As the Fall 2025 semester rolls around, the students at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) are returning to a dining scene that looks a little different than previous years.
From the Raft House Grill in the Otter Express to the new Ramen Bar in the Otter Student Union (OSU), as well as a new automated self-checkout in the Sea Stores, campus dining is evolving and growing. Here’s a breakdown of what’s new, what’s different and what students can expect this semester and the upcoming year.
Several locations that were previously on campus have been reimagined into new and improved eateries. The Raft House Grill and Seaside Subs have replaced Create and Wild Pie, respectively.
In the OSU, a new noodle bar has joined the lineup next to Sono, created through a partnership with Wild Blue, the same company that provides sushi on campus. The Ramen Bar adds another international option to campus dining, catering to students looking for warm, customizable noodle bowls.
Beyond new restaurants, dining plans are also changing. For returning students who are familiar with the meal exchange system, updates have been made to the availability of meal options in terms of variety with options for burgers, corn dogs and chicken tenders at Burger 831.
Sono is returning with their burritos and bowls, as well as a meal exchange option for tacos. One of the new locations on campus, Raft House Grill, also features some of their menu items available for meal exchanges, which include several bowl options such as a chicken teriyaki bowl, Huli Huli Hawaiian bowl and a few others.
For those who frequent the Sea Store, a new self-checkout station has been added, allowing students to scan and pay for items themselves. This aims to reduce wait times during busy hours and streamline the shopping process for grab-and-go snacks, drinks and essential items – which is the main focus of the Sea Store.
With these updates, CSUMB dining on campus is moving forward with a goal of more variety and faster services. After gaining student feedback in previous years, CSUMB has seen many changes to the campus-wide dining experience.
More updates are expected later in the academic year, including expanded menu options. Dining Services has also hinted at a new location where Monte’s Oasis used to be in the University Center building.
The dining services have undergone changes over the summer, aiming to better serve the experience of students on campus. By expanding options, extending hours and implementing new locations, food has become more accessible to those on campus. Many students have asked for more variety. The hope is student feedback will continue to be taken into consideration.