From all-you-care-to-eat dining halls to cafés for quick bites between classes, Indiana University had an extensive range of places to eat. Here are my top five campus spots to grab a delicious meal.
McNutt Dining Hall
For those living in IU’s Northwest neighborhood, McNutt is the go-to dining hall to satisfy your hunger cravings. It’s an all-you-care-to-eat location, which includes sandwiches, pizza and a variety of international cuisines. My favorite spot in McNutt is Heartland, which always serves a hefty protein like steak or chicken, alongside potatoes or other sides.
McNutt also stands out because of the Starbucks located below the dining hall and Campus Store. The Campus Store sells food and beverages that you would typically find at a convenience store, removing the hassle of driving into town just for a quick snack. Both Starbucks and C-Stores accept dining dollars, a currency included in all meal plans.
Bookmarket Eatery
Located on the lower level of the Herman B. Wells Library, the Bookmarket Eatery is the perfect place to grab something to eat after a long day of studying.
It has several restaurants, including The Greenhouse, which serves salads; BlenzBowlz, which offers smoothie bowls; and The Meltdown, which has sandwiches. Their newest addition, King’s Hawaiian, is my favorite spot because their chicken sandwiches are made with delicious King’s Hawaiian rolls.
While the Bookmarket might not have as many food options as a regular dining hall, it excels in terms of convenience. As a college student, it can be difficult to find time to study, so being able to take a meal break without having to walk to a dining hall is very practical.
Poke by Sushi King
This restaurant can be found in both Hodge Hall and Read Hall and features customizable poke bowls, sushi and boba tea. Having locations on opposing sides of campus, Poke by Sushi King is one of the most accessible places to use a combo meal. The poke bowls have a wide variety of protein options and add-ins, and they’re all incredibly delicious.
For business students, Poke by Suhi King is incredibly convenient because of its location at the heart of the Kelley School of Business. The bowls are also prepared in resealable plastic containers, making them easy to take with you.
Forest Dining Hall
Another excellent dining option with unlimited all-you-care-to-eat meal swipes is the Forest dining hall. Located on the southeast side of campus in the Forest Quadrangle, this dining hall features many of the same restaurants as those within McNutt.
Two options I enjoy are Caliente and Just Desserts. Caliente offers Mexican cuisine like burritos, bowls or nachos, and my favorite, chipotle chicken. As its name suggests, Just Desserts serves options such as cookies and ice cream, which are all delectable.
Indiana Memorial Union
The Indiana Memorial Union is at the heart of IU’s campus, featuring a bookstore, restaurants and even a bowling alley.
The IMU’s restaurants include Lantern, which serves Pan-Asian cuisine; Quarry Pie Co., which offers pizza; and Whitfield Grill, which serves burgers and other grilled foods. Whitfield has quickly become my favorite spot to eat on campus, as I would enjoy a delicious cheeseburger and fries after my afternoon class.
While these are some of my favorite places to eat on campus, IU offers several other dining options. A complete list of IU Dining locations can be found on their website, including dining halls, cafés and restaurants.
This story was originally published in the Indiana Daily Student's 2026 Orienter.
