By: Hailey DuRocher
Have you recently been feeling tired of eating the same food on campus or at home? You might even be looking for a new coffee shop to study in. Or rather a restaurant to gather with your friends on the weekends? Well, lucky for you I am here to inform you of five off-campus popular restaurants around Harrisonburg that will make your time at JMU more enjoyable. As college students, many can become accustomed to the dining halls and food services on campus; however, there is an abundance of options all around the community of Harrisonburg and downtown Harrisonburg that commonly go unnoticed. It is important to get off campus and explore off-campus restaurants to get a full view of what Harrisburg has to offer!
Magpie Diner:
Magpie Diner, established in 2020 is a modern corner diner that offers breakfast and lunch options for families and friends to gather to share a bite to eat! Magpie is always a popular hotspot for brunch but also offers so much more than just breakfast and lunch. Magpie also includes an in-house bakery while also offering coffee and cocktail beverages. The overall aesthetic of Magpie is extremely inviting and is the perfect spot to enjoy a meal with your loved ones!
Black Sheep Coffee:
Looking for a new local coffee shop to try? Well, fortunately, Black Sheep has everything you are looking for right in downtown Harrisonburg. Whether it's coffee, tea, espresso, or food options, Black Sheep is able to satisfy their customers in every aspect. In addition to their coffee options being extremely tasty, Black Sheep’s atmosphere allows their customers to focus and have a tranquil space to be productive in. This is an exceptional coffee shop to try during the week or to even go and have a last-minute study session with classmates!
Pulp Acai Smoothie Bar
This shop may appear as just a bike shop; however, it's not like any average bike shop since there is a restaurant that takes place inside! This restaurant is called Pulp which is a juice bar specializing mainly in smoothies, acai bowls, and even Japanese-inspired dishes. Since there aren't many restaurants around that offer acai bowls, this spot attracts many college students especially those who are interested in a refreshing meal or snack. While this place may be harder to find, it is especially worth it and is a must-try when visiting the Harrisonburg area!
Benny Sorrentino's
Ever just craving a slice of pizza on the weekends? Well, you're in for a treat since Benny Sorentinos, also popularly referred to as “Bennys” is just the place for that and more! Benny’s is located in the downtown Harrisonburg area which is nearby plenty of other local restaurants to give a try! This isn't just like any normal slice of pizza though since a slice of their pizza is almost double the size of a person's head! A normal pizza pie at Benny's is 28” which makes this pizza restaurant stand out even more to the public and JMU students!
Magnolias Tacos & Tequila Bar
Magnolias is known as a modern Mexican cuisine restaurant located in downtown Harrisonburg as well. Whether you're looking for a sit-down restaurant combining traditional and Mexican flavors or a margarita to celebrate a special occasion, Magnolias will take care of you! Magnolias provides fresh ingredients to create the most delicious tacos, side dishes, and more! Aside from their food, Magnolia's restaurant offers outside and inside dining options which allows for more convenience for the customers and a satisfied dining experience altogether.
By getting out of your comfort zone and trying new and exciting local restaurants it allows you and others to see more of the area as a whole! These top five restaurants are only just a sneak peek into what Harrisonburg is all about! I hope you take these recommendations and try a new restaurant you've never gone to because I promise you won't regret it!
Comments