UCT campuses prioritise healthy and inclusive food choices

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has taken a deliberate approach to food provision across its campuses, ensuring that students, staff and visitors have access to nutritious, affordable and culturally inclusive meals. Unlike many institutions where global fast-food chains dominate student dining, UCT has chosen not to host “main street” fast-food brands. Instead, it has partnered with independent vendors to promote healthier, balanced eating options that support the wellbeing of its community.

Commitment to nutrition and well-being

Healthy food choices are an integral part of student success and wellbeing. UCT requires that food providers across its campuses offer meals that supply the body with essential nutrition: fluids, macronutrients, micronutrients and adequate calories. By steering away from high-fat, highly processed convenience foods, the university helps to create an environment that sustains learning, energy and long-term health.

Diverse and inclusive food outlets

Across UCT’s campuses, food outlets are tailored to meet the diverse needs of its community.

  • Upper Campus: The Kaplan Centre cafeteria (Jean’s Kitchen) provides a full kosher menu under Beth Din supervision, also offering halal-friendly options. Other outlets across Upper Campus ensure access to vegetarian and vegan meals, including plant-based offerings at the Kramer Building café.
  • Middle and Lower Campus: Independent cafés and canteens provide balanced meals at accessible prices, with options for students seeking quick yet nutritious choices.
  • Health Sciences Campus at Groote Schuur: Food outlets cater for the busy schedules of medical and health sciences students, ensuring access to affordable, healthy meals and snacks close to teaching hospitals and clinical sites.
  • Michaelis School of Fine Art: On the Hiddingh campus, vendors operate in line with UCT’s broader food service commitments, ensuring that students and staff have access to affordable and healthy meals while engaged in studio work.
  • Graduate School of Business (GSB): In the V&A Waterfront precinct, the GSB campus hosts independent catering services that emphasise sustainable, locally sourced ingredients – consistent with the GSB’s ethos of responsible business and social impact.

A reflection of UCT’s values

By consciously shaping the food environment on campus, UCT demonstrates its commitment to student health, inclusivity and sustainability. The absence of fast-food chains is not a gap, but rather a positive choice: one that fosters better eating habits, supports local food entrepreneurs, and reflects the university’s values of equity, wellbeing and community development.

Evidence for food provision at the Health Sciences campus

  1. Food & Connect – Health Sciences West & East, Barnard Fuller Building
    Food & Connect lists “Health Sciences West & East” (Barnard Fuller Building, Anzio Road) among its store locations. This confirms that Food & Connect operates a campus store in Barnard Fuller, which sells food & drink etc. co.za
  2. Student Support Services Handbook – listings for Health Sciences
    The UCT Student Support & Services Handbook (2025) lists the following outlets for the Health Sciences campus:
    1. Food Vendor, Barnard Fuller Building — drinks, snacks, light meals etc.
    2. Food Vendor, IIDMM Building — drinks, snacks, light meals etc.
    3. Rade’s — home prepared vegetarian meals.

These indicate that there are on-site small vendor outlets with somewhat more substantial food (beyond just snacks), including vegetarian options.

  1. Free soup in winter / “Station of Inspiration” support
    The Health Sciences Student Development & Support Office (Faculty of Health Sciences) offers free hot soup for all FHS undergrad/postgrad students (3 June-30 September 2024; weekdays) at Food & Connect, Barnard Fuller Building. Also, during exam periods there is a “Station of Inspiration” offering drinks, fruit, sandwiches etc.

Food vendors / Outlets

Middle Campus

  • Food & Connect, Kramer Law Building (beverages, light meals)
  • Vegetarian Kiosk, West Entrance, Wilfred & Jules Kramer Law Building

Upper Campus

  • Food & Connect Central, Otto Beit Building (beverages, snacks, light meals)
  • Food & Connect Social, Level 3, Leslie Social Sciences Building (beverages, snacks, light meals)
  • Food & Connect Social Coffee, Level 3, Leslie Social Sciences Building (beverages, snacks)
  • Food & Connect EBE West, Level 3, Menzies Building (beverages, snacks, light meals)
  • Food & Connect EBE East, Centlivres Building (beverages, snacks, light meals)
  • Food & Connect Humanities, Humanities Graduate School Building (beverages, snacks, light meals)
  • Vegetarian Kiosk, Leslie Social Sciences, Ground Floor
  • Kaplan Centre Cafeteria, Kaplan Centre (full kosher cafeteria)
  • Cissie Gool Food Court, Steve Biko Students’ Union, Level 3, including:
    Afrikwazeen (halaal) – traditional African food & beverages
      • Campus Café (halaal) – sweets, beverages etc.
      • Budget Rolls (halaal) – rolls, snacks, beverages
      • Varsity Foods (halaal) – fast foods, beverages
      • Prashad Foods (vegan) – spring rolls, samosas, cakes, curries
      • Dans Health Shop – fruit, vegetables, beverages, snacks
      • Bridgette’s after hours kiosk (halaal, near Oppenheimer Library entrance) – snacks

Sports Centre / Other Lower / Residence / Surrounding area traders

  • Sports Centre Tuckshop (halaal) – toasted sandwiches, snacks, samosas
  • Chris Hani area:
    Bagels & Bubbles – bubble tea, bagels, muffins, snacks
      • The Healthy Bear – pies, pizzas, sandwiches, stews, salads
      • Yanka Eatery – sandwiches, vetkoek, salads, hamburgers, pies, hot dogs
  • Music School area:
    The Shack and Grill – daily cooked meals
  • Jamie Shuttle Bus Stop Parking Area:
    The Shack and Grill – burgers, sandwiches, snacks, drinks
  • Graca Residence Parking Area:
    Bubbys (general trading store) – groceries, hygiene products, snacks, drinks

Health Sciences Campus / Medical / Groote Schuur

  • Food Vendor, Barnard Fuller Building (drinks, snacks, light meals)
  • Food Vendor, IIDMM Building (drinks, snacks, light meals)
  • Rade’s – home prepared vegetarian meals

Hiddingh / Michaelis (Fine Art / Hiddingh Campus)

Faye’s – home prepared meals (halaal)