UCD Food Guide for Freshers

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Food and Drink Editor Katie Power presents a UCD food guide, considering quality, affordability and atmosphere

By Katie Power | Sep 11 2026

BREAKFAST:

For all the 9AM troopers:

1: PI BREKKIE located in the O’ Brien Science Building

Pi offers affordable, quality meals. Students can indulge in a 5-item fry for as little at €4.75, alongside breakfast rolls, vegetarian options, pastries, and of course, coffee. The breakfast is served from 8AM – 11:30AM. The atmosphere is always warm and welcoming, making it an ideal spot for a quick breakfast ahead of a busy day.

2: POOLSIDE CAFÉ located in the Sports Centre

Poolside offers a range of hot food options such as toasties, sausage rolls, and flapjacks. Open early and one of the most affordable spots on campus, the coffee is only €2.50 a cup. There is plenty of seating, and the food is reliable, affordable, and comforting, making it an ideal choice for an early morning meal.

3: SU SHOP located below the James Joyce Library

While not a restaurant, the SU shop is a great option for those looking to save money. It's hot counter hosts paninis and ciabattas costing roughly €4. The €1.50 golden syrup porridge pot and a machine coffee for another €2 is the ultimate budget breakfast that will keep you fuelled until lunch.

LUNCH:

There’s no better feeling than receiving a text from a friend in the library saying: ‘Lunch now?’

1: SUSHI LAB located in UCD village

The Sushi lab is a personal favourite of mine, with dishes ranging from €6-€14. They offer classic 8-piece norimaki rolls, poke bowls and sushi burritos. The portion sizes are great value for your money, and the sushi is high quality. There is also plenty of comfortable seating in the UCD village, with decent Wi-Fi connection and a lot of sockets.

2: Gather & Gather – Located in the centre of campus beside UCD Global building

Here, you can find Base Pizza, a pasta station, and a toastie station, and other snacks. The walkway outside also offers burgers and burritos. The price of the meal depends on which station you go to, but it is possible to get a small bowl of pasta for €5, slices of pizza for €4.50, and a toastie for around €7. The queues are very long at lunchtime, but don’t be disheartened as they move rapidly.

3: Sub Club – located on the ground floor to the left on the JJ

Sub Club is another great value lunch option located in the heart of the campus. They have daily meal deal specials, meaning you can get a club, a soft drink and crisps for as little as €6. The sandwiches are high quality and quite big.

4: Pi (again)

Did I mention that I love Pi? For lunch they offer a three-tiered pricing menu. Starting at €5, students can get lasagnes, pastas, rice bowls and other warm dishes. The 2nd tier option sits at €7, and the 3rd tier is €9 for a larger gourmet meal. However, all options are equally delicious and great value for money.

DINNER:

There is only one place students need to know about when it comes to dinner:

1: THE CLUB HOUSE – Located beside the student atrium

Club house dinner is a right of passage and a classic comfort meal. A large portion of chicken, chips and curry sauce is about €6. Food service stops at roughly 8PM. Top it off with a pint, and you have a perfect cheap and satisfying on-campus dinner.

COFFEE: