• Only a few hours drive from New York City, Binghamton, New York is a melting pot of different cultures and ethnicities. Never is this more apparent than in its cuisine. Thought only as a small city, it has quite a variety of noteworthy restaurants, from meat-and-potatoes standards to the funky and offbeat.
  
  

Number 5

• Housed in a former 19th-century fire station, the Number 5 is one of Binghamton's premiere restaurants. Bought by owner Jim McCoy in 1978, the building was declared a local and state landmark in 1998. Appetizers include a variety of shrimps, clams and oysters. Number 5's "specialties include its original Greek tenderloin (dubbed "The Best Steak in Town" on its menu), and veal chop saltimbocca. It also offers a variety of red and white meat, pasta and seafood plates. For its more frugal guests, Number 5 offers an "Econo-Menu" that includes a potato encrusted tilapia and grilled flatiron steak. The Number 5 offers live, local entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. For inquisitive beer and liquor connoisseurs, Number 5 offers samplers known as "flights," such as the "New York White" wine flight. It also offers corporate catering and event planning.
  
  Number 5
  33 S. Washington St.
  Binghamton, NY 13903
  (607) 723-0555
  number5restaurant.com
  
  

Whole in the Wall

• Built in an 100-year old Binghamton storefront, Whole in the Wall opened in December 1980 with progressive-minded owner Eliot Fik's goal to "provide a real alternative in food that not only tastes great, but is great for you too." Whole in the Wall serves natural food. They offer a selection of salads using organic greens and homemade dressings. All of its breads and bagels are made from scratch using organic flour. It accommodates various dietary needs, whether one needs a gluten-free or vegan meal. Entrees range from steamed vegetables with tofu to a cheddar chicken broil using vegetarian-fed chicken. Whole in the Wall also offers catering and sells its very own wholesale pesto.
  
  Whole in the Wall
  43 S. Washington St.
  Binghamton, NY 13903
  (607) 722-5138
  wholeinthewall.com
  
  

The Lost Dog Cafe

• Founded by "a couple of displaced East Village 'Cafe Junkies'," according to its website, the Lost Dog Cafe is a funky New York-style restaurant located in downtown Binghamton. Starting with a smaller location that was founded in 1994, the Lost Dog Cafe found its home on Water Street offering food with fresh ingredients and no chemicals. Although its menu changes seasonally, some standards remain, including the grilled chicken muffaletta and herb cherry chicken salad. The Lost Dog also offers a variety of desserts, including cheesecake- and torte-based treats. Every week the Lost Dog hosts a variety of music and arts events, from jazz bands to poet readings. It also offers private parties and catering.
  
  The Lost Dog Cafe
  222 Water St.
  Binghamton, New York 13901
  (607) 771-6063
  lostdogcafe.net