Starting college means one big question: Where and how do I eat? Luckily, UCLA offers a variety of meal plans designed to fit different lifestyles and appetites, so you won’t have to worry about going hungry between classes.
Understanding meal plans and swipes
If you live on campus, you’ll select a meal plan that fits your eating habits. UCLA offers several meal plan options, each providing a certain number of meal swipes per week or quarter. Meal swipes grant you access to dining halls, where you can enjoy full meals with plenty of options, as well as to-go orders from many other restaurants on campus.
Here’s a quick rundown of the meal plans for on-campus residents:
- Regular Plans, or 19 Regular, 14 Regular or 11 Regular: These plans give you a fixed number of meals each week, and if you don’t use a meal during the week, it doesn’t roll over to the next week. Also, you can only use one meal swipe per meal period — so one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner per day.
- Premier Plans, or 19 Premier, 14 Premier or 11 Premier: These plans are more flexible. You get a set number of meals each week and any unused meals carry over from week to week within that quarter. This means if you skip a meal one week, you can save it for later in the quarter — perfect if your schedule varies.
The number, 19, 14 or 11, indicates roughly how many meals you get per week:
- 19 meals per week means you can eat almost every meal on campus, including some weekend meals.
- 14 meals per week is ideal if you usually skip some meals or spend weekends away.
- 11 meals per week works well if you mostly eat one or two meals a day or don’t eat on campus on weekends.
Dining on the Hill: What’s where and what’s good
Living on the Hill means you’re surrounded by some of the best college dining in the country — seriously. UCLA consistently rank at the top for campus food, and once you try it, you’ll see why. There are two main types of places to eat: all-you-care-to-eat dining halls and grab-and-go boutique spots, and most are just steps from your dorm. For more information on each, including menus and hours, visit this link.
The big three dining halls — Bruin Plate, De Neve, and Epicuria at Covel — offer buffet-style meals with rotating menus. Bruin Plate, also known as B-Plate, leans fresh and health-forward, with dishes like herb-roasted veggies, seasonal grains and lean proteins. De Neve is a reliable comfort food stop, with pizza, pasta, chicken tenders and themed nights. Epicuria at Covel serves Mediterranean-inspired cuisine with fresh pastas, pizza and roasted vegetables. You’ll swipe in and enjoy unlimited servings during each meal period.
For something more casual and customizable, UCLA’s boutique dining spots on the Hill have you covered. All of these locations accept meal swipes and offer mobile ordering through the UCLA app for added convenience. Here’s a guide to each spot and what they serve:
- Bruin Café, or B-Café: Think cozy vibes with made-to-order sandwiches, wraps and salads, plus soups that hit the spot on chilly days. They also serve up a solid lineup of smoothies, specialty coffees and rotating dinner specials with global flavors.
- Café 1919: Always will have you covered with paninis, mini pizzas, fresh salads and gelato. It’s tucked into Delta Terrace and perfect for when you want something warm, followed by a sweet treat.
- Rendezvous East: Your go-to for Asian-inspired takeout — sushi bowls, ramen, curry and boba drinks.
- Rendezvous West: Latin-style comfort food like burritos, tacos and burrito bowls, all customizable and made fresh. Weekday specials keep things interesting, but the real star is the weekend steak quesadilla.
- The Drey: One of the newer spots on the Hill, the Drey is all about fresh, ready-to-eat meals — entrées, salads and snacks that are easy to grab and go. They also have a wide drink selection, including agua frescas, coffee and tea.
- The Study at Hedrick: A chill hangout for early mornings or low-key evenings. You can build your own sandwich, pizza or salad, and pick up snacks like parfaits, fruit cups and protein plates. In the mornings, there is a bagel sandwich option with a huge variety of pastries and baked goods.
- Feast at Rieber, or the Spice Kitchen: More than just a dining spot, the Spice Kitchen is a rotating, pop-up-style experience that reimagines Asian dishes with a creative twist. Led by Chef Michael, it’s perfect if you want to try something bold, flavorful and totally different from the usual.
Where to eat on campus
Even if you live on the Hill, chances are you’ll need to grab food in between classes. UCLA offers a variety of dining options all across campus — from cozy cafés and quick-service spots to full dining halls. Whether you’re grabbing a coffee between classes or sitting down for a meal, most locations accept BruinCard meal swipes, making it easy to use your meal plan wherever you go.
Some of the main hotspots are right in the heart of campus. The Bombshelter is a south campus staple with Blaze Pizza, Subway and Pete’s Coffee — to name a few — and it’s always buzzing with students on the go. Just up to central campus, Ackerman Union houses a bunch of favorites like Epicuria at Ackerman, Wetzel’s Pretzel, Panda Express, Carl’s Jr. and Sambazon açaí bowls. It’s convenient for grabbing a meal between classes or meeting up with friends, but it does get crazy busy around midday.
Over on North Campus, there are even more dining places perfect for when those in-between lectures munchies hit. LuValle Commons is a hidden gem, offering Jimmy’s coffee and pastries, Epazote Mexican Grill, Fusion, Burger Assembly and All Rise Pizza. Northern Lights Café, tucked behind Rolfe Hall, is a cozy escape with good vibes, a cozy fireplace and some underrated paninis and fruit cups — ideal for a study break.
For a full list of restaurants, their menus and hours, check out ASUCLA’s Dining’s official website to plan your next meal with ease.
Making eating at UCLA work for you
With so many options available, finding your favorite spots and meal rhythm might take a little time, and that’s totally okay! Whether you’re fueling up for a big study session or grabbing a quick snack between classes, UCLA’s diverse dining scene has something for every appetite and schedule. Don’t hesitate to explore different dining halls and cafés to discover what fits your taste and lifestyle best.
Remember to keep an eye on your meal swipes so you can get the most out of your plan, and make use of mobile ordering options where available to save time. Your BruinCard is your key to convenient, delicious dining all across campus.
Welcome to UCLA — and happy eating!
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Featured Image via Daily Bruin Archives
