From late-night food options that keep pace with student schedules to a refreshed Starbucks experience, a brand-new Nest Market, and the highly anticipated arrival of The Landing, exciting changes are transforming how students eat, connect, and spend time on campus.
Whether you're grabbing coffee before class, meeting friends for dinner, or looking for a late-night snack after rehearsal, practice, or studying, we’ve got you covered.
The Landing is Taking Shape
One of the biggest additions to campus this year is The Landing, a $2.8 million indoor/outdoor dining destination currently under construction in the Konover Campus Center. Scheduled to open this October, The Landing is designed to become a central gathering place for students and the heart of residential campus life.
When complete, the space will feature indoor and outdoor seating designed to accommodate nearly 300 students and provide a welcoming environment to eat, study, socialize, and connect. It will also feature a large brick pizza oven, views overlooking the pond, performance opportunities, and an elevated menu lineup worth the wait!
Inside the Menu
Based on student feedback, UHart's dining team spent the spring and summer testing recipes and refining concepts to create the University's own take on Connecticut favorites, from pizza, burgers, and wings to elevated comfort-food classics. Students can look forward to signature items like the Umami Smash Burger, "The Dirty Bird" fried chicken sandwich, and house-brined chicken tenders paired with custom sauces from alumni-owned Hook & Arrow. The restaurant will also feature a bar for guests of age, including a signature beer from alumni-owned Alvarium Beer Company, bringing a distinctly local flavor and UHart pride to every visit.
The opening of The Landing represents much more than a dining renovation. It's part of UHart's investment in creating spaces that bring the community together and make everyday campus experiences even better. While construction continues, students can look forward to seeing the space come to life this fall
Construction Underway
Use Grubhub to order for pick-up or visit the dining team in Commons to order in person (not available for walk-up orders).
Late-Night Dining Has Arrived
This fall introduces expanded late-night dining options, giving students more ways to refuel after evening classes, club meetings, athletic practices, performances, and study sessions.
The University's food trailer, located outside the Commons, serves food daily from 5 p.m. to midnight, featuring favorites such as loaded fries, patty melts, street tacos, burritos, and hibachi-inspired offerings.
Students can also visit Commons After Dark, which stays open until 1 a.m. and features options including burgers, wings, quesadillas, pasta dishes, hot sandwiches, and more.
Orders can be placed through Grubhub for convenient pickup, helping students spend less time waiting and more time enjoying their evening.
Your Starbucks Run Just Got Better
The campus Starbucks is getting a refresh.
The upgraded location will introduce Starbucks Connect, bringing enhanced technology and rewards integration to make ordering and earning rewards easier than ever. According to Dining Services, the renovation is designed to create a more seamless, personalized, and convenient experience for customers.
Students can also look forward to expanded beverage options, including Nitro Cold Brew and additional premium coffee offerings. Whether you're grabbing your morning caffeine fix, meeting classmates between lectures, or settling in for an afternoon study session, the renovated Starbucks aims to deliver a more modern café experience.
An Inside Look at the Renovation Project
Meet the New Nest Market
Need a quick snack between classes? Looking for a grab-and-go lunch before heading to rehearsal or practice?
The newly relocated Nest Market, now located on the lower level of Commons, is designed for convenience and flexibility. Students will find an expanded selection of snacks, refrigerated beverages, fresh food options, and everyday essentials.
One of the coolest additions is the new Botrista automated beverage machine, which creates customizable specialty drinks at the touch of a button. From refreshers to specialty beverages, it's another way UHart is bringing new food and drink experiences to campus.
Finishing Touches on the Nest Market
A New Chapter for Campus Life
Together, The Landing, the renovated Starbucks, expanded late-night dining program, and the new Nest Market represent a major investment in the student experience in partnership with Aramark Dining. These updates aren't just about food. They're about creating places to meet friends, recharge between classes, celebrate campus traditions, and make the most of every moment on campus.
As the fall semester gets underway, students can look forward to new spaces, new flavors, and new ways to connect. And with The Landing set to open later this semester, alongside several other campus improvements including the new Vin Baker Outdoor Athletics and Recreation Complex, it’s an exciting time to be a Hawk!