Restaurants and Cafés

The food in this part of the world is really good. The Pioneer Valley is known for its farmland, and its culinary scene is dominated by farm-to-table restaurants serving locally sourced food. Below are some of our favourite places to get brunch, drink coffee, dine, and eat lots of ice cream.

RESTAURANTS

Antonio's Pizza, AMHERST:

The BEST PIZZA OF ALL TIME. Ever wanted ravioli pizza? Avocado and black bean? Chicken, bacon and ranch dressing? Us neither, but it's amazing. The best pizza you'll ever have.

Blue Heron, SUNDERLAND:

Upscale restaurant in Sunderland. The food is extremely good, even if it is a little old-fashioned (white table cloths and hovering staff). French-influenced farm-to-table fare.

Chez Albert, AMHERST:

The best restaurant in the area. French meals with an American twist. Fantastic food, great staff, good wine, right in the center of downtown Amherst

Bub's BBQ, SUNDERLAND:

Delicious (non-kosher) barbecue. They serve alligator meat but you can also just stick to the ribs.

Captain Jack's Roadside Shack, EASTHAMPTON:

Fried seafood and burgers in a fun, casual spot

Fresh Side, AMHERST:

Casual, Asian fusion. Not entirely sure what it's a fusion of, but they have delicious tea rolls, omelette-wrapped spicy fried rice, and a lot of other tasty things.

Gill Tavern, GILL:

Amazing American restaurant in the middle of nowhere. Getting to this place is an absolute mission, but it's worth it. It's deep up in the hill towns - beautiful drive, great scenery, but a trek.

Haymarket, NORTHAMPTON:

Cafe, restaurant and juice bar in Northampton. Despite being exclusively vegetarian, the food is excellent.

Local Burger, NORTHAMPTON:

Really good, local, grass-fed burgers and non-grass-fed fries. Old-fashioned fast food interior.

Nick's Nest, HOLYOKE:

Hot dog stand in Holyoke, open since 1921 and largely unchanged since.

Osaka, NORTHAMPTON:

Best sushi in the area. Excellent rolls, quality fish, and hibachi if you're in a Benihana sort of a mood.

Cafés

Amherst Coffee, AMHERST:

Coffee shop by day, whisky bar by night. Really really good coffee. A little precious at times, but one of the best places for a cocktail or a cappuccino.

The Black Sheep, AMHERST:

A nice deli style place in Amherst with great sandwiches, soups and snacks. This place has a pretty nice vibe and sometimes has live music in the mornings.