Emma’s On Main

Cash only, BUT WAIT. Best place for a local breakfast in the area, and I mean all of CNY. Can not pass this place up when I come to visit for thanksgiving or Christmas. Does have a front step and steps to the non-​ADA bathrooms, but the building is historic. Better for parties of 1 – 4. Great spot for a date, or father-​son place. Come before 11am for menu specials. DO NOT bring your own coffee. Unless you like 5 minutes of witty banter. Politics are on the table here and are discussed occasionally at the counter. If you are from out of town do not eat at another commercial diner. Emmas has small town appeal, its just a great small town diner. Cash only.

Really great breakfast and nice conversation — owners were obviously hard workers and the food was very tasty. Nice vibe, I had great waffles and real maple syrup which is a bonus for those of us who live outside sugar maple territory. It’s not fancy, but it’s good food, well priced and that’s what breakfast is all about. I didn’t notice that it was closing time and got up to leave and was told to sit back down and finish– which was super nice I thought!
It’s a beautiful town and I hope to be able to come back soon —

Best breakfast in Cazenovia. A true gem. Try the corn beef hash or the sausage gravy if they are making it. The small tables only allow for small groups. A must visit.

Mixed berry pancakes were so good wish I could have finished all of it, especially with pure maple syrup.
Breakfast sandwiches were great as well and waffle was good.
Prices are reasonable, service was excellent.
Must go place for breakfast.

A must try: Sausage gravy over biscuits. What?! Biscuits are so light and fluffy. Gravy is like liquid custard goodness. Sausage flavor infused but not overpowering. Bring your appetite because the serving size is above and beyond.
Dave, cooking, and Chris, serving, are the perfect hosts for a local-​feeling but welcoming atmosphere.

Awesome diner in the center of Cazenovia. The décor is very nice, a classic feel. Food was above average, an exposed kitchen allowed us to watch the cool prepare our meals. I had a boss omelette, she had some raisin French toast. Read: REAL MALPLE SYRUP. Price was just over $ 17 with coffee. Absolutely one of my favorites in the area.

In small groups Emma’s is great. I used to eat there with my family all the time as a small child. The food is pretty standard diner food and the service isn’t bad. Sometimes you do get a snotty comment from a wait person but normally only if the place is busy. They close early to avoid the high school kids but as a high school aged person who goes there pretty often without an adult they treat me well. Emma’s has been there forever and has a lot of character.

Emma’s is a pretty good spot for breakfast when in Caz. Bigger groups should probably be avoided as they have small booths that are at best good for 4 people.
They only accept cash which is a bit of a pain in this day and age, but there are several ATM’s within a short walking distance.
I know some people seem to think that the people that run it (a husband and wife) aren’t always the friendliest, but I’ve never seen this — they always seem good to me.
Food is pretty standard breakfast fare — nothing will blow you away but it will fill up your stomach!

I stopped here on Sunday about lunch time, but was told they only serve breakfast on Sundays. This was a disappointment since I had already had breakfast, but I decided to order a waffle and bacon. It was very good! Service was fine and I like the old time atmosphere.

let’s go with the good part first… the food is as good as you’re going to get in terms of diner food. dave (owner/​cook along with his wife/​waitress chris) seriously knows something about down-​home, good cooking.
the bad part so far outweighs the good, however … true to everything i’d been told by locals when i moved here 10 years ago, the service is so touch and go you walk on eggshells (pun intended) when you walk in the door. if the stars are not aligned — or whatever — you will be treated like they are doing you an enormous favor by serving you. the rudeness quotient can be off the chain. yes, snark. yes, glowering. and this is when i was a regular there 2 – 3 times a week. finally i realized, hey wait a minute — i have to charm the waitress and cook to give them my money and get a good meal? no. i don’t. and i don’t anymore.

Emma’s is my favorite CNY breakfast/​brunch spot.
The food is excellent and inexpensive. Contrary to the intimidating signage (see Review #1), I’ve never found any of the staff to be anything other than friendly. No snark. No glowering.
The specials are a cut above usual diner fare (frittatas, homemade pancake/​waffle confections). I’ve always had super attentive refills on coffee.
The booths are old wood and marble and feel like they’ve been there forever. It adds a touch of continuity and charm. This is mostly a spot for locals and regulars. But having been there a few times, I was recognized and welcomed.
The only real downside is that the hours force me to get up earlier than I’d like because they aren’t open Sunday afternoons.

My family frequents Emma’s when they are visiting from Florida. Great home made breakfast, but the signs on the wall signs are a little intimidating, while I like a little snarkiness, I don’t know as if I would ever complain about the food given the mildly threatening signage. Its worth stopping here for their berry pancakes and old time atmosphere and it could be a favorite if the fry cook’s glower didn’t bother me.