Written by Jessica Wexler
I have lived in Poughkeepsie for my whole life– so yes, before you ask, I am a Pocal. My friends always question why I live on campus if my house is 15 minutes down the road. However, all that teasing and laughing stops when they need to know where to get the cheapest gas, or the best pizza. Being a Pocal, I do know of several hidden gems where I love to spend my time. With midterms right around the corner (I know, yikes), I will definitely be spending all my time at these cafes and restaurants studying and trying to relax.
Eveready Diner
photo via M. A. Kleen
The Eveready Diner is the place to be after roller skating or a day of shopping in
via Giphy
Poughkeepsie Galleria Mall. It’s your classically style diner with the best breakfast around, served all day long. It is the perfect place to go when you and your friends want a late night bite and some time to decompress. From the food, to the decor, to the service, this place is straight out of the ‘50s– I half expect Danny Zuko to appear.
Pro tip: whether it is 10 in the morning for brunch or 11 at night, their nutella waffle sandwich is the way to go.
Chakra Bowls
Chakra Bowls is a quiet, secluded cade with affordable prices. Featuring smoothie bowls, healthy toast, and kombucha (on tap for all you fiends), this is the perfect place to fulfill our millennial stereotype. Whether you’re looking to just hang out, or work on that ten page paper that you may or may not have forgotten, this is the environment for you. Chakra Bowls has a slogan that they live and breathe by; “Plant Based Goodness. Feed Your Body, Nourish Your Soul.” They support local farmers and small companies just like themselves by buying all their products locally. Visit this up and coming cafe soon so you can say that you liked it before it was cool.
Cafe 40 & Co.
via hudsonvalleyeats.com
Need a charming place to study on your day off? Cafe 40 & Co. is just what you are looking for. It is right in the city of Poughkeepsie and has that Central Perk feel. Not far at all from campus for a coffee & study date with that cute classmate of yours. They have just about every variation of coffee you can dream of, so naturally, being new to coffee, I always make my friends order for me. The endless combos never cease to amaze me. Between the comfy chairs, variety of mugs, and outstanding fireplace you will always feel at home. It even has a little shop filled with jewelry, decorations, scarves, and more so you can get that signature coffee-shop-student aesthetic. It is a place where you truly do not feel like a customer, but a friend.
via Giphy
Sugar and Spice Cafe
via sugarspicecafe.com
Sugar and Spice Cafe is not your average cafe. Instead of being known for coffee and scones, it is known for its paninis and omelets. Don’t let them fool you; Sugar and Spice might seem hidden in the strip mall, but it gets very busy during lunch hours. Maybe take a break from the books and head out for a nice lunch with your friends. With generous portions and delicious food, you’ll never leave this place hungry.
Bagel World
via Facebook @bagelworldcafe
Looking for a real New York bagel? Bagel World will not disappoint. The trip down Route 9 is worth it for the best bagels around, always guaranteed fresh. Need half a dozen bagels to go? They’ll never skimp you (and will more than likely throw in a couple extra.) Bagel World experiments with all types of cream cheeses, from strawberry to garlic onion, and you just have to try them all. They are known for the packed high sandwiches that you’ll barely be able to fit your mouth around. Any trip to Bagel World is 100% recommended.
Featured Image via Unsplash
About Marist
Located on the banks of the historic Hudson River and at its Florence, Italy branch campus, Marist College is a comprehensive, independent institution grounded in the liberal arts. Marist is consistently recognized for excellence by The Princeton Review (Colleges That Create Futures and The Best 384 Colleges), U.S. News & World Report (8th Best Regional University/North), Kiplinger’s Personal Finance (“Best College Values”), and others. Marist educates approximately 5,000 traditional-age undergraduate students and 1,400 adult and graduate students in 47 undergraduate majors and numerous graduate programs, including fully online MBA, MPA, MS, and MA degrees.
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