Culturally diverse and heartwarmingly delicious, UCLA dining offers an array of food options for every student. The university has consistently been ranked the best dining program in the nation. Prepare to dazzle your taste buds with a journey to Bruins’ favorite restaurants on campus and the Hill, uncovering top-tier meals and eatery ambiances.
Northern Lights
Northern Lights is a quaint cafe located in the heart of North Campus. Here, students can order crispy paninis freshly made by ASUCLA workers. Sophie Kogan, a second year student studying applied mathematics, enjoys the chicken pesto and spicy chicken options. Imagine biting into a warm paradise of bread–adorned with protein, pressed to perfection and finished with a salty pickle on the side. Sounds amazing, right? Northern Lights also serves various poke and plant-based bowls, classic fruit cups and soft serve ice cream cones. All are tasty treats sure to brighten the gloomiest of days.
Blending lunch with academics, the restaurant has a seating area where students can work. Kogan said that its interior creates a “cute study environment” and carries a “fun 80s vibe.” It contains abundant retro furniture that promotes group study opportunities. A cozy fire pit fills the cafe with warmth, while pretty lights hang from the ceiling and upbeat music drifts from the ordering station.
Epic at Ackerman
Epic at Ackerman is the on-campus extension of the dining hall Epicuria at Covel. It boasts a rich menu of Mediterranean-style meals, such as flavorful pizzas, sandwiches, salads and pastas. Jeslyn Cortel, a first-year student studying psychology, recommends this satellite location and likes the fettuccine alfredo pasta. Its dishes strike a flawless combination of savor and simplicity, concocting a culinary dream for your appetite. Meals come with a fountain drink and side of either fruit or a cookie. The ‘epic’ inner seating section has chic wood tables and contemporary lighting that overlook the beautiful Westwood scenery. Cortel finds it “good to study” in, describing how she brings her laptop and sits at a nice booth. Elegant Mediterranean music complements the food and creates a delightful atmosphere for both your taste buds and your ears!
Feast
Located near Rieber Hall, Feast offers delicious Asian cuisines covering China, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines and more. Its menu varies daily and common choices include beef tapa, pork longganisa and tuna poke. Cortel dines at Feast and particularly enjoys the popcorn chicken. Many dishes are marinated with superb sauces and served with garlic fried rice or scrambled eggs. Bruins can accentuate freshly prepared meals with toppings like cilantro, edamame and fried shallots. The restaurant provides vegetarian and vegan alternatives, appealing to all students. Its earth-colored interior presents countless comfy booths and tables perfect for the next dinner get-together with your friends. Nice lights and windows decorate the space, while wonderful music enhances the overall experience. Cortel said that she “stays for hours because of the ambiance.” It’s absolutely stunning, and you must check it out!
Bruin Plate
Bruin Plate, otherwise known as BPlate, is a clear Bruin favorite on the Hill. Sitting amongst the Sproul buildings, it crafts creative, reliable and always-exciting health-themed menus. This dining hall effortlessly mixes vegetables, protein bowls and grains in exquisite-sounding combinations. Maya Brion, a second-year student studying biology, likes its array of flatbreads, especially the beef brisket option. Kogan enjoys the giant strawberries in the extensive fruit section, and Cortel loves the marinated chicken thigh from the grill area. The restaurant also offers a dessert bar for that sweet tooth we can’t help but notice every now and then. Different breads, brownies and yogurts excellently top off any meal–whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner.
BPlate lets students bring their computers into the dining hall to work while they eat. Brion thinks it constructs a “good study environment” and likes the charming music that echoes throughout the room. It boasts a great seating area as well. Kogan said that BPlate is a popular place to eat with friends. Fruit-inspired art ornaments the walls, while large windows beautifully capture residents traveling between campus and the Hill.
There you have it! For your next meal, visit these trending spots and try some of your fellow Bruins’ go-to items. Continue checking out other options throughout UCLA, too. We’re considered the number one college dining program for a reason!
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Featured Image Photographed by Finn Martin/BruinLife
