UChicago Eats
Help us improve this page! Have a suggestion? Email us at uchicagointranet@uchicago.edu.
Food & Dining news
UChicago Deals & Discounts
Community Recommendations
No one knows campus food options better than our own UChicago foodies. Academics and staff around campus have shared some of their favorite spots to grab a bite below.
Recommend your favorite place to eatCommunity Recommended Eateries
Academic Cafés and Food Courts
UChicago Dining also offers several academic cafés and food courts for “grab-and-go,” options, though each offer seating, too. These eateries, open to the public, are located in academic and other buildings throughout campus. Each academic café and food court accepts cash and debit/credit in addition to Phoenix cASH. Please note: Many of these locations will have variable hours based on building access. Please check UChicago Dining's website for the most up-to-date information.
View the hours of each location on UChicago’s Dining pageCafés and Food Courts
Café Logan
Located inside the Logan Center for the Arts (15. E. 60th)
Gordon Café
Located inside the Gordon Center for Integrative Science (927 E. 57th)
Harris Café
Located inside the Keller Center (1307 E. 60th)
Hutchinson Commons
Located inside Reynolds Club, “Hutch” food vendors offer Mexican, Asian, Mediterranean, and Indian options and more. Large, Gothic seating area features portraits of all the University’s past presidents.
Everett Kovler Café
Open to the public for breakfast and lunch. Located inside the Chicago Booth's Charles M. Harper Center (5807 S. Woodlawn)
Law School Café
Located inside the Law School (1111 E. 60th), limited access to Law School students, staff, and faculty who have building access.
Press Café
Located inside The University of Chicago Press Building (1427 E. 60th)
Quantum Café
Located inside the Eckhardt Research Center (5640 S. Ellis)
Tiffin Café
Located inside International House (1414 E. 59th)
Peach’s at University
Located near Southeast corner of Crerar Library, facing Hinds Lab (5730 S. Ellis)
Dollar Shake Day
Coffee Shops
Need a caffeine pick-me-up? The Hyde Park campus offers several coffee shops managed by UChicago Dining, including several run by students, in addition to other privately-owned shops. Please check UChicago Dining's website for the most current information.
Pret A Manger
Located in Reynolds Club. Serves organic coffee, hot breakfast, sandwiches, salads and wraps made throughout the day.
Starbucks at Saieh Hall
Located near the front entrance of Saieh Hall, 5757 S. University. Small seating area inside.
Chicago French Press
Located inside the University of Chicago Bookstore, 970 East 58th. Serves French Press coffee, tea, and hot breakfast bites.
Student-Run Coffee Shops
For a true ‘college coffee shop’ experience, check out the University’s five student-run coffee shops located in various campus buildings. Student Centers oversees four of the shops: Cobb, Harper, Ex-Libris, and Hallowed Grounds, while the Divinity Students Association manages and operates Grounds of Being. Please note: hours may differ over holidays.
Harper Café
Where: Third floor of Harper Memorial Library Of note: Located next to one of the most beautiful study spaces on campus. Features espresso drinks, loose-leaf tea, bottled sodas, fresh baked goods, and hot and cold lunch options from area restaurants. Accepts cash, Phoenix cASH, and credit cards.
Cobb Coffee Shop
Where: Basement of UChicago’s oldest academic building, Cobb Hall. Of note: Known for the cheapest coffee on campus, plus loose-leaf tea, bottled sodas, fresh baked goods, and hot and cold lunch options from area restaurants. Accepts cash, credit, and Phoenix cASH.
Ex Libris
Where: First floor of the Regenstein Library. Of note: Enjoy a respite from your workload without having to travel too far from the bookstacks. Features an array of hot and cold sandwiches, salads, and sushi, fresh baked goods, plus daily deliveries from area restaurants.
Hallowed Grounds
Where: Second floor of the Reynolds Club in the Student Advising Center. Of note: Carved, dark-wood ceiling and walls with a marble-topped bar with barstools, known for its eccentric music and pool tables. Features espresso, coffee, tea, and fresh-delivered baked goods. Accepts cash, Phoenix cASH, and credit cards.
Grounds of Being
Where: Located in the basement of Swift Hall, managed and operated by students in the Divinity School. Of note: “Where God comes to drink coffee,” featuring espresso drinks, tea, soft drinks, and bakery and lunch items. Cash only.
Other on-campus coffee options
- Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea
Now open: The full-service coffeeshop, which also sells sandwiches, salads, soups, and breakfast items, replaced the former Dollop Coffee Co. located on the first floor of Campus North Residential Commons at 5500 S. University Ave.
- Opening Bell
Open to the public serving specialty coffee drinks and snacks. Located within Chicago Booth's Charles M. Harper Center at 5807 S. Woodlawn Ave.
- Plein Air Café
Café and eatery serving French breakfast and lunch specialties and located in the same building as the Seminary Co-op Bookstore at 5751 S Woodlawn Ave.
- Starbucks at UChicago Medicine
Full-service Starbucks located just inside UCM’s Center for Care and Discovery at the corner of 57th and S. Drexel.
Dining Commons
In addition to their main offerings, dining commons feature vegan and vegetarian options and include dedicated Kosher, Zabiha Halal, and gluten-free stations. Dining commons operate continuously throughout the day, with transitional periods between breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Follow UChicago Dining on social for the latest updates: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Baker
Located near the plaza at the corner of 55th and University, Baker is one of the newer dining commons, built in 2016. Close to: Smart Museum of Art, Court Theatre, Gerald Ratner Athletics Center, Campus North Parking structure.
Bartlett
Built in 1904 as a gymnasium and indoor track facility, Bartlett was transformed into a dining hall in 2002. The indoor track still exists above the commons, complete with old scoreboards and other signage from a time past. Close to: Regenstein Library, Max Palevsky Residential Commons, Hutchinson Commons.
Cathey
Located on the University’s South Campus near the Midway Plaisance, Cathey mimics the experience of eating in the Great Hall of Harry Potter’s Hogwarts. For Italian food lovers, Cathey features a pasta station. Close to: Burton Judson Courts, Granville-Grossman Residential Commons, Edelstone Center, the Law School.
Woodlawn
The newest dining commons on campus, Woodlawn was completed prior to Autumn Quarter 2021. Located south of the Midway Plaisance at 61st Street. Close to: Rubenstein Forum, Law School, Keller Center, Rockefeller Memorial Chapel.
More On-Campus Food and Drink Options
Quad Club
Established in 1893, the Quadrangle Club features a takeaway lunch service and serves as an event space for the public and its members. Located at 57th and University.
Truth Be Told
A tavern-styled restaurant nestled off the lobby of The Study hotel, Truth Be Told brings the best of both Cotswolds and Chicago. From Welsh Rarebit and House-made Ricotta to Bangers & Mash and Fish & Chips, guests can expect to indulge in food that transports them across the pond.
Bar David
Located in the recently opened David Rubenstein Forum (1201 E. 60th), Bar David offers modern Mediterranean fare and features breakfast, lunch, and dinner options in addition to a curated wine list and handcrafted cocktail program. Currently offering take-out options.
Food trucks
Various food trucks from across Chicago gather on South Ellis Avenue in front of Levi Hall every weekday during lunchtime hours. Keep an eye out for a new social account to help track who's on campus!
The Pub
Since 1974, The Pub has been a beloved gathering spot for drinks and pub fare for students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Located in the basement of Ida Noyes Hall (1212 E. 59th), patrons must be a member ($10 annual or $3 for a day pass).
Farmer's Fridge vending machines
Located in various buildings around campus, Farmer’s Fridge vending machines offer fresh salads, pastas, yogurt parfaits, meats and cheeses, and more available for purchase through a cell phone app.
Catering Options
- Chartwells at UChicago Dining
The University encourages teams and units to use UChicago’s dining vendor, Chartwells, for on-campus catering needs. With Chartwells new CaterTrax system, patrons can easily place orders and received invoices online. Note: units may arrange catering through the vendor of their choice; if teams and units choose not to use UChicago Dining/Chartwells, in-house providers (such as on-location catering through the Rubenstein Forum and Quad Club) or UChicago Local options are encouraged.
- David Rubenstein Forum
Executive Chef Marco Bahena brings his international culinary experience from his extensive world travels and Michelin star restaurant training to the David Rubenstein Forum. The Forum’s catering program offers innovative cuisine that is also showcased at the Forum’s BARDAVID wine bar and café. From an intimate meeting to a large-scale academic convening, the Forum’s events team can accommodate your needs. Contact forum@uchicago.edu or complete this form for more information.
- 1896 Catering (Quest FMS)
1896 Catering offers full service catering options for all your needs. Operating out of the Laboratory Schools, this on campus vendor offers free local delivery during regular business hours, scratch made cuisine and competitive pricing. Chef Jonathon Sherman leads the team, delivering a combination of community and respect for the classics. Chef Jonathon brings a wealth of experience focusing on local ingredients, sustainability, and variety, enhancing his hometown culinary skills. Contact 1896catering@questfms.com for more information.
- The Quadrangle Club
Bringing his five-star hotel dining experience to the Quadrangle Club, Executive Chef Emilio Gonzalez’s culinary program showcases his international flair. From small corporate meetings to large special events, the Quad Club team will ensure your event is flawless. Contact events@quadclub.org or complete this form for more information.
- UChicago Local
A variety of catering options are available through UChicago Local, an economic inclusion initiative led by the Office of Civic Engagement that leverages the University’s role as the largest private employer and purchaser of goods and services on the South Side to create economic opportunities for local businesses and residents.
On-campus markets
Maroon Market
Located in Bartlett Hall, typically open seven days a week 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., carry out only
Midway Market
Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m,. carry out only. Located between Granville-Grossman and Burton-Judson residence halls.
Explore Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and Washington Park
The surrounding neighborhoods of Hyde Park, Woodlawn, and Washington Park offer even more dining options, from the no-frills, Barack Obama-frequented Valois Restaurant, to longtime staple Medici on 57th, to Southern American fine dining at Virtue, to Woodlawn’s popular coffeeshop and lunch spot, Robust, to the newest spot in Washington Park, Monday Coffee Company, plus many, many more. We’ve procured some helpful links below to help you find your perfect culinary destination.