Location: Amherst
Top Restaurants in Amherst
Top Things to do in Amherst
Where to Eat in Amherst: The Best Restaurants and Bars
Amherst (/ˈæmərst/ ( listen)) is a town in Hampshire County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Connecticut River valley. As of the 2010 census, the population was 37,819, making it the highest populated municipality in Hampshire County (although the county seat is Northampton). The town is home to Amherst College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, three of the Five Colleges. The name of the town is pronounced without the h ("AM-erst"), giving rise to the local saying, "only the 'h' is silent", in reference both to the pronunciation and to the town's politically active populace.
Things to do in Amherst
1. Pita Pockets
Overall Ratings
5 based on 97 reviews
Reviewed By Tiffany M - Amherst, Massachusetts
Service and food is always great. The owners always remember you and aim to please. This place is a great asset to the communtiy.
2. Antonio's Pizza
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 316 reviews
Reviewed By Todd N
We stopped in for a slice and were not disappointed. Great options and flavors - meat lovers was fantastic and the veggie options were also great - especially the avocado black bean (who would put that on a pizza right?)....i loved it. One slice will do you right for lunch. I would definitely eat there again - great pizza.
3. Johnny's Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 297 reviews
Johnny’s Tavern, located in the town of Amherst, Massachusetts, home to the University of Mass, Amherst College and Hampshire College and nestled in the heart of the community. Johnny’s Tavern invites you to sample our menu. We pride ourselves with using organic produce, sustainable seafood, hormone-free meat and poultry where ever possible. Our mission is to provide a truly unforgettable dining experience. To have every guest who comes through our door leave impressed by Johnny’s and feel excited to come back again to the warmth of our hospitality. We invite you to plan your next dining occasion with us. Our team will be happy to assist you with the same standards you have come to know through our restaurants: excellent customer service, delicious food, professionalism and hospitality. We look forward to serving you.
Reviewed By Steve P - Stuart, Florida
Very nice ambiance with low light and wood finishes. Good selection of craft drafts. Found an excellent pilsner with the German EKU pils. The perfectly roasted chicken with sauteed greens and fingerling potatoes with a lemon herb pan sauce was to die for. The server was friendly and the kitchen is prompt. The only part missing was the prompt follow-up on the entree and round two pilsner.
4. Bistro 63
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 335 reviews
Sleek, modern atmosphere with full service bar serving fusion East meets West cuisine. Additional dining room with bar for special events for up to 100 guests. Covered deck for outdoor dining.
Reviewed By smrn8 - Amherst, Massachusetts
I have been twice, once to celebrate the end of a long semester with grad school friends and also for a celebration for my daughter. Both times were wonderful. Food was great, service professional and knowledgeable. The drinks selection was thoughtful with local options. Definitely plan to go again.
5. Judie's Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 608 reviews
Reviewed By JoMich - Alma, Michigan
Everyone said "You must go to Judie's for popovers," so we did. The ambience is eclectic and interesting, but the popovers (which are enormous) took forever (and this was about 2 PM, well after the lunch rush), and were blackened. We have had much better popovers both in Maine and when we make them at home.
6. The Lone Wolf
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 158 reviews
Reviewed By Retinol13 - Berkeley, California
I visited the Howling Wolf twice during a stay for my sister-in-law’s wedding. It was two visits and two different sorts of experiences, and I should be honest about the different contexts as they might color my perceptions.
The first day was just me and my wife and son on a Sunday morning. It was great. We had a table with attentive service…I had the savory crepe which was filling (a bit too much so in fact) but well done…just a bit heavy on the polenta but that’s no sin. My son enjoyed his eggs/pancake/sausage/potato kid’s meal and my wife had a really nice benedict. We were quite pleased, and were eager to return the following day.
Alas, the second day was a larger affair involving a gaggle of in-laws and family friends. It was also a Monday morning, a time that I expect it is usually quieter. Well, not when we came to call. About 8 of us showed up with another 5 en route, and were informed there was not enough seating for all of us together. Was just an unfortunate issue of one table of two seated between the potentially adjoining sections. No big deal, we just decided to do groups of two. So, well and good. But the fact that we were straining the outer limits of their capacity for a Monday morning meant we waited a long time to get our orders for drinks taken, followed by a second long-wait for the food orders. Followed by a large hiatus during the meal service for refills on coffee etc. All of which is forgivable but my cheese blintzes were burned. Not just crispy, actually burned. This was potentially salvageable but the flavors themselves were just sort of meh. One miss is okay but my wife’s omelet was also sub-satisfactory,
So which was the really experience? I’m really not sure. They were both legit so the best I can conclude is that a visit here is a bit of luck of the draw…might be great, might be meh. So perhaps shoot for either prime time when they are staffed up or a particularly quiet off-hours visit.
7. Osteria Vespa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 76 reviews
Chef Tom Schnapp prepares authentic Northern Italian and Mediterranean cuisine with local produce and meats when available. Our wine list has been carefully prepared to compliment his dishes,
Reviewed By Urther - western mass
Had a wonderful meal here last week with an out-of-town guest. Food, service and ambience were all wonderful. We enjoyed a superb shared bruschetta appetizer, beet salad, entree (pesto fettuccini) and dessert (chocolate mousse). We shared one of each, as we usually do, and it was more than enough to fully satisfy us. Only small complaint, the pasta was just a tad gummy. Also, we wish there were more creative vegan offerings just as we wish that were so in so many upscale restaurants. Our waiter was Jeffrey, and we couldn't ask for better. All in all, it was a great dining experience.
8. Mission Cantina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By dgouldd - Easthampton, Massachusetts
Checked out this little restaurant on the outskirts of Amherst. Must admit I’ve driven by this place many times without giving it a second thought. Well shake on me.
I ordered the taco combo plate. 3 taco’s with rice and beans. Taco’s were shrimp, chicken and pulled bbq pork. My favorite was the pulled pork.
The restaurant was very crowded but we had a short wait. Staff was very accommodating without being over the top.
The menu had a wide range of different of authentic items. Definitely would recommend trying this great little restaurant.
9. Ginger Garden
Overall Ratings
4 based on 174 reviews
This about 1 month old restaurant is located on Route 9, (or Russel Street) in front of the Big Y shopping Plaza. Excellent Chinese food)
Reviewed By Lisa F - Hartford, Connecticut
This restaurant is pleasant enough and the food is fine--on par with the other local east Asian restaurants (Panda East, Oriental Flavor, Miss Saigon, House of Teriyaki, etc). However, the service is so slow and so bad.
The restaurant was not especially crowded, but clearly they did not have enough servers working. Just two guys waiting tables (and then a bunch of women up front, greeting people and hanging around the bar). They took forever taking our order, and then every single dish took a long time. The soup was cold. Additionally, they got the orders wrong (white rice instead of brown rice, no chopsticks, etc.). Each dish came separately with about 15 minutes between them. It was quite astounding. A dinner for two with three dishes and no drinks took almost 2 hours. Unless you've got this kind of time--go elsewhere.
10. Bueno Y Sano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
The original Bueno Y Sano, opened in Amherst by Bob Lowry, UMass grad, in 1995. Serving up fresh and delicious burritos, quesadillas, tacos and salads, made to order. Hundreds of delicious combinations. Family owned and operated, and now with six locations in Amherst, Northampton, Springfield, West Springfield, Acton, and Burlington, VT. Every Tuesday is FAT Tuesday, get a grande burrito for the price of a regular. Just say, "Make it a grande." Call ahead and we'll have your order ready.
Reviewed By FrogSqueezer - Lafayette, Louisiana
Nice tastes and great fresh fast burritos. Different from the chains and better. I also liked that they provided real plates and utensils, not the cheap throw-away stuff for those dining in.
