Food is important to everyone. Whether you are new to Amherst/living off-campus, have never left campus before, or your parents are in town and you need something to do, everyone needs to eat. I am here to help you pick out a great place to get food within a reasonable distance from campus and without spending a lot of money. Here is a list of some, but not all, of the great places to get great food and make memories in the downtown area of Amherst.
Food: Pizza
Price: $
This place is absolutely legendary to the town of Amherst. Located on North Pleasant Street, their $1.00 pizza slices on Friday nights from 12 am to 2 am is a gift from the heavens after bar-hopping with friends. Choosing to have a night in? They deliver! They have an amazing array of unique pizza topping combinations that are to die for. Affordable, convenient, and delicious.
Food: American
Price: $$
Judie’s is perfect for having dinner with your parents when they come to visit, and they are paying. The decor of the restaurant displays the bright and artsy vibe of Amherst. With large windows and natural light, it is welcoming and comforting, just like having dinner at home. Their extremely famous popovers with apple butter are to die for and their nacho appetizer is enough to feed the whole family. They have a creative menu full of sandwiches, salads, dinners, and plates of pasta that offer healthy and diet restricting options. Their award-winning desserts are perfecting for sharing.
Food: Breakfast
Price: $$
Looking to do brunch any day of the week? Then the Lone Wolf is perfect for you and your friends to nurse your hangovers or just catch up. Their menu is full of different selections, their portions are plentiful and they offer tasty vegan options. They are a little pricey, but it’s worth it because breakfast is the most important meal of the day, right?
Food: Breakfast
Price: $
This spot is great if you are ready to brunch at any time of the day. But this is not your typical pancake and bacon ordeal. The Works Cafe takes pride in creating delicious dishes that are healthy, local, and environmentally friendly which is something we all want more of. The UMass campus has made waves in being a compostable home for students and this place brings a carefree aspect to eating out. You know you will be getting guilt-free food that is served on material that has kept the health of the planet in mind.
Food: Doughnuts
Price: $
Doughnuts have become the Regina George of pastries. You see them everywhere, at weddings, on leggings, and in the hands of most of the population. So why are you still buying doughnuts from Dunkin’? The Glazed Doughnut shop has doughnuts that are out of this world. Creations I have never seen before, childhood cereals used as toppings. These aren’t just doughnuts, they are delicious pieces of art that need to be enjoyed. If you haven’t tried that I highly suggest that you do because these doughnuts could possibly change your life.
Food: Cookies
Price: $
The best part about this cookie chain restaurant is that they deliver till 3 am! Do I need to say more? They are also open till 3 am so if you are out with your friends and would love some dessert after grabbing a $1 slice from Antonio’s, this is the perfect place.
Food: Italian
Price: $$
Honestly, who doesn’t love pasta? Carb-based food in the best kind of food there is, you can’t deny it. If you are Italian, like me, and are missing the family Sunday dinners, this place will make you feel right at home. This is also a great spot for a date night. They offer a large range of Italian dishes, many different kinds of pasta, great pizzas, and the option to create your own dish. Who needs to study abroad in Italy when you have such a great spot to get food just a few miles away from your dorm.
Food: Mexican
Price: $
Tacos, Quesadillas, Burritos, oh my! This is not an exclusive food spot to Amherst but this chain restaurant makes getting chips and guac extremely easy at a great price so it is greatly appreciated. This is perfect for a quick and easy meal to go but there is seating for a more casual eating experience. There are some Mexican restaurants in Amherst that are a more traditional sit down setting that would be great to try, but as a college student, you don’t always have the time and money to spend on a full dining experience which is why this is a great spot to get great food without the hassle of awkward small talk.
Food: Ice Cream
Price: $
Having a bad day? Maybe you’re going through a break-up, have your period, or failed an exam. Do you know what always helps? Ice cream. It never fails. And Bart’s is the way to go. The creative flavors are not only delicious but some are inspired by the local area. And not just ice cream either, they also offer low-fat yogurt and sorbet. This is another great spot from people with diet restrictions as they offer delicious options in categories such as egg, wheat, soy, gluten, tree nut, and peanut-free.
Food: Bubble Tea
Price: $
Bubble tea has been the must-have drink for a few years now and has yet to lose any of its popularity. If you are looking to enjoy some, then I would stop by LimeRed. Not only do they offer bubble tea with real fruits, natural sugars, and local farm milk, but they also have an array of tasty desserts if you feel like treating yourself a little extra that day. Not only are the drinks amazing, but it is also a great space to relax and enjoy time with friends or check up on some work. The peaceful environment makes getting bubble refreshing in more ways than one.
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