Good Neighbor Grocery — Restaurant in Town of Groton

A cozy gem in Groton — comfort food, kindness, and charm all in one stop.

The Good Neighbor Grocery is exactly what every small town needs — a place that feels like a hug on a rainy day. I stopped in for lunch and had a bowl of creamy seafood chowder that could hold its own against any coastal café — rich, hearty, and perfectly seasoned, served with warm, crusty bread that tasted homemade. The cinnamon roll deserves its own review: thick, soft, and covered in real, buttery frosting that melts into every layer.

It’s nice to have a place where small-town country meets the quality of any café in any city. The food is absolutely delicious, and the folks are so friendly. I was having my car worked on next door, so this was the perfect spot to settle in while getting snow tires put on.

Groton is made up of a wonderfully diverse mix — from its blue-collar and farming roots to the reach of Cornell University — and I think anyone can feel at home here. Just as the music on the speakers plays a mix of styles and eras, everyone fits in naturally.

Today was a particularly rainy fall day in upstate New York, the kind we’ve needed after so much sun. It made the cozy atmosphere even better — a bowl of soup, a good cup of coffee, and a warm chair by the window watching the rain. The Good Neighbor Grocery is everything its name promises: good food, good people, and a reminder of what...

Just a little ways off the route between Ithaca and Dryden is the town of Groton, NY. Across from its high school is a building covered with vertical red and green siding. Fronted with cheerfully painted wide windows, the front bears the name - The Good Neighbor Grocery. Inside is warm and inviting, decorated with colorful yet comfortably cozy items, shelves filled with locally or regionally produced food, art, self care items, and more. The menu is filled with delicious options to satisfy a variety of tastes and appetites, including kids’. There are plenty of weekly and seasonal offerings, plus baked goods and beverage choices. The store even has online ordering and a drive up window. In addition to all of this, there are ongoing classes for all ages and many interests (cooking, art, children’s camps, couples activities) as well as free gatherings. The Good Neighbor is rooted in and committed to its community and has something really...

My new favorite cafe! A warm little haven tucked into snow-kissed Groton, The Good Neighbor made the best sandwich I’ve had since moving to New York. The menu has several gluten-free options, clearly marked, which is extremely rare and precious in this part of the world, as my celiac partner has learned the hard way. Not to mention the shop is open on SUNDAYS (jaw, meet floor) and until 6pm Tues-Friday: a true unicorn among ponies. The service was impeccable—friendly, personable staff—and the little grocery had a remarkably good selection of meats and a nice collection of locally sourced teas, vegetables, pantry essentials, and sundry other goods. They even offer community events and workshops like focaccia making and charcuterie boards. So happy I stumbled across this cafe on a random drive down a winding country...