A day in the life eating around Barnard College: Five delicious eats in Morningside Heights
- Katherine Hong
- Nov 16, 2025
- 5 min read
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Barnard students can easily access the many cuisines the Big Apple has to offer right around campus.
Display of desserts from Omonia Cafe.
Photo by Katherine Hong/The Barnard Bulletin
November 16, 2025
As the fall semester comes to a close, Barnard students have grown accustomed to the various dining halls that the school offers, but they will inevitably experience something known as flavor fatigue. Yes, the novelty of John Jay’s ice cream bar will eventually fade away. Students typically choose where to eat based on quick checks on Lion Dine or whatever is most convenient between classes. But, after reading this, you may want to venture off campus to experience what the local restaurants and pastry shops have to offer.
Here are five of the most well-known eateries around campus that you should definitely pay a visit to, starting with cafes for a morning coffee run, pizza for lunch, and ending with Vietnamese for dinner.
(2901 Broadway, New York, NY 10025)
With only the iconic blue bottle logo atop the storefront, Blue Bottle Coffee on Broadway is a popular spot because students enjoy the cafe for its quality drinks and cozy atmosphere. Blue Bottle offers a calm, relaxing environment with a spacious interior, modern furnishings, and inviting baristas. Outdoor seating is also available, allowing customers to enjoy the atmosphere of Morningside Heights. They offer a variety of specialty beverages, including espressos, lattes, and even hot chocolate. A must-order drink, available only in the summer, is the Lavender Yuzu Latte, since the lavender adds a mild sweetness as the yuzu pierces through with an invigorating punch, creating the perfect combination of a soothing yet energizing sip.
“I know how overwhelming and busy NSOP can be, so I wanted to take my group on a coffee run for our morning meeting. It was an awesome way to explore the area around campus and get to know each other in a more relaxed setting,” said Zara Kamal (BC ’28). Located on West 113 Street, it’s a convenient stop to grab your morning coffee or even to take a quick break between lectures.
(1030 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025)
Only a short trek from campus lies the one and only Hungarian Pastry Shop. Known among students and born-and-raised New Yorkers alike, this authentic Eastern European business is located across from the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine, with outdoor seating that allows patrons to enjoy the scenic view. The interior offers a cozy atmosphere with dim lighting, wooden furniture, and book jackets covering the walls as a celebration of the countless writers who have worked there. It’s famous for its bohemian environment, sparking creativity within students and local writers.
The shop is celebrated for its iconic croissant made with a one-of-a-kind dense dough, served with apricot jam and butter. Other fan-favorites include its sour cherry strudel, Hungarian coffee, and cheese puffs. This fall, their seasonal pumpkin cheesecake outshines the other treats. The slice captures the essence of autumn with the perfect pumpkin-spiced interior atop a crunchy graham cracker crust. The filling is a flawless blend of cinnamon and nutmeg, creating a rich and balanced flavor profile. It is no question that the shop is worth a visit, but be sure to get there early to avoid waiting in line or to snatch a table with friends.
(2801 Broadway, New York, NY 10025)
Situated on Broadway and just a 10-minute walk from campus, Omonia Cafe is recognized for its authentic Greek sweets that are baked fresh daily. Its original location in Astoria, Queens was established in 1977, and Omonia Cafe now has 3 stores across the city. Although it is famed for its timeless baklava cheesecake, right now the orange pie, Portokalopita, is taking the spotlight. In just one bite, you can already taste the dessert’s moist sponge cake, baked with fresh oranges and syrup, and its rich, orange zest. In the last few weeks, the orange pie has swiftly become the hottest item, even receiving a recommendation from The New York Times.
Besides these options, there are a plethora of other treats to try! An employee at the Morningside Heights branch, Irene Tere, said, “You can’t go wrong with the Seven Layer cake. It’s not too sweet, which I prefer.” She also recommends Melomakarouna, a traditional spicy baked syrup biscuit, or Kourambiedes, a butter cookie dusted with rose water and powdered sugar. Whether you are a cake or cookies person, this cafe offers a wide range of selections to satisfy your decadent desires.
(2848 Broadway, New York, NY 10025)
Photo by Katherine Hong/The Barnard Bulletin
Although you could always grab pizza at Hewitt Dining Hall, the huge pizza slices from Koronet Pizza are unmatched. A regular slice of cheese costs $3.75, but you can upgrade to a Jumbo for $6. Koronet’s Jumbo is noted as the city’s largest slice at 32 inches in diameter, perfect for a mid-day meal. They are not only generously sized but also exceptionally flavorful.
On a random weeknight, my friend and I got two regular slices of the Margherita pizza and an order of garlic knots. “The garlic knots were 3 for $2, which is such a good deal!” said Maya Ashikaga (BC ’29). This pizzeria is perfect for sharing among friends with its top-notch quality, taste, freshness, and service. Open 10-2 a.m. on Sundays through Thursdays and 10-4 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Koronet is a good late-night spot for students after studying or going out.
(942 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025)
Photo by Katherine Hong/The Barnard Bulletin
Another must-try dining experience on the Upper West Side is Bánh Shop House. The small yet popular Vietnamese restaurant is renowned for its authentic and uniquely served bánh chưng chiên (fried sticky rice cakes) and bánh cuốn (steamed rice crepes). Perfect for a casual meal, Bánh allows friends to catch up after a long day of classes and midterms.
And that is, in fact, what my friends and I did on a Wednesday night. We ordered an appetizer of summer rolls with shrimp, Milo iced milk chocolates, and their house beef phởs. The phở was phenomenal: the broth was rich and flavorful, which was complemented by tender meat and perfectly chewy rice noodles. Not only are the entrees at Bánh delicious, their specialty drinks are also definitely worth a try. It is an experience not to be missed.
With so many mouth-watering options at the restaurants and eateries around campus, Barnard students have the opportunity to experience the world of cuisines that Morningside Heights has to offer. Whether you are with friends or alone, have an unforgettable time at the table!
