The Ultimate NYU Shanghai Dining Guide

The B2 Cafeteria

NYU Shanghai’s two-story cafeteria, located on the B1 and B2 floors, seats 360 diners and features 14 food stalls. Whatever you’re craving, you can find it here. The B2 level is the heart of campus dining, featuring a variety of cuisines, with plenty of space to hang out both indoors and out. If you arrive early enough for breakfast, you can start your day with Chinese classics like youtiao (fried dough sticks), baozi (steamed buns), and congee. Or, you can stick to Western favorites like eggs, potatoes, and toast.

For lunch and dinner, students can enjoy flavors from around the globe. Everything from American burgers and Italian pizzas to Korean bibimbap, Thai curries, and Indonesian nasi lemak is available. Additionally, the drinks stand has a rotating menu of milk teas and smoothies, and there are grab-and-go desserts at the register. If you’re on a budget or can’t decide? Snag a Mystery Box for 9.9RMB (less than $1.50) at the register for a balanced meal of protein, grains, and veggies.

B1 and Beyond

One floor up, at the B1 Cafeteria, you’ll find a range of additional delectable options, including hand-pulled noodles, dumplings, sandwiches, and fresh sushi, as well as plenty of vegetarian and Halal options. In fact, the Halal station is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner and extends its hours during Ramadan.

For a morning snack or midafternoon latte, drop by Magnolia House, located in the East Hall. The cafe offers coffee and other hot drinks, alongside bagel sandwiches, grilled cheese, cookies, egg tarts, and more for snacking.

Another place to get your caffeine kick is Manner Coffee. You can order at the service window from the back of the Campus Store on East 1F or you can enter the cafe from the street just outside the North gate. Take a sip and enjoy some quality people-watching!

NYU Shanghai Dining Hacks

In addition to designated dining spots, NYU Shanghai has plenty of creative options when it comes to eating on-campus.

• 24/7 vending. Need a bite on-the-go or some quick refreshment between classes? There are six vending machines with snacks across campus (plus one in Tower 5 of the Residence Hall). Pay with your phone using WeChat or Alipay and go.
• Get it dropped off. The most popular option for busy students? Online food delivery. Order from nearby restaurants using apps like Eleme or Meituan. You can track your meal’s progress, until it is securely dropped off in the smart lockers outside the North Gate. When you get the call— “Waimai daole!”—head out, use your app to unlock the cabinet, and grab your order.
• Skip the line. If your class extends into mealtime hours, fear not! Simply use NYU Shanghai’s WeChat enterprise account and select the “Catering” tab. You can order ahead from B2 or Magnolia House. All meal orders must be placed one day in advance.