There’s something about the Finger Lakes that makes hearts beat faster. Maybe it’s how the evening sun turns the water to gold, or the way vineyard rows seem to go on forever. Or maybe it’s simpler than that—a quiet table, good wine, and the person you love sitting across from you.
The Finger Lakes Wine Country spreads across five counties covering 3,065 square miles of rolling hills, deep glacial lakes, and small towns where nobody’s in a hurry. Three wine trails wind through the landscape, but it’s the restaurants hidden among the vines that really steal your heart. Here are four places where dinner becomes something more.
Main Deck Restaurant, Penn Yan, NY
Right on the edge of Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, Main Deck feels like the kind of place you’d want to keep secret. The dining room looks out over the water, and they’ve done this clever thing with the design—the bar is shaped like a boat, the booths remind you of boat seats. It works without being cheesy.
Chef Jeff Monsour knows what he’s doing with local ingredients. Their house cocktails are inventive without being overly fussy. If you want something a little more laid-back, head downstairs to the Tunnel Bar, where during warmer weather the garage doors open onto a patio with fire pits. Either way, you’ll want to time it for sunset.
Tanino Ristorante Italiano, Horseheads, NY
Tanino’s doesn’t need to try too hard—it just gets Italian right. The dining room has that warm vibe that feels special without being stuffy, and the kitchen turns out classics that make you remember why you love this food in the first place. Their veal dishes are consistently excellent, the homemade bread with olive oil arrives warm at your table, and desserts like tiramisu and panna cotta are made fresh daily in their bakery. It’s the kind of place where you can linger over a bottle of wine without anyone rushing you, which is exactly what a romantic dinner should feel like. The staff strikes that perfect balance of attentive without hovering, so you actually get to focus on each other.
Graft Wine and Cider Bar, Watkins Glen, NY
Watkins Glen is famous for racing, but Graft feels like the opposite of fast. It’s walk-in only, no reservations, which somehow makes it feel more genuine. The menu changes based on what’s available, and the chef infuses Dominican flavors in surprising ways.
Farm-to-table ingredients are prominently featured. The wine and cider list is all Finger Lakes, served by people who actually care about what you’re drinking. It’s cozy without being cramped, nice enough to feel special but comfortable enough to relax. After dinner, walk down Franklin Street while the evening’s still warm and quiet.
The Cellar Restaurant & Lounge, Owego, NY
Along the Susquehanna River in historic Owego, The Cellar Owego (not to be confused with another great, The Cellar in Corning, NY) has been serving fine steaks and fresh seafood since 1982. The location is part of the charm—sitting right on the river in a town that feels like it stopped rushing decades ago.
The menu draws from global flavors but stays grounded in what’s good. They’ve got a wine list worth exploring and craft cocktails that show somebody’s paying attention. The atmosphere hits that sweet spot between elegant and comfortable—you can dress up or not, and either way feels right. Get a table by the window if you can, where you can watch the river while you eat. The outdoor seating in warmer months makes it even better.
The Journey Itself
Here’s the thing about eating your way through the Finger Lakes—it’s not really about checking restaurants off a list. It’s about the drive between them, the farm stand where you stop for strawberries, the waterfall you weren’t looking for but found anyway. Stay somewhere small and personal, where breakfast means local coffee and pastries still warm from the oven.
The Finger Lakes doesn’t push you to hurry. Take your time. Linger over dinner. Sleep in. Let yourself fall in love again—with the place, the food, the wine, and especially with each other.
Pack light. Stay longer. Let it work its magic.