Cornell Dairy Bar

Fantastic ice cream! Best I have ever had, and I've had a lot in my 64 years of ice cream-loving life! The entire experience at Cornell was remarkable. I recommend taking time to do the self-guided tour of the Dairy building, which would include the Viticulture science display. Don't miss the Botanical Gardens and Arboretum while on campus!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Cornell Dairy Bar – Cornell University, Ithaca, NY A must-visit spot inside Cornell University’s campus. This place beautifully combines quality, tradition, and flavor in every detail. It’s perfect for enjoying a handcrafted ice cream or a fresh sandwich in a spotless, cheerful setting with truly outstanding service. Visiting Ithaca without stopping by the Cornell Dairy Bar would feel like leaving something unfinished. This is our second visit to the university, and once again we were impressed by the excellence of their products. Every ice cream flavor is authentic, creamy, and perfectly balanced, each with its own unique touch that reflects the passion and expertise behind it. You can taste the quality in every bite — fresh ingredients, original combinations, and a level of care that speaks for itself. Knowing that behind these creations stands Cornell’s renowned Department of Food Science, which educates and advises major companies in the dairy industry, makes every scoop even more meaningful. A place where passion for good food meets academic excellence. Without a doubt, if you’re looking to try something truly different and of the highest quality, this is the perfect place. 🍦🎓

This place is an excellent spot for a quick bite of a sandwich and a generous scoop of ice cream. I visited here to celebrate my son’s graduation from Cornell, and he raved about it. The place is well-maintained, clean, and the service is top-notch. The dairy department at Cornell offers great courses and provides consulting services to many big companies, helping them launch successful dairy products. It’s a great place to visit! it’s a cheerful spot with a distinct local flavor, offering not just ice cream but an experience tied to the heart of Cornell’s traditions.

I know you can get the ice cream in the cornell store but nothing beats going to the store itself (they have special merchandise). The seasonal apple maple ice cream was to die for. Also got some special souvenirs, including cheese and a mini carton of milk! Love this place.

When I lived in Ithaca for 2 years, this was one of my favorite places to stop by. I truly think their icecream is one of the best I have ever had. It taste amazing and it's super clean. I miss this place!

Great place for expensive but tasty ice cream. They can work up a little on the amount of ice cream they put in for the price.

Amazing one! Many seats inside, but you can also eat outside. Their own ice cream is perfect! There're a lot of tastes available. Sometimes they run out of some, but it happens everywhere. The place is very clean. The staff is extremely polite, friendly and positive

Very nice staff. Very clean building. Very expensive ice cream. Two of us had two scoops and a cup and it came to over $15. There are a lot better places to go in town. They don't give out samples anymore. I've never been to a place that doesn't. Don't think I'll be back.

Short day trip to my Alma mater, first time in 7 years, and only the SECOND time here (first was at reunion 7 years ago)!!! There are some food and drink ( coffee, lattes, espresso) but the REAL attraction here is the ice cream. Cornell ice cream is known for its unique and creative flavors, as well as their creamy deliciousness!!! I had a single scoop of the coco- nutty professor-- it was sooo good. They also have some great T -shirts and gifts ( like my dairy cows). A must do while on campus. GO BIG RED!! ( shameless plug!!)

I learned today that Cornell has its own dairy farm and produces its own line of cheese and ice cream. They have really unique ice cream flavors which they sell at their Dairy Bar on campus and distribute to local retailers. The Dairy Bar is a small cafe housed in Stocking Hall, home to Cornell's dairy program. The cafe has mostly to-go items like wrapped sandwiches and pre made bowls and snacks. They also have a grill with a small selection of fresh menu items. And they have an ice cream bar of course with the same flavors as their refrigerated pints. The staff here was friendly. It gets a little crowded around lunch time so plan ahead.

Cornell Dairy Bar is a great spot to enjoy a sweet treat while exploring the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca. In addition to offering ice cream and milk, they offer pastries, breakfast items, coffee, and plenty of merchandise. The interiors are modern and inviting, with seating available just outside in Stocking Hall. Lines move fairly quick thanks to the multiple team members attending to customers. While plenty of ice cream flavors looked enticing, I had to go with my standard cookies and cream. When I mentioned I wanted a medium, they told me that was 3 scoops, and asked if I wanted to mix and match flavors. That gave me the option to try out another flavor, so I asked for their Seneca Sunset (mango) sorbet, and they provided it in a different cup so it didn't mix with the cookies and cream. Both were very good...the cookies and cream was rich and creamy, with plenty of embedded cookies pieces. The Seneca Sunrise had a great mango flavor and was a great non-dairy option. If I lived closer, I'd definitely be making multiple trips to Cornell Dairy Bar, as several of the other flavors looked enticing to me. I wanted to try their chocolate milk as well, but couldn't carry it all, so perhaps on another future visit. I'd be visiting more college campuses if they all offered what Cornell has on offer with their Dairy Bar. I'd be happy to return and recommend Cornell Dairy Bar to all visitors of Ithaca that love ice cream.

Yes, yes, yes to the freshness. Great place to relax, meet friends or cool off on a hot summer day. Everyone is very friendly and helpful when making a selection from their tasty array of ice cream and custard flavors. A must stop if you happen to be on the Cornell University campus. Convenient parking across the street.

A sweet treat and a whole lot of nostalgia. Dairy Bar ice cream did not disappoint during a visit during Homecoming weekend!

A must stop when on campus!!! This was the creamiest ice cream ever. The Barvarian Raspberry Fudge was SO DELICIOUS! And the coco nutty professor was equally yummy. Don't miss this hidden treasure

Obsessed does not even begin to cover the feelings I have for CDB. I wish I could find their ice cream in local grocery stores! Many of the flavors have Cornell-inspired names, and seasonal flavors are always rotating throughout the year. All of the ice cream is made on campus, and they've got scoops, sundaes, floats and more. They have adorable merch too (for all my merch lovers out there).

I was visiting upstate New York and got to check out Ithaca and the beautiful Cornell Campus. The views and scenery around the campus is incredible. And then I stumbled upon the Cornell Dairy Bar... like wait what the? It was pretty random but there was a large crowd of people here AND for good reason! The ice cream here is 10/10! And you can't go wrong with any of the flavors, I tried several and they were all delicious! I couldn't pick a favorite! And I found out they have their students do contests designing new flavors and pitching them as part of a business class. And if it's successful it then becomes a new flavor on the menu. How cool is that!? The machinery and large tanks on site are also cool to check out if you have time for the self-guided tour. Definitely swing by if you're around the area visiting!

We took a tour of the campus and everyone was raving about how amazing the ice cream is so we had to try and it didn't disappoint. The scoops are more than enough and the flavors were a hit, my family and I shared 4 different cups and didn't get a chance to take pictures because we were too busy indulging in the goodness this place is serving up. The service was quick and the vibes were nice for that college feel.

Right on the Cornell campus, near a walking path. They had a lot of indoor seating which was nice. They also had some seating outside which is where we ate our ice cream since we had our dog. I got a half a chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich which was delicious! Also got some additional ice cream and another cookie. I would highly recommend the chocolate chip cookie ice cream sandwich!!! Definitely recommend.

Sooo this was a blast! I stumbled upon the Cornell Dairy Bar while on campus. I saw large silver tanks from the outside of the building and wanted to check it out. I was pleasantly surprised to find the dairy bar serving up everything... dairy! There was a variety of milks, icecreams, pastries, and other snack/lunch items. Things were moderately priced and very delicious. The coffee icecream was the best. There is a sitting area that leads to an overlook of the production area. There were videos to teach you about the making of yogurt, milk, and cheese. Very fun experience!

I first visited Cornell Dairy Bar during my freshman year, thanks to my biology advisor who handed out free ice cream coupons. He was such a great professor (and obviously knew the way to a student's heart)! Although I lost contact with him after switching majors, the Dairy Bar remains a place filled with fond memories. The variety of flavors here is impressive, and the fact that all the ice cream is homemade from scratch on campus makes it even more special. Go Cornellians! My personal favorite is the Mango Sorbet--perfect for my lactose-intolerant self. The Bebe Black Raspberry is also a delight--so good it's worth the potential stomach ache! The ice cream here is incredibly rich and creamy, practically a hug in a cone. Plus, the variety of toppings available means you can customize your treat to your heart's content.

We came on a summer afternoon and was surprised by the amount of flavors! We got Dragon Day Mint Cookies & Cream, French Vanilla, and Beebe Black Raspberry. Dragon Day Mint Cookies & Cream was just okay. It had a subtle mint and not many cookies&cream bits that I was expecting. The French Vanilla honestly did not taste like vanilla but rather like mild cheesecake...which was really strange, and I did not enjoy it at all. Lastly, the Beebe Black Raspberry was fruity but a bit too sweet for my liking. Overall, they were way too heavy and creamy. Don't get me wrong, I love creamy ice cream, but not when they're very mild in their flavors and lack depth. I have also tried vanilla, Ezra's Morning Cup (coffee), and Little Bear Mint Chip, all of which were kinda basic and nothing too extraordinary. Caramel Three Chimes is great if you love love caramel because there is A LOT of caramel in there. Very sweet though. Bavarian Raspberry Fudge is also sweet, but I like the raspberry swirls and fudge combo. But my favorite of all that I've tried is Chocolate Gorges which has a deep rich chocolate base ice cream with Oreos and chocolate swirls. Overall, I would say CDB is overhyped and not the best quality ice cream I've had.

I knew that I had to stop by the Dairy Bar when I was visiting because I missed Cornell ice cream so much. I got one scoop of the mint chocolate ice cream on a cone. It was delicious and I missed the flavor. They had a wide variety of others as well. I was thinking about trying the CommuniTea flavor next time. Service was quick because there weren't a lot of people in the venue. Ambiance was very cute because they were selling Cornell Dairy merchandise outside of the store. Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 5/5

I've heard about this place for years and have been anxious to try it but, perhaps due to too much hype, I found it underwhelming. Pros: Kinda cool that it's in a college building and is made on site. The store is immaculate. They have some pretty creative flavors and the ice cream is good. Cons: It's in a college building and parking and access can be problematic. The staff lack any customer service skills and are practically yelling at customers to get them through the line... Which wasn't even very long. The ice cream, while good, wasn't noticably better than any road side stand. This place is just fine... but I'm not getting they hype. I doubt I would go again as it's just easier to go to an off campus store where the service and access are better and the ice cream is just as good.

Popular ice cream (and other treats, dairy and otherwise) spot. We got a double scoop of their strawberry and peanut butter flavors. Both were excellent, and the scoops were a decent size. At ~$6, this was a very well-priced dessert. Only reason they don't get 5 stars is they don't allow sampling of flavors.

Nothing like ice cream on a cold dreary November day. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, which is why I get the coffee ice cream or more specifically Ezra's Morning Cup. If the Cornell founder started each morning with a cup of this ice cream, then he must have been 300 lbs because it is so rich, sweet and creamy! So of course it is delicious! For those non-coffee lovers, get the Caramel Three Chimes. That is my wife for and I really enjoyed that too. If you are in the area, don't skip this place!

Last month I did an upstate NY trip and swung by Cornell campus. First on the list? The Dairy Bar. I knew I had to come here after hearing the rave reviews from previous Cornell alums. Yes, it definitely lives up to the hype. Very generous portions - the large, which is four heaping large scoops, is literally almost 1 whole pint! Being from the Bay Area, I am not used to such large portions...! The Dairy Bar offers various different flavors that you'd find at a typical ice cream shop, including cookies and cream, mint chip, etc. Of the four flavors I tried, I liked cookies and cream the best! A classic flavor that is one of my favorites - and they make a pretty mean cookies and cream here. If you're on a diet, don't get a large serving. Get a small - it'll be enough for one person. The large is good for 3 people (or 2 if you're really hungry). Definitely recommend if you're in the Cornell area!

My family and I recently toured a Cornell campus and visited their Food Science Department, where they produce their own ice cream on-site. It was a hot day so we looked forward to this all day!! They have an impressive dairy shop that's open to the public, and it was the cherry on top of the visit! The ice cream was incredibly creamy and rich, with a noticeable difference in freshness and flavor. They offered a variety of unique and creative flavors--think beyond just chocolate and vanilla, with flavor profiles of lavender, honey, bacon, and strawberry. The prices were surprisingly affordable, especially given the high quality. The students and staff were also super friendly and seemed really passionate about the process. If you're a fan of delicious, hand-crafted treats and want to support students in food science, this place is a hidden gem worth seeking out! My daughter would be sold on this part of campus alone! Also heard the ice cream is served in all dining halls. Oh my!!

Cornell Dairy Bar is a Cornell MUST HAVE! The ice cream is made fresh and honestly taste amazing. There is a plethora of different flavors to choose from (usually more every year) and the service is always really friendly. Additionally, if you choose to sit and eat in the building, it's a really calm atmosphere for an ice cream break! In this picture below is two of my favorites: Big Red Bear Tracks and Caramel Three Chimes

After going to a creamery during our Upstate trip, this inspired my family to seek out other ice cream options in the area for a point of comparison. We heard that Cornell Dairy Bar was worth a stop and learned that each year the Food Science department has a contest for the students and the winning flavor is sold at the Dairy Bar! Most of us opted to get two flavors for their single scoop. As recommended by someone from a local vineyard, my family tried the Bavarian Raspberry Fudge, the Triple Play and the Big Red Bear Tracks. My bf liked the bear tracks and described it as brownie pieces instead of cookies in cookies and cream. I had their strawberry and mint with cookie flavors (the name had Dragon in it but I don't recall the full name). Both flavors were very creamy. The strawberry was everything I envisioned. Even though it was simple, it was bursting with strawberry flavor and contained the right amount of fruit. The mint came through the crème de menthe and the cookie pieces provided great texture. All in all, no complaints when having good ice cream (except that you wish you could have more). A great stop if you're touring the campus too. After you enjoy your ice cream, be sure to check out their Dairy Observation Gallery! When you enter the building it's up the stairs near the entrance on the far left (so you need to turn the corner and walk past the seating area to get here). There's a sign with a cow labeled accordingly. It's pretty neat since you can walk through and watch a series of videos that share more information about Cornell's Dairy manufacturing process, their cows and the products that they make. If you have the time, they even have signage that shows you how ice cream is made and what the different machinery/components looks like. Very educational and super interesting, definitely worth the look and for the ice cream!

Mmmmm it's so hard to say but for some reason I was less enamoured by Cornell Dairy Bar this time than I was the previous time I came. The ice cream I got was absolutely good, no question about it, but there was something about it that fell short. I think maybe it was the simplicity? Maybe I am expecting too much when I want something as simple as vanilla ice cream to stand out, but like come on guys, we are on a FARM. I feel like fresh milk should mean something. Last time I felt like I could tell how especially creamy it all was, but this time it just felt like ice cream. I got a small cup of the bavarian raspberry fudge and the big red bear tracks. Both were perfectly good and enjoyable but it was missing something that took it to the next level, ya know? I do remember that last time I got Ezra's Morning Cup and loved it, so maybe that one is better than the flavors I tried this time! Just to reiterate: this ice cream is good. I would come back. It's just not at that high level that the hype makes it seem like it's at.

Oh man, this ice cream is peak dairy confection! Having lived in upstate NY virtually all my life, I'm embarrassed to say that I've never been on the Cornell campus. After visiting the nearby Sciencenter, we were looking for a quick pre dinner snack and I heard from a friend of mine that the Dairy Bar is awesome. A heads up, they don't offer soft serve, only hard ice cream and many other dairy products such as milk, butter and specialty cheese. The line was a little chaotic but staff were friendly and quick to serve. Between the kids and my spouse we tried vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. All amazing and richly flavored. I had whole chunks of strawberry in my dish. The building is beautiful, yet sterile feeling. For 3 kiddie dishes (2 with sprinkles) and medium waffle cone, the total was $17. If you like dairy products of any kind, check this place out. Some of the best ice cream we've ever had. The dairy observation gallery was really interesting, the kids and adults had a blast!

Loved the Cornell Dairy Bar! There were so many options to pick from, but I finally decided on the cookies and cream option they had. The ice cream was extremely fresh and creamy and the cookie pieces inside complimented the ice cream! They had a lot of merch available outside and at the register.

Great ice cream and toppings selection! Burgers are good as well. Staff is very friendly and service is quick.

Love the creative flavors they have at this place! This time around we got peanut butter and strawberry flavored ice cream and they were out. Of. This. World. The peanut butter had such a rich creamy texture and the flavor was like real peanut butter and not artificial syrupy like you'd get in other stores. The strawberry was not too sweet and exactly how I like it! There were also strawberry chunks in there as well

Nice little dairy bar with many different seating options. Lines can get long so bring patience. Many coffee options too! This is a must visit every trip to Ithaca.

Must stop at the dairy bar if you are anywhere near Cornell or Ithaca! Ice cream is amazing!

I mean, 4 years at Cornell would get you a huge student loan, but heck.. the ice cream at Cornell is only $1 a scoop. Not only is it cheap, but its also good. I actually came here twice, back to back, and I think I will miss this ice cream, and I don;t really care about ice cream all that much too. I had their raspberry icecream and it was sublime. That flavor was on point. From today onwards, when ever I think raspberry, I have a mental picture of this ice cream. Like raspberry re-defined. Like I never knew raspberry , until I met this raspberry in a cone. It was like.. the heavens opened, the angels sang, . I saw the light. and now I know raspberry.

We visited on July 29. It wasn't too crowded, but people were continuously streaming in (many were touring Cornell's campus, as did we). They had MANY different flavors of ice cream, along with deli sandwiches, a variety of cold drinks, cookies and pastries, and Cornell merch. I ordered the Cookies & Cream ice cream, which I found to be very creamy, the vanilla and Oreo bits pairing well in a good ratio. The cows, part of Cornell's Dairy Teaching Barn on the campus, produce the milk used in the ice cream. Also, once a year, students compete to make the "best tasting" ice cream -- winners get to featured on the menu. I got a small-- 2 very generous scoops (and you can mix and match, too). The seating area is enormous. You can choose to sit at tables or sofas. The building is very modern with a high ceiling. When you are finished eating your ice cream, you can visit the observation gallery where you can learn about how they make their products. Love this place, and the cornell cow

The best I live for cornell dairy Bavarian raspberry and chocolate gorges combo is legendary

Best ice cream i have ever had.Went here after visiting cornell botanic gardens as it was a must visit recommendation from a friend.There was a small line and it moved very quicky.The ladies behind the counter were very helpful and efficient. Tried a few different flavors and decided on the bavarian raspberry fudge on a sugar cone.The ice cream was creamy and perfectly sweet.The swirl of tangy raspberry balances the sweetness very well.They have milk and cheese to buy as well. Must visit if you are in ithaca.

Absolutely amazing!! Came here while exploring the campus and ordered the Bavarian Raspberry Fudge - perfectly creamy and rich with that balance of fruit and chocolate! The prices are great and the portions are generous (can choose 2 a pos in a small size)

I love ice cream and I heard this place is good. Overall the ice cream is good, a bit on the sweeter side because I prefer more creamy texture with less sugar. Their price is very reasonable, medium for $4.99 and larger for $5.99. Take the time to walk around Cornell botanic garden that's only 3 minutes away. Parking is free on the weekends

Great solid ice cream! Came here with my family and my little sister has a very severe nut allergy, they were able to let us know if the flavors we wanted were nut free and got us a scoop from a fresh tub so there was no cross contamination. Super great customer service with great ice cream flavors! Would def recommend!!

Some of the best ice cream I've ever had!! I got one scoop of the big bear moose tracks (most popular flavor according to staff) and one scoop of kahlua coffee ice cream. It was absolute perfection, especially on a hot summer day. The portions were generous and prices were very reasonable. This was our last stop before a 3+ hour drive so I was really sad that I couldn't buy some extra pints and cheese. Can't recommend enough!

Really amazing ice cream and milkshakes. I wish I had five stomachs to keep eating. Came here during my 25th reunion. It's come a long way! Congrats Cornell Dairy Bar!

Wonderful ice cream! Bravo to the college for bringing in the community! I love that local dairy is utilized as well.

I scream, you scream, we all......well, you know. Fresh does taste better and although on the rich side, it's nothing to be fearful of. The entire family enjoys the flavors and taste. It's become a must stop when in the area. parking can be a nightmare and is the only possible downside to this experience. Well worth the stop to taste.

Such a neat little ice cream place. A bunch of flavors to choose from and to-Go boxes available for the ice cram sandwiches. I couldn't believe how 1) delicious my ice cream was (I got the Ezra's Morning Cup aka mocha) and 2) how inexpensive it all was for such a good amount of it. A great establishment with a clean seating area that was plentiful and excellent service even in a crowded line!

It has almost been 10 years since I graduated from Cornell and to this day, I still dream about that Bavarian Raspberry Fudge from the Cornell Dairy Bar. It really is just *that* good and I have honestly yet to find anything in NYC that compares. It is rich and sweet but not overpoweringly so and with every bite you take, you just know it's made from the good stuff. Luckily for me, my younger brother is now also attending Cornell, so you bet I'll be stopping by here to get my ice cream fix every time I visit him. It's the reallllll reason I visit, after all :P

Sizes are smaller and cost is higher. This is a kiddie scoop in a cup. The works don't provide quality drive. The entire shop has worsened since COVID as did the university. So sad. Won't be coming back and cannot recommend either.

I got the mango sorbet kiddie sized with rainbow sprinkles and it was much bigger than I pictured it! It tasted really good! The staff were really nice and the atmosphere was very peaceful!

Yummy ice cream. Nice variety of flavors. Only negative was the portions were inconsistent. One scoop by one server was half a scoop by another. I saw a customer leave with one scoop that was bigger than my two scoops.

Cornell Dairy Bar is absolutely a must! From hearing about it as a child, I was really looking forward to trying out Cornell Dairy Bar's ice cream. I tried their pumpkin and triple caramel swirl and my friend had the triple caramel swirl and mint chocolate chip. All I can say is that the ice cream was phenomenal. The ice cream is very smooth, rich and flavorful. In addition, this joint sells ice cream sandwiches, milkshakes, sundaes and also food items such as sandwiches. We went on a cold day and it was still packed! This is a testament to their delicious ice cream. I highly recommend Cornell Dairy Bar for not only its delicious ice cream, but unique factory experience as well as reasonable prices.

My favorite icecream in Ithaca! I love "Big Red Bear Tracks" but I've also had other flavors that were delicious. It's a small space that gets fairly crowded on warmer days, but it's definitely worth the wait.

Try parking your car! Then finally getting in the right place for an ice cream cone! What a problem if you are not a student!

Family lunch between informational session and your of Cornell University campus. Nice setting, plenty of dairy products, ice cream, milk, yogurt. A variety of sandwiches and wraps, plus drinks. We had chicken avocado sandwiches, bowls of clam chowder and a wrap, plus ice cream. Plenty of places to sit amongst the students and food was great. A little cold outside, 20 degrees, to really enjoy the great ice cream flavors though. Hope to visit again when my daughter is a student at Cornell.

The ice cream here is both very tasty and totally affordable. Not overpriced like the other ice cream places nearby. I went with my brother once and he got the milkshake, which I took a sip of. The milkshake is very sweet; it's good but I don't know if I could've finished the whole thing by myself. It is a nice place to bring visiting family and friends. It is some walk from central campus, but it's a doable trek. If you don't want to walk, however, there is a bus that brings you right in front of the dairy bar.