As the University of Utah continues to advance President Randall’s vision of College Town Magic™, dining will play a pivotal role in shaping how students, faculty, visitors and neighbors enjoy the enhanced campus-life experience.

At its core, College Town Magic is about creating a campus where people want to gather, relax, and recreate while making college-life memories. With a focus on the on-campus living experience, food and dining are the natural gathering points of campus culture. And as plans are approved, the U is embracing that philosophy as it reimagines the future of campus.

To help achieve this goal, the U introduced significant changes to campus dining plans for the 2026–27 academic year to support this long-term vision.

“By making dining more accessible, flexible and thoughtful for student residents, the U is addressing practical needs and delivering another part of the lively, interconnected campus community that President Randall envisions for College Town Magic,” said Jeff Labrum, chief operating officer.

The recently approved parking structure to the west of the Huntsman Center will eventually see multi-use spaces rise above it—and dining will be a central feature as visitors attending sporting and other events look to grab a bite before or after.

Across campus, Housing & Dining Programs are continually introducing dining options that appeal to all those who make campus a regular destination. From local coffee shops and alumni inventions to cafés and dining halls, these dining spots will create the excitement and energy that the U envisions being the College Town Magic experience. Dining destinations encourage students to stay engaged on campus beyond class hours while providing sustenance and campus connection for faculty, staff, alumni, neighbors and visitors.

At present, 42 dining locations exist around the U campus, with more slated for the coming academic year when the new Trailhead residential hall opens in the fall. Of these, more than 15 are independent/third-party operators, which allows the U to introduce a new generation of students to local purveyors too.

For example, Utah-based Cupbop, featured on Shark Tank, has a dedicated spot in Gardner Commons, while Hugo Coffee can be enjoyed in various buildings around campus. A host of local food truck favorites also roll onto campus most days during the school year.

Nicole Wade-Laws, owner of U Hungry Café, has been a vendor at the U since 2019 and currently runs two locations on campus. She finds connecting with the campus community inspiring. “I’ve been able to staff a few different student employees and watch them graduate and move on to find careers. It makes me feel really good, like I’m contributing.”

In addition, Dining Services sources ingredients from within Utah whenever possible. Charlie’s Produce buys from a variety of local farms, and the Chartwells campus dining team also works with local vendors such No Consequence, Dangerous Pretzel, Cilantree, and Beanyard Coffee, among others.

“Our goal is to offer guests a wide range of cuisines and more local, regional, and national flavors,” said Anna Dickherber, executive director of Guest and Dining Programs.

Thanks to feedback from students through the annual Voice2Vision and Resident Satisfaction surveys, as well as input from the Dining Advisory Board and Residential Housing Association leadership, future dining concepts are also expected to reflect the cultural makeup of both the U and the broader Salt Lake City region. By incorporating local restaurateurs, regional flavors, and innovative culinary concepts, campus dining is becoming an extension of Utah’s evolving food culture.

College Town Magic emphasizes creating a more active and connected campus environment, and dining destinations will help activate public spaces throughout the day and into the evening—from a quick coffee before class, a staff lunch with colleagues, a family dinner before a game or late-night study sessions fueled by local cuisine.

As the U continues to evolve, dining will become more than an amenity. Labrum hopes that restaurants and food venues can bridge the gap between the U and the surrounding neighborhoods, fostering stronger connections with students, alumni, residents, and visitors and creating a year-round destination that welcomes the entire community for generations to come.