News Summary
This summer, UC Irvine locals and students can enjoy a diverse range of dining options. With vibrant restaurants like Eureka!, Northern Café, and Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza, each offering unique culinary experiences, there’s something for everyone’s taste. Families will also benefit from kids-eat-free deals at over 35 restaurants, creating budget-friendly dining opportunities. The culinary scene continues to evolve, enhancing the local dining diversity and promising a lively exploration of flavors for all.
Irvine, California – This summer, locals and students near UC Irvine have a vibrant array of dining options to explore and enjoy. The University Center and Campus Plaza have emerged as popular destinations featuring an eclectic mix of restaurants that cater to varying tastes and preferences.
At the University Center, Eureka! is a must-visit for those seeking classic American fare. Known for its burgers, the restaurant offers delectable options such as the Double Smash cheeseburger and the Fresno Fig burger, which comes topped with goat cheese, bacon, arugula, fig marmalade, and spicy Porter mustard. Diners can complement their meals with sides like fried pickles or mac ‘n’ cheese balls enhanced with Fresno chiles. Eureka! is also popular among college students for its rotating beer taps, while offering parents a selection of over three dozen whiskeys to choose from.
Also located in the University Center, Northern Café has been a favorite for more than 20 years, specializing in steamed pork dumplings known as xiao long bao. Recently, they expanded their offerings with the opening of a second location at Westpark Plaza. The new venue serves up a variety of dishes, including cold appetizers, stir-fries, and delicious spicy options like a 16-ingredient Szechuan Mala pot, catering to those who crave flavorful and hearty meals.
In Campus Plaza, Sgt. Pepperoni’s Pizza, inspired by a Beatles album, is nearing its 50th anniversary and remains a hit with students. The pizzeria is especially known for its classic roni-cups pizza and unique selections like the Super Bee pizza, featuring crème fraiche and bacon, which appeals to adventurous eaters.
For late-night diners, I Heart Pancakes in Campus Plaza offers a whimsical atmosphere alongside an extensive breakfast menu that includes pancakes, chicken and waffles, and a late-night breakfast burrito. This spot has become a go-to for those who desire breakfast dishes at any hour of the night.
Saffron & Rose Ice Cream stands out with its Persian-style ice cream, featuring flavors such as white rose and saffron combined with pistachio. The ice cream shop gained recognition from food icon Anthony Bourdain, enhancing its reputation among dessert seekers.
The surrounding area is also enriched with diverse culinary experiences. Diners can enjoy the hot pot experiences at Moo-Moo Hot Pot and Fast Hot Pot, while Paradise Biryani Pointe at Irvine Spectrum Center specializes in authentic Hyderabad cuisine. Additionally, there are numerous fish and chips spots that provide a taste of traditional English fare.
This summer, families will find over 35 restaurants offering kids-eat-free deals, making it easy to enjoy dining out without straining the budget.
The culinary scene near UC Irvine continues to flourish, with new establishments regularly emerging. This evolution enhances the local dining diversity, ensuring that both students and residents have an ever-growing array of options to choose from, promoting a lively and tasty summer exploration.
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Additional Resources
- Irvine Standard: Breakfast Favorite Opens Near UC Irvine
- ABC7: UC Patient Care Service Workers Launch 2-Day Strike
- Eater LA: Best Food Restaurants Near UC Irvine
- LA Times: UC Irvine Food Pantry
- New York Times: California Today – UC Irvine Food Pantry
- Wikipedia: University of California, Irvine
- Google Search: UC Irvine Dining Options
- Google Scholar: UC Irvine Cuisine
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Irvine, California
- Google News: UC Irvine Restaurants
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
