Northstar Public House

This vegetarian leaning restaurant serves up some delicious dishes, including some with animal protein. I selected the pork and mushroom special. The pork was slowly roasted with spices and herbs. There were several types of herbs flavoring the mushrooms. Blood orange margarita was a great accompaniment. Appetizer was squash fritters with a delicious sauce. We also tried the squash curry and yum, definitely worth trying. This is a must try restaurant.

We were in the mood for fish and chips and found Northstar Public House, one of the few places in Ithaca with a Gluten Free option. So glad we did! Hands down the best dinner we’ve had during our visit. The fish and chips were amazing, the mac and cheese was super tasty, and the mocktail Shy Violet was spot on. Our server was wonderful and made the whole experience even better. The vibes are great too—reggae music playing when we walked in set the tone right away. If you’re looking for a spot with delicious food, friendly service, and Gluten Free options that don’t compromise on flavor, this place is a must!

Love, love, love this place! Can't wait to come back when it's warmer and we can sit outside. There's lots of Gluten-free and locally sourced options. I would say the only negative was music was kind of loud for a casual dining experience, so perhaps they could turn that down so people can converse more. The other thing was the tables were a little small for all the delicious food we wanted to order lol. We had the Gluten-free Mac n cheese which had an exquisitely creamy cheese sauce with a nice sharpness to it. The Gluten-free fish was crispy and moist inside (we switched out the fries or rather "chips" to side of coconut rice) which was a nice contrast so that it wasn't a completely fried plate. Also had the locally sourced wings, which were HUGE. We recommend the Baltimore style wings.

This was our first restaurant during a 4 night visit to Ithaca and area. I say that because we wanted to return later but unfortunately it was closed for two nights for a private event. My wife is celiac and she ordered the fish and chips with sides of mac and cheese and fries. She found the order plentiful and excellent. The fish was lightly breaded, properly cooked, and VERY tasty. The fries were excellent and the mac and cheese also tasty. It was a real treat for a celiac to be able to order delicious gluten-free fish and chips. I ordered the blackened fish and grits and it too was delicious and plentiful. Unfortunately, I gave this restaurant 4* because of the very long wait for our meals to be delivered and then for the bill to arrive later. And this despite the fact that the place was less than half full. However, the three staff were all moving very quickly and our server was quite helpful when we placed our order. So I suspect that maybe the restaurant was short-staffed that day or unable to hire sufficient staff. In any case, even with the wait we were willing to return if we could.

The food was really good, lots of gluten free options for my celiac wife (dedicated fryer too). Service was a little slow even though we were one of three tables. But the food made the wait worth it!

Was so very excited to have GF fried fish! I've missed having battered fish. It was FANTASTC! The restaurant was charming. There is outdoor seating but it was in the 90's, so we chose to sit inside with the little. The waitstaff were very attentive. We were on vacation, and I truly wish this restaurant had a location in Cbus OH!!!

Mac and cheese was not very tasty at all. However the fish and chips was pretty good. Service was nice and the atmosphere was very chill and relaxing.

vegan review: everything was mid. the crunch salad was the best thing i ate and it still had little flavor. the dressing needed some punching-up. the squash fritters were confusing to all of us as we expected something different based on the description; they were hush puppies. everyone liked them but they were very plain to me. the sage aioli carried a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of flavor. the curry was good but lacked salt & sauce. when i hear curry i expect it to be saucy and it just wasn’t. the “wings” were the other misnomer. they’re tofu wedges. or triangles. to call them wings is disrespectful, given what many veg restaurants are doing to innovate faux chicken wings with rice paper skin & sugarcane “bones”. the BBQ ones were good. the medium buffalo ones were not spicy. was not happy with my drink, the night nurse (medicinal taste, but based on the name i should have expected as much), but adding the strawberry rhubarb cider helped. the vegan chocolate cake was fine. the texture was really spongy and both the cake itself and chocolate glaze lacked sweetness. the service/wait was not good. we got all our food at once instead of getting appetizers out first. surprisingly, the fritters came out last. then when it came time to pay we had to sort through everything ourselves, and even after that it took a long time to get paid up. ours was a party of 12 and they had a reservation for us but still had weak service. (at the restaurant where i work i’m used to seeing servers be very attentive to large parties with reservations, but that wasn’t the case here.) atmosphere was also mid as the music was a weird combination of jazz and reggae? felt lacking in personality, like the food.

We were in the mood for fish and chips and found Northstar Public House, one of the few places in Ithaca with a Gluten Free option. So glad we did! Hands down the best dinner we've had during our visit. The fish and chips were amazing, the mac and cheese was super tasty, and the mocktail Shy Violet was spot on. Our server was wonderful and made the whole experience even better. The vibes are great too--reggae music playing when we walked in set the tone right away. If you're looking for a spot with delicious food, friendly service, and Gluten Free options that don't compromise on flavor, this place is a must!

One of my favs in Ithaca. I'm reluctant to even review as it is one of the off the beaten track that is not always crowded. iTH. But we love it. I feel there is a lot of thought and care put into their simple menu items and prep. Check em out, but don't tell too many peeps.

Love the atmosphere in this restaurant even though it can get a bit noisy. Great service. There are lots of choices for vegetarians and meat-eaters.

The garlic burger was amazing. Kale and popcorn salad was interesting and delicious. Great wines on tap. Will return!

The food was not good save for the burger patty. Fish and chips had a hard layer under the pale soft breading. The fish inside was watery. One of our party never got her side salad and the server didn't bring the ketchup we asked for. The restaurant wasn't very busy but the order still took a long time to show up. Also no excuse for the absent server. We've been coming here for years and are very disappointed at what it's become.

The food was edible, but for the price, it should have been more. The restaurant was busy so we decided to order takeout and sit at the backyard area. It still took 45 minutes to get food. My two dining companions and I all ordered burgers; they both got fries and I got coleslaw as a side. The companions ordered their burgers medium and mine was supposed to be medium well but all came out well done. They were very dry and bland. There was nowhere near enough aioli sauce to help with the dry meat patties or the lack of flavor. The gluten free bun was not the worst I've ever had but it was barely mediocre. The fries were decent. The coleslaw was the best part of the meal. I've had better burgers at Shake Shack and Five Guys. I would go back if someone else was paying, but I have no desire to go back otherwise.

I had the Northstar Plate with sausage, potatoes, and French toast. The portion size was kind of big. I really liked the potatoes, which were not overly oily or salty. However, the sausages were too stiff (not sure if this is the right word). Because the sausage skin was really thick, it was difficult to cut the sausages and hard to chew. Other than that, everything else was on point. French toast was larger than I expected and it's not overly sweet, which is great. My friend had a beet salad, and we really liked the beets, which tasted fresh and sweet in a natural way!

food was good until I found a fly baked into my macaroni and cheese... we also saw a roach running across the floor.

I enjoy eating here. When my family from Canada comes to visit we sometimes go to Northstar. The last time we were there they served this white chocolate cake that left us wanting more...unfortunately that was the last piece. The food is pretty good, as was the service, very nice folks, so I'd recommend this place if you want a pleasant dining experience.

Friendly bartender, tasty cosmo, yummy pizza made vegan. I suppose the service was a little on the slow side, but our server was congenial and the food was good! Many vegetarian options & a few vegan and/or able to be vegan-ized. Everyone in our party was pleased with our cocktails (though on the pricey side to be sure). Magical looking outside area with lights strung in the trees -- too bad it was raining. Walls are colorful. Funky artwork. Lovely glass mosaic table. I'd come back again and maybe try the vegan burger!

Friends in visiting from out of state. We thought that Northstar would be a great place to take them for local food. We talked up the Mac and Cheese. We hadn't been at this Restaurant since before Covid and remember it was amazing. So disappointing. No flavor and cheese was watery. It tasted like it was out of a box. The rest of meal was Ok not great. We discussed this with the waitress and they didn't charge us for dessert and one serving of Mac and cheese. We would happily pay full price for a good meal. Also Fix the wobbly tables! Come on guys. Don't just put pieces of wood under them.

Horrible service. Food came before drinks. Fried fish had no taste and was expensive.

Great food! I had an arugula salad with salmon and it hit the spot. Accommodating of gluten-free (celiac) and dairy-free dietary restrictions - items on the menu were labeled gluten-free or vegan.

Northstar is a fav for locals and a hidden gem. Their food and drinks are incredible, they use a ton of local ingredients, and their fryer is completely gluten free--we love having a go-to spot for fish and chips and wings that are crispy, delicious, and safe for celiacs. We come here all the time with our toddler, and though it's not a kid-focused restaurant, you can totally bring your babies here. Servers are very kind and welcoming. They just got a new chef as of a few weeks ago, so go and try their food! I hope they bring back the beergarden this summer (it has the best vibes). Even without the beergarden/backyard, they have a really nice patio.

Food was great. NA cocktails and lemonades were really nice. Service was a bit slow -- it took a long time to take our order and then for food to come -- otherwise good. Pretty quiet and casual. Nice location to stop in after visiting Ithaca falls.

One of the nicest things about this restaurant, I can recall from my time living in Ithaca, is that the staff didn't turnover as often as other restaurants, so there were always familiar faces. Their tofu wings are legendary, and there's a reason they're renowned for their Mac and cheese. The menu is very local and changes often. The locale is off the beaten path, nestled back in a more residential neighborhood. Check it out next time you're in the area.

Visited North Star last week while on vacation. I wanted to support a black owned business and try the food. I was not disappointed, the drinks were good and strong, the chicken wings, oh the chicken wings. They were SO GOOD. The burgers are good too. Outside seating was still in effect and the set up was lovely. Only suggestion would be some bug repellent candles or something. The mosquitoes wanted in on us, while we wanted in on the food. I will be back!

I should have taken my own advice but I was with a group that wanted to go there. So, they added the Impossible Burger to their menu and bastardized it by putting it on brioche bun. They offered a vegan version of it which had me optimistic. I had just had one at Harvest in Philadelphia and Harvest even asked what temp I wanted it cooked! Here's the unimpressed Northstar version which they obviously cooked in a fryer because they don't know how to prepare food correctly! My wife also should have recalled her previous posts because she ordered a $14 salad that only filled half the bowl! Service was unimpressive as I wasn't even offered a second drink which may have helped my attitude toward this restaurant.

Don't let the nondescript exterior and goofy side entrance fool you, the North Star restaurant serves fine microbrews and excellent creative (often veggie) cuisine. Not a college crowd here, the place is just a little too spendy for the children, it's a fine choice for adult dinner & conversation. About 8 beers on tap for about $7 a pint, a mix of local NY brews and imports from California and elsewhere. Full bar too, the house margarita for $8 is a solid choice. Avoid the fry basket appy for $7. The local potatoes are fried perfectly crisp, generously salted and accompanied by 3 dipping sauces with garlic, chipotle, and basil respectively. Utterly irresistible and they will totally spoil your appetite. Don't say I didn't warn you! A daily mussel special was awesome, rich wine broth and some nice bits of fennel, accompanied by toasted bread, $12. I had to get a spoon to finish every drop. We split a regular roast pork entree, accompanied by rice and a gently spicy curry squash sauce, so yummy, fairly priced at $19. Alas no room for dessert. The food definitely took a little while to come out but we were deep in conversation so I didn't really care. If you're in a hurry this might not be your place. Vegetarian rating: 5 stars for the many choices. These are your people. Haven't tried their brunch.

Was very disappointed with my brunch experience. The restaurant was empty and there were at least 6 waitresses. The service was dreadful and we spent about 45 minutes of our entire meal excessively waiting for a server, whether that be to take our order, bring us the bill, or return the credit card. When we were served we were served by 4 different people all of which offered us attitude. The food was great but the service needs improvement. I would suggest elsewhere if you're on a time crunch!

Had quite a few issues with my most recent meal at Northstar. The service here has always been spotty but now the food has gone downhill too. Was there the other night with my SO and our 2 year old. The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a large sign saying we stand with Planned Parenthood. I don't go out to an establishment because I want to hear about their politics. Next we ordered a root beer for our son. They gave him a paper straw. Based on experience we knew it wouldn't last more thank a minute so we asked for a plastic straw and the only other option was a long metal straw. This would have been fine for an adult but it was too long for a small child and it was a total pain. We had the chicken wings for an app and they were very mediocre though probably the best thing we had there. We ordered the Mac & cheese for our son and it was completely bland and he wasn't into it. My SO and I shared the fried chicken and mushroom ravioli for our entrees. Fried chicken was bland and dry and the ravioli dish just didn't work. It was in a broth and the dish lacked balance. Had 2 sides with the chicken. One was edamame which I'm not a fan of so didn't have and my SO thought they were awful. Also had the coleslaw and it was way too much carrot and that's all you could taste. Not sure how you can mess up coleslaw so bad. And for the bland, boring food the prices are very high. I've been somewhat happy with the food in the past but there was just nothing to write home about with anything we had. This is sad because this place has potential.

We went to Northstar on a Monday night for dinner. There were 6 of us and the restaurant was pretty empty. The service was dreadfully slow. We were seated for over 30 minutes before the waitress took our orders. The food was actually really great, we all really liked our dishes, but the service was terrible. I couldn't find anybody to bring us more water. I felt like I was always searching for our waitress and couldn't even find her in the restaurant. She was pretty blasé about serving us. It seemed like waitresses were hanging out in the restaurant with friends and not attending to their tables. It took us forever to get our hands on a dessert menu and then even longer to get the dessert. By the time we flagged down our waitress to bring us the bill, we'd been in the restaurant for over 2 hours. We put our credit card down, and again - she was nowhere to be found! It took another 25-30 minutes just to pay the bill and get it back. Norhstar automatically includes a 20% tip for gratuity, but the service was so terrible, we felt it was pretty unfair to be charged so much for an inattentive server. We were all pretty exhausted and upset by the time we left. We got to dinner at 7 and did not leave the restaurant until 9:30! It's a shame, because it seems like the kitchen and back of house are doing a great job, while the front of house isn't creating a great experience for diners. I hope they can get their act together!

Delicious but expensive and the service is hit or miss but definitely worth it for the experience!

This is easily my favorite brunch spot in Ithaca. The food speaks for itself. They offer unique dishes yet nothing completely outlandish. Salmon eggs Benedict, French toast with a blackberry syrup, Korean pancakes, etc. I've been here about 6 times and only once have they messed up my order & the service took a long time to get my food out however I forgave them because looking around me I could tell they were very busy. (These things happen at every restaurant, some of you people need to give places a second chance) In fact, I'm going there again today and I know it shall be a wonderful experience filled with good company and excellent food.

I've been there for brunch a couple of times. Brunch is only available on Saturdays and Sundays. They Draw a good crowd especially on Sunday. But not much of a wait. The wait comes when you're trying to place an order, or get a coffee refill, or get the check. You're practically have the flag down a wait person and ask them for what it is that you want. I've tried a couple things on the menu and they were quite good but pricey.

Went here for dinner and got the mac and cheese - a little lacking in flavor, not the best mac I've had Came for brunch and loved it! The service was a little slow but the atmosphere and food quality was good. Would recommend

When visiting My daughter in Ithaca we always try a new restaurant. Northstar was our worst experience thus far. We had a reservation and arrived on time. Waited over five minutes to be acknowledged at hostess stand. Menu is uninteresting . we ordered two fried chicken dinners and two Steak frites. Waitress returned to tell us they only had one fried chicken left so I ordered large ( 2 pieces) fish and chips. Biggest observation was the very small portions we all received when food arrived. Fried chicken came with three tiny pieces of dark meat, wing didn't have the drumet, breast was dry. Everyone's fries were cold and the 2 piece fish and chips had one piece. The steak frites looked like a kids meal. We are not huge eaters but the portion were so small we were very turned off. Waitress brought hot fries for table and another piece of fish when we pointed out the problems. Too many places to try . Will not return.

Lovely outdoor setting. Casual service, on point, not slow, not overwhelming. Good coffee. Better bloody Mary's. Tofu scramble huevos rancheros totally worthwhile even if a bit of a small portion. Chicken and donuts. Well, I don't eat chicken but the donuts were from heaven. I could eat a dozen. BLT with an egg, French toast and eggs with vegan sausage and rye toast. We were all very pleased and would definitely return

This place pleased a lot of different palates. There were some more eclectic, modern items, with vegetarian options. But there was also absolutely amazing mac&cheese (with the option of bacon, the good kind) and amazing burger choices. I had the garlic burger, which did not disappoint! My husband kept remarking that it had been a long time since he had ordered a burger that was actually cooked medium rare when he requested it. The fries were a hit. Great beer selection. Cute ambiance. Would definitely eat here again, if I'm in the area.

Awesome food!! The macaroni and cheese is to die for, and the tofu/vegetarian wings are also delicious. My friend got the fish and chips and said it was also good. Also there is a great beer selection. The only reason I give this 4 stars is because it can be a tad on the pricey side. However, I plan to come back multiple times before leaving Ithaca!

This was my first time dining at Northstar since the Pandemic began. Eating in the outside space there felt Covid-safe, comfortable and, well, a little joyful during these strange times. Families, neighbors and others contributed to the cheerful atmosphere on a late-summer evening. The garlic burger was terrific (yay, Autumn Harvest beef!) and my friend's gluten free fish and chips got a rave review. We split a g/f ice cream sandwich that was big enough for two and tasted delicious. It also felt good to support a local place that clearly put effort into bringing people together while serving up quality food.

Atmosphere and food was great! Very COVID conscious - sat out in the grass and had a blast.

We went here for brunch this morning after hearing two phenomenal reviews, and were not disappointed! I ordered the North Star Plate (or something like that), which included one piece of French toast (the best French toast I've ever had), North Star potatoes, vegan sausage, & eggs. It was great! The coffee was also very good. The service wasn't as good as I've had at some other places, but the quality of the food was good. I liked that they support a lot of local Ithacan places! Will definitely come here on my next trip to Ithaca, and want to try it for a different meal besides brunch!

Small place with a focus on healthy fare. Having said that, we were a group of 8 (stretches the place a bit) and most people got burgers. A lot of the vegetables, wine, etc... is locally sourced - which gives a freshness and uniqueness. So, yes, there are a lot of healthy options on the menu - yet... there's also your burgers, fries, beer, etc... that you'd expect. Service was decent; food was above average; portion sizes were above average; atmosphere was more "quiet" than "raucous" - decent number of choices at a reasonable price.

I have been her multiple times and never had a bad meal. Anything you get on the menu is great. My personal favorite is the House Curry.

Seated almost immediately. Our table was wobbly and promptly fixed. Waitress took our drink orders soon after we sat down and told us the specials. Drinks arrived in no time. Food arrived quickly too. BTW the 'On the Go burger' is plenty to eat at 5oz. And served with lots of fries. The coleslaw is wonderful too. Love eating there.

The best gluten-free options I've had in quite a while! So many choices for me as a celiac; this place really gets gluten-free right. I had the gf chicken tenders and bbq pulled pork sandwich with gf bread and both were excellent! Will return!

Came to the north star house on a Sunday for brunch. Ordered the eggs Florentine on a cheddar biscuit and would rate it 8/10. No complaints and very yummy. My friend ordered the French toast and rated it a 4.5/10. Came soggy and fat. Extremely slow service overall.

Awesome hidden gem. Tons of veg and local options, excellent sides and entrees, and a great booze list. With six other friends, we sampled half the menu and loved it all. Ambience is very casual and basic, and doesn't reflect the food quality. GF dishes were really well done and a hit with the bread eaters, too. Definitely recommended! Top dishes: tofu curry, mac and cheese, ravioli, fries, naan pizza.

Was super excited to try this place. We went for brunch and unfortunately it was not all that people say. We ordered out food and when it came out it was cold and lacked flavor. So here we sit eating a cold flavorless $14 a Pearson breakfast and then the bill comes. They over charged us $4 for our drinks, menus said $9 and they charged $11. So I paid $60 for a cold flavorless meal that they cheated extra for.

The neighborhood is really residential, so it's great to have one of these places for the folks to enjoy a night out. Two stars for the beer selection...which included some local stuff plus Utica Club in a can (that alone is worth two stars for availability in this part of the state). The food a bit meh...I had a caesar salad that had some generic caesar dressing...added some spiedie chicken (local Binghamton twist..), but the chicken was sort of dry shoe-leathery and pretty paltry for the portion size. The staff was on the hipstery side of things with a couple with those silly pseudo lumberjack beards.,,mixed with Fitzy McBro and his ethnic prider cohort with the Guiness shirt. For drinks alone it's a nice little stop...

One of the best restaurants in Ithaca! Not quite as well-known as other restaurants simply because it is not located in the commons, but the food is amazing! The garlic/aioli burger is really great, as well as the Mac n cheese. I've also tried the pierogi appetizer which was wonderful- and great to see pierogis on a menu in ithaca! North star is especially great in the summer/warm months because there is a porch area to sit outside. I love this place, and so do all my friends and family! Highly recommend!

This place got not so great reviews, but it was recommended by coworkers. We came for Sunday brunch and there was no wait. The cheesy hash was pretty big, and the sauce is really delicious. Service was pretty good, despite the bad reviews about service. They have happy hour on Fridays, so I will have to check it out sometime!

Delicious food, great atmosphere, and friendly servers!!! What more could you ask for. Not to mention lots of great options on the menu for those who care about where their food comes from. The service is always timely and it's awesome that they take reservations, since I know many places don't in Ithaca. It's one of my favorite places in Ithaca for dinner or brunch, or even a casual drink or snack in the courtyard during the summertime.

I visited Northstar last week with a few friends. We ordered food and drinks at the bar inside and then sat outside in the beer garden. (The bar in the beer garden wasn't open. They said this was fine.) When my food came out, it was incorrect, so I went inside and let the bartender know. He then became very annoyed with me and said I ordered something else, which I definitely didn't. After that, I went back outside to wait for my food, and when he came out again, I asked if it was possible to turn out the outdoor lighting. He just said "NAH" with a pissed off/straight face and walked away. He was SO rude. Also, the food was very mediocre and not worth the money. Go somewhere else!

Brunch here was good. I had the chicken and donuts, which were good, but not amazing. The donuts were the best part - light, but with sufficient glaze to be pleasantly sweet. And the breading of the chicken was amazing. It had a great spice level and was nice and crunchy. Unfortunately, the chicken itself was a little greasy, which put me off a bit. In my party, two people got the sausage special from the menu and found it to be not exactly what they expected. It ended up being basically a sausage sandwich with a huge dollop of hollandaise sauce on top. Both of them said that the sausage was too thick for a sandwich, and they didn't like that the sandwich dripped sauce as they ate it. They said the flavors were good, but the setup of the dish just wasn't great. Everyone seemed to like the drinks they got, and the staff were really nice to us. Overall, it definitely has promise as a brunch venue. Would surely go back, and just try some different things next time.

I have only been to Northstar for Brunch...but don't let that deter you from reading further. I love this place and will go back time and time again. The first visit I ordered Fried Chicken and Donuts. Both of which were A+. The donuts were a nice alternative to waffles too! The second visit I tried the French Toast. I wasn't a fan of the "du jour topping" I think it tasted like pumpkin spice or squash? But other than that I enjoyed it. The french bread alternative was great. I was worried the toast would be a little soggy but they cooked it in such a way that it has a nice balance of crunch and softness. I've also been to their new "Casita" a few times and have always enjoyed their drinks and the appetizers that were there (although I'm not sure if the apps are made by them). This is an Ithaca fave for me so I hope they're around for a while.

We went there on a weeknight a few weeks ago. We were the only two people in the restaurant, which I though was a bit surprising considering how popular the place was during previous visits. Food was delicious! Can't remember exactly what we ordered because this was a few weeks ago. We have been to Northstar many times before and this is one of our favorite spots in Ithaca. Great atmosphere, one of the best selections of beers on tap in town, food is almost always good. I recommend the dinner menu, have not been here for brunch.

Hey Northstar! Get some non-surly waitresses. You were super busy tonight, I tried to go there, stood for 15 minutes before trying to flag down someone's attention as it was not clear who the host was. The waitress whom I asked was so condescending that I walked out. This is not the first time I've felt alienated by your staff. Addendum: I went back a few nights ago and I had a MISERABLE time. 1)Over an hour wait from seating (6:25) to getting our main courses (7:40). 2) Mushroom stroganoff was really bland - it was like they forgot to add an ingredient or two. Additionally, the "grilled" toast that came with it was burnt. 3) My husband's fries were way too salty and way past done. Even though this place is across the street from my house, I'm not sure I'll be returning for more than just a beer anytime soon.