Support Neighborhood Food Businesses Open for Takeout and Deliveries During COVID-19 Restrictions - UPDATED

March 30, 2020

Columbia University has a long-standing retail approach that favors local businesses while curating a variety of amenities and experiences that appeal to the diverse Columbia community and surrounding neighborhood. The restrictions in place for food and beverage establishments to help fight the spread of COVID-19 – coupled with the necessary social distancing recommendations – has made this a difficult time for small, local businesses like so many in Columbia’s retail portfolio.

Many Columbia retail tenants near the Morningside, Manhattanville, and Irving Medical Center campuses have modified their service and remain open to fulfill takeout and delivery orders. We are providing a list of Columbia tenants that have informed us that they are open and providing service during this time.  We encourage you to support these businesses should you be able. When doing so, consider placing your order by calling the restaurant directly or through the restaurant’s website, which enables the restaurant to avoid third-party commission fees during these challenging times.

A sign stating that Mill Korean Restaurant is open for pickup and delivery orders.

Is it safe to eat takeout?

Eating takeout and delivery foods from restaurants has been deemed safe by food safety experts and virologists in several published reports. Columbia Professor of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health Stephen Morse also affirmed this in CUIMC’s Coronavirus Expert Q&A and this article in The Atlantic.  To minimize risk, consider wiping down containers, removing packaging, and then washing your hands prior to eating takeout. Reminder that the main source of COVID-19 transmission is person to person. Read more tips on shopping safely from the New York Times

The following restaurants are available for takeout and delivery orders (current as of June 12, 2020 and subject to change without notice):

* Accepts Flex - click here for full list of open retailers accepting Flex