FOOD & DRINK
Best of Winners from the Daily Illini
Mia Za's and Maize have been named Best of CU in 2025! Check out the great food we have in the Illini Union.
Union Restaurants
Brien's Bistro
Started as a food truck, this locally-owned American cuisine restaurant, serves burgers, fries, sandwiches, and more.
Check out our chef and food selections.
Lower Level
COMING SOON!
Opening in Fall 2025
Moo of I
Locally-owned, Moo of I offers custom ice cream and delights. Start with your base soft-serve ice cream and then add in your flavors and toppings!
Lower Level
Summer Hours
(starting June 9, 2025)
Mon-Fri | Noon-4pm
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
We make eating better easy breezy with fresh, made-to-order smoothies, wraps, sandwiches and flatbreads that instantly boost your mood.
Main Level SW Wing
HOURS
Mon-Thurs | 9am-3pm
Fri | 9am-2pm
Sat-Sun | closed
July 4: CLOSED
July 26-August 10: CLOSED
Just Bee Acai
Family-owned, local flavor
What is Acai? It is a fruit that come directly from açaí palm trees. These small, dark-purple berries pack a nutrient punch with a whole host of antioxidants, amino acids and essential fatty acids.
Main Level SW Wing
HOURS
Will vary for summer, please check social media for weekly hours.
Starbucks at the Union
University-owned - all profits go back to student programs and events. Enjoy a cup of Starbucks Coffee with a convenient location at the Illini Union Courtyard Café!
Have a meeting in the Illini Union? Starbucks can cater your meeting/event. Order online today!
Main Level Courtyard Café
CLOSED for SUMMER
Starbucks at the Union will be CLOSED for renovation, reopening for the start of Fall 2025.
Maize Mexican Grill
Locally-owned with food that is made in-house with the freshest ingredients. All corn tortillas are handmade for each order. We also offer gluten-free options so everyone can enjoy the food we loved growing up.
Lower Level
HOURS
Mon-Fri | 11am-2pm
Thai Fusion
Locally-owned, Thai Fusion offers Thai-Asian cuisine. Their goal is to bring a mixture of flavors to the Champaign-Urbana food scene.
Lower Level
HOURS
Now-July 11:
Mon-Fri | 11am-2pm
Sat-Sun | closed
Mia Za's
Locally-owned offering pizza, pasta, and sandwiches. A campustown favorite for 25 years and voted best Italian restaurant in Champaign-Urbana.
Lower Level
HOURS
CLOSED for Summer
Campus Dining Cafes
Espresso Royale
Locally-owned, locally-sourced, fair-traded coffee and food. With five locations around the campus, we love being a daily part of student life.
Grainger Library:
Mon–Fri | 8:30am-4pm
Sat/Sun | Closed
ORDER ONLINE NOW
BIF:
CLOSED until Aug. 18
ORDER ONLINE NOW
CIF:
May 19-22 | 9am-1pm
May 23-Aug. 18 | CLOSED
ORDER ONLINE NOW
Starbucks - Bookstore
University-owned - all profits go back to student programs and events. Enjoy a cup of Starbucks Coffee with a convenient location at the Illini Union Bookstore.
ORDER ONLINE NOW | Nutrition Information
Hours
Mon-Fri | 8am-5pm
Saturday | 11am-4pm
Sunday | CLOSED
Starbucks - Sidney Lu
University-owned - all profits go back to student programs and events. Enjoy a cup of Starbucks Coffee with a convenient location at the Sidney Lu Mechanical Engineering Building.
ORDER ONLINE NOW | Nutrition Information
Hours
CLOSED for Summer