Between navigating your class schedule, meeting new people, and learning how to not get lost in Ballantine, figuring out what to eat (and how to pay for it) can feel like its own learning curve. Luckily, the Indiana University Bloomington campus is filled with dining options – from all-you-can-eat dining halls to cafes hidden inside academic buildings.
Whether you have a meal plan or not, here’s your guide to finding food across campus, so you can spend less time stressing and more time snacking.
How dining dollars and meal plans work
If you have a meal plan, you will get:
Meal Plans are linked to your CrimsonCard, which you will also find you use for building access and printing. If you don’t have a meal plan, you can still load money onto your CrimsonCard and use it almost anywhere on campus to pay for food.
Dining halls inside the dorms
These are the locations that come to mind when it you think of meal scans. All are buffet-style and serve rotating menus:
All dining halls accept meal scans and are included in the standard IU meal plans.
C-Stores: your campus convenience stops
When you’re out of granola bars or need laundry detergent, IU’s campus convenience stores (aka C-stores) have your back.
Popular locations include:
These mini-stores stock frozen meals, snacks, toiletries, household essentials and quick breakfast items.
Most are located inside or near dorms and accept Dining Dollars, Crimson Cash, and credit/debit.
Cafes across campus
Go beyond Starbucks and discover these locations scattered across academic buildings, these spots are great for a between-class bite or a quick caffeine fix.
These include:
What’s inside the IMU
The IMU is IU’s central hub – and it doubles as a food court. It’s got everything from fast food to pastries to dishes from cuisines across the world:
The IMU has options no matter what you are craving and is also a great location in between classes when you can’t make your way to a dining hall.
Vending machines: the unsung heroes
From snacks to supplies, vending machines are scattered throughout campus. You’ll find them in residence halls, academic buildings, study lounges and even libraries with them all accepting both your CrimsonCard and credit/debit.
Stock often includes snacks, soda, energy drinks, over-the-counter medication and stationery.
What’s new this fall
IU is renovating two dining spots with opening dates scheduled for this fall:
Keep an eye on RPS updates and check menus using the IU Dining website or the Grubhub app (yes, IU dining is on Grubhub).
IU gives you no shortage of places to eat, snack, caffeinate, or grab something fast before your next class. Whether you’re a meal plan regular or a campus cafe explorer, you’re guaranteed to finding your favorite spot.
So go ahead – try something new, learn which dining halls have the best cookies, and which vending machines are closest to you. Your college experience isn’t just about lectures and textbooks, instead it starts with good meals, coffee, and the places you will soon find being your favorite hangout spots.
Contact Ayzah Khan at AKhan@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Your ultimate guide to campus dining at IU Bloomington
Reporting by Ayzah Khan, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
