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Hours
Sun
6:00 am - 1:00 pm
Mon
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Tue
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Wed
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Thu
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Fri
6:00 am - 2:00 pm
Sat
6:00 am - 1:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Food and ambience
Local cuisine, American, Cafe, Diner, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options
Does this restaurant have a TV?
Details
About
Owner James Brown & His Experienced Staff serve locally grown & Finger Lakes inspired menu items. Breakfast & Lunch All Day, Everyday.
CUISINES
American, Cafe, Diner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
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4.5
276 reviews
Excellent
172
Very good
68
Average
21
Poor
5
Terrible
10
Peter M
1 contribution
May 2022 • none
My wife and I found Water St. Cafe while looking for a good spot to have breakfast on a Sunday morning while our son attended a baseball camp at Hobart. We were out of towners. It was busy but not frenetic. We sat at a table without having to wait. My wife ordered her usual, two eggs sunny side up with bacon and toast with coffee. I ordered a three egg omelet (there is a choice of two or three eggs, which is thoughtful) with tomato and cheddar, gluten free toast (another thoughtful option), and potatoes. The food came out quickly but not too quickly, EVERYTHING was cooked perfectly and HOT - like fresh off the griddle hot. While we waited and during the entire meal, both our waters and coffee were topped off by a gaggle of friendly staff not just one waiter or waitress. Watching the diner-style open kitchen was awesome. Anyway .... the really important thing .... all the food was excellent, and the potatoes at breakfast are a MUST. So darn good. Simple food, served hot and in a timely fashion by friendly people that tastes great, and is very reasonably priced. Super place. A benchmark for diners/cafes everywhere.
Written 23 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Judy and Hoppy
New Hartford302 contributions
June 2021 • couples
Very welcoming place. Staff was so nice, even though they were very busy. Huge and delicious breakfast at a very reasonable price. Pancakes and French toast were both good. Eggs perfectly done - bacon was crisp.
Not a big place - one line of booths, one row of tables and some seats at the counter. Staff wanted our breakfast to be right.
Many local people eat there, but they were nice to everyone. We especially noted that they were welcoming to two minority men who came to eat at the counter.
Written 5 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen B
3 contributions
Apr 2021 • none
This place was a blessing in disguise! When we checked in our hotel, we learned the restaurant was closed. We decided to try breakfast at Water St. Cafe and boy we were glad we did. The food was SO good - hot and fresh and reasonably priced and the people working there were very nice. We ate there all three days of our trip. Much better than the continental breakfast we would have had had the hotel restaurant been open. If we are ever in the area again, we will be back. Yum!
Written 11 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
08VictoryVision
Ithaca34 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
We saw the sign “Under New Management” and I said wonder when that happened. Went inside and saw this local eatery was busy (a good thing I was thinking). We were seated in a very acceptable time by a wrist banded tattooed (for identifying purposes only) that also took and delivered our beverage orders. We said to each other this is looking positive.
A bit later, also in a reasonable time, a mature slender woman (for identifying purpose) arrived to take our breakfast orders of raisin French toast and corned beef hash.
While waiting just under thirty minutes for our meals the wrist server refilled my wife’s and daughter’s drinks. We wondered why our server wasn’t caring for her table.
Once our meals arrived (delivered by the server) we began to eat. The raisin French Toast was delicious. The Corned Beef Hash, not so much. Extremely salty and without any crispy crusts. I won’t be ordering that here again.
My final note is stay away from the HVAC vents. The fan runs constantly and in the heating season cool to cold air will blow on you.
Truthfully it will be a long time if I return.
(Read the attached article for a brief history).
Written 3 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WarrenB07481
Dallas244 contributions
June 2021 • none
We had breakfast here on a Monday morning and sat outside since we were traveling with a dog. The service was a little slow, but there were quite a number of tables inside and outside the restaurant that were full with relatively few servers to handle it. Despite this, the service we received couldn't have been friendlier or helpful. We ordered basic breakfast items, which were done perfectly and we loved the coffee! The location is excellent on a cute downtown street near a corner. Lots of cute shops and other restaurants in the immediate area. There was a sign on the table from the owners letting customers know that they are a small, family-owned business and to please be patient due to short staffing (is my recollection). Overall, it was a very good experience and a restaurant that we recommend to anyone coming to Geneva.
Written 3 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
m p
New York City73 contributions
May 2021 • none
Love the fact that the decor is CAFE DECOR of the 'diner' era. Staff very friendly and this is obviously a place local folks appreciate.
Breakfast served all day, genereous portions and you must be patient during busy times. The only kind of place to have a rueben sandwich - YUMMY. Could have eaten through the whole menu (the burrito looked great, salads were nice {leave off the candied walnuts}, and all the breakfasts looked as if they will keep you going throughout the day.
Everything is cooked to order so sit back, relax and people watch.
Written 29 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gayleb536
51 contributions
Nov 2021 • none
We had spent the night in Geneva and wanted a typical small town breakfast. This place was great! Small town diner we a retro feel. The waitress was attentive, the coffee was good and the food was delicious. We each had omelettes that were cooked perfectly and stuffed with fillings, the cinnamon toast was fantastic and so was the corn beef hash. Highly recommend this place!!
Written 14 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rpm104
Lewes11 contributions
Sept 2021 • friends
All things breakfast… all things good. 3 guests had 3 different breakfasts and everyone was pleased with their choices. The waitress was friendly and accommodating. It is definitely a local’s favorite as the staff greeted many people coming and going by name. Like everyplace during the pandemic they were short on help so orders took a little longer but were well worth the wait. It’s not a hip trendy place, but it’s a solid place you’ll visit again and again.
Written 22 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen Mal
Glastonbury49 contributions
Nov 2021 • friends
Great breakfast spot in Geneva NY. Very crowded when we arrived, but they took our number and called us when our table was ready.
Made to order omelettes were delicious, as was the pumpkin walnut short stack special with maple butter. Yum!!
Service was friendly, and fast!
Gluten free bread was delicious and so was the sourdough toast.
We will definitely be returning on our next visit to the Finger Lakes.
Written 21 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kjm55
666 contributions
Dec 2021 • family
First visit since change in ownership. Many things remain the same, including the friendly service and the large portions. The coffee is better. The huge pancakes come drenched in butter, consider ordering it on the side. No eggs Benedict on the menu. The Italian toast is good . The biggest disappointment was the home fries, not nearly as good as before. Need to be crispier. Inferior ketchup, spring for the Heinz!
Written 27 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cheryl B
8 contributions
Sept 2020 • none
The place is cozy, but even with not being able to use all the seating, we were seated rather quickly. The service is great, very attentive. Everything is cooked to order but was well worth the wait. Everything was hot and delicious from the eggs and omelets to the french toast! It truly was the best breakfast we have ever had. The staff were plenty and they helped each other. I was told the owner was the cook, and you could see them all work together like a well-oiled machine. We loved it so much, we came back the next day! Cudos to a small business that has it figured out! We will definitely be back.
Written 7 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robyn D
Califon52 contributions
May 2021 • couples
Simple, fresh & delicious. They use the freshest ingredients & everything is cooked to order. We had omelette for breakfast & couldn’t have been more pleased. I had egg whites with Turkey sausage (which had a nice kick), spinach & onions. My husband had a meat lovers. Even the sourdough toast was delicious! Definitely worth a stop. It was crowded for good reason! People know this is the place to go.
Written 22 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elsa C. L.
New York City5275 contributions
Aug 2024 • friends
Having had a highly satisfactory lunch here, the six of us understood why Water Street Cafe was full of diners. Luckily, we spotted it on the map in Geneva.
During our five-day Finger Lakes vacation, my roasted pepper chicken soup in this Cafe is the one that stands out! Their balsamic vinaigrette dressing on their green salad with chicken, avocado, cucumber and tomatoes was equally delicious. Our friends were all happy about their chosen lunch.
Their staff are attentive, pleasant and accommodating of our request for three separate checks. To give you an idea how reasonable lunch is here, my bowl of creamy, tasty, tender chicken soup and my hubby’s salad described above cost us $17. Our friends’ checks were a bit more or less than ours. All of us were full.
Written 10 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willisdds
Brewerton684 contributions
May 2023 • couples
Lived up to the reputation on our research with trip advisor. Although placards everywhere about being considerate of 30 min wait, we were able to seat ourselves and order quickly. My wife chose chicken salad melt with cheddar, 5 star! I was craving my usual, 2 eggs over easy, hash browns, ham, and rye bread. Locally farmed eggs done perfectly, nice and runny to mix with the potatoes. Service great, coffee cup constantly refilled. Highly recommend.
Written 11 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tdaning0
Corning305 contributions
Aug 2021 • friends
The food was delicious! We went for breakfast and had a bit of a wait, however you can call ahead by about 10-15 minutes to put your name in. The service was great but the food is slow coming. They were VERY busy while we were there. We will 100% be back!
Written 14 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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