At Merrimack we tend to only think about what is on campus for food, entertainment, shopping, etc. Thinking outside of the Merrimack College bubble there is a whole world out there, yes, you read that right — there is so much to do! Mostly thinking of food off campus we think of the ordinary fast food chains that surround us but what else is there around?
Here are some Hidden Gems within 5 Miles of Merrimack College, some you may know, others may surprise you! Take a shot in the dark and go try something new, you may be pleasantly surprised at a new favorite hang out spot for coffee, the bar, or even somewhere to eat! We all get tired of Sparky's, the Den, Zime (Zebi, whatever they call it now) or the chains!
1. Jaimie's Restaurant (3.8 miles) North Andover, MA
25 High St, North Andover, MA 01845
Jaimie's has a nice atmosphere that is relaxed while also being a fun place to hang out and meet up with friends or family. The food is amazing and is all homemade, the creations that this restaurant puts together are to die for. There is also a nice horseshoe shaped bar that makes for great conversation while being surrounded by televisions of Boston sports teams! The staff is very nice and attentive!
2. Good Day Cafe [Coffee Shop] (3.8 miles) North Andover, MA
19 High St, North Andover, MA 01845
Good Day Cafe, blatantly put, starts off your day in a good way! The coffee is superb and you would not be disappointed. Located in an Old Mill building next to Jaimie's Restaurant is Good Day Cafe. Here there are delicious breakfast sandwiches served, pastries, bagels for starters on the food. On top of just breakfast there are delicious sandwiches, salads, and soups for the afternoon! The creations that Good Day Cafe comes up with are worth the shot in trying it just once! Take a break from the ordinary coffee shops and go try Good Day Cafe! Who know's maybe it will start you off with a good day!
3. Casa Blanca Mexican Restaurant Andover and North Andover, MA
10 Main St, Andover, MA 01810 (1.4 Miles)
1070 Osgood St, North Andover, MA 01845 (4.5 Miles)
Casa Blanca has an authentic Mexican Restaurant atmosphere with very friendly staff! The homemade salsa that is served with fresh cooked tortilla chips are what gets me in the door for sure. The drinks are made strategically at the bar with top notch ingredients. All the tequilas you could ask for in your next margarita! The food is also very tasty whether your taste buds call for spicy or mild, the kitchen knows how to give the food flavor! There is surely something for everyone here regardless of being a huge Mexican foodie.
4. Stachey's Pizza [Restaurant/Take-out] (3.0 miles) North Andover, MA
9 High Street, North Andover, MA 01845
Stachey's Pizza is an old fashioned way of making an authentic pizza! They have delicious hand made pizzas daily with an assortments of toppings! My favorite pizza is the Hawaiian Pizza (Pineapple and Ham)! They sear it to the perfect temperature where the crust is crunchy but the cheese is melted to the exact temperature! I would recommend Stachey's over Dominos any day! This is a family run restaurant/take-out that guess what?! Delivers! Yes you heard it, so next time you are with your friends and are really craving a pizza put this on your list!
5. Ultimate Perk [Coffee/Breakfast] (2.2 miles) Andover, MA
96 Main Street, Andover, MA 01810
My roommate from Andover, MA Freshman year showed me Ultimate Perk Coffee and since then its been my favorite little cafe to go to on the weekends. If I am lucky I get there during the week before class but that is only sometimes. This coffee is home brewed and actually has flavored coffee beans instead of pumping in a bunch of sugar and flavorings. This is by far my favorite place with a range of flavors (hot and iced) coffee as well as lattes and more! In addition to coffee and scrumptious (hot and iced) tea; there are bagels, donuts, croissants, and breakfast sandwiches! With a nice staff and friendly setting just on the corner in downtown Andover center Ultimate Perk is convenient and walking distance! Check it out next time you have time for a good cup of coffee!
6. Perfectos Caffe [Coffee/Breakfast] Andover and North Andover, MA
79 N Main St, Andover, MA 01810 (1.7 Miles)
1115 Osgood St, North Andover, MA 01845 (4.0 Miles)
If you go to either of these locations throughout the week or during the weekend mid morning there is a chance you are going to see a crazy amount of blue and gold (Merrimack College colors). Students at Merrimack and even faculty/staff love Perfectos Caffe! They have so much to offer from the homemade bagels, gotta try the French Toast one if you go just saying! On top of the bagels you can add a breakfast sandwich (standard bacon/sausage, egg, and cheese) or even do a mixed omelette! There are endless options at Perfectos when they also have mixed pastries including cookies, muffins, and more! Perfectos coffee is also what some would say unique! Endless strange flavors that you wouldn't normally hear of at a place like Chocolate Peanut Butter cup, Oreo, or even Macadamia Nut coffee, yes, coffee! I suggest if you are from Merrimack and you haven't gone here yet, you should probably start because on weekends especially everyone strolls in there like the hot mess express and its just a funny sight to see!
7. Chic Consignments [Shopping] (1.7 miles) Andover Center
44 Main St, Andover, MA 01810
Chic Consignments — a steal, you can find LuLu Lemon wicked cheap, designer everything ranging from workout clothes, to casual, to even evening gowns [sometimes during the year there are even Prom dresses]. This store accepts the best qualities of clothing so when you go to find stuff second hand you still have a fairly new looking item that is slightly worn. In addition to clothes at Chic Consignments there are a range of shoes, handbags, jewelry, and more! Go check it out next time you are downtown in Andover! The staff is very helpful in assisting your full hands to the dressing room to add new items to your wardrobe. There are constantly sales as well and different deals!
8. Salvatores Restaurant (1.7miles) Andover Center
34 Park St, Andover, MA 01810
Salvatore's is known for their pizza first and foremost but the location also brings a relaxing atmosphere to it. There is a very long bar top area, as well as booths and tables. Their Italian American cuisine is delicious and always tasty! This is a good spot to get take out pizza as well as have a sit down meal with family or friends.
9. Shawsheen Luncheonette [Restaurant/Breakfast] (1.9 miles)
3 Lowell St, Andover, MA 01810
Being from Connecticut I like diners to go to with my friends on the weekends as a nice change of pace. Shawsheen Luncheonette has the feel of a diner while serving scrumptious home cooked breakfast as well as lunch! This is a great place to go with your college friends or even your family when they are up visiting! You have to get there early though, just because it is a hidden gem to Merrimack student's does not mean the locals don't go as well! Next time you are looking for a breakfast or lunch that isn't Sparky's or Dunkin' Donuts think about going here!
10. Mr. Takeout Grill and Deli [Deli/ Fast Food/ Delivery] (1.9 miles)
54 Haverhill St, Andover, MA 01810
Mr. Takeout is known for their subs, pizzas, chicken wings and so much more. If you are planning on watching football and having some finger foods this is the place to get it from. My favorite is the Smokiaki Pizza! This is a good college delivery spot that comes right to campus what more could you ask! It is definitely a step up from Dominos! On a night you want some authentic american cuisine including burgers and more consider ordering Mr. Takeout!
11. Coffee Cann [Coffee Shop] (4.1 miles)
290 Merrimack St, Lawrence, MA 01843
Coffee Cann is in Lawrence but is a different type of coffee shop! They have such good coffee and different pastries that are cooked daily! The coffee flavors range depending on hot or iced, but in addition they also make lattes and more barista styled. This place is the seating on the inside, whether you want a table and chairs, luxurious sofa seats, or even a long wooden table with benches - there is a spot for you! This place is huge, has free Wi-Fi if you want to get off campus and hang out at a local coffee shop! Another unique part about Coffee Cann is that it is pretty cheap along with a drive through window! This is convenient if you commute or are on the run! Try out the Coffee Cann next time you want to try something new!
12. Inaka Sushi & Japanese Cuisine [Restaurant] (2.3 miles)
160 Winthrop Ave, Lawrence, MA 01843
This is my favorite sushi place locally to Merrimack! It is right down 114 and has the nicest family of staff! It is medium sized but doesn't look like much from the outside — Go in though! The sushi is freshly made to order which is something I look for when getting seafood especially! The food is decently priced for what you are getting and even has more than just sushi. There is a whole Japanese section of the menu with different meals to choose from! I hate to blow up this spot but it is too good to just let go unnoticed!
13. The Claddagh Pub [Bar]
399 Canal St, Lawrence, MA 01840
Welp, this is the place Merrimack usually invades when you are of age on Thursdays for a change of pace from the on campus bar, Augie's Pub, located in Sparky's at night! The Claddagh has a menu with pretty decent food which isn't really advertised but bar food is bar food. When you are out drinking with your friends ordering a pizza to split is not the worst idea. In fact it saves you time from cooking something when you get home or snacking on chips. The Claddagh has Trivia every Wednesday night at 8pm and it is definitely a fun time with friends joking around! Thursdays are when the DJ is there and Merrimack takes over the dance floor. Pool tables, beer pong tournaments, and more are hidden inside The Claddagh as well as an outdoor deck on nice nights in the Spring or Summer!
14. Benson's Ice Cream [Ice Cream Shop] (4.7 miles) Boxford, MA
181 Washington St, Boxford, MA 01921
A lot of the locals rave about how good Benson's Ice Cream is and the secret is that it is homemade! So many ice cream shops just serve a generic kind of coffee but this one is truly special! Benson's brings the local crowds with its variety in flavors and enjoyable experience that you look for in a coffee shop! Next time you are thinking of getting good ice cream but don't have time to drive all the way to Richardsons, another good one, consider going to Bensons, it's within 5 miles!
I hope you consider going to even just one of these new places because I promise you that you won't be disappointed! Enjoy finding the hidden gems within 5 Miles of Merrimack College! There is life beyond our campus with all of these hidden treasures!
