A vegan student’s guide to eating well on campus

My name is Nicole, and I’m a second-year Biomedical Science student at the University of Bath. I transitioned to a vegan diet at the age of 10, after learning where the food on my plate came from. That early awareness sparked a growing passion for plant-based nutrition, which I’ve shared with family and friends, even inspiring my mum to become vegetarian. As someone deeply committed to eating sustainably and ethically, I was excited to explore the vegan options available across campus.

Nourish

I was genuinely impressed by the variety of vegan options on the Nourish menu. From the comforting sweet potato curry to the vibrant tofu poke bowl, each dish felt thoughtfully put together. The portion sizes were generous (always appreciated) and my friends and I left feeling, as it says on the tin, well nourished.

There’s also an aubergine poke bowl (£3.95) on offer but for tofu lovers like me, the tofu bowl is the clear winner. It had a mix of textures from the crunchy carrot and cabbage to the soft beetroot with a big scoop of smooth avocado. I’ll go as far as saying it’s the best tofu bowl I’ve had eating out. The rice to topping ratio was spot on and the flavours were fresh and balanced.

If you’re after something sweet that still feels wholesome, I’d highly recommend the Cherry Poppins smoothie and the maple pecan slice. Both are indulgent in the best way, satisfying without being heavy and perfect for rounding off a nourishing meal.

Fountain Canteen

For all the tofu lovers, don’t worry, there are more options! Fountain has a tofu rice bowl that looked tempting, though I skipped it as I wasn’t sure how spicy it might be (and I’m not great with spice!). There are also noodle-based versions, plus tofu ramen and a vegetarian egg and mushroom ramen. My friend is a big fan of their vegetarian burrito bowls too, so there’s no shortage of tasty, plant-based options across the menu.

Lime tree

Lime tree is best known for its pizza and pasta, so I wasn’t expecting many vegan options. I did find a couple of options, the salad bar looked promising, and at the coffee and snack counter, I spotted two vegan treats: a chocolate banana bread and a dark chocolate brownie.

I went for the banana bread (£2.95) and took it home to pair it with soy yoghurt and berries for breakfast, a combo I’d recommend. It’s filling, balanced, and a great way to start the day!

4 West

I dropped by 4 West and found a few solid vegan-friendly options. In the meal deal section, there’s a wrap and a sweet potato falafel salad, both great for a quick, balanced lunch. I also spotted an Onion Bhaji, Spinach and Mango Chutney panini (£4.25) that could work as a hot option, plus some tasty-looking smoothies to boost your plant points for the week.

I was pleasantly surprised by the range of plant-based meals on offer, far beyond the usual falafel and hummus. High-protein options like the Sticky Soy Tofu Poké Bowl from Nourish really stood out, with generous portions and fresh, balanced flavours. Nourish is my top pick, I loved their smoothies and tofu bowl, and it’s a great place to sit down with friends who follow varied diets. Fountain also deserves a mention, with multiple food bars, it offers even more vegetarian and vegan options. Definitely worth a visit to see what flavours take your fancy.

There’s already a good mix of vegan meals on campus, but there’s real potential to take it further. Imagine if certain days of the week offered plant-based meals at reduced prices, it could nudge more students to try vegan options while supporting the university’s Net Zero goals. Transitioning to fully plant-based menus could be the next bold step, aligning campus food with climate goals.

More information on the food and drink outlets at the University of Bath.