Cather Dining Center

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 530 N 17th St, Lincoln, NE 68588, United States
+1 402-472-1037
$$$ Cafeteria
(80 Reviews)

Welcome to Cather Dining Center, a bustling cafeteria located at the heart of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This dining haven is not just a place to grab a meal, but an integral part of campus life, offering a variety of culinary choices to satisfy diverse tastes and dietary needs.

As you step into Cather Dining Center, you'll be greeted by an inviting atmosphere that echoes the lively spirit of student life. The cafeteria is designed for both quick bites and leisurely meals, with ample seating that encourages socializing and relaxation. Whether you're running between classes or enjoying a laid-back weekend breakfast, this space is tailored to fit your dining experience.

The menu features a medley of options perfect for various dietary restrictions, from hearty vegetarian dishes to savory meat selections. Reviewers have pointed out the cafeteria's decent breakfast offerings on weekends; dishes like fluffy pancakes and freshly made omelets draw rave reviews, making it a favorite spot to kickstart your day. Customer Noah Johnson highlights the extensive vegetarian options, ensuring that diners with different dietary needs feel right at home.

Although the dinner selections can be a mixed bag—some days yielding meals that are just slightly above average—there’s always something fresh for diners. Ashish Masih conveys the cafeteria's commitment to serving fresh food, often free from artificial ingredients like preservatives, which is an appealing aspect for health-conscious students.

While some might prefer the burgers at Abel or the variety found at Selleck, Cather maintains its charm with comfort food classics. Customer 'Rob' appreciated most offerings, though he had a slight hiccup with the garlic bread sticks, calling them “hard and crunchy.” But he certainly found solace in the delightful chocolate milk, which has become a highlight for many visiting students.

Cather Dining Center might have its hits and misses, as any cafeteria does, but its unique offerings and commitment to freshness create a culinary experience that is both practical and enjoyable for students and staff alike. It’s a place that not only fuels your body but also nourishes community connections, making every meal more than just a moment to refuel.

So the next time you find yourself on campus, consider stopping by Cather Dining Center. Whether it’s for a weekend brunch or a quick weeknight dinner, this dining center promises to offer a comforting slice of campus life alongside delicious, varied meals that cater to all.

Service options
Dine-in
Delivery
Accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Payments
Credit cards
Openings Hours

Monday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Tuesday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Wednesday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Thursday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Friday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Saturday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

Sunday

06:45 AM - 09:00 AM

,

11:00 AM - 01:00 PM

04:30 PM - 07:00 PM

80 Reviews
Ben Rockefeller

27 Aug 2025

On Saturdays and Sundays, their breakfast options are pretty good. On weekdays, their dinner options vary between mediocre and slightly above average, however there are typically better options at either Abel or Selleck, which are both close enough that many people choose them over Cather. Personally, I prefer Abel's burgers over Cather's due to the greater variety of options available for toppings, and they are cooked/heated up right in front of the diner, while Cather just lays out trays of ingredients. I can't say anything about Cather's breakfast on weekdays, although my roommate seems to like them, and not much about their dinner on weekends. (I should acknowledge though that I do carry a degree of bias towards Abel and Selleck, as those are where I eat most often.)

Noah Johnson

23 Jul 2025

Good selection of food with plenty of options of vegetarians or other diet restrictions. If you're not on a UNL meal plan however, this will be quite expensive compared to take-out options around town.

Andi

05 Jul 2025

Definitely cafeteria quality of food, but not bad by any means.

Ashish Masih

30 May 2025

Lots of options, fresh food & probably no artificial ingredients e.g. preservatives.

Rob

26 May 2025

Everything was good except the garlic bread sticks. Was hard and crunchy. Best part was the chocolate milk on the drink side

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