If you work or study at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Morris Park, we recommend you venture beyond the cafeteria and food trucks located on campus. The neighborhood is home to many highly rated restaurants that offer cuisines as diverse as New York City. Whether you are looking for a quick snack or sit-down restaurant, there is an option for almost every occasion. See below for our recommendations for the best restaurants for lunch near Einstein College.

1. VPho and Pizzeria
2004 Williamsbridge Rd

This restaurant’s menu has drawn attention from a number of reviewers, including famed restaurant critic Robert Sietsema. The combination of Italian and Vietnamese cuisine occurred when a Vietnamese family took over operation of Sorrento’s Pizzeria from its Italian owner. Since then, the new ownership has been slowly updating the menu to include items like pho, banh mi and Thai tea. If you’re looking for quick lunch near Einstein College, you can’t go wrong with one of their banh mi sandwiches, though we would recommend exploring some of the less well-known dishes like the bbq beef rolls or the sea snails.

2. G & R Deli
1928 Williamsbridge Rd

This is another humble restaurant that’s getting a lot of attention on the internet. Although G & R deli has been a favorite of the community for decades, it’s recently drawn a lot of attention on social media for its Italian ice cream cone — a hero stuffed with meatballs, sauce and cheese. It’s as delicious as it looks. But you really can’t go wrong ordering anything here. Many of the ingredients, such as the mozzarella cheese and chicken cutlet, are freshly made from family recipes. We really like the Felicia and the Sicilian (ask for it with balsamic glaze).

3. Emilio’s of Morris Park
1051 Morris Park Ave

One slice at Emilio’s is almost like eating an entire pie at another pizzeria. The thick crispy bread almost buckles under the weight of cheese and toppings. But it’s not just the generous portions that makes this our favorite pizzeria in the city, the flavors are addicting. Emilio’s is known for blending classic Italian ingredients with creative twists, such as their famous chicken vodka pizza. Their pizza mastery landed them on this year’s NY Times’ list of 25 best pizza restaurants in the city. They also make several other items, like sandwiches and calzones. We highly recommend the rice balls.

4. Liberty Diner
2059 Williamsbridge Rd

You will feel right at home at this Greek, family-owned diner. You only need to come in two or three times before the staff greet you like a regular. They have all the classic lunch items: sandwiches, salads, burgers. We recommend trying the grilled chicken Philadelphia, a sandwich with mushroom, onions and cheese that is the ultimate comfort food on chilly day. Their meatloaf is also phenomenal.

5. Besa Grill
2133 Williamsbridge Rd

This is one of our favorite Albanian restaurants. The food is made with quality ingredients that have a lot of flavor. They specialize in Balkan-style grilled meats, such as sausage (suxhuk), grilled kebabs, Albanian meatballs (qofte). Our two favorites are the pleskavice (minced meat stuffed with mozzarella) and the Albanian burger (topped with fetta cheese and an egg). If you want a savory lunch near Einstein College, this a great choice.

6. Osaka Sushi
1041 Morris Park Ave

If you’re in the mood for seafood, this is our favorite sushi spot in the area. The food is always fresh and delicious, and tastes as if it should be priced much higher than it is. The menu features classic sushi staples like eel-avocado rolls, spicy tuna, as well as bento boxes, poke bowls and miso soup. Their specialty rolls feature bold flavors and are large in size.

7. Aguilar’s Mexican Grocery
1060 Morris Park Ave

Sometimes, you just need some solid Mexican food and nothing else will satisfy you. When the craving hits, we recommend Aguilar’s — a warm, family-run spot that offers a a cozy eat-in kitchen delivering fresh, home-style Mexican dishes. The menu leans into the authentic: tacos al pastor, shrimp quesadillas, chorizo burritos and generous chimichangas. Feel free to grab a beer from the cooler too.

8. Prizreni Grill
1080 Morris Park Ave

This Albanian restaurant opened in April. The vibe and menu lean more towards a sit down dinner, but the food is fantastic and they do offer some great lunch options. The byrek (savory pastry) and suxhuk (traditional sausage) are good options. We also recommend the Albanian pizza — a unique variation of Italian pizza that you must try if you want to familiarize yourself with Albanian cuisine.

9. Tana Thai Restaurant
1890 Eastchester Rd

Tana Thai Restaurant is a warm, unpretentious spot delivering solid Thai fare with a local-friendly vibe. The menu is diverse, offering everything from classics like pad Thai and pineapple fried rice to richer options like boneless roasted duck in tamarind sauce. We recommend the pineapple fried rice and the Tom Yum, A flavorful soup with lemongrass, mushrooms, lime juice — good for warming up.

10. Original Joe’s Pizzeria
2136 Williamsbridge Rd

It’s a little bit of a walk from the Einstein/Montefiore campuses to reach Original Joe’s, but the journey is well worth it. Like Emilio’s, this pizzeria specializes in using innovative ingredients. Their crust is thinner and crunchier than Emilio’s, which some people prefer. The pie we most recommend is The Williamsbridge: spicy honey drizzled over pepperoni, jalapeno and mozzarella. We also urge you to try one of their delicious sandwiches, such as the chicken parm.