As a UC San Diego alumnus and food blogger with over 7 years of experience reviewing campus eateries, I’m delighted to share my list of must-try bites and beverages for 2024. With dozens of dining spots scattered across the university’s 1,200 acre campus, there’s something tempting around every corner. Read below about “8 Must-Try Bites and Beverages at UC San Diego in 2024”.
After taste-testing my way through endless acai bowls, burritos, boba drinks and more as an undergrad and grad student, these are my picks for the absolute best eats and sips you’ll find at UC San Diego today. I’ll also share a few pro tips to help fellow Tritons make the most of their meal plan dollars and avoid freshman fifteen.
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8 Must-Try Bites and Beverages at UC San Diego in 2024
Breakfast Burrito from Goody’s Place
No list of UCSD’s best bites would be complete without paying homage to the legendary breakfast burrito from Goody’s Place. This Mexican comfort food staple has sustained generations of bleary-eyed Tritons through early morning classes and all-nighters at Geisel Library.
The freshly grilled tortilla envelopes fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy potatoes, pico de gallo, avocado and melted cheese into a mighty, meal-in-one package. As a commuter student, I’d often grab an early bird burrito from Goody’s on my way to an 8AM lab. It’s the perfect portable bite, but be warned – it’s a monster! I recommend splitting with a study buddy.
Insider tip: Goody’s opens at 7:30AM, so early risers get first dibs on breakfast.
Vegan Nachos from Foodworx
As a long-time vegetarian, I’m thrilled by the ever-expanding vegan options sprouting up across the UCSD campus. The vegan nachos plate from Foodworx is a standout that proves plant-based dishes can be just as droolworthy.
These crunchy corn tortilla chips are piled high with spicy seitan, black beans, guacamole, salsa and dairy-free cheese sauce for the perfect savory-tangy flavor contrast. As a grad student, I’d often meet friends for happy hour noshing over a platter with extra guac and jalapeños. It’s a fun, affordable and filling meatless meal.
Insider’s tip: Foodworx has daily happy hour specials from 3-5PM with deals on appetizers and drinks. Their margaritas are tasty too!
Acai Bowl from Porter’s Pub
When midterms and finals roll around, Porter’s Pub becomes a second home for many students cramming at nearby Geisel Library. This campus pub dishes up classic bar bites like wings and fries, along with a surprisingly stellar acai bowl. It became my go-to brain food fuel during late night study sessions.
The base of antioxidant-rich acai provides an energy boost, while toppings like granola, banana, strawberries and peanut butter add crunch, flavor and sustenance to power those all-nighters. The combo of frozen and fresh fruits was the perfect study snack to refresh my mind. It was my favorite treat for celebrating the end of finals too!
Insider’s tip: Porter’s has a daily happy hour from 3-6PM with deals on appetizers and local draft beers. The pub trivia nights are lots of fun too!
California Burrito from Santorini’s
Santorini’s Greek restaurant is famous for its gyros, but the beloved California burrito is an under-the-radar hit. This San Diego staple swaps out rice and beans for french fries stuffed inside a flour tortilla alongside carne asada, guac, pico and cheese.
As a California native, I’d been eating Cali burritos since high school but Santorini’s version still managed to impress me with its perfect crunch-to-chew ratio. The fries retain their crispness and soak up all the savory juices. It was my go-to for a quick, delicious bite between classes near Warren College.
Insider’s tip: Santorini’s has a tasty baklava cheesecake if you have room left for dessert!
Mango and Chili Agua Fresca from Banana & Bean
On sunny San Diego days (which is most days), nothing refreshes like a cold glass of fruity agua fresca from Banana & Bean. This Latin American juice shop crafts the sweetest aguas featuring fresh fruit and herbs. The mango chili agua fresca is my personal fave.
The sweet mango provides a tropical base while the chili pepper kicks up the flavor with a gentle heat. It was my go-to drink for cooling off after hoofing it across campus or enjoying Banana & Bean’s shaded patio. Be sure to poke your straw into the fresh fruit chunks at the bottom for an extra sweet sip.
Insider’s tip: Banana & Bean serves weekend brunch featuring tasty Latin dishes like empanadas, huevos rancheros and more.
Cookie and Coffee from Perks Coffee Bar
What student doesn’t love cookies and coffee? Perks Coffee Bar bakes up some of the best fresh cookies I’ve ever tasted. The sea salt chocolate chip, snickerdoodle and peanut butter varieties have the perfect balance of chewy and crispy.
Pair your piping hot cookie with an expertly pulled espresso for a match made in heaven. As a commuter student, I’d often grab an afternoon cookie-coffee combo to power me through evening classes and shifts at my campus job. It’s an indulgent study break that feels oh-so-good.
Insider’s tip: Perks Coffee Bar has a daily happy hour from 4-5PM with $1 off all hot and iced drinks.
Chicken Kathi Roll from Bombay Coast
For a flavorful lunch on the go, nothing satisfies quite like the chicken kathi roll from Bombay Coast. This Indian street food features tender chicken tikka, onions, cilantro and spices wrapped in a warm paratha flatbread.
As a busy student juggling a part-time job, I loved that I could eat Bombay Coast’s kathi rolls one-handed between tasks. The combination of textures and bright flavors was the perfect recharge during a hectic day running around campus. It remains one of the most craveworthy handheld bites I’ve found in all my global eats adventures to date!
Insider’s tip: Bombay Coast has an extensive menu of Indian street food bites like samosas, pakoras and more that are perfect for sharing.
Horchata Cold Brew from Espresso Lab
Caffeine cravings meet their creamy, dreamy match with the horchata cold brew from Espresso Lab. This Latin American-inspired coffee shop stirs together cold brewed coffee with sweetened rice milk for a refreshing spin on classic cold brew.
As a self-proclaimed cold brew fanatic, I fell hard for this drink back in grad school. The nutty cinnamon rice milk smooths out the coffee’s slight bitterness. It was my daily dose of energy and comfort, especially during stressful exam periods. Sipping this iced elixir makes any day better.
Insider’s tip: Espresso Lab serves weekend brunch featuring breakfast burritos, chilaquiles and other Latin fusion bites.
Conclusion
The endless dining options at UC San Diego offer something tempting for every craving and dietary need imaginable. From quick bites to grab between classes to leisurely meals with ocean views, the university’s eclectic eateries nourish the stomachs and souls of students and faculty alike.
As an alum, I’m excited to continue exploring new dining destinations popping up across campus each year. But these classic tried-and-true bites and sips will always have special places in my heart and stomach for powering me through my undergraduate and graduate journeys. I hope you like reading “8 Must-Try Bites and Beverages at UC San Diego in 2024”.
What new eateries or menu items are you excited to try out at UC San Diego this year? Share your favorites in the comments below!
Catherine Previti is a seasoned wine enthusiast with over 8 years of experience in wine tasting and beverage curation. Holding a degree in Viticulture and Enology, she shares expert insights on Vedrinks.com, helping readers navigate the world of wine with confidence. Connect with Catherine on Instagram.
