
The University of Pennsylvania, or UPenn, is located in Philadelphia, also known as University City. With tens of thousands of students enrolling each year, the city offers a wide variety of dining options, both on campus and off-campus. While first-year students are required to have a dining plan, upper-year students have more flexibility in choosing where to eat. On-campus dining options include cafes, food halls, and dining halls, with a range of cuisines offered, including Asian, Mexican, and American. Off-campus, students can explore the many restaurants, marketplaces, and brunch spots that Philadelphia has to offer, including popular spots like El Vez, The Common, and Scoop DeVille Ice Cream.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Dining options on campus | 1920 Commons, Quaker Kitchen, English House Cafe, McClelland, Accenture Cafe, Gutmann College House coffee shop, Farmer's market, Sushi bar, Salad bar, Grill station, Soup station, Halal cafe, Kosher cafe |
| Dining options off campus | El Vez, The Common, Lee's Market, Scoop DeVille Ice Cream shop, The New Deck Tavern Philadelphia, Walnut Street Cafe, White Dog Cafe, Vernick Food & Drink, CO-OP, The Board And Brew, Picnic, Sunset Social |
| Awards | Silver for the 2018 Loyal E. Horton Award for Residential Concept – Large School, Gold for the 2019 Loyal E. Horton Award for Retail Sales - Single Concept/Multiple Concept/Marketplace – Large School, Top performer status by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education |
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On-campus dining
One of the prominent dining locations on campus is 1920 Commons, the largest café located on Locust Walk. It offers a diverse menu, including a salad and mezze bar, hot pizzas, comfort cuisine, a grill, and an Oasis station. The café serves students from early morning to late at night, accommodating different schedules.
Quaker Kitchen, located in Gutmann College House, provides a unique dining experience with specialty coffees and signature dishes. It offers a weekly rotating menu, ensuring variety and delicious options. While it is known for long wait times, arriving before 6 pm can help avoid the crowds.
Houston Hall is another popular dining destination, featuring multiple stations with a wide range of options, including a salad bar, grill, hand-rolled sushi, international dishes, and soups. It also has a "meal-exchange" program that allows students to use meal swipes or dining dollars interchangeably.
The university also offers additional dining spots, such as the English House Cafe in Kings Court English College House, which provides made-to-order smoothies and an engaging atmosphere with events and entertainment. The Accenture Café, located in the School of Engineering and Applied Science, offers brewed beverages, fresh sandwiches, salads, and pastries, along with made-to-order items.
Penn Dining also caters to specific dietary needs, with options like the English House Cafe serving as the dedicated Halal cafe on campus. Additionally, the university hosts a weekly on-campus farmer's market, featuring local vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and more, where students can use their Dining Dollars.
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Off-campus dining
El Vez
Just an eight-minute drive from campus, El Vez serves up authentic Mexican food. You can build your own tacos, or try their preset options like sea bass tacos, tostadas, burritos, and nachos.
The Common
With a vibrant space, local beers, and modern American cuisine, The Common is a great spot to hang out. Try the duck-fat-fried chicken wings, or their famous burger.
New Deck Tavern Philadelphia
For a quick bite and a beer, head to the New Deck Tavern. They have simple, popular dishes like the grilled chicken sandwich and Angus Beef Burger.
Lee's Market
Just an 18-minute walk from campus, Lee's Market is a great budget option, with nothing on the menu over $7. Grab some wings, or a pancake platter with bacon and eggs.
Scoop DeVille Ice Cream
After dinner, why not treat yourself to some dessert? Scoop DeVille is a short drive from campus and has been serving the Philadelphia area since 1989. They offer a range of treats, including cookie dough pops, cupcakes, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.
There are also a number of highly-ranked restaurants within a mile of the University of Pennsylvania, including White Dog Cafe, Vernick Food & Drink, and Walnut Street Cafe.
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Mobile ordering
University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) students have a variety of options for ordering food on their mobile devices. The university's dining services, Penn Dining, offer mobile ordering for meals on the go. The Penn Dining app provides access to various locations across campus, including cafes and dining halls.
One popular dining location is 1920 Commons, the largest café on campus, located on Locust Walk. It offers a diverse menu, including a salad and mezze bar, hot pizzas, comfort food, and a grill. Another option is the English House Cafe in Kings Court English College House, which offers made-to-order smoothies and an expo station. It is a great place to socialise with fellow students and faculty, often featuring lively events.
Additionally, students can use their mobile devices to order from nearby restaurants and eateries. El Vez, an eight-minute drive from campus, offers authentic Mexican cuisine, including build-your-own tacos and preset items like sea bass tacos and burritos. For modern American cuisine, The Common at 36th and Market is a vibrant option with dishes like duck-fat-fried chicken wings and a famous burger.
Other nearby spots include Lee's Market, an 18-minute walk from campus, offering grab-and-go items like wing and pancake platters for under $7. For a quick bite and a beer, students can try The New Deck Tavern Philadelphia, with menu items like grilled chicken sandwiches and Angus beef burgers. Lastly, for dessert, Scoop DeVille Ice Cream shop, a short drive away, offers treats like cookie dough pops, cupcakes, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.
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Dining plans
The University of Pennsylvania, or UPenn, is known for its dining options, with the university achieving top performer status for its food and dining by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.
On-Campus Dining
First-year students at UPenn are required to have a first-year dining plan, with access to various dining halls and cafes across campus. One of the most popular dining spots is the 1920 Commons, the largest cafe on campus, located on Locust Walk. It offers a wide variety of dishes, including a salad and mezze bar, hot pizzas, comfort food, and a grill. Another popular option is the Quaker Kitchen, located in Gutmann College House, which offers specialty coffees and a unique dining experience. The English House Cafe in Kings Court English College House is a great spot for made-to-order smoothies and lively events, and it is also the dedicated Halal cafe on campus.
Off-Campus Dining
The University of Pennsylvania is located in University City, Philadelphia, which offers a plethora of dining options for students. For those craving Mexican food, El Vez is just an eight-minute drive away and offers build-your-own tacos, as well as preset items like sea bass tacos and burritos. The Common at 36th and Market is another popular spot, known for its vibrant space, local beers, and modern American cuisine. If you're looking for a quick bite, Lee's Market is an 18-minute walk from campus and offers grab-and-go items like wing platters and pancake platters, all for under $7. For a sweet treat, Scoop DeVille Ice Cream shop is a short drive away and has been a Philadelphia favourite since 1989.
UPenn offers a variety of dining plans to cater to different student needs. While first-year students are required to have a first-year dining plan, they can choose from a range of options at the end of their second year. These plans offer flexibility and easy access to convenient, great-tasting meals across campus. Students can also use their Dining Dollars at the weekly on-campus farmer's market, which features local vendors selling fresh produce, baked goods, and more.
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Student favourites
The University of Pennsylvania, or UPenn, is known for its vibrant food scene, with a variety of dining options available both on campus and off-campus.
On-Campus Dining
Penn Dining offers a range of meal options for students, with a focus on convenience, taste, and community-building. The largest café on campus, 1920 Commons, serves a variety of dishes, including pizzas, salads, and comfort foods. Other on-campus options include the Accenture Café, which offers brewed beverages, fresh sandwiches, and pastries, and the Gutmann College House coffee shop, which fuels students with specialty coffee and snacks.
For those seeking a unique dining experience, the Quaker Kitchen, located in Gutmann College House, offers a popular menu that changes weekly. The English House Cafe is another on-campus favourite, known for its lively events, made-to-order smoothies, and dedicated Halal menu.
Off-Campus Eats
When it comes to off-campus dining, University City Philadelphia offers a plethora of options, from fine dining to grab-and-go. Here are some student favourites:
- El Vez: An eight-minute drive from campus, this Mexican restaurant lets you build your own tacos or enjoy preset items like sea bass tacos and burritos.
- The Common: Offering modern American cuisine and local beers, it's known for dishes like crispy artichokes with tahini and chickpeas, duck-fat-fried chicken wings, and a must-try burger.
- New Deck Tavern Philadelphia: A spot for simple, popular menu items like grilled chicken sandwiches, Angus beef burgers, and BBQ chicken pizza.
- Lee's Market: Just an 18-minute walk from campus, this grab-and-go spot offers budget-friendly options, with nothing on the menu over $7.
- Scoop DeVille Ice Cream: A short drive from campus, this ice cream shop has been a Philly favourite since 1989, offering treats like cookie dough pops, cupcakes, and ice cream cookie sandwiches.
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Frequently asked questions
El Vez is an eight-minute drive from the University of Pennsylvania. It offers the option to build your own tacos, or you can order preset items such as Sea Bass Tacos, Tostadas, Burritos, and Nachos.
The New Deck Tavern Philadelphia, The Common at 36th and Market, Lee's Market, Scoop DeVille Ice Cream shop, Walnut Street Cafe, White Dog Cafe, Vernick Food & Drink, and CO-OP are some popular restaurants near the University of Pennsylvania.
Yes, the University of Pennsylvania offers various on-campus dining options, including 1920 Commons, Quaker Kitchen, English House Cafe, McClelland, and Accenture Cafe.
First-year students at the University of Pennsylvania are required to have a first-year dining plan. McClelland, located in the Freshman Quad, offers a colorful array of daily sushi, pork buns, chicken bowls, and udon.











































