As one prepares to embark on an exciting journey at BITS Pilani, an aspect that will undoubtedly pique their interest is the campus’s broad choice of eateries. From cosy hangouts to quick snacks between classes, the campus offers a diverse assortment of options to suit all tastes. This all-inclusive guide aims to introduce the iconic eateries that awaits one at BITS Pilani.

Mess

The functioning of the messes is overseen by the Society for Student Mess Services (SSMS), an elected student-run body. The messes provide three square meals a day. Breakfast consists of tea, milk, coffee, bread, jam, eggs, and cornflakes, along with a rotating special item. Lunch and dinner typically include chapatis, rice, and dals, with some variety of curries and vegetables. Items like chole bhature, pav bhaji, and pasta also find a consistent place on the menu. Most meals are accompanied by raitas, lassis, salads, or desserts. Every mess also contains a small counter called as “Pit Stop”, where one can buy packaged foods such as chips, biscuits, and soft drinks. Moreover, this serves as the go-to place to buy mess extras such as eggs, chicken, and milk. While the mess manages to provide high-quality nutritious meals to the students, eventual boredom from the rotating menu necessitates the existence of the following eateries.

ANC

ANC is undoubtedly the most popular and bustling eatery on campus. An abbreviation for “All Night Canteen,” it may no longer live up to its name since it is only open until 2 AM. In the past, ANC was known to stay open until 6 AM, albeit with a limited menu. Today, ANC offers an extensive selection of delicacies. For the non-vegetarians, tangdi chicken, tandoori chicken, and chicken sandwiches are a few of their specialties one can experience. ANC offers many vegetarian options too, such as paneer tikka, dosas, chole bhature, pav bhaji, and much more.

ToTT and Mr Idli

Both situated in the same building, Talk of The Town (ToTT) and Mr Idli present a unique dining experience. In contrast to open-air restaurants, ToTT’s indoor dining makes for a relaxed ambience with warm lights and comfortable chairs. It specialises in non-vegetarian fare, offering mouthwatering chicken rolls and a variety of chicken curries. They also have an assortment of vegetarian options. South Indian vegetarian specialities like dosas and uthappams are served at Mr Idli.

-301°F

In a quiet corner of ToTT is -301°F, a dessert shop selling a multitude of delicious ice creams, pastries, and cakes. Their unique ice-cream flavours and the molten choco-truffle pastry are a crowd favourite. In addition, -301°F lets you order special occasion cakes, so one may throw a memorable party for their friends’ birthdays.

Looters

Looters was established in 2017 at the suggestion of the then-director, who wanted a ‘food truck’ style outlet on campus. Initially set up to compete with existing eateries such as ANC, Looters has since vastly diversified its menu with burgers, wraps, fries, pizzas, and Chinese dishes. It also serves multiple soft drinks to ensure a complete fast-food experience.

Connaught

There are several restaurants to choose from in the lively street of Connaught. The Mid-Night Beauty (MNB) is an ice-cream milkshake with unique flavours that can only be found in Connaught. Sharma’s has some of the best MNBs on campus and serves pure vegetarian food. Al Cafe Coffee D’lite and Volgas serve coffee, garlic bread, and other tasty snacks in a relaxing café. Additionally, Cafe D’lite delivers coffee on campus in beautifully packaged bottles, although at expensive rates. Da Cafe Crunch provides a fast-food experience with its extensive menu of burgers and pizzas. Kamals provides a more traditional restaurant experience with various vegetarian and non-vegetarian menu items served on real plates and utensils. Greenfields serves some tasty non-vegetarian dishes directly across the street from Kamals. Annapurna restaurant serves a palate of vegetarian options and sells various cakes and desserts. Nobles offers a selection of cakes and pastries, as well as popular dishes like chicken hot-pot rice. Gullu’s, a recently opened restaurant, is the only place in Connaught to have premium enclosed seating, paving way for a comfortable dining experience. 

Food Ministry 

Food Ministry serves a wide assortment of Chinese dishes, pastas, pizzas, and sandwiches. It also possesses a Nescafe coffee vending machine, not found in most other eateries. Situated in front of the LTC and library, FM is a go-to outlet to visit post-lecture hours or study sessions at the library. Further, its proximity to SR Bhawan makes it a popular choice for its first-year residents.

Institute Cafeteria (IC)

The Institute Cafeteria (IC) is the only eatery run by the Institute, located behind the Main Auditorium. While most other eateries operate at night, the IC functions during institute hours (Monday through Saturday, 9 AM to 6 PM). It serves scrumptious samosas, dosas, parathas, and rajma-chawal at economical rates, although at the cost of longer waiting times. It is a popular hangout for freshmen because of its proximity to the labs and SR Bhawan. 

Sky Lab

Sky Lab is one of the oldest eateries and is beloved equally by students and alumni. It is the only campus eatery that provides a wide variety of egg-based dishes, and also serves sandwiches and patties. Its stuffed pizza sandwiches and unique milkshake flavours like choco or banana chocolate are popular among students. Like the IC, Sky is open during the day till 6 PM, as well as on Sundays.

Da Cloud Cafe

A joint effort by Da Cafe Crunch in Connaught and SSMS, Da Cloud Cafe is the newest addition to the long list of campus eateries, serving delicious sandwiches, pizzas, and pastries. DCC has two locations, each located at the backsides of the Krishna-Gandhi and Ram-Budh messes.

Redi(s)

The campus also offers quick and low-priced snacks through eateries called Redis, which can be found in the vicinity of each hostel on campus. A comprehensive Redi review for the same can be found here. On the contrary, keep on reading for a brief and lyrical review. 

Amidst Pilani’s lively retreat,
A world of savouries, oh so sweet
We lead you on a lyrical quest,
In a world where flavours manifest.

At RP Redi, a morning delight,
Poha served to start your day right.
Behold, Bhag Redi’s sweet embrace,
Sugarcane juice, a sip of grace.

At Ashok Redi, a feast for the mind,

With momos steaming hot, a treat we find,
Chole kulche and lassi, a perfect pair,
Fruits in abundance, a rainbow of flair

Oh, how Krishna Redi’s fried Maggi does tempt,
And Gandhi Redi can never be exempt.
Ram Redi’s frankies and sandwiches amaze,
Lemon soda to quench thy thirst, a craze stays.

Come hither, my dear friend, to Mal Redi’s door,
Where stuffed kulcha entices and implores.
Meera Redi, a haven meant for girls with care,
Aloo Paratha and chai, tastes beyond compare.

CVR Redi’s Maggi, a culinary delight so grand,
With varieties aplenty, never a bland strand.
Oh, the sweetness of Rabdi Rasgulla, so divine
The savoury tang of Kachori, a taste sublime

At Gulabji’s Redi, sweetness takes flight,
Rabdi delights, a pleasure to ignite.
Budh Redi, where the owner’s tongue doth flow,
A chatterbox, whose words drift to and fro.

At Shankar Redi, where the sun meets sky,
Samosas and mosambi juice, oh my!
How the Paradise Cafe does entice,
With crisp fries and burgers that suffice.

Amidst shady streets, lies Nagarji’s cart,
Where Nagarji will surely steal your heart.
His warmth and love will leave you in awe,
while you relish with a joyful draw.

Oh, ye freshmen, embark on this culinary quest,
Unleash your senses, let flavours collide with zest.
Amidst these vibrant spaces, a culinary haven unfurls,
Recollections sweet and savoury, tales to be forever told.