If there’s one thing to know about Connecticut College students, it’s that we’re always looking for ways to get off campus and eat… pretty much anything that isn’t Harris food. Lucky for us, we live in a region that has quite the selection of delicious bites. From fast-food to local spots, here are some of our favorite restaurants:
My favorite restaurants near Conn are not quite in New London, but in a nearby town. Everyone discusses the impressive dining in downtown Mystic, but people rarely mention the food options in Olde Mistick Village! This is my favorite day trip, and it’s only about a 10-15 minute drive from campus. While I love all of the cute shops here, there’s also some delicious restaurants. I’d suggest the Jealous Monk, which is meant to resemble a European beer garden. They sell classics like burgers, fries, etc., and I especially love their appetizer selection. If you’re looking for something more Italian, Mango’s Wood Fired Pizza Company serves delicious pizza, as well as salads and sandwiches. For dessert, I’d recommend Deviant Donuts, with donuts and cookies to die for. You could also check out Alice in the Village, an adorable tea shop (with an amazing theme) that sells macarons and other desserts.
- Allie Ziegler ‘27
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, Jasmine Thai and Sushi Bar in downtown New London! The menu is just long enough to provide customers with ample options while not compromising the quality and individuality of the dishes, which is a tough balance! I’m also looking forward to Muddy Waters reopening in the near future, as it is one of my all time favorite cafes!
- Allison Bull ‘26
I have to second Jasmine Thai—the food is delicious, and it is a nice chill place to go with friends or family! While it is not quite a restaurant, I am also a big fan of Clyde’s Cider Mill for a fall outing. My roommate and I bought a gallon of cider for our fridge when we went, and it was so worth it. Paul’s Pasta in Groton is also delicious, and I can often get two meals out of one portion, which is an amazing and welcome change from the dining hall.
- Caroline Snyder ‘26
My favorite restaurant is one that we should all be familiar with: Panera Bread. They are local, in the sense that they are located in almost every city, and they have the perfect atmosphere for studying if you love the smell of bread and cheese. My go-to order is a charged lemonade and whatever sandwich fits the vibe of my study sesh. I come in, I order my food on the screens to avoid human interaction, and then I put on my headphones and get stuff done. I would say that you gotta try it out, but please don’t crowd my study spot during my last semester of college. It’s my spot.
- Catherine Gwinnett ‘24
I would say something about Panera, but Catherine already stole my thunder. So, my favorite restaurant would be The Place 2 Be. They serve all-day brunch with breakfast-themed cocktails (for those who are above the age of 21). There are multiple locations throughout Connecticut, and I’ve gone a few times when I’ve craved a good brunch at the beginning of the night. The last time I went I did stray and order a burger, but it was still amazing.
- Miranda Dowie ‘24
There are so many wonderful restaurants in the New London County area, but this article would be amiss if we didn’t include a particular Conn Coll favorite: Texas Roadhouse. There’s nothing quite like packing your friend group into a car to take the six minute drive just for some of those delicious, buttery rolls and a rack of ribs. Okay, now my mouth is watering. Do we think I can convince the group chat to go to Texas Roadhouse tonight?
- Lara Beckius ‘24