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Lots to Offer at The Lotus | Restaurant Reviews | ithaca.com
The Lotus is a new quasi-authentic Korean restaurant on Aurora Street located on downtown Ithaca’s popular “restaurant row.”
Menu – Lotus Restaurant
Our menu changes frequently to ensure we are always providing our guests with the freshest available cuisine. To view the most up to date version of our.
The Lotus – Ithaca, NY Menu Delivery [Menu & Prices] – DoorDash
Get delivery or takeout from The Lotus at 101 N Aurora St in Ithaca. Order online and track your order live. No delivery fee on your first order!
Reviews
Jacqui G
Every time I’ve been here the food has been superb. It’s definitely a little spicy so be warned. There are a few vegan/vegetarian options. Service was very friendly!
… moreHelin Wang
This was hands down the WORST restaurant experience I have ever had.
The service was unbelievably poor, rude, and completely unprofessional. We were a large group and repeatedly tried to wave someone over just to place our order. The staff clearly saw us and deliberately ignored us. Not once. Not twice. Over and over again. Meanwhile, they were attentive, friendly, and responsive to other tables.
It honestly felt like we were being treated differently because we were a large Asian group. The contrast in service was obvious. Other customers were greeted warmly and helped immediately. We were ignored and given side-eye looks the entire time.
The server with glasses was especially rude. He kept telling us to “wait to the side” even though the restaurant was nearly empty. There was absolutely no reason to treat us that way. His attitude was dismissive and disrespectful from beginning to end.
To make things worse, it took ONE HOUR for the food to arrive. An hour — in an almost empty restaurant. Completely unacceptable.
And then the most outrageous part: they automatically added a 20% gratuity when we paid, without any clear notice or prior warning. There was no sign, no explanation, nothing. Forcing a 20% tip without transparency is extremely unethical. It feels like robbery when you provide terrible service and then demand a mandatory tip.
This place does not deserve your money. The service is discriminatory, disrespectful, and exploitative. I strongly do NOT recommend anyone go here.
Absolutely unacceptable.
… moreThe service was unbelievably poor, rude, and completely unprofessional. We were a large group and repeatedly tried to wave someone over just to place our order. The staff clearly saw us and deliberately ignored us. Not once. Not twice. Over and over again. Meanwhile, they were attentive, friendly, and responsive to other tables.
It honestly felt like we were being treated differently because we were a large Asian group. The contrast in service was obvious. Other customers were greeted warmly and helped immediately. We were ignored and given side-eye looks the entire time.
The server with glasses was especially rude. He kept telling us to “wait to the side” even though the restaurant was nearly empty. There was absolutely no reason to treat us that way. His attitude was dismissive and disrespectful from beginning to end.
To make things worse, it took ONE HOUR for the food to arrive. An hour — in an almost empty restaurant. Completely unacceptable.
And then the most outrageous part: they automatically added a 20% gratuity when we paid, without any clear notice or prior warning. There was no sign, no explanation, nothing. Forcing a 20% tip without transparency is extremely unethical. It feels like robbery when you provide terrible service and then demand a mandatory tip.
This place does not deserve your money. The service is discriminatory, disrespectful, and exploitative. I strongly do NOT recommend anyone go here.
Absolutely unacceptable.
Tobby Jiang
I gave this restaurant two chances, and both visits were absolutely terrible.
The first time, the service was shockingly bad. We sat for over 30 minutes without being served water, appetizers, or even being properly greeted. No one came to take our order. We had to repeatedly get up and search for a server just to place it. It took forever for the food to arrive, and when the entrées finally came out, we still hadn’t received any water or appetizers. The lack of basic service was unacceptable and made the entire meal frustrating rather than enjoyable.
The second experience was somehow worse. We had a party of five in an almost empty restaurant, yet we were told to wait in line while multiple tables sat open and ready. Shortly after, a larger group walked in and was immediately seated while we continued standing in the corner waiting.
To make matters worse, we were forced to pay a 20% gratuity without any clear verbal notice or proper communication, despite the service being extremely poor. Charging an automatic tip for bad service is unacceptable and feels dishonest.
… moreThe first time, the service was shockingly bad. We sat for over 30 minutes without being served water, appetizers, or even being properly greeted. No one came to take our order. We had to repeatedly get up and search for a server just to place it. It took forever for the food to arrive, and when the entrées finally came out, we still hadn’t received any water or appetizers. The lack of basic service was unacceptable and made the entire meal frustrating rather than enjoyable.
The second experience was somehow worse. We had a party of five in an almost empty restaurant, yet we were told to wait in line while multiple tables sat open and ready. Shortly after, a larger group walked in and was immediately seated while we continued standing in the corner waiting.
To make matters worse, we were forced to pay a 20% gratuity without any clear verbal notice or proper communication, despite the service being extremely poor. Charging an automatic tip for bad service is unacceptable and feels dishonest.
Huri Özbayram YILDIZ
We went there for dinner. We took mandu ( It wasn’t the best mandu I’ve ever tried but it was tasty), honey garlic boneless chicken ( it was delicious because it has not have thick layer), udon with chicken ( udon was delicious but chicken was not delicious), bibimbap ( it was really delicious)
… moreTerry Mingle
Went for lunch. Terrible food, slow service, and not worth your money or time – go somewhere else!
First time going to this particular restaurant. Went on a personal recommendation, but did NOT have a good experience. Went for lunch, and when we arrived, we seated ourselves, and the waitperson did not come to take our order in a timely manner. Others arrived after we did, and he stopped at their tables and took their orders first. There weren’t many diners there (and now I know why). When he finally did take our order, he did not seem like he wanted to be at work, let alone serve anyone. The items on the menu are not adequately described, and what you are brought vs. what you think you will be getting is a large difference. When someone questioned this, he made an excuse that they changed things up. However, the menu should be more accurate, or…if changes are made, when someone orders an item, the waitstaff should inform diners that the menu item is no longer available as described. (We received an official “eye roll” on this observation, from the waiter.) The food was substandard for the price, and really, if I could give this place a negative rating, I would. But a “1” out of 5 will have to suffice. The food was bland, the chicken patty seemed undercooked, and if you are not experienced with chopsticks, you may or may not get a fork if you ask for one. Initially you just get a spoon, chopsticks, and a napkin. I will never go back there, and I would suggest to others to steer clear as well. In their defense, perhaps dinner is an entirely different staff and experience, but I can say without reservation that our lunch was decidedly disappointing.
… moreFirst time going to this particular restaurant. Went on a personal recommendation, but did NOT have a good experience. Went for lunch, and when we arrived, we seated ourselves, and the waitperson did not come to take our order in a timely manner. Others arrived after we did, and he stopped at their tables and took their orders first. There weren’t many diners there (and now I know why). When he finally did take our order, he did not seem like he wanted to be at work, let alone serve anyone. The items on the menu are not adequately described, and what you are brought vs. what you think you will be getting is a large difference. When someone questioned this, he made an excuse that they changed things up. However, the menu should be more accurate, or…if changes are made, when someone orders an item, the waitstaff should inform diners that the menu item is no longer available as described. (We received an official “eye roll” on this observation, from the waiter.) The food was substandard for the price, and really, if I could give this place a negative rating, I would. But a “1” out of 5 will have to suffice. The food was bland, the chicken patty seemed undercooked, and if you are not experienced with chopsticks, you may or may not get a fork if you ask for one. Initially you just get a spoon, chopsticks, and a napkin. I will never go back there, and I would suggest to others to steer clear as well. In their defense, perhaps dinner is an entirely different staff and experience, but I can say without reservation that our lunch was decidedly disappointing.
Laura Craigie
ry disappointing experience. The overall atmosphere felt unwelcoming and the staff attitude was surprisingly indifferent toward customers. For a place that charges fairly high prices, there was very little sense of professionalism or hospitality throughout the visit. After looking through other reviews, it seems that concerns about service have been mentioned multiple times, yet there doesn’t appear to be any effort from management to address them or improve the situation. A restaurant should value its customers and feedback, but unfortunately that was not the impression this place gave. I would not return.
… moreJinsook Lee
Amazing service and such delicious food! The tapas menus are perfect for trying out new Korean dishes. I’d say it’s such a fun way to explore different flavors! The owner is always nice to everyone even though it was so busy
… morePatricia Rojas
I want to make it clear that this was not an isolated incident. This is not the first time my friends and I have felt unwelcome at this restaurant. After multiple visits, the pattern is consistent — the atmosphere feels cold, dismissive, and completely lacking in basic hospitality.
We paid a significant amount of money for our meals. When you spend that kind of money dining out, you expect professionalism, courtesy, and at the very least, respect. Instead, the service repeatedly felt indifferent and unwelcoming. There was no effort to make guests feel valued. It honestly felt like they simply did not care.
What is also concerning is the way management appears to handle feedback. If you look through the reviews, there are multiple negative experiences shared by others describing similar service issues. Yet there are little to no thoughtful responses addressing concerns or demonstrating any intention to improve. Ignoring consistent complaints instead of responding professionally reflects very poorly on how customer feedback is treated.
Additionally, I was told by a friend about an incident where a staff member allegedly used a customer’s reservation contact information to privately message her afterward. If true, that is highly inappropriate and raises serious concerns about privacy boundaries and professional conduct.
At this point, it no longer feels like a one-time bad experience. It feels like a recurring issue with the culture of service at this establishment.
I strongly encourage management to reflect on how guests are being treated and how customer information is handled. Until there is clear improvement, I cannot recommend this place.
… moreWe paid a significant amount of money for our meals. When you spend that kind of money dining out, you expect professionalism, courtesy, and at the very least, respect. Instead, the service repeatedly felt indifferent and unwelcoming. There was no effort to make guests feel valued. It honestly felt like they simply did not care.
What is also concerning is the way management appears to handle feedback. If you look through the reviews, there are multiple negative experiences shared by others describing similar service issues. Yet there are little to no thoughtful responses addressing concerns or demonstrating any intention to improve. Ignoring consistent complaints instead of responding professionally reflects very poorly on how customer feedback is treated.
Additionally, I was told by a friend about an incident where a staff member allegedly used a customer’s reservation contact information to privately message her afterward. If true, that is highly inappropriate and raises serious concerns about privacy boundaries and professional conduct.
At this point, it no longer feels like a one-time bad experience. It feels like a recurring issue with the culture of service at this establishment.
I strongly encourage management to reflect on how guests are being treated and how customer information is handled. Until there is clear improvement, I cannot recommend this place.
Dave Katz
Had an excellent bibimbap. Kind of eerie experience to go inside but it not be Viva Taqueria, a ithaca staple for many years. The interior design which was the same as Viva. Anyhow the food was excellent as well as decent service. Would go back to try the fried chicken.
… moreSooin Shin
As a Korean, I really love this place and I visit this restaurant one to two times every month. The foods in here are really good as much as the foods I have in Korea. The owner and all the staffs are really nice and welcoming. If you’re in Ithaca and craving real Korean food, you definitely have to give this place a try.
… more