D26 and I will be spending the day at Barnard in a few weeks. For those who live in the area or have kids at Barnard/Columbia, what should we plan to see, other than the main campus tour? What lunch/dinner spots that you would recommend? Student hangout places? Any suggestions are much appreciated. TIA.
1 Like
Hungarian Pastry shop is old school and a fav of current students, alumni and locals too. Right across from St John the divine church - worth it. Perfect for a hot drink and a treat.
Several restaurants along Broadway to the South - can’t miss them and popular for brunch/lunch. (Community, Le’Monde etc - all on that strip)
One of the top rated pizza by the slice (no seating - to go only ) Mama’s Too - square slices.
Milano market - classic deli and very popular with students and local alike - a critic favorite too. Worth exploring just to get a feel of all their options.
Tom’s Diner of Seinfeld fame.
Absolute Bagels was amazing and was just closed down by the health dept - so scratch that one off the list 
Kornet (sp) pizza is the traditional huge, greasy slice and very busy late at night - classic college pizza.
Several of the Halal food trucks that park around campus are excellent - you will see the long lines of students.
I am unsure the campus access status now, for non students, so make sure you can get on Columbia’s campus too.
Pisticci is one stop North and is a nice neighborhood italian restaurant for dinner. Popular with students when parents in town. Priced fairly imo.
There are several small hardware stores along Broadway near campus and they have everything crammed into their tiny shops. Several stationary stores - both on Broadway and Amsterdam.
Blue bottle coffee (i think local or east coast group?)
Weather permitting - rent an ebike near campus, ride through riverside park (or walk over to the park) and you can safely bike on dedicated paths all the way to Battery Park city. Or rent an ebike and bike all through and around Central Park - also no cars on the wide streets through the park.
Enjoy - it is a fun neighborhood.
4 Likes
Great post @coffeeat3! Pisticci was definitely our “go to” for family dinners. Sadly our favorite lunch place closed during COVID.
2 Likes
There us another italian restaurant right there near campus and I can’t remember the name - I remember they did all you could eat a night or two a week - and have a nice bathroom when you need one in the area 
ADDED:
Google to the rescue - Fumo Italian - big student and neighborhood spot - lunch, dinner and weekend brunch.
1 Like
Deleted
Thanks for the detailed comment! We’ll try to hit several of these.
1 Like
I’m a student at Columbia so I’m taking notes!!
2 Likes
This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. If you’d like to reply, please flag the thread for moderator attention.