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Where to eat around campus

By Elizabeth Cotter

August 08, 2023

Hungry for pizza? Maybe sushi or even hot wings? Several food options are available on and around campus.

Dining on campus

The main dining hall is in University Tower and offers a make-your-own stir fry station, a salad bar, rotating daily specials, desserts, fresh fruit, plant-based meat alternatives, pizza and more. Students with meal plans can use meal swipes to eat here, and it’s open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The Den by Denny’s, located on the second floor of University Tower, also accepts meal swipes.

Meal plans also come with Dining Dollars, which are loaded onto your CrimsonCard and can be used at any of the on-campus IUPUI Dining Services locations:

In the Campus Center:

  • IUPUI Café (Starbucks)
  • Caribou Coffee
  • Pizza Hut
  • Chick-fil-A
  • Panda Express
  • Aroma Bowls 
  • Simply Puur
  • The Market

University Tower:

  • Chancellor’s
  • Market at the Tower

Dining Dollars can also be used at Einstein Bros. Bagels in the ICTC Building, Farmer’s Fridge Vending Machines and Market locations across campus.

Using CrimsonCash

New furnriture and restaurants in the recently renovated Campus Center Food Court on Friday August 23, 2019. Credit: Photo by Liz Kaye, Indiana UniversityCrimsonCash can be used to buy food both on and off campus. Various nearby restaurants accept CrimsonCash, including City Barbeque, Blaze Pizza and Sushi Boss. Grubhub is also an option if you need delivery. You can find a full list of participating locations on the CrimsonCard website.

So what is the difference between Dining Dollars and CrimsonCash?

Dining Dollars are used only for on-campus locations and are part of an IUPUI Meal Plan. One Dining Dollar equals one U.S. dollar, but every purchase using them receives 14% off the regular price.

CrimsonCash can be used at on-campus and off-campus locations. Both Dining Dollars and CrimsonCash are loaded onto your CrimsonCard, which you will use to pay at the register.

All locations also accept cash, debit cards and credit cards for payment.

Dining downtown

If you want to explore restaurants around the city, Indianapolis has a lot to offer. Food halls like the AMP and The Garage feature a wide variety, including soul food, seafood and international cuisine.

Mass Ave is an Indy staple; it’s home to much of downtown’s food and entertainment. Check out restaurants like Condado Tacos, Goodfellas Pizzeria, Slapfish and more within a five-minute drive from campus. You can also stop in some of the local boutiques and shops along the way.

Even closer to campus are restaurants along Indiana Avenue and 10th Street, where you’ll find City Barbeque, Lincoln Square Pancake House, Taco Bell, Subway, Insomnia Cookies and more only a 15-minute walk from the Campus Center.

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