Dear freshman,
It’s such a bittersweet feeling to be sitting here and writing to you about the place that has meant so much to me for the past four years. I can’t believe I won’t be ordering weekly IYA takeout or grabbing a morning matcha at Share come May. When I was sitting in your shoes, a spring semester freshman, I felt so overwhelmed by the abundance of offerings both UMass and the Town of Amherst had. I didn’t know the best pizza spot or where to sip coffee while cramming for exams, I just knew how to walk down the stairs to the dining room of my sorority house. To help you curate the best 4-year bucket list, I’m here to share my favorite local spots for you to try yourself!
- Breakfast
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First and foremost, where would I be without my favorite study spots!? The baristas at Share and Shelburne Falls have seen more stressed out tears and calls to my mom than I’d like to admit, but boy has their caffeine kept me going. Share’s matcha is out of this world good, earthy but still creamy. Sweeten it with their maple syrup and it’ll quickly become your regular order. Shelburne’s pumpkin spice latte with pumpkin cold foam aligns with their log cabin adjacent aesthetic and turns any average fall day into a scene from Gilmore Girls. Now if I’m being completely honest, these spots doubled as study spaces and hangover cures, so definitely try some of their headache saving food. I typically order the turkey sandwich from Share and a good ‘ole sausage egg and cheese from Shelburne. Something about grease after a night out cures even the worst of hangovers.
- Lunch
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Onto lunch! If you’re anything like me, you start to crave a homemade cold-cut sandwich right around noon. My mom was the soccer mom who was in charge of bringing all the subs imaginable; my sandwich standards are quite high, so this recommendation is on good authority. Two words: Black Sheep. The Black Sheep Deli, just downtown, is home to some of the most flavorful and creative subs. In addition to baguette sandwiches, they carry several organic goods from teas to cheeses. Take a quick peek in their fridges to see if any of their outsourced goods interest you. Also, definitely grab a bag of chips before you check out. Joe’s salt and vinegar chips have never failed me.
- DInner
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I treat myself to eating out for dinner almost every weekend. It’s such a fun way for me to connect with my girlfriends, try some good food, and get out of the house. Here are just a few of my evening recs. IYA is by far my favorite in town. I love sushi and this has some of the freshest, most filling sushi rolls I’ve ever had. Who would’ve thought that fresh raw fish would hit the spot in rural Massachusetts? My favorite item on the menu is their cannonball roll, a spicy tuna roll topped with hibachi beef; the best of both worlds. Fret not! If sushi isn’t your thing, they have hibachi options, ramen, and all sorts of noodles to enjoy. If I’m not in the mood for sushi, I typically want pizza. Breaking news, Antonio’s isn’t the best local pizza. High Brow in Northampton is a wood-oven pizza joint that has soooo many options, even for your vegan or gluten-free friends! The pizza is perfectly crisped and the specialty pizza options are insane. My favorite is the “umbria pizza”, a pie topped with crispy prosciutto, caramelized onions, and a parmesan cream sauce… unreal. Definitely worth the quick trip to Northampton!
- Sweet Treat
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I heard all cool girls need a sweet treat after dinner so if you want to achieve this rumored cool girl status… head on over to GoBerry. The Amherst froyo spot is tucked behind Amherst Coffee and only has a few select flavors of yogurt and toppings. The yogurt is some of the best I’ve ever had and I load on the toppings. My roommates always add GoBerry’s infamous fruit sauce. It’s a super light but savory treat that will fulfill your sweet tooth.
- Finally, Best Kept Secret in Amherst
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Arguably the best kept secret in Amherst is Cushman’s market. Specializing in brunch foods, this quaint and antique filled shop has something for everyone. Again, ample vegan and GF options and is a great place to grab a delicious breakfast, without ridiculous wait times. The staff members are so kind and will answer any questions you may have about the menu. I’ve tried most of the menu, but I keep gravitating towards the “baby” or the breakfast burrito. Definitely go try it out!
All of that being said, don’t blink! I wish I could start these four years over again. Spend time with your friends (they really will be your bridesmaids) and just enjoy getting to know this town and this school. College is about the memories, not so much about the grades (in my unprofessional opinion of course). Soak it all in, even during those stressful calls home during exam week.
Best of luck,
A sad senior
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