While you’re enjoying your time in Watkins Glen, you’ll want to savor some of the locally-owned and operated restaurants. Here is a list of the best eats when visiting Watkins Glen!
Jerlandos
Jerlandos boasts both a restaurant AND a pizza place! Depending on your mood, Jerlandos offers the best of both worlds: Take out, or dine-in.
Originally located in Montour Falls, New York, Salvatore, and Maria Purpura began the Jerlando’s Pizza Corporation. Having immigrated from San Guiseppe Jato, Italy, Sal, Maria, and their family were swept away with the beauty of the area and the beautiful natural surroundings, reminiscent of their country Italy.
The restaurant menu has a variety of appetizers and main course meals. The pizza place has limited seating, as it’s mostly geared for to-go orders. They’re famous for their hand-tossed pizzas and garlic knots. The original pizza place in Montour Falls is still operated by the Purpura family.
Seneca Harbor Station
Located north of town as you enter the village, Seneca Harbor Station provides you with a beautiful view of the lake. It is located at the southern point of Seneca Lake. They have a covered deck for outdoor dining, a luxurious dining room, and a bar, to enjoy a cocktail, a glass of wine or an ice-cold beer before you sit down to eat. Click here to view their food choices.
El Rancho Mexican Restaurant & Grill
Located in the heart of Watkins Glen, El Rancho Mexican Restaurant & Grill provides a great atmosphere and delicious Mexican cuisine. This is one place you should check out! To find out more about them, you can check out their Facebook page.
House of Hong Chinese Restaurant
House of Hong gives you the option of eating in or take out. They have consistently provided the local community with excellent service and delicious cuisine for over twenty years. They have an online menu, should you wish to order out.
Bleachers Sports Bar and Grill
Bleachers have been around for eighteen years. They’re a very popular location during the summer months, with their outdoor section and dine inside while watching a game on the big screen t.v. They have a full menu on their Facebook page under photos and their burgers are so delicious!
Rooster Fish Pub
This pub is favored by locals and tourists alike. They offer perfect pairings of their dishes and on-site crafted brews. Their brews are derived from local sources.
Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream
Want to have some dessert after you’ve eaten a delicious meal? Then Ben and Jerry’s is just the right place! Their about us page details their storied past. Check out their flavors page, as there are so many options to choose from!
I hope that you’ve enjoyed a virtual tour of some of the best places to eat in Watkins Glen, NY! Below are a few more places of interest.
Atlas Brick Oven Pizza
Nickel’s Pit BBQ
Heidi says
Ben and Jerry’s was fabulous but so was Jerlando’s! Now I need to come back for a visit to try the rest of them!
Paula Schuck says
Okay wow! I’ll note this for my next visit. We were there one year ago! Wish I’d had this post then. The ice cream place I definitely agree with!!! I ate at several other spots but none were outstanding or noted here.
Rog says
I hope that you’ll return as soon as this ordeal is over! We’d love to have you!
Robin Rue says
I’ve never heard of this are before, but it sounds like a great place to visit and eat!
Rog says
When Becky and I started dating, I had never heard of Watkins Glen before either! I think you would enjoy our little town and all it has to offer!
Amber Myers says
These sound like great places to eat in that area. I always like to find tasty places to dine when I travel. I know I do love Ben & Jerry’s!
Rog says
Watkins Glen would be perfect for you and your family!
Jen says
Sounds like a lot of good variety. When it’s just my husband and I, we usually opt for some kind of Mexican or Asian cuisine!
Rog says
My wife and I usually get Chinese food in Watkins, and every once in a while will get Mexican food.
TaraMetBlog says
Sounds like some great choices. I love their quaint store fronts too.
Rog says
One of the many things I love about living here
Tasheena says
Looking forward to checking out these restaurants. Thanks for sharing!
Rog says
You’re welcome! I think you’ll be impressed!
Heather says
I love a good pizza place! Will definitely try these places when we visit.
Rog says
Enjoy! I know our business owners would love to see ya!
Bohemian Babushka says
What a perfecto selection to dine…Babushka wants to try them all! Gracias for the intro to the areas dining. BB2U
Rog says
You’re welcome! Thank you for reading my post!
Rika says
When my family and I visit new places, we always check out new pizza and Asian restaurants. I can’t wait to travel again. I am hoping to visit NY and Europe soon!
Rog says
I hope that you can too and that you’ll visit Watkins Glen!
Liz says
I’ve never visited this neighborhood before, I’m definitely going to check these places out if I do!
Rog says
I think you’ll be impressed!
Chef Dennis says
I am thinking of visiting Watkins Glen soon. These restaurants you mentioned sound sooooo good to visit. I’m sure the food are all delicious. Thanks for sharing!
Rog says
As a food aficionado, I’m sure you will find some foods that suit your taste!
Lynndee says
I love food and we love checking out the most popular restaurants when we’re visiting a new town. Thank you for the list!
Rog says
You’re welcome!
Rena says
Okay, I want to try Rooster’s Fish Pub. It just sounds delicious! That’s the one thing I think I miss the most about all of this. Being able to sit and enjoy eating out.
Rog says
Their food is quite delicious! I do hope that this all ends soon, so our local economies can get back up on their feet!
Jessica Formicola says
I can’t wait for this craziness to be over so I can start traveling again! Adding Watkins Glen to my list for sure!
Rog says
I hope to see you enjoy our little village!
Kathy says
Looks like some great places to go for food. If I’m ever in the area, I’ll know where to go. That pizza place would probably be my first choice.
Rog says
You’ll love our pizza places!
Kita Bryant says
That is such a beautiful town. I would love to take a trip to upstate NY.
Rog says
Yes, it is! We would love to have ya!
Catalina says
Ice cream is the first thing I try when I visit a new place!
Rog says
You can’t go wrong with ice cream! There are a couple of more places, but, for the sake of space in my post to list them
Lizzie Lau says
I had to google Watkins Glen to see where it is. There are 15 states I haven’t been to and they’re all in the North East. This is a spot I’d like to visit when I finally get to the area.
Rog says
I feel you’ll be happy that you visited!
Swathi says
We been to Watkins Glen but didn’t stopped at these restaurants. Next time will make sure to visit there.
Rog says
Please do! You’ll be glad you did!
Shannon Gurnee says
I love checking out new places to eat when I travel. These sound like some good ones.
Rog says
We do have quite a variety!
Rose Ann Sales says
Jerlandos pizza place sounds great! I will definitely visit here if ever I get the chance.
Rog says
They’re definitely one of our more popular places!
Ana says
Wow! It looks like so many incredible places to eat when visiting Watkins Glen. I’d love to explore all of them, especially Ben and Jerry’s Ice Cream for some local desserts!
Rog says
Can’t go wrong with some Ben & Jerry’s!
Rog says
We do have quite a variety!
Marysa says
Watkins Glen is a great place to visit – the State Park is amazing, and a must-see! We didn’t have time to stop to eat in town, as it is so busy there in the summer. These sound like great spots to check out next time we go.
Rog says
I do hope that y’all come back!
Nerlande says
All These restaurants sound so great I’ve never been there before but would love to go one day
Libby says
What was the name of the Mexican place that we ate at one night…across the street from the Red Kettle B&B? I thought it was pretty good.
Rog Willis says
It was El Rancho, which now has moved to Franklin Street. Also, I think that B&B is no longer the same person as we saw it was for sale.
Helen says
These look delicious. I love finding unique places to eat instead of chain restaurants when I get to visit other places.
Eileen says
We don’t get to travel much, even Pre C19. …am waiting for my much younger hubby To catch up to my “retired” status.
Wed love to try the Rooster Fish pub for food and brews!
I appreciate more in depth reviews from People i get to know vs simpler restaurant
reviews online.
When you travel somewhere new you want a great experience , And memory , to pass on to other friends and family.
Lauryn R says
I have never been here before, the food sounds delicious! I am a huge pizza fan so of course I love trying new places! Thank you so much for sharing.