy, the host was sweet, and the bartender was awesome! I ate at the bar and enjoyed the music and the company of others at the bar! 100% recommend!

First of all, it's COLD in there! The fireplace was going and smoking so they had to leave the front door open. The food other than sandwiches, was mostly steak and pretty expensive. Not many other alternatives. Our waitresses was excellent. The atmosphere is pretty boring. So much potential but I won't be going back.

Ordered food to go and the items were ready when they said they would be. Food was prepared and packaged perfectly. The Mac N Cheese was perfect with the brisket and the Cajun fries were phenomenal.

The steak I ordered was perfectly cooked, the service was good but the waiter was working a very large area and forgot my wine. Average ambiance. It's worth a stop.

Long wait but that paid off when I got my food the food was amazing so good and the staff was no the nicest but still good fool

Came for graduation weekend and was disappointed. Started with the crab cakes which were incredibly overpriced for two tiny crab cakes, although they were delicious. The complimentary rolls were hot but I wasn't a fan of the citrus butter. For my entree, I got the Delmonico steak and it was completely smothered in the mushroom veal Demi glaze. The sauce completely covered the taste of the steak and the garlic mashed potatoes did not seem to be made fresh. To finish, I had the chocolate mousse which was underwhelming. Overall, very average and can find a better steak elsewhere.

Stopped in by recommendation of an old friend and I thought this place was pretty good. It's got that old style rustic charm. It was kind of dark inside but not too much and they've got plenty of seating and some outdoor seating as well. Their bread with citrus honey butter was super good and unique, I've never had anything like it! Very tasty. I got the chicken cacciatore and it was pretty good but not great. The service was very slow despite being a pretty dead evening and walking in just about the time they opened. All in all we were happy and I was full. The prices were very high for what you get, but with a coupon we got two dinners for about $35 dollars which is better I guess.

Excellent food & tremendous service. Prices were reasonable. Could not have made a better first impression.

Great spot outside the commons area. Really unique space and friendly staff, plus solid food for a good value.

Rachel our server was phenomenal, as was the food (scallops au gratin and salmon) . We would be regulars if we lived in the area