The health focused restaurant’s street sign.
Students enter through the main doors of Bartlet Street in downtown Andover.
Tucked just off the main stretch of downtown Andover near JP Licks, Bartlet Street might be easy to walk past, but for a growing number of Andover students, it has become one of the most sought-after spots for an off-campus meal. With its chicken parmesan, avocado toast, smoothies, and extensive gluten-free options, Bartlet Street has steadily built its reputation as a culinary staple for those seeking for something fresher and healthier in downtown Andover.
Evelyn Kung ’26, who was first introduced to Bartlet Street during her Lower year, has watched its following grow firsthand. Kung credits the food’s freshness as a main factor for coming back.
“When I first went, it wasn’t that popular, but now every time I go, it’s completely packed. Most of the time, you can’t even get a table… Everybody is there. Now it’s become one of my favorite places over the years. I really like how they have a bunch of options and take a lot of variety. The food is definitely a lot more on the healthier side[, and] not many restaurants downtown have healthier foods, like smoothies or avocado toast. The overall freshness of the food makes it unique,” said Kung.
The sheer diversity of the food offered also draws students who simply want more variety than most downtown spots offer, including Sarah Wang ’29.
“I know there [are] a lot of options here. It’s not just one cuisine. It’s more diverse and it’s cozy too […] I would definitely try new stuff, because there’s a lot on the menu. A lot of the menu items are unique and they’re different from Brooksy’s, for example, which is mostly pizza.” said Wang.
For students with dietary restrictions, Bartlet Street stands out even more. Jane Hlavaty ’28, who is gluten-free, noted that roughly 90 percent of the menu can be made gluten-free, a level of accommodation she described as a rare find downtown.
“Even the restaurants that do offer gluten-free options are very limited. For example, at Brooksy’s, it’s just pizza. The options are very limited and sometimes don’t taste that great… At Bartlett Street, the gluten-free items are on par with the quality of their non-gluten-free items. It’s just a great place for anybody with dietary restrictions, or honestly just anybody who wants something healthy that still tastes great,” said Hlavaty.
Beyond the food, students consistently pointed to the atmosphere of Bartlet Street as another significant draw. Hlavaty, who returned frequently during finals week to study, described the interior as a space that felt distinctly conducive to both work and conversing with friends.
“It’s a good place for chatting and less crowded than [Caffé] Nero if you want to do work. It’s more of a diner vibe, very casual. If you even want something to grab for breakfast, you can just walk down and get a smoothie. It’s very lowkey,” said Hlavaty.
Wang echoed that sentiment, noting that the restaurant’s crowd, consisting mostly of students, adds to the familiarity and comfort of the space.
“It was mostly all students so it was a nice environment. The space was pretty cozy, the workers were really nice, and I liked the food a lot… I think it’s pretty popular especially considering most of the people that we saw there were Andover students when we went,” said Wang.
For many regulars, Bartlet Street has also become a social destination, allowing for friends to catch up on their weeks outside busy campus life. Kung, who juggles a busy schedule like most upperclassmen, shared how the restaurant offers something Commons simply can’t.
“It’s a really good place to go when me and my friends want to hang out if we don’t see each other during the week because of classes and our schedules. It’s good if you don’t want a heavy meal as well. I’m also a huge fan of LaRosa’s and Kokoro, but I feel like Bartlet Street is really good for when I’m not starving but still want a nice fresh lunch,” said Kung.
Similarly, Wang pointed to the value of restaurants like Bartlet Street as hang out spots distinct from campus. As a student who sees downtown as an extension of school life, places like these are irreplaceable.
“I think downtown itself is a big part of the school environment and interacting with friends. Being able to talk, hang out, and go places with friends is really nice as a break from campus. A lot of the small places that aren’t chains like Bartlet [Street] are nice as a smaller place to get a meal,” said Wang
The one recurring criticism was the size of the restaurant, with its limited seating and busy afternoons, where finding a table can feel like a challenge in itself. Kung, who visits regularly enough, has said it is the only real drawback she has noticed.
“Every time I go it’s completely packed. Most of the time you can’t even get a table, especially during Friday protected time. Everybody is there. I feel like that’s definitely the main [downside], because it’s really small. Sometimes there isn’t space, but outside of that I haven’t noticed much,” said Kung.
Despite the occasional bustle, however, the consensus on Bartlet Street remains overwhelmingly positive. Hlavaty, who believes the restaurant’s reputation has yet to fully catch up with its quality, put it simply.
“I think a lot of people know about it, but I don’t think many use it as a first option. For brunch or lunch, it’s pretty good, and I would definitely recommend it. I think it’s a little underhyped,” said Hlavaty.
