Hidden Gems on UCT Upper Campus

There are some days when braving the throngs of people that descend upon the Jammie Plaza during meridian is just too much for me to handle. There are also some mornings, when I’ve been listening to a peaceful song on the bus, and I am not quite ready to face the crowds – yet. If you, like me, have been searching for those spots on campus where you can sneak away to – to escape the noise for a bit, or for a quiet bite of lunch – this article is for you. Here are my top spots for finding a still moment among the hustle and bustle of campus life.

Sunrises behind AC Jordan

Image by Stella Hertantyo 

The grass covered passage behind AC Jordan, that overlooks Fuller Hall, is one of my favorite spots to escape to before my morning lectures. Aside from the fact that there is rarely another soul in sight (making it the perfect spot for some morning mindfulness and organising your brain before the day starts), this leafy hideaway catches the light perfectly at sunrise – and there are often a few birds chirping to add to the mood. More often than not, there is some misplaced chair that is just inviting you to have a seat on for a few minutes. Starting your day on a good note is much easier when you’ve spent a few minutes slowing down and listening to the birds sing!

Lunch specials at the Baxter

When it comes to lunch time, the lunch special at Maharajah’s in the Baxter Theatre Centre is the best kept secret. If you have a slightly longer lunch break, taking a quick Jammie down to Tugwell is well worth the extra effort, because the reward is a plate packed full of a selection of vegetarian curries, accompanied with rice and a samoosa – all for R45! The delicious and authentic food, as well as the quiet halls of the Baxter Theatre Centre, make this hidden restaurant a must try, if you are not in the mood for the pigeons and crowds of the cafeteria.

The hidden garden

Image by Stella Hertantyo

This hidden garden is easy to miss, but once you discover it, it will become one of your go-to hideaways. If you are strolling along Residence Road, right next to Fuller Hall, you will notice a gap in the wall that leads to a small stone pathway. Venture down this pathway, and you will find yourself in a little park-like space, that is the hidden UCT garden. This little oasis is covered in trees, with plenty shade, which makes it the perfect place to escape to on a sweltering Summer’s day. Grab a book, or a sandwich, take a seat under a tree, and you may just forget that you are on campus at all!

Food & Connect in the Architecture building

There are Food & Connect outlets scattered all across campus, but if you brave them during meridian, you will invariably find yourself caught in a queue that lasts the ages. This is, until you discover the Food & Connect in the Centlivres Architecture Building. It does not have as large a variety of food and drink options as some of the other Food & Connects, but if you are in search of a coffee, sandwich, and a quiet table – this is the place for you.

Quiet tables at West Stop

Image by Stella Hertantyo

If you are willing to take a stroll a little further afield than your usual stomping ground, you will be rewarded with these lovely wooden tables, just below West Stop, and on the left of the Environmental and Geographical Science Building. Surrounded by trees, and an indigenous garden, it is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet lunch. You can barely even hear the hum of plaza mania, but this secluded spot still boasts a stunning aerial view of the campus and the horizon beyond.