Where to Eat in Finger Lakes
American — Upstate New York — the best restaurants, must-try dishes, and practical dining tips for your wine trip to Finger Lakes.
Local Cuisine
The culinary tradition of Finger Lakes is rooted in American — Upstate New York cooking. Local restaurants pair regional dishes with wines from the surrounding vineyards, making dining an integral part of the wine country experience.
Must-Try Dishes
Restaurant Recommendations
Fine Dining
Ports Café — Watkins Glen
Finger Lakes institution with locally-sourced New American cuisine and comprehensive regional wine list
Winery Restaurant
Standing Stone Vineyards — Seneca Lake
Estate dining with scenic lake views, seasonal menu featuring Finger Lakes Riesling pairings
Bistro
Hazelnut Kitchen — Trumansburg
Farm-to-table bistro celebrating Finger Lakes produce with an outstanding local wine and cider list
Casual
Watkins Glen Farmers Market
Saturday market with local cheese, produce, and honey — gateway to the Glen wine trail
Dining Etiquette & Tips
Tipping
18–20% is standard.
Meal Times
Lunch: 11:30–14:00 · Dinner: 17:30–21:00
Reservations
Book ahead during summer weekends and fall harvest season. Many wineries offer weekend lunch by reservation.
Vegetarian Options
Good
Tours & Experiences in Finger Lakes
Book wine tours directly with Viator or GetYourGuide
Finger Lakes Wine Tasting Tours
Guided tastings at top wineries in Finger Lakes with an expert sommelier.
Finger Lakes Food & Wine Experiences
Pair local cuisine with regional wines on a food and wine tour of Finger Lakes.
Finger Lakes Winery Day Trips
Small-group day trips to the most celebrated estates and vineyards in Finger Lakes.
We earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.