Welcome back to Hoot Recommends! In this article, members of The Hoot editorial board will be sharing their favorite restaurants on Moody Street.

Cooper: In a Pickle

I know it’s stereotypical, but In a Pickle is great. I’ll never order the giant, heart-attack-waiting-to-happen dishes that can be found on their menu, but I like knowing that I have the option. I usually just get an omelette and some dry toast because I’m the most boring person you’ll ever meet, but I like seeing people around me order deep-fried cheese and other foods that make me feel greasy just by looking at them. I think it’s a fun kind of people watching.

Rachel: Bistro 781

I always like to find a good variety at the restaurants that I go to, and Bistro 781’s menu accomplishes that goal. There are a lot of different types of food that you can get at Bistro 781, and, even though I obviously haven’t tried every single item on the menu, you will most likely enjoy what you get. I often get the Cuban sandwich, which is ham, pulled pork, swiss cheese and pickles. It may sound like a lot of meat, but it’s delicious. It also comes with a side of fries that have just the right amount of crispiness. I have also tried the short ribs mac and cheese, which is under the appetizers, and the short rib meat with mac and cheese makes for a winning combo. There are so many other dishes on the menu that intrigue me as well, such as the shrimp & grits, the steak frites, the skillet paella, the marinated steak tacos and more. There is so much to choose from, and pretty much everything is decently priced. I have been here quite a few times and will probably go again in the future. Hopefully you decide to check out Bistro 781 for yourself soon.

Naomi: Cafe on the Common

Technically this is on Main Street and not Moody Street, but it is at the intersection of the two so I say it counts. Sometimes a girl really needs her aesthetic avocado toast and a cute little coffee, and that is what Cafe on the Common provides. It treads the line between polished gentrification and classic New England charm, while serving up delicious pastries along the way. It’s a perfect place to go for brunch with friends, to cheer you up on a drizzly day or to enjoy a nice lunch. I am a big fan of the aforementioned avocado toast, and every warm beverage I’ve had there has been quite good. If you’re looking for a cozy cafe, definitely give Cafe on the Common a try.

Abby: Pho 1

I’ve actually been finding myself here more often than usual (as in three times in the past two weeks)—and this is absolutely for good reason. When my friends and I are looking for off-campus dining, Pho 1 is one of the first options to come up when we’re tossing names around. It’s one of my favorite places to get a quick meal for a good price. The menu has a lot of variety, and despite the name of the restaurant, it isn’t only limited to Vietnamese food; there are a lot of Asian fusion options. The service is also fast and friendly. The space itself is smaller, but cozy and with warm lighting; I have plenty of fond memories enjoying a tom yum noodle soup or a pad thai with my friends in Pho 1’s booths. Most importantly, they keep bottles of ketchup, soy sauce, hoisin sauce and chili oil at every table. An absolute necessity, no matter what you order. 

Myla: Peppino’s Dosa

I discovered this place after a long work day at Common Good Co. Cafe. Unaware of their 5 p.m. closure time, my friend and I stumbled out of the shop in search of what to do next. Luckily, we found a cute little Indian restaurant right across the street! This somewhat overlooked restaurant definitely deserves more recognition. For one, the menu is huge. This restaurant is great for my fellow vegetarians that usually don’t have many options to choose from while dining out. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed by the amount of dishes that were available to me. I definitely recommend pairing whatever you order with a glass of mango lassi! If you like great food, quiet ambience and fast service, Peppino’s Dosa is definitely for you.

Michael: Shanghai Cuisine

In my opinion, this is one of the most authentic Chinese places on Moody Street. I may be slightly biased because my family comes from Shanghai and I’m used to that regional flavor, but the food they serve here must truly be tasted to be believed. Shanghai Cuisine may be small and tucked away on Pine St. but don’t be fooled! The beef pot stickers and scallion pancake alone are reason enough to come here—and these are only appetizers. There’s a staggering variety of main dishes including seafood, beef, chicken, pork and of course, noodles. With options ranging from familiar American-Chinese dishes (like sesame chicken) to more authentic ones, there’s something for everyone. I especially recommend their Chinese-style pork chop.

Natalie: Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar 

Before you do anything, I need to let you know that this place is a bit on the pricier side, but it is so incredibly worth it. My usual would be Pho 1 on Moody St., but Gustazo is such a great option if you want to treat yourself if you just bombed your test and need a pick-me-up. There are a lot of small tapas-style plates to share with other people, but of course larger dishes if you are ravenous all the time just like me. They have tons of gluten-free and vegan options that are clearly stated on the menu, but it truly isn’t even noticeable. My favorite dishes to order are the empanadas, pulpo, the tacos, aceitunas aliñadas and if I am starving and want a filling meal, definitely the fricasé de pollo. But wait, there’s more. The churros, let me tell you … to die for. Even if you are so full that you literally can’t drive yourself home, why not add a bit more to that and treat yourself to an amazing churro. 

Lucy: Lizzy’s Homemade Ice Cream

Lizzy’s may not be a restaurant but it is the Moody St. food establishment I have spent money at most frequently. Lizzy’s has great ice cream; this is indisputable and a minimum barrier to entry for beating out competing Waltham ice cream establishments. But on top of consistently fantastic ice cream, Lizzy’s has great variation, not just in flavors (there are so many flavors) but also in baked goods, toppings and ice cream variants (ice cream cake, frappes, sundaes etc…). Lizzy’s is also not terribly expensive, the staff is always nice and while there is often a line, it moves quickly. My go-to order is a medium chocolate orgy with whipped cream and Andes mints.

Cyrenity: Pho 1

I love Pho 1 so much. I first visited the restaurant to celebrate a friend’s birthday party sophomore year, and ever since then I have found myself constantly coming back there. I’ve ordered food in person whenever I happened to be on Moody Street (not often but it does happen!). I’ve Uber Eats-ed dinner from there on the days where I was feeling a bit down, or when my friend and I decided we wanted to have a random movie night in our dorm. Their food is one of my favorite things ever. (I even recently got to bring my sister and mother to the restaurant, and they agreed that their dishes were great.) 

I like to order the teriyaki salmon, alongside an order of gyoza, and it brightens my day. I walk out satisfied and bright-eyed. 

Jenny: Aries Noodle and Dumplings

As a Chinese international student, I would say Aries Noodle and Dumplings—also known as Chun Feng Yi Mian—is the best Chinese food in Waltham. Their portions are big with a very reasonable price. Compared to other Chinese places on Moody and Main Street, they are more specialized in Northern Chinese food, such as noodles, dumplings (of course, it’s in the name) and spicy food. I am from Beijing, so they are Northerner certified. If you are trying to find some typical American Chinese food like General Tso’s chicken and beef and broccoli, sorry this is not your place. But if you are looking for an authentic place that actual Chinese people would go eat, definitely try out Aries!

Calli: Enzina Pizzeria

Ok ok ok I know this isn’t a restaurant on Moody Street, but their food is top notch. My teammates and I love going here for a fun dinner out that isn’t too far off campus. In terms of a pre-meet dinner, this restaurant checks all of the boxes. They also offer a wide array of excellent gluten-free options, even chicken parmesan, that are equally as impressive. Though this restaurant can be pricey, I would highly recommend if you are looking for somewhere to splurge. Their customer service is also wonderful. I would 10/10 recommend! 

Logan: Little India

Every time I hit Moody Street, it’s hard to fight the urge to just go into Little India. It’s one of the first restaurants on the left if you’re walking to Moody from campus and, honestly, there’s not much reason to go any further down. Little India’s menu is basically what you’d expect from an Indian restaurant in the United States, so there isn’t necessarily anything super fancy, but it does the classics and it does them right. I’m trying to make an effort to diversify my food choices there, but (don’t make fun of me please) I typically go for a plate of chicken tikka masala and white rice, and if I’m sharing my meal I typically go for a garlic naan and the very underrated potato naan for the table. Along with the excellent food, the service is quick and very friendly (seriously, your water glass won’t ever be under 80% full) and the price is very reasonable. If you’re looking for some solid Indian food, look no further than Little India.