Recommendations North of 120th Street
Discover your new favorite spot to grab a meal, study, or hang out with friends north of campus.
Photography by Claire Cenovic/The Barnard Bulletin
October 17, 2024
Whether you are hoping to branch out beyond what the dining halls have to offer or are desperate to expand your palate, skip the subway ride downtown and explore just a few blocks north. Most Barnumbia students are well-versed in what lies between 116th and 110th Street—Milano Market, Community Food & Juice, and Oren’s Coffee are student landmarks in Morningside Heights. However, there are so many local businesses to discover in the stretch of Morningside between 120th and 125th Street. As a two-year Plimpton Hall resident who is also a self-declared foodie, here is my approved list of the best spots for food and beverages above 120th Street.
Massawa
Residents of Plimpton are familiar with the fragrant wafts that drift up from Massawa, located directly underneath the residence hall. Massawa is an Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurant, where you can scoop flavorful meat and vegetable dishes into a fermented flatbread called injera. Centered around sharing plates, Massawa is an excellent spot for dinner with family and friends.
Pho Amsterdam
Prepare to be wheeled a giant (and I mean massive) bowl of pho on a cart, accompanied by an impressively-sized ladle perfect for delivering the perfect amount of soup to your mouth. Coming from a pho lover, Pho Amsterdam is an excellent place for a casual night of comforting food.
Pisticci
Come for the pasta and stay for the ambiance. Pisticci is an adorable Italian spot right off of Broadway, ideal for celebrations of any kind or just a fun dinner. Boasting weeknight happy hours and occasional live music, Pisticci is a neighborhood gem.
Jin Ramen
Just south of 125th Street, you’ll find Jin Ramen. Here, you can enjoy a classic bowl of tonkotsu ramen for a decent price, as well as explore the wide variety of sushi, rice bowls, and noodle dishes included on their menu.
Sipsteria
A relatively new addition to the neighborhood, Sipsteria has cemented itself as a favorite among students and locals alike. Cafe by day, wine bar by night, this is an ideal spot to study during the day, as well as grab drinks with friends in the evening! They also offer live jazz concerts on Saturdays.
Kuro Kuma
The definition of quaint, Kuro Kuma is another underrated coffee spot. This tiny, quintessential espresso bar serves excellent coffee and a wide range of pastries. Sit and stay a while at one of their curbside tables, sipping on a latte and enjoying a delicious scone.
The Craftsman
The Craftsman, also a cafe by day and bar by night, provides the perfect environment for drinks with friends. The Craftsman is one of my favorite chill spots to both study and socialize, and a daily happy hour from 3-7 p.m. is always a plus.
Whale Tea
Another Amsterdam favorite, Whale Tea offers a vast menu of traditional milk and fruit boba teas, which are all delicious choices. However, if you want to try something new, Whale Tea offers a range of specialty drinks, such as Creme Brulee-inspired milk teas or fresh fruit teas topped with sweet milk foam. You truly can’t go wrong and Whale Tea is a fantastic choice for a refreshing drink!
Comments