UCSC Dining

Official UCSC Dining account. Our services & events are open to all. You belong here! Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage via linktree below.

UCSC Dining is a self-operated food service department here at the University of California, Santa Cruz. We are the 33rd largest food service operation in the nation, and the largest student employer on campus. We work to nourish the campus community so that all Banana Slugs can thrive! UCSC’s location on the Monterey Bay offers more than just magnificent views and unique educational opportunities

, it offers an array of seasonal, local foods. This region grows some of the most amazing produce, which our chefs incorporate into the menus at the dining halls and cafés on campus. Our online comment card is available at http://diningcomment.ucsc.edu/

09/04/2026

On campus over the holiday weekend? College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall is open all weekend, including Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday!

Head over during the meal periods below to fuel up:
Mon–Fri: Breakfast 8–10 a.m. | Lunch 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. | Dinner 5–7 p.m.
Sat–Sun: Brunch 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Dinner 5–7 p.m.
The dining hall is closed in between meal periods.

🔗 For the rest of summer Dining special hours visit dining.ucsc.edu/special-hours. Link in bio.

UCSC Dining services are open to all and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage. Link in bio.

📸 Image Description:
Bright blue background with the text "Labor Day Holiday Weekend" at the top and "College Nine/John R. Lewis Dining Hall is open!" at the bottom, centered around an aerial photo of UCSC's College Nine surrounded by redwoods and overlooking the ocean, along with the UCSC Dining logo.

09/03/2026

Looking for a job that works around your class schedule? UCSC Dining is hiring student employees now!

At most locations, you pick your own shifts — plus every shift includes a free meal, and you'll build real skills in communication, teamwork, and time management while earning money and meeting other students.

No experience needed. Dining is a first job for a lot of Banana Slugs, and you'll get the training and support to get started.

Ready to apply? Search Student Dining positions on Handshake. New to Handshake? Visit the Career Success website to set up your account.

Follow .ucsc for updates, or email [email protected] with questions.

Image description
A UC Santa Cruz Dining student employee — a young woman in a blue t-shirt with long dark hair and hoop earrings — smiles at the camera from behind a point-of-sale register in a bright, sunlit campus dining location, with large windows, wooden beams, and a small vase of pink orchids visible in the background. The UC Santa Cruz Dining logo appears in the top left corner. A gold banner across the bottom of the graphic reads "Come work for us!" in bold navy text, with "Gain experience and enjoy great perks" below it.

08/31/2026

There’s a new way to use and manage your meal plan from your phone! 🤳

UCSC Dining has launched Atrium Campus Connect, our new meal plan and payment system replacing the GET app.

Students: Download the Atrium Campus Connect app to access your meal plan at Dining locations, check your balance, review transactions, add funds to Flexi Dollars and Slug Points, set low-balance alerts, and more. You can also continue using your physical UCSC ID card.

Faculty and staff: Atrium is also available to manage your Dining account. Mobile app access requires an additional access request.

🔗 Learn more and get started at the link in bio.

📸 Image description: The top section features a dark blue banner with yellow and white text that reads "Get connected with your meal plan" and "Download the Atrium Campus Connect app." Below the banner, a smiling young woman wearing a blue shirt and black headphones around her neck sits at a wooden dining hall table, using a fork to eat a meal from a white plate. In the lower right corner, a yellow circle displays the "UC Santa Cruz dining" logo.

08/26/2026

We’re transitioning to a new meal plan and payment system to better support students and make it easier to manage and use your meal plan.
As part of the transition, the GET app will stop working Thursday, Aug. 27 at 6 a.m.

For now, please know, your meal plan will remain intact, and any remaining funds will transition into the new system and be available during the transition.

Beginning Aug. 27, remember to bring your physical Student ID card when visiting UCSC Dining locations. You’ll need it to swipe into dining halls and use your meal plan at retail dining locations.

More information about the new system and how to access it is coming soon. Thanks for your patience as we make the transition!

Image description:
A graphic with a dark blue background features bold yellow and white text announcing a transition in meal plan payment systems. At the top, bold yellow text reads "GET APP TRANSITION," followed by cursive white text stating "New meal plan payment system coming soon!" Below the text is the yellow "UC Santa Cruz dining" logo. The middle section states in white and yellow bold text that the "GET app will stop working Thurs, Aug 27." The bottom section highlights in yellow and white text: "Beginning Aug. 27: remember to bring your physical Student ID card when visiting UCSC Dining locations."

08/13/2026

Early closure announcement: Stevenson Coffee House will close early tonight at 7 p.m.

We apologize for the inconvenience.

We anticipate resuming regular operations tomorrow.

07/09/2026

Heads up! ☕️ Stevenson Coffee House will close early at 3 p.m. this Friday, July 10, for repairs.

Need your afternoon fuel? Check out other open UCSC Dining locations and live hours at dining.ucsc.edu/locations-hours (link in bio).

UCSC Dining Services are open to all and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage. Link in bio.

📸 Image Description:
A brown graphic featuring a central circle split into light and dark brown halves, with text reading "Stevenson Coffee House" on top and "Friday, July 10 Closing at 3 p.m." on the bottom.

07/02/2026

Planning to be on campus over the Fourth of July holiday weekend? The university will observe the holiday on Friday, July 3, but Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall has you covered with regular summer hours (7 a.m. to 7 p.m.) Friday through Sunday. All other summer dining locations will be closed during the holiday weekend.

Have a safe, relaxing, and happy Fourth of July weekend!

For real-time Dining hours and locations visit dining.ucsc.edu/locations-hours (linked in bio).

UCSC Dining Services are open to all and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage. Link in bio.

📸 Image Description:
fireworks graphic in shades of blue and magenta beneath the text "FOURTH OF JULY Holiday Weekend SPECIAL HOURS" written in matching colors on a solid white background.

06/21/2026

Summer Session starts tomorrow! To help fuel your summer studies, Summer Dining officially kicks off tonight with dinner at Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. 🍽️

👀 Make sure to check summer dining hours and locations at the link in our bio.
Please note: Changes do occur throughout the summer, so be sure to double-check the hours and locations page before heading to your favorite spot!

UCSC Dining Services are open to all and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage. Link in bio.

📸 Image Description:
Light teal background featuring a subtle pattern of outlined fruits and vegetables like corn, eggplant, and citrus slices. At the top, the words "SUMMER DINING" are written in a large, bold, yellow block font with a dark blue 3D shadow effect. Centered below the text is a circular illustration showcasing the UCSC Banana Slug mascot lounging on a blue beach chair. The slug is wearing glasses and a wide-brimmed straw hat while reading an open blue book. The background inside the circle shows a sunny beach scene with a bright yellow sun, white clouds, and a calm blue ocean.

06/10/2026

🎓 On campus for UCSC Commencement Weekend? Be sure to check our special hours to see what is open before you head out to grab a bite.

• Friday, June 12: All dining halls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Merrill and Porter Markets will close early at 2 p.m.
• Saturday, June 13: Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For real-time dining hours and updates throughout the weekend, visit the link in our bio (dining.ucsc.edu/locations-hours).

Congratulations to the Class of 2026! 🎉

UCSC Dining Services are open to all and designed to be inclusive, accessible, and welcoming. Learn more by visiting the DSAS You Belong Here webpage. Link in bio.

📸 Image description:
A graphic with a light blue background featuring large, stylized yellow text outlined in dark blue at the top that reads, "COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND," followed by dark blue text that reads, "Special Dining Hours." In the center, a large circular emblem features Sammy the Banana Slug wearing glasses, a pink floral lei, and a dark blue UC Santa Cruz graduation gown and cap. Sammy is smiling with arms outstretched, surrounded by several blue graduation caps tossed in the air inside the circle.

06/08/2026

Good luck on finals, Slugs!

Need a study break, coffee refill, or meal between exams? Be sure to plan ahead as Dining Services transitions to end-of-quarter and summer operations.

Perk locations
Monday-Thursday: 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Thursday, June 11
• Last day of regular spring quarter dining operations
• Last day of Late Night service
• Last day of Banana Joe’s
• Last day of most retail dining locations

Friday, June 12
• Dining halls: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Merrill Market and Porter Market: 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Saturday, June 13
• Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

June 14-20
• All dining locations temporarily closed for end-of-year cleaning, maintenance, and summer preparations.

Visit the Dining Locations & Hours page (link in bio) for the latest schedules and updates.

A student sits at a wooden table using a laptop in a bright campus dining space or café. Large windows behind the student overlook trees and outdoor seating areas. The student’s laptop is covered with colorful stickers, and the student is wearing earbuds and focusing on their work. A dark blue banner across the top of the image contains the text, “FINALS WEEK SPECIAL HOURS” in large white letters. The UC Santa Cruz Dining logo appears in the lower right corner. The graphic promotes special dining hours available during finals week.

Address

1156 High Street
Santa Cruz, CA
95064

Website

https://dining.ucsc.edu/, http://linktr.ee/ucscdining

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