We have a couple of things for you to think about the next time you are on a road trip through the Finger Lakes region. Maybe you just do not want to stop at a fancy restaurant for a big dinner, or maybe you have already had your fill of the famous wineries for one day. There's a lot to see and explore. So, in that case, we suggest you consider stopping at a small café or diner along the way. We've got quite a few suggestions.

Below is a list of 12 cafes and diners scattered throughout the Finger Lakes region.  Some are very small, others maybe a tad bit larger.  But all are delicious and worth a stop. Many have specials and regular menu items that locals simply rave about.

These places offer good, hearty home-cooked meals, delicious country breakfasts, and even a delightful assortment of homemade bakery items.  The staff will welcome you with a smile, and you will find most of the portions on the large side.  Some of these places are tiny Mom-and-Pop eateries while others are bedecked in neon, chrome and leather (just like in "Happy Days"). There is a really great mix of options depending on what kind of food you're in the mood for and what kind of atmosphere you want to be in.

We hope you will consider stopping at these great places on your next trip to Waterloo, Geneva, Ithaca, Hammondsport, Naples, Auburn, and other Finger lakes communities.

12 Diners and Cafes Well Worth the Drive to the Finger Lakes For

The Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York is known for its many fine restaurants and famous wineries. But, there are also a wonderful collection of smaller cafes and diners throughout the region.

This is a list of 12 of those iconic eateries which dot the roadsides of Upstate. Many are very small, Mom-and-Pop operations. Others are elegant cafes at which you could very well spend an hour or two having a cup of coffee or a fresh baked good. But, they all have one thing in common. They are all small!

We hope you enjoy this list of great little diners and cafes to stop at and enjoy the next time you are in the Finger Lakes area.

Read On! 35 Reasons Why Everybody Loves the Finger Lakes

There are several great "destination pockets" in the area we call Upstate New York. Whether it be the historic mansions along the Hudson Valley, the small ski towns of the Catskills, the majesty of the Adirondacks, the diverse history of Central New York, or the beautiful region shrouded in Niagara's mist out west. And then there is the Finger Lakes! These 11 "finger like" lakes, spread out from (roughly) just west of Interstate 81 out through the Genesee Valley in Western New York This area is one of the state's great playgrounds.

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