Whether it’s your first time in Worcester or you’re returning to what now feels like your home city, it’s a good idea to scope out the local hot spots. Before you crack the books, you need to know where to get a good pizza, where to hang out with your friends and where you can get a decent cup of coffee.

So, we’ve racked our brains to come up with some of the highlights in Worcester. Starting off with the best places to get … (fill in the blank), we’ve also included some ideas for things to do in Worcester, apps to help you get off campus, places you should definitely explore,  great products for your dorm, ways to fight college stress and more.

In short, the September edition of Pulse isn’t just a guide to Worcester, it’s a college guide to Worcester.

So, get out there, enjoy the city and have a great year!

FOOD OF THE GODS
Great pizza
Brick oven: Volturno, 2Ovens
Great atmosphere: Boynton’s Taproom
When you’re studying: Little Caesar’s, Blue Jeans
Just good pizza: Corner Grille, Anzio’s, Wonder Bar
APP: Pizza Finder

AFTER THE CLUB
Late-night eats
Chinese: Red Lantern, Mai Tai
Pizza: Worcester House of Pizza, Blue Jeans
Diner: Parkway, Boulevard, Kenmore
APP: EazyEatz

WHAT’S THAT?
When the college cafeteria doesn’t live up to expectations
Burger: Wild Willy’s
Italian: Leo’s Ristorante, Amici’s Trattoria, Ciao Bella, Piccolo’s
BBQ: Smokestack, BT’s Smokehouse
Sushi: Haiku, Baba, 7 Nana
Wings: Wings Over Worcester, Wing It Up
Mexican: Mezcal, Mexicali Grille, Plaza Azteca
Breakfast: Café Manzi, Annie Clark’s, Shakers, Miss Worcester Diner, Dinky’s, Lou Roc’s
Bakery: Bean Counter, Miranda Bread, Sweet
APP: Urban Spoon

BY THE NUMBERS
Dining based on your budget
When you’re broke: Coney Island, Subway, Wonder Bar, Viva Bene
When your parents are paying: Ceres Bistro, Joey’s, 111 Chop House, Bocado
APP: Menu Pages

FINALLY SCORING THAT FIRST DATE
Great first dates
Casual: Boynton’s Taproom, Bentley’s Pub,
Ethnic: El Basha, Pho Dako, Ya Mon
Vegan: EVO, Belmont Vegetarian, Lovin’ Hut
Places to go: Elm Park, Worcester Art Museum,
Just coffee: In House Coffee, Starbucks, Bean Counter
APP: First Date Guru

JUST FRIENDS
Places to hang out
Drinks: Mai Tai, Kenchi, Mezcal, Flying Rhino’s
Bar food: Armsby Abbey, Loft 266, Boynton, Funky Murphy’s
Irish bar: Mahoney’s, Leitrim’s
Bar atmosphere: 7 Nana, Ritual
Place to play pool: Jillian’s
Place to hang out: Spiritual Haze, Lucky Dog
APP: Poynt

COOL SOUNDS
Great places to hear music, dance, etc.
Dance Club: Bar FX, Center Bar, Bluri Bar, Perfect Game
Gay Club: Malebox, Fusion, Rage
Live Music: Lucky Dog, Palladium, Ralph’s Rock Diner, Tammany Hall, Raven
Karaoke: Pho Dakao, Perfect Game
APP: Bands in Town

LOOKIN’ GOOD
Keep your style fresh
Salons: J’Adore, D’Iorios, Rinse
Barbershops: Edgemere, Goodfellas
Body Art: Miraculous Creations
Piercings: Miraculous Creations, Piercing Emporium
Thrift Shops: Savers, Grime, Salvation Army
APP: SpaFinder

BECAUSE MAN CAN’T LIVE BY FOOD ALONE
Places to experience art and culture
Cultural Destinations: Worcester Art Museum, Higgins Armory Museum
Annual Events: Taste of Shrewsbury Street, College Shuffle, stART on the Street, Worcester Music Awards, Art in the Park, Barstool Blackout Tour
Art Classes: Paint Nite, Worcester Center for Crafts, Just Paint
Comic Books/Collectibles: That’s Entertainment, Newbury Comics
Book Stores: Tatnuck Booksellers, Annie’s Book Stop
APP: Yelp

THE NUTS AND BOLTS
Great mechanics and other things you’ll need
Mechanics: Thomas Auto Body, Pro Transmission and Clutch, K2 Auto Specialists, Harry Heitin Auto Radiator Co.
Places to get glasses: Bello Opticians, Forgues Optical
Dentists: Gentle Dental
Grocery store/specialty market: Wegman’s, Ed Hyders, Living Earth, Belmont Vegetarian
APP: Angie’s List