New York is a city that lives up to its reputation, as there are many places to visit, activities to do and, most importantly, new food to eat all the time. Sometimes it can be tricky to keep up with the fast pace of the city and all the new food available. Whether you are new to the city or haven’t yet been exploring, here are a few of places you should add to your to-do list and visit with your new college buddies.

If you don’t want to venture far from home, make sure to check out Emily in the West Village. Only a six-minute walk from Washington Square Park, Emily is an up-and-coming pizzeria famous for its wood-fired pizzas and burgers. Make sure to try their Emmy Burger, which was named one of the best burgers in NYC by Refinery 29.

In NoHo, Atla is a modern Mexican restaurant only six minutes away from Goddard Hall. It provides a homey environment where restaurant-goers can unwind and talk to friends. With local ingredients and healthy twists on Mexican cuisine, Atla is a great restaurant to visit if you are tired of Chipotle runs. Try their guacamole goat cheese toast, jasmine pearls tea and corn tamale.

Chelsea Market is one of New York’s staples, but after opening its doors following a lot of anticipation, DeKalb Market Hall in Brooklyn may rival Chelsea’s popularity. Here, visitors can discover the newest trends in Brooklyn and revisit New York classics. With more than 40 vendors offering everything from arepas and noodles to ice cream to donuts, get ready to go on a food journey and indulge yourself.

If you fear the dreaded freshman 15, or if you simply love eating healthy, visit Made Nice, a slow fast food restaurant that has salads, healthy meat, fish and chicken dishes and rice. Try their KHAO Salad with Hanger Steak a la Plancha, roasted broccoli, cilantro, crispy rice, parmesan, lime, chili & crispy shallot. This counter-service restaurant is a great place for a quick, casual bite and has a lively atmosphere.

After being closed for a while, Empire Diner reopened in April, reclaiming all its former glory and trendy diner vibes. This upscale diner is all about making classic diner favorites with quality ingredients. You can either try their delicious breakfast food like buttermilk biscuit sandwiches, smoked salmon pastrami and rye pancakes or enjoy a delicious lunch from their versatile menu that includes their sourdough pretzel fried chicken and tuna poke bowl.

Take advantage of all the city can offer and have a great Welcome Week full of great food and unforgettable experiences.

A version of this article appeared in the Sunday, Aug. 27 print edition. Email Yasmin Gulec at [email protected].