Throughout my first semester here at Kent State, downtown Kent has become a place I visit often. With its variety of stores, coffee shops and restaurants, there is always something new to explore. Although I have only lived in Kent for a couple of months, over this first semester I have discovered some great places to eat that I believe everyone should try.
1. Belleria Pizza and Italian Restaurant
Located in Acorn Alley, this restaurant offers a variety of Italian dishes including pizza, pasta and calzones. Although this is a casual dine-in restaurant they also offer both carryout and delivery options as well. My favorite part of Belleria is the calzones, since most of the Italian restaurants that I have been to do not offer them. I am not exaggerating when I tell you that the pepperoni and cheese calzone was the best calzone I have tried in a long time. The friend I was with ordered the Fettuccine Alfredo and she too, raved about her dinner.
2. Barrio Kent
This Mexican Restaurant is known for its build-your-own tacos and is a great place to hang out with friends. Although this restaurant is not unique to Kent, before coming to Kent State I had never heard of it before. Barrio is great because of its wide range of hours. It’s open until at least 12 am every night and on Friday’s and Saturdays is open an hour later until 1 am. In addition, carry out and delivery is available as well as dine-in. My favorite part of Barrio is the way to order your tacos. They give you a sheet where you check off what shell, meat and toppings you would like.
3. The Fruit Stand
For all of the acai bowl lovers, The Fruit Stand is for you! In addition to acai bowls, they also offer smoothie bowls, oatmeal bowls and fresh cut fruit bowls. The great thing about The Fruit Stand is that you are guaranteed fresh fruit, which can be hit or miss in the dining halls. There are endless combinations that you can create and the business was even founded by a Kent State alumni! To ensure the freshness of your bowl, they currently do not have any sort of online ordering, which allows customers enjoy all that downtown Kent has to offer in addition to a healthy meal.
4. The Cleveland Bagel Cafe
This cafe was one of the first places I went to when I arrived at Kent State, and I immediately knew I would be coming back. Although it is not in the heart of downtown Kent, It is in a great location with being right by the architecture building on Kent Campus. On top of being a great place to study, The Cleveland Bagel Cafe has great coffee and bagels. I can be very picky with my coffee, and so far of all of the places I have tried in Kent, they have the best iced vanilla latte. I am also obsessed with their egg and cheese bagel sandwiches and have heard great things about their homemade schmears.
5. Tree City Coffee & Pastry
Last but definitely not least is Tree City Coffee & Pastry. Tree City is known for their fun holiday themed coffee flavors. Each month, they release a new drink menu that has a special theme depending on the month. For the month of December, their drinks are holiday themed and I cannot wait to try them all. During the month of November I got a pumpkin white mocha iced latte and it was absolutely delicious. Tree City also has great baked goods and breakfast sandwiches. Their red velvet cookie is to die for. Tree City is also great because they have places to sit and study but also have a drive thru window.
There are so many other great restaurants in downtown Kent that I cannot wait to try throughout my next few years at Kent State, but of the ones I have tried so far, these five are definitely my favorites. Before coming to Kent, I had no idea of all the great places downtown Kent had to offer and I can’t wait to keep exploring them all in the future.