Outdoor community mall with lots of variety! Shops, great local restaurants, a small target, theater, banks.. what else do you need?

I don't visit the University Center often but have been coming here for over 25 years. My favorite sandwich place is Le Diplomate that makes it the same way since 25 years ago. Of course, I must give a shout-out to In-N-Out who is always busy but fed my former classmates and I in the middle of the night on our way back from an LA poetry reading; if you're bold, do a half-and-half of 7-Up and Dr. Pepper...might change your life. Gosh, I remember the movie theater showing some new rare, indie films that all the UCI students were buzzing about. The parking lot is for customers only. No student parking. The parking spaces are tight. If you want to avoid not being able to get into your car because someone parked an inch from your door, then park further away; happens more than you think. Very clean shopping area and parking lot. Accessible bridge to get back to the UCI campus, if you're a student. Variety is good: mix selection of restaurants, desserts, school supplies, movie theater, and tons of outdoor tables. Most of the places are reasonably priced. Try to avoid during lunch rush; parking is crazy impossible. read more

Lots of quick bite type restaurants, Target, Trader Joe's available at this UTC. Parking can be tight especially on weekends. Nicely kept grounds with tables and seats to enjoy the meals. Public bathrooms also available without locks and mostly clean. It's tucked in the spider web like road structures within the UCI system. Convenient to those who live on or right off campus such as employees with residence. Unless you live in the vicinity, it's best to dine out and shop elsewhere. Not somewhere a non UCI affiliate has much business with such as myself. read more

University Center - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

A really cool food area for UCI students. We usually take our pug here for an evening stroll and also grab a quick bite to eat on our way out. They have great offerings such as Eureka, Mendocino Farms, Yogurtland, Cha for Tea, Tenori, Kare, and the list goes on. Not to mention a small Target, Trader Joe's, and Regal theater attached to the center. Today, we attended the annual Zot Night Out event hosted at University Center by The Irvine Company. Loved the different booths of various samples of food, drinks, raffles, and activities for all ages. Really fun event. We can't wait to attend next year again. Best part is, it was free! read more

University Center - Zot Night Out - samples from Tender Greens - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

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This place has an amazing selection of food and drink options. Today, I visited this convenient little commercial center on the UCI campus, and it offers a variety of food restaurants and fast food choices. You'll also find groceries at both Target and Trader Joe's, plus more options if you check the website. Though UCI is nearby, parking is designated for the shopping center, with security patrols around the area. If you're heading to UCI, it's better to park there or on nearby streets. The atmosphere here is lively, and the food options are great, with many healthy and powerful choices. There's also a FedEx, bathrooms, and little spots where you can stop to study, read, or eat outside. It's a great spot for both shopping and enjoying food. After eating, you can take a nice walk around the beautiful center or even walk to the UCI campus, just a bridge away. It's filled with shops and restaurants catering to university students, and there's always a lot of young energy around. The place is clean, calm, and secure, with regular patrols around the premises. It's a perfect place to relax after enjoying your meal or to simply stroll around. read more

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I enjoy coming here for snacks, meals, or drinks. They have a wide selection of restaurants, snack shops, and stores. My favorite restaurants here are Breakfast Republic, Taco Bell, and In Out. The shopping center also has a Target store and a modern movie theater. It's also a nice place to walk around and get fresh air. read more

Likes: + Variety of shops and eateries for your local college student. Definitely a fun place to hang out with friends. + UTC also has a few fitness studios (cycling and pilates) to help you stay in shape or destress in between studies. + I also like that this plaza has whole Amazon pickup/returns station. Helps me with shipping needs that can't be met at the local post office. . Huge but often very crowded parking lot. I often have to park far and walk far. read more

This is a neighboring shopping and food destination for UCI students and those that are just visiting. For me, it was a visit to check out the Tenori onigri shop (recommended if you want to get a tasty snack). This shopping center has a bunch of stores, including Miniso, boba/drink shops, a Trader Joe's and a smaller Target store. There is an outdoor seating area if you just want to take a break or hang out there. Restrooms are clean and most of the people there look like college students and maybe some locals. The parking lot can get packed here, with limited time parking spaces for up to 2 hours. You may have to circle around to get a spot. Other than that, pretty chill shopping center. read more

I came here for a Yelp event at Tenori. I had no idea there were so many places to eat here. I see In N Out from the road and a Target. They have many eateries of various cuisines. I love Asian food and found several places I want to try. There's lots of outdoor seating, and restrooms available. Each restaurant has indoor seating too. Parking was no problem. There seems to be plenty. I also see security there. I need to come back and try their yummy food options. read more

Great venue for a relaxing afternoon meal and drink, with a cool breeze, blue skies, and feeling of great minds and knowledge all around. Nestled in the middle of the University of California at Irvine it is pleasant and refreshing! The restaurant selection is based on numerous fast food options, but extremely diverse with regards to cuisine, and Asian foods. Totally enjoyable! read more

University Center - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

Service was nice. Pretty clean and chill place to hang out and chill. Pretty cool place

BEWARE OF EXITING on the Mendocino side of this shopping center! Policeman gave out ticket, after ticket, after ticket, when I finally found a way out & took a left!, two signs say no left. I get it, apparently I broke the law because of the two signs, paid my $246 along with traffic school! PLEASE. Does the Irvine Police Department not have any other ways to make money other than have a cop sit there and ticket every single car that tries to exit this parking maze! What a joke I'm never shopping there again ever! read more

The Irvine Company does do a great job with commercial spaces. It's beautiful and has an eclectic selection of excellent shops. Then there are the restaurants, Amazon, FedEx, Trader Joe's, US Post Office and Target. It meets all the needs of a small city! Incredible advantage for UC Irvine students and staff! Yes, unfortunately store fronts change over more often than we'd prefer because the Irvine Company loves to raise rent but we continually discover new places to fall in love with. It's definitely "one stop shopping!" read more

University Center - Gorgeous fountain! - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

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Very nice place to relax and just chill with friends and family- Lots of place to have desserts or to eat. Even to shop at Target and Trader Joe's in the area. Many varieties places to eat from Pizza, Poke, Sandwiches sushi. There is also Miniso to shop cute merch. read more

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A nice and compact mall with a decent number of retail stores and dining options. Among the stores are a Target, Trader Joes, and In-N-Out. Parking is plentiful and the shopping experience is pleasant. Great location close to UC Irvine and businesses close to the John Wayne Airport. read more

I dislike this shopping center. It's congested and a zoo. Too much traffic of every kind. Whether you're a driver or a pedestrian, it's pretty dangerous to get around all the same. There needs to be some sort of traffic management. I came here today for only 1 reason, and I'll be leaving ASAP! read more

Super clean, lots of food and drinks options, plenty of outdoor seating as well. Went to UCI from 2002-2006 and love how many places have been added to this location. Eureka is always great, cha for tea always amazing, and can't go wrong with some mochinut or Mendocino Farms. read more

In my opinion needs a better layout of parking layout and even more food variety choices. You tend to find your "favorite" restaurants here and then go so often because it's the only place near work and don't end up liking after a while. If they had more options I don't think would be a problem. Because a hassle during prime hours (lunchtime) this place often gets overlooked as a choice to go to due to parking alone. read more

This place is real good when you need to have different food options. There's tons of restaurants to eat from, fast food and drinks and some sit-down restaurants. There's even a smaller Target version and a Trader Joe's here which is very convenient for the students I'm sure. A nice place to hang out with your group of friends or just to meet for a quick bite or a drink. read more

Fun place to hangout and relax with friends and family. You can get food tea coffee watch a move do your banking shopping grocery target Amazon drop off pickup everything you need is here. read more

This is a nice shopping center near UC Irvine. It offers an array of stores and eateries. The place is kept clean, and there is security and campus police who walk the premises consistently. The is abundant parking found opposite of the bridge that connects this plaza to the university campus. I wouldn't park here and take off elsewhere, however. Don't get a parking ticket. We came here in the evening time, so most businesses were closed, save for the food spots and Peet's Coffee. This place is nice and convenient, I would recommend coming here. read more

University Center - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

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The Amazon hub locker is so convenient! The staff is friendly and helpful. It makes returns an absolute breeze!

What a great spot near a college campus. There are good options for boutique shopping, TJs and Tarjay! My colleague and I were both commenting on how we didn't have as nice places to eat or shop at while we were in college. read more

University Center - Quick lunch stop. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

Seems to be infested with large rats. Probably as clean as it could be. People we screaming and running away. Hopefully somebody inthe OC health department will get involved. read more

University Center - Giant Rats, there were numerous running around last night. - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

Beautiful center to take a walk after enjoying your dinner at this center. There are many restaurants and shop in this place. You can also walk to UCI campus just a bridge away. We used to come here all the time when our daughter attended this school and graduated in 2016. They now have some new businesses opened at this place. Even a new Target store just recently opened . read more

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If you're not a student or have a car, *stay away.* The lot gets busy and the drivers in this lot seem all over the place. After my accident, I waited for 2 hours and saw how careless ppl were driving even when it was pouring Also, the security company they hire does a poor job. Their cameras aren't even turned on in the parking lot so you're screwed if anything happens lmfao They sent me on a wild goose chase, as well as the police investigator I forwarded to them per *their own* request I only gave them 2 stars bc it's convenient if you're a student w no car read more

University Town Center has food selection for almost every taste imaginable. Why almost? Because it misses the Asian cuisine (no Chinese or Japanese selections). The retail stores are great now that Target is open and there is a Trader Joe's available during the current construction going on around it. There are actually 2 Centers. I will call one the Target/TraderJoe's Square, while the other is the Albertsons Square. Target/TraderJoe's are between Stanford & Bridge on Campus, while Albertsons is located on California & Campus. Both are made for students and locals to enjoy. read more

Center always well maintained and kept clean even with the adjacent college. Many great choices for food and options to cater to everyone.

I'm here quite often for that Cha for Tea and for my little brother's after school activities. The plaza has grown a lot in the 10 or so years I've been coming. I come here mostly for the food options. They have a lot of different restaurants and small stores that have definitely improved. Lots of businesses and I can't wait for the target to open. They also have a movie theater that plays a lot of indie films. They have blessed us with Free wifi!!! The only downside to the plaza is parking. There is not enough spaces for the amount of people that frequent the plaza during peak hours (meal time and afternoons). They are on the hunt for UCI students who park here and walk over to campus. read more

This is a popular lunch spot. There's a ton of great food options here: Slapfish, Chipotle, In and Out, Yogurtland, Le Diplomat. They have a diverse selection of food ranging from lobster rolls to yogurt to Japanese to shave ice. You're bound to find something to eat. There's outdoor tables which is cool for meetings or taking a break. They even have a Trader Joes here. I wish we had eating options like this on our college campus (University of Hawaiiat Manoa). One drawback is parking. Parking can be challenging at prime times like on the weekends and at lunch time. read more

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University Center is a popular lunch spot in the heart of Irvine. Likes: Diverse selections of cheap yummy food. Convenient location next to UCI and near many Irvine businesses. Dislikes: Crowded parking and unsafe drivers. Please come before 11:30 to avoid long wait. read more

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Would give 0 stars if I can. The parking here is horrible! Why would they put 4 hour parking on one row and the rest 45 minute parking in front of Target, Trader Joe's, and a cinema? Irvine Company, instead of poorly constructing the parking lot and have security give tickets out every 5 minutes just so they can get their quota for the day, why not do a 45 minute parking where the eatery's at (on the other side), or take the 45 minute parking away. It's pretty useless read more

Huge improvement over what it was years ago - sadly, Lee's Sandwiches is gone... I didn't care much for their food - but their iced coffee was awesome for Finals week...and their massive seating area was great considering the amount of students in the area. The issue I have with UTC is that sometimes there are serious parking beasts roaming the area (I had another word in mine, but it's less friendly). They literally watch you walk from your car to whichever restaurant you're going to. Yes, I get that there are students that will park here in the lot and cross the road over to UCI - taking up valuable parking space that's otherwise for the use of the center's customers - but you don't want to watch everyone like a hawk and potentially leave center customers a bad taste. After I left In n out, I spotted the parking beast lady and waved my receipt at her wildly. Just returning her psycho hawk gesture/demeanor. read more

I've been coming by here on occasion for years. The mall is very up and down and the vendors change. There is nothing really anchoring it, except for Trader Joe's. They do, however, have a Veggie Grill here and the Farmer's Market on Saturdays. They also have a Lees, an In 'N Out, and Steelhead Brewery. Very geared towards a College crowd. Some good restaurants, but overall, just OK. Nice little courtyard, though. read more

Great place where spend your free time. A lot of options available and they have an Social Media machine (restrooms corridor), so you can print your photos easily from your phone, Instagram, etc. read more

University Center - Photo ATM! - Shopping Centers Near Me - Irvine, California

I love this plaza. It's near my work and this place just has so much stores to offer. They have a Trader Joes, Independent Movie Theater, Gastropubs, Yogurts & Ice Cream Sandwiches, Foods like: Korean, Japanese, Sandwiches, Mediterranean, Lobster Rolls, Pizza, Shaved Ice and so much more. They also have a Tea House, Candy Shop , Dance Studio and etc. If you have indecisive friends who can't decide on what they want to eat. Take them here and then we can all go our seprate ways and meet back up and eat together in the many tables outside. Love this place! read more

University Center is very obviously well kept and makes a great couples spot, date night, college hang out, or a place to relax and grab a few drinks! The site is huge for a shopping center, keeping up with Irvine's grandiose feeling and competitor, Irvine Spectrum. You can literally get lost amongst the buildings and closed canopy of the towers above you, which may be a good or bad thing depending on how much time you dedicate to exploring. University Center hosts tons of cool, new and old establishments consisting a lot of local chains giving it a wide variety of appeal for all foodies! No matter what your taste you can find something here. The outdoor seating is lovely, keeping the occasion and gives a sense of a very well lit, secure area. At the time I wen there was construction which brings its appeal down slightly due to the inconvenience of walking through some of its narrow pathways. The restrooms were very clean, open to the public. Overall this place is worth stopping by! read more

The UTC has definitely stepped its game up since I was a freshman here at UCI. Going into my Senior Year as an 'Eater, I have been a frequent visitor to this plaza and while I do miss Lee's Sandwiches for the cheap but filling banh mis and Vietnamese coffee...I can't complain about all the options within walking distance from the campus. Yes, parking IS a struggle during peak hours and you're going to have to be vulture and circle around to find a spot, but this just doesn't surprise me. There's so many lunch options and you're near 1) a university and other public schools in close proximity to the UTC and 2) so many businesses, so many. Also, park at your own risk if you're trying to be all sneaky sneaky and you're a UCI student that doesn't have a parking permit best of luck to you. There's also valet now here too...which I think is pointless but I mean whatever floats your boat. There's also plenty of seating available. Chairs and tables as well as on the edges around the trees and benches. It can get packed and hard to find a seat sometimes too, but that's with any place. Also, not sure if they turn them on still but near the bridge leading to the UCI Campus there's these bougie lights on the ground. Interesting, cool, but also in my opinion - unnecessary. OKAY. But in terms of choices! The UTC has got you covered. Yeah, you might have to wait a little while cause this is a big lunch spot for business folk and students alike, but patience is a virtue! There's pizza options, ramen, milk tea places, Korean barbecue, Japanese, froyo, healthy cafeteria style foods, etc. There's bound to be something here for you to munch on! read more

This shopping center is a two minute walk from my house and it's expanded a lot since I've since moved here! There's a miniso, sanrio, Trader Joe's, three boba shops, a target, blaze pizza, tender greens, chick fil a, in n out, USPS, an açaí bowl place, a movie theater, and a bunch of other restaurants for all your needs! It gets pretty crowded at night during the school year because of all the students nearby, but it's super fun to walk and check out. I love this place. I come here nearly everyday!! read more

Parking is the biggest complaint. Just keep your eyes super open and read every sign--some parking spots are for 40 minutes, others for 4 hours. Great variety of shops, predominantly food places. The Target located here is a smaller one, which is fine, but I would avoid if you don't live nearby--it's raided by the UCI students, so store is messy and lots of missing essentials. read more