I knew there were good people down there. What I didn’t know was how strong the local food scene had gotten. By the time I left, I was already thinking about when I could come back.
The trip was made possible by Experience Tioga, and I was in the area during Eat Local New York Restaurant Week (April 13–26, 2026), presented by The Summit Federal Credit Union — which made it the perfect excuse to go deep on what this region is doing in its kitchens.
My first stop was Brickhouse Pizza, and I ordered their Hot Farmer pizza. It’s a serious pie — the kind with real personality. Locally owned, no-frills in the best way, and exactly what you want after a long drive into a new place.
I was staying at the Parkview Inn, which ended up being one of the highlights of the whole trip. The room was gorgeous — full of character, the kind of place that feels like it has a story (or many considering the building has been there since 1867). And then I found out the restaurant downstairs was just as good as the accommodations. I had their French onion soup, which was rich and deeply savory. Then came the rattlesnake shrimp, which had a kick I wasn’t fully ready for, in the best possible way. And the chicken pot pie — house made, the way it should be — was pure comfort on a plate.
The next morning I hit Roasted Coffee Bar for their house-made pop tart and a London fog latte. Both were excellent. I also stopped into Sugar Maple Café, a charming little spot that fits right into the character of the area.
Lunch brought me to The Cellar, where I ordered the seafood czarina — a pasta dish cooked in a spicy cream sauce with scallops, shrimp, and lobster. It was hearty, it was delicious, and it was exactly the kind of dish that makes you slow down and appreciate what’s in front of you.
I capped things off at Owego Brewing Company, where I had some of their locally brewed craft beers and an incredible house-made pretzel baked fresh from scratch. It’s the kind of place where you settle in, lose track of time, and feel like a regular by the time you leave. Plus, they have a great covered rooftop patio, which is perfect for summer.
Tioga County doesn’t need to shout. The food does the talking. If you’re looking for a weekend worth your time, this is it.
A huge thank you to Experience Tioga for bringing me down to explore everything this region has to offer, and to The Summit Federal Credit Union for sponsoring Eat Local New York Restaurant Week (April 13–26, 2026). If you haven’t checked out the participating restaurants yet, head to our Restaurant Week page to find a spot near you.
