Comfort Food

On any given day, you find Barnard students strolling the streets of New York City on the hunt for their next meal. There’s certainly no shortage of options — dim sum in Chinatown, pierogies in Greenpoint, East African food in Harlem, Bengali sweets in Jackson Heights, and the list goes on. The city’s global culinary scene is perfectly suited for Barnard’s equally global student body, who hail from places as far afield as China and Brazil. In fact, the international community makes up 13% of the current student body and represents 58 countries.

We asked three international students to dish out their favorite spots for their native cuisine.

Tapiwa Gambura ’24, English and anthropology double major

Where are you from?

Zimbabwe.

What NYC restaurant showcases Zimbabwean cuisine best?

I love Massawa right near campus, which serves Ethiopian, and Teranga in East Harlem, which serves a fun fusion of West African flavors. I can always count on them for a good bissap, a juice drink made with hibiscus flowers. I haven’t found any restaurants serving Zimbabwean food, but I balance that out by gathering with other Zimbabwean students to make sadza nemuriwo [maize meal porridge, meat, and leafy vegetables].

Diksha Aurobindo ’25, computer science major

Where are you from?

India.

What NYC restaurant showcases Indian cuisine best?

I love to go to the dosa cart in Washington Square Park midday; it reminds me of home when family members are waiting at the counter to get their dosas and talking about their day. Anjappar is also one of my favorites. It has authentic South Indian food that is super spicy, just the way I like.

Aseel Sharawneh ’25, undeclared major

Where are you from?

Palestine.

What NYC restaurant showcases Palestinian cuisine best?

Al Badawi restaurant in Brooklyn. It is the best place to reconnect with my homeland’s food and culture. My favorite dish is the musakhan [sumac chicken with onions and flatbread].