Hi everyone! I'm Kabir, an international member of the class of '26, from New Delhi, India. I'm thinking of majoring in Psychology and Film & Media Studies. Outside the classroom, I enjoy watching movies, going on hikes, hanging out with my friends, and going on runs (if you see me on the streets of Hanover, say hi!) In the short while I've been here, I've come to love Dartmouth, so if you're interested in what I have to say, stick around! This should (hopefully) be fun :)
Being an Indian, food has always been an important facilitator of my culture. I've grown up understanding that social relationships are heightened by the food you eat. Coming to a college environment, one that thrives on those social relationships, I was understandably curious about the food scene at Hanover. Building off that, here are my four favorite spots to eat in town (in no particular order!)
Molly's Restaurant and Bar: Molly's is an adorable tavern in town, that offers pizzas, bowls, and pub food for hungry eaters. The ambience in Molly's is absolutely terrific—everytime I'm there, my friends and I spend a good two hours eating, and taking in the brilliant vibes. My order is always a good plate of Fish & Chips (something I'm very particular about!) and it really hits the spot. My friends and I also engage in lively debates over a good plate of brick-oven nachos, which get demolished in about two minutes, so order wisely!
Tacos Y Tequila: This Mexican restaurant is an absolutely perfect spot for a chill night out with friends. There's an infectious energy that permeates the restaurant; I've never left without a smile! My go-to order is a chicken burrito bowl and a can of Coke to wash it down, but I've also heard from friends that the pork tacos are absolutely brilliant. My mom makes a mean bowl of Mexican food, so going to Tacos Y Tequila somehow reminds me of how close, yet far, home actually is.
Lou's Restaurant and Bakery: Whenever I wake up extra-hungry, Lou's is my go-to breakfast place! I love eating a good California Breakfast Sandwich with some home fries and a Mocha shake, but my new favorite is the acai smoothie bowl (try it out if you're ever in the area!) Lou's was the first restaurant I ever ate at when I came to Dartmouth with my family, so I definitely think the experience is heightened by the emotional attachment I have to it. But an order at Lou's can never fail you, so definitely check it out.
Domino's: While this may have every self-proclaimed foodie roll their eyes, hear me out. Coming from India, everything in my life absolutely changed, so it was comforting to know that from New Delhi to Hanover, Domino's didn't. Domino's represents my childhood and a sense of comfort from back home. It's also the best spot to go at midnight if you're willing to make the walk with a few friends and eat in the parking lot outside! I can eat an entire plate of 32-piece parmesan bread bites, so make sure to order your own!
(Honorable mention: I also love BubbleTea4U, an amazing boba place in town! Check it out for sure!)
Food represents something beyond sustenance to me—it is honestly become the way I establish home in new environments. The bustling food scene in Hanover honestly represents that for me, and it has rooted me in this new, exciting, but sometimes terrifying place.
I take comfort in knowing that my idea of home is perhaps just a meal away.
Dartmouth is not just a college. With world-renowned graduate schools, why would we choose to call ourselves a college instead of a university? The story behind that decision dates back to a significant Supreme Court ruling.
On a quiet spring Saturday in Hanover, I traded the usual campus buzz for Monet in the morning and archery in the afternoon—a reminder that Dartmouth weekends can be just as meaningful when they're slow, reflective, and a little unexpected.
During my sophomore spring quarter, I took on the challenge of four STEM courses, and while it has been intense, the unexpected connections across subjects and the joy of learning have made it one of my most rewarding academic experiences yet.
Read about the Sophomore Summer Soiree and how I got to witness the beginning of something that hopefully grows into a long-standing Dartmouth tradition!
Here is my list of the restaurants in Hanover within walking distance of Dartmouth. Whether you're touring campus for the first time or are a Dartmouth student in need of a new place to eat, feel free to reference this list!
As I approach the end of my first year at Dartmouth, I would like to reflect on some of the experiences and lessons I've learned throughout this school year.
