Eating Out

Tipping Culture

When you enter a restaurant where waitstaff come to your table to take your order, you should tip. For other types of eateries—including fast food restaurants, cafes, food courts, buffet-style restaurants, and street vendors—tipping is not mandatory and usually the tip amount is lower.

Ultimately, the tip amount largely depends on your ability and mood. Some restaurants’ waitstaff rely entirely on tips for their living, so giving a bit extra is a way to show your appreciation. When dining with a party of more than six people, many restaurants automatically add a tip of 20% or more to the bill, so an additional tip is not necessary.

Many restaurants now calculate service charges on the post-tax amount, so if you are not careful, you might end up paying more than necessary. Please pay close attention.

  • Although there is no strict standard, it is recommended that you tip for food delivery as well. Considering factors such as delivery distance and weather conditions, the tip for delivery might be comparable to or even higher than that given in a restaurant.
  • Cornell’s Meal Plans offer a variety of bundled options. Most plans include both a buffet dining allotment and a reloadable card called Big Red Bucks (BRB). Some plans only include one of these.
    • The buffet allotment is for use at on-campus “All You Care to Eat” dining facilities. If you exhaust your buffet allotment, you can still pay by credit card or BRB. Note that buffet allotments must be used within the term and are not carried over.
    • BRB functions as a reloadable stored-value card that can be used at any on-campus restaurant or café. Purchasing food and drinks with BRB is tax-exempt (saving you 8% sales tax), and you can add value online if you run out. BRB is valid for one academic year; any remaining balance will expire at the end of the year.
    • If you feel you won’t be eating on campus frequently, you could consider enrolling in the Graduate Student Meal Plan (which includes $50 BRB) to activate the BRB function.
  • City Bucks: This is also a stored-value card tied to your student ID; however, unlike BRB, City Bucks are used to purchase meals at off-campus partner restaurants, and the amount is subject to sales tax.

  • On-Campus Restaurants: There are many choices on campus, and some restaurant menus are even available to view online. For details, please refer to the Cornell Dining website.

  • Off-Campus Restaurants: You can easily search using Yelp or Google, and you may also refer to online reviews; for example, check out “Eating in Ithaca” (Part I and Part II). Most restaurants are concentrated in Commons or Collegetown (C-Town); other areas include options such as BoatYard Grill and Ciao!.

  • Chinese Cuisine:

  • Japanese / Korean Cuisine:

    • Koko (Korean)
    • Four Seasons
    • Gangnam Station (Korean/Chinese)
    • Kimchi (Korean)
    • So Poong (Korean)
    • (Avoid) Maru Ramen – if you love ramen and have high expectations of Japanese-style ramen, this place might not be for you. Don’t be deceived by the promotional photos or the Japanese name.

  • Western Cuisine:

    • Le Café Cent Dix – A French restaurant that, after a few months’ closure due to the pandemic, reopened last year to great business. Since it does not accept reservations, it is advisable to dine there before 6 PM.
    • Simeon’s – Another upscale restaurant offering lobster and oysters; it is very popular.
    • Hazelnut Kitchen – Located in the nearby town of Trumansburg (about a 20-minute drive). This creative cuisine spot is very popular, so reservations are highly recommended.
    • ESTB (The Establishment) – Operated by Cornell Hotel School students, this restaurant offers a no-menu experience and is very difficult to book.
    • Thompson & Bleecker – A recently opened Italian restaurant known for its pasta and pizza. It is often fully booked and does not accept reservations.

  • Bubble Tea:

  • Delivery Services: UberEats is gradually becoming popular. You may also use GrubHub or DoorDash for delivery orders. Some restaurants like Taste of Thai Express also provide delivery. Generally, a tip of around 10% is customary (though there is no fixed rule).

Housing

Currently, the graduate dormitories provided by the school include Hasbrouck Apartments, Veteran House, and Cooperative Houses. Hasbrouck is inhabited by many visiting scholars with families, which is ideal for those with children looking for playmates. Room types and prices are listed on the website. Off-campus housing near the school generally falls into two categories: single-family apartments and new apartment communities, with overall rental prices ranging from approximately $500 to $1300 per month per person.

Hasbrouck Apartments

  • Located in the North Campus area, accessible via TCAT Route 82 which connects the community with central campus. Even without a bus, most parts of the campus are walkable. The housing offers both apartment and townhouse layouts, with options for furnished or unfurnished units. The living environment is excellent.
  • The Community Center provides package receiving, laundry card reloading services (with on-site laundry facilities), and regularly hosts events like movie nights or international food days. There are also play facilities for children, making it ideal for families.
  • For single occupancy, you can opt for a townhouse shared with other students or rent an entire apartment floor; however, the latter—designed for families—may be more expensive for an individual.

Veteran House

  • Accommodates 27 upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in super single rooms.
  • To apply, use the Veteran House application under the Undergraduate tab. For rates and additional details, please see the Veteran House webpage.

Cooperative Houses

Cooperative Housing consists of eight university-owned, resident-governed houses with a total of 162 beds for upper-level undergraduate, graduate, and professional students offered in single, double, or triple rooms.

Applications are managed independently by each co-op’s residents. Students assigned to a co-op will sign their housing license on the Co-op tab.

Single-Family Apartments

  • There are many single-family apartments available around campus. In areas to the west, northwest, southwest of campus, Collegetown, and downtown, many apartments are older. It is highly recommended to view the property in person before signing a lease, as certain issues (such as uneven flooring) might not be apparent in photos.
  • These apartments often have a more attractive exterior compared to apartment communities and may be located in desirable areas (such as lakeside cottages); however, the downside is that it might take more time to find the perfect home, and you may need a car for transportation.
  • Aside from Hasbrouck, these types of apartments are generally better suited for families.

Apartment Communities

In recent years, many large apartment communities have been built near Ithaca. They offer spacious living, although rental prices can vary considerably with time. Below are some apartment communities where Taiwanese students have lived and that have good reviews:

  • City Centre Ithaca: Currently the most luxurious and upscale housing in Ithaca, though also the most expensive, with 1B1B units sometimes exceeding $3000 per month. Utilities (water, electricity, gas, internet, garbage fees) are extra, and being unfurnished means you must purchase most of your own furniture (sofas, chairs, beds). Although very expensive, units are in high demand. Additionally, parking spaces costing $250 per month are scarce and typically require a six-month waiting period.
  • Ithacan: A sister community to City Centre Ithaca. It is expected to fully operate from August 2023; rental prices are comparable to City Centre Ithaca. The top floor is 12 stories high, and parking is relatively ample, with both a resident-only underground garage and an outdoor parking area.
  • Lansing West: Located near the Lansing shopping district. Residents can park freely at the building entrance, and TCAT Route 30 serves the area, though the last bus on weekdays runs only until around 9 PM. It is very close to Tops supermarket in the north; within walking distance. (Official website available.)
  • Gaslight Village: Also near the Lansing shopping district. This wooden apartment complex features an outdoor splash pool and free parking. It is served by TCAT Routes 30 or 32. It is very close to the Korean grocery store, Ithaca Tofu, and is within walking distance. Official website here.
  • Maplewood Apartments:
    • Located near East Hill Plaza, southeast of campus, with TCAT Route 82 providing shuttle service between the community and campus center, and within walking distance to the P&C Fresh supermarket for grocery shopping.
    • The original Maplewood Apartments were completely demolished a few years ago and rebuilt on the same site; the new units were constructed in Fall 2018, featuring completely new interiors and furniture.
    • There is a Community Center that provides services similar to other apartment communities.
    • There is a range of unit types: studios, single rooms or townhouses accommodating between two to four people. The community offers amenities such as a Community Garden, Outdoor Charging Station, and a fitness center.
  • University Park: Located near the Lansing shopping district, served by TCAT Routes 30 or 32. It is very close to the Korean grocery store, Ithaca Tofu, within walking distance. (Official website available.)
  • Summerhill Townhouses: Located in East Hill Plaza, accessible via TCAT Route 82, and within walking distance of the P&C Fresh supermarket, with ample local amenities.
  • Collegetown Terrace: Located close to Collegetown, it includes a fitness center and is an aesthetically appealing apartment community.
  • Other options include North Wood Apartments and Warren Wood Apartments, among others.
  • There are also many apartment buildings or single-level private rental apartments around downtown Ithaca, which can be searched via Craigslist.

Departure and Entry

  • When departing Taiwan, you can apply for automated clearance to save time in line.
  • When entering the U.S., you will indeed need to fill out a customs declaration form (CBP Declaration Form) – flight attendants typically distribute these on the plane before landing. If the total amount you are carrying exceeds $10,000, you must also fill out Customs Form 4790. Items such as gifts costing over $100 each may be subject to tax, whereas used personal items like clothing, laptops, and cameras are generally not taxed.

Public Transportation / Travel Guide

The simplest way to get to Ithaca (for details, see the ‘Off-Campus Transportation’ section):

  • Upon entry, transfer directly to Ithaca’s local airport.
  • From New York entry, take a bus to Ithaca.
  • Alternatively, arrange for a charter service to take you directly into Ithaca.

Off-Campus Transportation (Air Travel)

Ithaca is served by Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport, which handles only domestic flights. It is located to the north of the Cornell campus, with approximately 4 flights departing daily, and a bus route (TCAT Route 32) connecting the airport to downtown Ithaca. Currently, four airports offer direct flights to Ithaca:

  • JFK, NYC
  • Philadelphia, PHL
  • Washington - Dulles, IAD
  • Detroit, DTW

Although Syracuse offers Trailways bus service, there are only two departures per day (around 4 or 5 PM), with a journey of about 1.5–2.5 hours.

  • If you are carrying a lot of luggage, consider taking a taxi or Uber/Lyft directly from Syracuse Airport to your accommodation in Ithaca to lessen the burden of moving your bags. Taxi fares generally have a flat rate (approximately $130); Uber or Lyft may be somewhat cheaper during off-peak hours (around $80 one way), though they can surge during peak times.

Charter Services

“Long Journey” – A company managed by Chinese entrepreneurs offering charter services along the East Coast. As long as the roads are open and drivable, they operate normally. A one-way trip from JFK to Ithaca costs about USD 550. Although expensive, it is the most convenient and effective option. (Bookings are made exclusively via WeChat: fyzq2509.)

Off-Campus Transportation (Rail)

Off-Campus Transportation (Bus)

  • Public bus transportation in Ithaca has developed well in recent years. Currently, four companies offer bus services between Ithaca and nearby cities: Shortline, Greyhound, Trailways NY, and Big Red Bullet; there is also Cornell C2C, a campus shuttle service.
  • For bus schedules and ticket booking, visit Wanderu.
  • Many bus companies offer student discounts; please check their individual websites or ask the ticket agent directly when purchasing.
  • Shortline (a Coach USA brand): Its routes cover New York City and surrounding areas. During most of the semester, many buses stop at the Cornell campus, which is very convenient. Ithaca’s Greyhound Bus Terminal is about a 15–20 minute walk from downtown Ithaca. In New York City, the boarding point is at Port Authority.
  • Greyhound: Operates nationwide; the Ithaca terminal is the same as Shortline’s, and New York City’s boarding point is at Port Authority.
  • Trailways NY: Its routes cover upstate New York. Ithaca’s bus stop is the same as that for Greyhound and Shortline.
  • Cornell C2C (Campus-to-Campus): A shuttle service linking the New York and Ithaca campuses. Since it is a direct service, the travel time is shorter, but the fare is slightly higher. In New York, pickup points include the Cornell Club or Weill Cornell Medical College, which are accessible by subway. The bus offers coffee, snacks, fruit, electrical outlets, and restrooms. Reservations must be made in advance, and a phone number is required.
  • Ourbus: Ourbus offers the cheapest fares, especially as it uses dynamic pricing—the earlier you book, the cheaper it is; however, if you book last minute, it might be more expensive than Shortline. There are fewer trips per day, and during long holidays there may be special services. Download the app to purchase tickets, which can then serve as your boarding pass. Additionally, Ourbus membership can reduce the price per ticket by $15, which is cost-effective for frequent riders. First-time ticket buyers can also receive a $10 discount.
Edit this page

Last updated 26 Mar 2025, 19:39 -0400 . history