When I first came to the University of Massachusetts Amherst, I heard about the No. 1 Dining Program, but I didn’t know just how good the food outside campus was. I remember after moving in during Freshman year, my parents and I went out to dinner at Johnny’s Tavern in downtown Amherst, and I was blown away by the food. That’s when I knew — I was about to enter foodie heaven.
So, here are my favorite bites from local restaurants around UMass:
- Fitzwilly’s Restaurant – Northampton, MA
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Fitzwilly’s is my favorite restaurant to bring my parents to when they come up to visit. The restaurant is located in the heart of downtown Northampton and has an Irish Pub aesthetic. The inside of the restaurant has a great ambiance, with cozy decor and an upstairs seating area that overlooks the rest of the restaurant. The menu itself is fantastic. There’s truly something for everyone. If I had to recommend a few items, I’d suggest you get the Maple Bourbon Steak Tips or the Shepherd’s Pie. I think those are among the best bites at the entire restaurant.
- Bistro 63 – Amherst, MA
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Bistro 63 is located in downtown Amherst and also houses the infamous Monkey Bar. The restaurant has a sleek aesthetic and operates on a rolling kitchen system, meaning all food is served when it’s ready. It’s quite a small restaurant, but that’s what makes it all the more cozy. For food, I would suggest the Rigatoni Vodka and the Thai Chicken Wrap. They also serve brunch all day!
- Mulino’s – Northampton, MA
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Located on a picturesque side street in Northampton, Mulino’s is an Italian restaurant serving up comforting, yet innovative dishes. It’s on the second floor and has a beautiful balcony seating area. We brought my mom here for her birthday recently, and she absolutely loved it. We got the Tiramisu as her “birthday cake,” and it was fabulous. For main courses, I’d recommend the Chicken Parm (my favorite food in the entire world) and the Crazy Alfredo. I also highly recommend getting the Meatballs as an appetizer!
- Filos Greek Taverna – Northampton, MA
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Unlike the other restaurants on this list, Filos is a quick-service dining experience, but it’s still amazing. It’s near Smith College and serves up Greek cuisine and innovative dishes, including their French Fry Bar with many creative combinations. As a Greek, I have high expectations for Greek food in the U.S.—and they met those expectations. Their Chicken Gyro was so good, and it tasted like something I’d have in Greece, and they even put fries inside — if you know, you know. As I mentioned, they have a French Fry Bar. Some options include Athenian Truffle Fries, Filos Greek Fries, and Argos Animal Style Fries. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything here.
- Johnny’s Tavern – Amherst, MA
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This holds a special place in my heart, as I said before. I went here for one last dinner with my parents before they went home after the Freshman movie-in. Though I was sad and scared as I sat there at dinner, I was still aware enough to realize the food was super good. We got Truffle Fries as our appetizer (a family favorite). I remember getting the Fried Chicken as my entree, and I was surprised at the southern influence. The side of bacon-raised collard greens was amazing, as was the rest of the meal. Other things I recommend are the Pastrami Sandwich and the Spaghetti Bolognese.
Christin Urso / Spoon
Now that you’re aware that the Amherst Area is foodie heaven and you have my recommendations, please go support these restaurants and show them some love!
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