Temple of Zeus

Goldwin Smith Hall (GSH), 232 E Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, United States
$$$ Cafe
(75 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Welcome to the Temple of Zeus, a delightful café nestled within Goldwin Smith Hall on the picturesque Cornell University campus in Ithaca, NY. This hidden gem is a must-visit for students, faculty, and visitors alike, offering a unique blend of casual dining and freshly crafted comfort food.

This charming café prides itself on using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients, allowing simple yet delicious meals to shine. The breakfast menu features treats like flaky Croissants from Krums Corners Bakery, including a tantalizing Filled Croissant and classic Scones—all perfect companions to your morning coffee. Speaking of coffee, indulge in a smooth Drip Coffee or try their refreshing Japanese Method Iced Coffee to kick-start your day.

As you slide into one of the cozy spots, the atmosphere is welcoming and casual, accented by the friendly staff who are eager to share their passion for good food. Many customers rave about the All-American PBJ Sandwich and suggest trying the mouthwatering The Piggery Ham or the savory American Black Angus Roast Beef sandwiches. Reviewers are particularly fond of the homemade soups and addictive mac n' cheese, with one patron exclaiming, “The soups here are divine! Just go enjoy the wonderful creations!”

Not to mention, the café's daily soups are celebrated for their fresh flavors, made from scratch and bursting with personality. Even dessert lovers are not left out—the tempting almond croissant pairs perfectly with a rich caramel latte, making it a favorite way to start the day for many local residents.

While the café may occasionally see long lines during busy semesters, the experience is well worth the wait. As one enthusiastic patron noted, “The food feels very real and healthier compared to some of the other on-campus lunch options.” This enthusiastic review encapsulates the core of what Temple of Zeus stands for: genuine, wholesome food that brings comfort and joy to your day.

Overall, the Temple of Zeus offers a simple yet profound dining experience, steeped in quality that reminds you of home-cooked meals—where each bite is crafted with care. If you find yourself near Cornell University, take a pause in your day to relax and savor the heartfelt creations from Zeus. You may just find your new favorite spot!

Service options
Takeaway
Dine-in
Delivery
Highlights
Great coffee
Great tea selection
Popular for
Breakfast
Lunch
Solo dining
Good for working on laptop
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Offerings
Coffee
Healthy options
Quick bite
Vegetarian options
Dining options
Breakfast
Lunch
Dessert
Table service
Amenities
Toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Trendy
Crowd
University students
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards
Openings Hours

Monday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Tuesday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Wednesday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Thursday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Friday

08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Saturday

Closed

Sunday

Closed

75 Reviews
Michael Chen

24 Aug 2025

I love the muesli! But, the crust of my turkey sandwich was hard as a rock.

Brittney Colton

22 Aug 2025

A hidden gem on Cornell’s campus. Soups, sandwiches and Mac n cheese are all made from scratch. Personally I love there Gazpacho, it’s incredibly delicious! The staff and atmosphere is casual and friendly. The design of the cafe also give this place a unique setting on campus.

Jennifer Veit

21 Aug 2025

An almond croissant and a caramel latte are my favorite way to start the day. A hidden gem ( although it is definitely well known among the students; as a local who was born and raised in Ithaca it took me 40 years to discover this campus cafe), daily soups made from scratch, all the chocolate, caramel, vanilla syrup, Chai, and sandwiches are made from scratch. And with a small staff and mostly student workers, the atmosphere is friendly and casual. Staff will remember you if you are a regular and go out of their way to make sure you get your order quickly and perfectly made. Be prepared for a chaotic scramble if you try to go while students are between classes, and lines can get ridiculously long. But if you can time it right, they are very quick. Definitely recommend. Plus on a nice day the Arts quad is right outside with seating and a breathtaking view. (And the main barista is awesome, kind and friendly. ).

Veronica

16 Aug 2025

The soups here are divine. The Mac and cheese is addictive. Just go enjoy the wonderful creations of Choklay, she works food magic!

Christopher Parzyck

17 Jul 2025

What are the better lunch spots on campus, the vegetarian sandwiches are particularly good. Unfortunately they no longer do the half and half soup and salad special, which was probably my favorite reason to go there. The line can get pretty long during the semester, so time your visit appropriately.

K McGuire

13 Jul 2025

Food is simple, which allows the good quality, local ingredients to stand out. Soup is filling and comforting, but menu changes daily so you don't always know what you will get. Pastries and coffee are also quality as a snack!

Michael Bashta

01 Jul 2025

The food feels very real and healthier, compared to some of the other on-campus lunch options. The prices are generally reasonable

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