Central City Bar & Grill brings together the best parts of a welcoming neighborhood restaurant: a relaxed atmosphere, dependable service, and a menu designed to satisfy a wide range of tastes.
Located in Cortland, NY, this casual yet trendy brick-walled eatery creates a comfortable setting for everything from a laid-back lunch to a lively dinner out. Guests can enjoy the warmth of the enclosed garden, settle in for table service, or take advantage of outdoor seating when the weather is right.
With dine-in, takeaway, and delivery available, it’s easy to enjoy Central City Bar & Grill in the way that fits your day best.
The menu and drink selection are a major part of what makes this spot such a favorite.
Guests come for classic American comfort food, local specialties, and late-night bites, but they stay for the experience: fast service, a great beer selection, creative cocktails, a strong wine list, and happy-hour food and drinks that make every visit feel like a good value.
Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, planning dinner with friends, grabbing dessert, or looking for a place to watch the game, Central City Bar & Grill offers the kind of atmosphere that feels easy, inviting, and consistently satisfying.
The on-site bar, coffee, alcohol selection, and catering options add even more flexibility for casual meals, celebrations, and larger gatherings.
Accessibility and convenience are clearly a priority here, making the restaurant welcoming to more guests and easier to enjoy for everyone. Features include a wheelchair-accessible car park, entrance, seating, and toilet, along with reservation options and payment by credit or debit card.
Backed by a strong 4.30-star rating from 588 reviews, Central City Bar & Grill has built a reputation for quality, comfort, and dependable hospitality. Whether you’re a solo diner, meeting friends, or planning a special meal, this is a place that aims to make every visit simple, enjoyable, and worth repeating.
Find us at 17 Central Ave, Cortland, NY 13045, United States, or call +1 607-758-3300 to learn more.
Popular Items
Frequently ordered and highly recommended items at Central City Bar & Grill
Our Story
Welcome to a place where great food meets warm hospitality. We believe dining is more than just a meal - it's an experience to be savored and shared.
Our kitchen is dedicated to creating dishes that bring people together, using recipes that honor tradition while embracing innovation.
Photos
A glimpse of our restaurant experience
Food & Drinks
A loaf of Ciabatta bread covered in garlic butter, romano cheese and provolone cheese
mild, hot, cajun, garlic parm, bbq, or inferno; served with celery, carrots and blue cheese dressing
mild, hot, cajun, garlic parm, BBQ, or inferno; served with celery, carrots and blue cheese dressing
one pound of fresh boneless homemade chicken tenders served with honey mustard
over baby spinach with diced tomatoes and balsamic glaze
tricolored chips covered with chili con carne, cheddar jack cheese, mild green chillies, diced tomatoes, black olives, and jalapenos; served with salsa, sour cream, and guacamole on the side
served with bacon ranch dressing
dipped and dusted calamari lightly fried and served with our house tomato sauce
waffle, shoe string or sweet potato
your choice of shoestring or waffle fries tossed in our garlic sauce with Romano and crushed red pepper flakes
City Chicken Strips dunked in your favorite sauce with a side of celery, carrots, and blue cheese. Sauces: mild, hot, cajun, garlic parm, BBQ or Inferno
6 sticks breaded, fried and served with our house red sauce
chicken wing or spinach and artichoke dip served with tricolor chips
Hot and creamy mix of Cheddar, Swiss and Cream Cheese blended with Cortland Firehouse Pale Ale served with tricolor chips
fresh homemade chips seasoned with Old Bay
tri color tortilla chips topped with our own; smothered with crumbly blue cheese, tomatoes, chopped celery, and red onion; served with blue cheese dressing
your choice of broccoli and cheddar; bacon and cheddar; chili and cheddar; or grilled veggies with feta
Baked soft pretzel sticks served with tavern mustard and city beer and cheese sauce
Our house made city chips covered with our beer and cheese dip; topped with red onions and crumbled bacon
quesadilla, chicken wings (regular or boneless), and your choice of fries
mild, hot, cajun, garlic parm, bbq, or inferno; served with celery, carrots and blue cheese dressing
topped with red and green peppers, bacon, onions and garlic butter; finished with a white wine lemon butter sauce
an oversized sweet potato served with real New York State maple butter
an oversized baked potato with butter and sour cream
with sautéed shrimp, garlic butter, and white wine topped with shaved romano cheese
choice of red or white chili
open-faced on rye bread with corned beef piled high, sauerkraut, Swiss cheese and Russian dressing
sliced turkey covered with coleslaw, Swiss cheese, and Russian dressing
6 oz chicken breast grilled with Cajun seasoning and onions topped with Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Served on a Kaiser roll
6 oz chicken breast with bacon, sliced dill pickles, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayo, served on a Kaiser roll
chicken cutlet with romano, sautéed mushrooms and melted provolone, served with house red sauce for dipping
hand cut 8oz strip grilled to order; served with sautéed mushrooms, onions and provolone cheese on grilled ciabatta bread
one half pound of tender roasted pulled pork with Central City BBQ sauce; Served on a Kaiser roll
grilled chicken breast, sweet sliced ham, swiss cheese, topped with hollandaise sauce on a Kaiser roll
portabella mushroom with caramelized onions, feta cheese, lettuce, tomato and balsamic dressing; Served on Kaiser roll
pulled pork, sliced Boar's Head Virginia Ham, dill pickles, Swiss cheese, and Dijon mustard on Mama's Italian Bread
Boar's Head roast beef soaked in au jus, served on a grilled garlic-butter ciabatta roll
open-faced parm on Ma's Italian bread covered with red sauce and mozzarella cheese
Classic Bacon, Lettuce, Tomato with Mayo
city style BLT with Ahi tuna and cusabi dressing on garlic grilled ciabatta bread
Buttermilk battered fried chicken with bacon, Cheddar cheese, ranch dressing and dill pickles on a Kaiser roll
Seasoned filet of roast beef cap off, oven gold roasted turkey breast, sweet sliced smoked ham, choice corned beef top round cap off
mama's italian, rye,whole wheat, ciabatta, kaiser roll, gluten free bread available
picante sharp provolone cheese, American, natural swiss, sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 Deli style sandwich and cup of soup or chili
rich tomato broth with meatballs and macaroni
served with cheddar jack cheese and sour cream
with cheddar jack cheese; served with sour cream, salsa, and tri colored chips on the side
romaine lettuce, croutons, red onion, bacon, romano cheese and caesar dressing
dipped and dusted calamari lightly fried over romaine lettuce with cukes, red onion and romano cheese
mixed greens, diced tomatoes, cukes, pine nuts, dried cranberries, and raspberry vinaigrette
julienne ham, turkey, cheddar, bacon, avocado, and hard boiled egg over crisp Romaine lettuce, and blue cheese
mixed greens, diced tomatoes, cukes, croutons, black olives, and choice of dressing
Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, fresh basil, red Onions with a balsamic reduction glaze, olive oil and cucumbers
tender pieces of chicken tossed in mild wing sauce; served over Romaine with diced tomatoes, red onion, cucumber and blue cheese dressing
hard boiled egg, crispy pancetta, roasted reds, shaved Romano cheese, over a bed romaine with a balsamic vinaigrette
served in a City taco bowl filled with tortilla chips and topped with chili, lettuce, diced tomatoes, cheddar jack cheese, black olives, red onions. Salsa and sour cream on the side
over a bed of baby spinach with cukes, tomatoes, red onions and feta cheese
dried cranberries, crispy pancetta, candied pecans, hard boiled egg, and blue cheese
baby spinach topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, sliced apple, and walnuts served with a warm maple vinaigrette
8 oz. grilled steakburger over mixed greens with tomatoes, red onion, city strips, crumbly blue cheese and bistro sauce dressing
hand cut sliced NY strip steak over mixed greens with goat cheese, dried cranberries, candied pecans, served with raspberry vinaigrette
Hand cut NY strip steak over arugula with caramelized onions, Gorgonzola cheese and tomatoes
6 oz. grilled chicken breast with bacon, feta cheese, Romano cheese, red onions, croutons and Caesar dressing
Boars Head roast beef with caramelized onions, gorgonzola cheese, bacon, romaine lettuce caesar dressing on a sundried tomato wrap
6 oz. grilled chicken breast with sliced Portabella mushrooms, grilled onions, lettuce, tomato, provolone cheese and balsamic dressing
zucchini, squash, eggplant, red and green peppers, red onion, diced tomatoes, feta cheese and balsamic dressing in a spinach wrap
white chicken chili, diced tomatoes, lettuce, red onions, black olives, cheddar jack cheese, served with salsa and sour cream
grilled 6oz chicken breast with bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo
chopped steakburger with American cheese, lettuce, tomato, mayo and ketchup in a sundried tomato wrap
6 oz. chicken breast shaken in mild wing sauce with lettuce, tomatoes, and blue cheese dressing
Arugula, spring mix, avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and cheddar jack cheese tossed in a cucumber wasabi dressing rolled in a spinach wrap
bacon, hot sauce, provolone cheese
blackened, served with sliced portabella mushrooms, covered in cheddar cheese`
topped with barbecue sauce, onion rings and cheddar cheese
A true veggie burger with edamame, carrots, peas, spinach and corn
topped with bacon, guacamole, red onion, dill pickles and russian dressing
served with side salad, roll and butter
6oz chicken breast sautéed in white wine, olive oil, garlic, artichoke hearts, diced tomatoes, and fresh basil; finished with a balsamic reduction sauce; served with house rice
sautéed chicken breast in garlic butter and white wine; Served over City greens, and a side of pasta
hand cut NY strip served with veggies of the day, sautéed mushrooms, onion rings, and a "Big Baker"
with fresh basil, fresh tomatoes, sautéed in olive oil, garlic, butter and served over rigatoni; Finished with fresh mozzarella; Served with side salad, roll and butter
Served with veggies of the day and house rice
served over angel hair pasta with a side salad, roll and butter
Rigatoni with meatballs covered with our House Vodka sauce, side salad, roll and butter
Chicken and sautéed Andouille sausage in garlic butter with green chilies, red and green peppers, onions, jalapenos and tomatoes served over our House rice
sliced chicken breast sautéed with baby spinach, bacon, sautéed mushrooms, and diced tomatoes. Finished with a marsala wine sauce and served over rigatoni. Topped with shaved romano cheese
zucchini, squash, red and green peppers, red onion, with a spicy marinara sauce and a touch of red wine over angel hair pasta and finished with shaved romano cheese. Served with side salad, roll and butter
rigatoni or angel hair pasta and your choice of red sauce, vodka sauce, or spicy marinara, served with meatballs, side salad, roll and butter
lightly breaded and fried to a golden brown, covered with our house red sauce and mozzarella cheese served with a side of pasta, side salad and roll
Black pepper encrusted 8 oz steak w a creamy brown mushroom and pepper sauce, served with a side of arugula salad with balsamic and a side of shoestring garlic fries
sautéed in garlic butter and white wine with diced tomatoes served over house rice
shrimp and scallops sautéed in a lemon, butter, garlic, white wine sauce tossed with feta cheese, bacon and baby spinach; Served over angel hair pasta with roll and side salad
Hear from our valued guests
Food was great. Eddy dud an awesome job. Service was attentive and didn't wait for a thing. Drinks were very good and everything was reasonably priced. I highly recommend them.
If you’re looking for a tasty wing. Try the garbage wings they are freaking amazing. Plus the nachos are to die for. I have never been disappointed with the food or service. I’ll keep coming back for sure.
Excellent food, excellent service. It was busy when we sat and we left alone (we both like that when at a new place). I had the Cajun and tiger wings. Cajun wings where perfectly done, but just a little too salty for my liking (only negative about the meal). Tiger wings we're just amazing with chilli with pineapple glaze. Prime rib was perfect.
When I stopped in with a friend, there was a family/friends gathering for a lacrosse team, busy and loud enough that the server didn't see us right away. The service stands out as one of the best experiences I've had in upstate NY. Great food and big portions, I will definitely be back.
Someone from our party picked it up. The cheeseburger and chips were delicious. I'm going to eat here, in person, before I leave New York
Visited with a group of thirty-six people on a Friday night. One waitress for all of us. She was fantastic. Every order was correct. Food didn't take very long to arrive. She never stopped moving. Only had help from one server who helped her bring the food. As for the food, the Cobb salad was outstanding, and the other food brought to my table looked good, and no one stated that they had any issues with theirs. Very nice place.
This was my 2nd time visiting Central City Bar & Grill and was not disappointed. We actually planned a trip to Cortland just to eat here. We came in for dinner at 9PM, were seated and served by an awesome waitress with the best personality. Everything we ordered was delish and portion sizes were huge! Definitely worth the visit if ever in the area!
We've been to Central City Bar & Grill twice so far. Each time the service has been excellent. The beer was cold and there's a good selection to choose from. The burgers and appetizers we've had have been excellent. I think this will always be our go to when we're in the area.
Whenever I crave a BLT, this is the place to go! The bacon is always cooked to perfection. Fresh produce. Been three times so far and each time the BLT has been perfect! Food comes out fast as well.
My husband and I decided to go to Central City for an impromptu dinner. We were promptly seated and our beverage order taken. The service was exceptional tonight, and our server, Brittany, was attentive, efficient and courteous. Our food was excellent, and we received huge portions which were perfectly prepared. The side salad was large, fresh, and outstanding, the vegetable sides great, and my strip steak done to perfection with onion rings and grilled mushrooms. We were very impressed with the quality of food and service, and had leftovers to enjoy the next day. Our server was the best! Thank you for an amazing meal tonight!
Common questions about Central City Bar & Grill
Central City Bar & Grill is located at 17 Central Ave, Cortland, NY 13045, United States, Cortland, NY, United States.
You can reach Central City Bar & Grill by calling +1 607-758-3300.
Central City Bar & Grill has a rating of 4.3 out of 5 based on 588 customer reviews.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible car park, Wheelchair-accessible entrance, Wheelchair-accessible seating, Wheelchair-accessible toilet.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following service options: Outdoor seating, Takeaway, Dine-in, Delivery.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following highlights: Fast service, Great beer selection, Great cocktails, Great wine list, Serves local specialty, Sport.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following popular for: Lunch, Dinner, Solo dining.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following offerings: Alcohol, Beer, Cocktails, Coffee, Comfort food, Happy-hour drinks, Happy-hour food, Late-night food, Quick bite, Small plates, Spirits, Wine.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following dining options: Lunch, Dinner, Catering, Dessert, Seating, Table service.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following amenities: Bar on site, Restroom.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following atmosphere: Casual, Cozy, Trendy.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following crowd: Groups, Tourists, University students.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following planning: Accepts reservations.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following payments: Credit cards, Debit cards.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following children: Good for kids, High chairs, Kids' menu.
Central City Bar & Grill features the following parking: Free parking lot, Free street parking, Plenty of parking.
Business Features
We look forward to welcoming you. Make a reservation or stop by - walk-ins welcome!
Request a table and we'll confirm your booking shortly.
