At a certain point, it becomes necessary to skip out on the dining hall and get some authentic cuisine. Well, you probably won’t find authentic cuisine in Binghamton, especially if you’re one of the many students from the New York City area. Regardless, I’ve put a list together of the top 10 best original places to dine off campus. They are in no particular order.

10. Little Venice, Exchange Street

Here you will find Binghamton’s finest Italian food. This is perfect for a romantic date, or birthday.
 

9. Lost Dog Café, Water Street
It was founded by people who actually lived in Greenwich Village, so it has that eclectic feel, without being an overwhelming NYC restaurant. It’s spacious, and has a delicious selection of sandwiches, sweet potato fries and mac and cheese, and so much more. The desserts are also amazing, and the menu is changed up fairly often. They also feature a genuinely interesting selection of local artists.
 

8. Buffy’s Burritos/Coffee Talk, Main Street
It attracts the more creative folk of Binghamton. Its basement location may make it hard to spot out at first, but it’s definitely worth the while.
 

7. Cyber Café, Main Street
Perfect for study groups, or students catching up with old friends. They host trivia night on Mondays, as well as live hippie bands. There is a wonderful selection of wraps, beers, and desserts. The atmosphere is very relaxed, and it has a lovely back patio when the weather permits (Where everyone chain smokes over ideas of philosophy.)
 

6. Number 5, South Washington Street
This NY style steak house was converted from an old firehouse. It’s on the pricey side, and is definitely the fanciest of the Binghamton originals. It’s perfect for when the parents come to visit, or maybe even graduation. But who knows, if you’re a high roller and want to impress a girl, Number 5 is pretty baller.

5. Grandes, Vestal Avenue
Another one of Binghamton’s Italian restaurants. The décor is elegant for Binghamton. The food is great too. It’s a fun, classy restaurant, perfect for birthdays and dates, without breaking the piggy bank.
 

4. Whole in the Wall, South Washington Street
A very “hippie” place to eat, there is a wide selection of vegetarian and vegan food. Much of the food is organic, and whatever they don’t sell at the end of the day is often donated to the soup kitchen. It’s just a feel good establishment, with a great falafel!

3. Fuji San, Vestal Parkway

Sushi and Hibachi, right across the street from campus.  Enough said.

2. Southside Yanni’s, South Washington Street
Also a sports bar, this is perfect place for your run of the mill burger and fries. The prices are student friendly.
 

1. D.C Dunster’s, Water Street
The table clothes are paper, and you are given crayons to draw all over it, which is always fun. The food is pretty generic, but tasty, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Another a great birthday place.