Best of 2026 | The Daily Nexus

Opinion

Best of 2026

May 28, 2026 at 3:30 pm by Daily Nexus Editorial Board

Michelle Wu and Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

Best study spot: Library

By Malia Guy, Asst. Data Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

You just got out of class and now have to prepare for that upcoming test. You don’t want to go all the way back to your room, so why not stop at the library.

The Davidson Library is the only library we have on campus. However, with its eight floors it can facilitate the mood anyone is in.

If you need to focus by yourself and have minimal noise, floors five through eight will serve you best. If you need to do some last-minute studying with friends to double check material, then floors one through four will work best for you.

If you’re lucky, you can sit on the comfortable red seats on the second floor to really hunker down and study for a long time. If you need to get out as quickly as possible, the seats on the fourth floor will help motivate you to finish your studying since they look comfortable, but really are not.

The versatility of the sounds, seats and views makes the library one of the best places to study on campus. It’s a classic study spot for a reason.

Nexus file photo

Best debrief spot: Davidson Library

By Madeline Bryce, Asst. Nexustentialism Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

The library — an essential pillar of democracy and the door to the free world. Where would society be without libraries, and all their opportunities for debriefs?

Davidson Library at UC Santa Barbara offers a unique atmosphere: the frenetic energy of last-minute studying and intense essay writing is palpable, which somehow only makes the desire to spill secrets more powerful.

The library fosters a mutualistic relationship between debriefers and studiers: students wearing headphones, hunched over their computers, give the illusion of privacy to coax embarrassing stories out of the debriefer, while studiers get a respite from studying with a bit of entertainment.

With all the wisdom contained in the library books, where best to get advice on how to erase your drunken behavior from the memories of anyone who crossed your path the night before? Sure, some people might get irritated by the talking, but as long as you aren’t on a quiet floor, what can they really do?

This is a place for study, and the art of the debrief is a skill everyone should learn.

Nexus file photo

Best Lecture Hall: ILP

By Shengyu Zhang, Photo Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

Spacious, modern, the diamond in a sea of buildings seemingly straight from the 20th century, the Interactive Learning Pavilion (ILP) continues its reign as the best lecture hall at UCSB.

Readily accessible from nearly all corners of the campus (sorry Santa Catalina!), the ILP appears as an open book when approached, its pages and cover formed by flowing brick walls and large metallic panels respectively.

The large lecture rooms feature bright lighting, spacious design and electrical outlets under concentrically-placed tables that can fit both a laptop, a notebook and then some. The classrooms on the top two floors feature large window panels, clean whiteboards and reasonably comfortable seating. The same floors feature study rooms, allowing students to doomscroll Instagram until the very last minute before lecture.

Outside of lectures, the ILP is rightfully a favorite for bands, photographers and students alike. Its futuristic design and magnificent lights in the dark allows UCSB students to find solace that their campus has reasonably okay-ish architecture overall — all thanks to the ILP.

Nexus Best of 2026: Best restroom: ILP

Azucena Sanchez, La Vista Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

With the privacy given — full covered doors from top to bottom — the Interactive Learning Pavilion (ILP) restrooms are the best place to take a dump in peace. That, and the noise from the outside hides the noise from the inside, so you can release all that you want without fear.

Plus, the fact that restrooms are available in all three floors is perfect for when an emergency occurs, since you won’t have to exit the building to go to another building or go down from floor to floor to find a restroom.

Though, I will say, the amount of people I have witnessed exit without washing their hands is too much to count and, quite frankly, scary. So while you will receive full-blown privacy, you will also witness the truth behind human nature.

Anyways, remember to wash your hands for at least 30 seconds with water and soap, and enjoy the peaceful release of your digestive system working with the sounds of nature just outside your door!

Best Caffeine Top up: CAJÉ Coffee Roasters

By Wynne Bendell, Lead News Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

The coffee shop you choose to spend nearly $7 for an iced latte for is nothing short of an intimate relationship. You know exactly what flavor to add, which seat is best and you don’t have to look at the menu to know what you want. So when you leave home for college, finding that new go-to cafe can feel like a daunting task. However, living in I.V. makes that experience so much easier once you notice the small, brightly colored building known as CAJÉ Coffee Roasters.

Whether you are preparing for a day of studying or your headache is killing you because of your decisions the night before, a good cup of coffee is essential to survive as a college student, and no place is better for that than CAJÉ. While I am the most basic person in the world and order an iced vanilla latte I drink in delight, CAJÉ can fill everyone’s caffeine craving.

It’s no surprise that year after year CAJÉ is voted the best coffee in I.V., however with that popularity you will be lucky to find an open spot to sit.

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Best Bagel: Yetz’s Bagels

By Francesca Gasparini, Asst. On The Menu Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

While passersby may see the small army of students gathered on the street of Embarcadero del Mar on any given Sunday morning and assume a fight has broken out to attract such a crowd to an otherwise ordinary-looking café. Yet what they are really witnessing is the hungover morning rush for the best bagel in Isla Vista.

Upon entering Yetz’s, you’re met with the delicious aroma of sesame seeds and bacon grease as the assembly-line crew systematically cranks out a nonstop stream of fresh bagels. Whether you prefer a classic New York-style lox, a hearty SEC, or just a classic schmear, Yetz’s is serving up some of the most mouth-watering breakfast goods in I.V.

I was met by the sound of angels singing upon my first bite into “The Gaucho” on my first visit to Yetz’s. Picture this: a warm gooey medley of fluffy scrambled eggs, cheese, bacon, chipotle mayo and pico de gallo sandwiched between the chewy bite of a steaming everything bagel — it instantly won me over as a returning customer. During a stressful week packed with deadlines, exams and late-night study sessions, the promise of a Sunday morning bagel is what gets me through the following week.

The next time you are needing a meal to breathe life back into your body after a long weekend or simply a delicious breakfast before morning class, stop by Yetz’s and see what they have to offer.

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Best Sweet Treat: I.V. Drip

By Anusha Singh, Outgoing Editor in Chief

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

I have, on more than one occasion, told myself I was going to the library and ended up at I.V. Drip. I regret nothing.

Back for another year at the top, I.V. Drip has once again been crowned Best Sweet Treat in Isla Vista, which is really saying something for a neighborhood that considers Wingstop a fine dining experience.

The menu runs deep: cookies, brownies, cupcakes, milkshakes, scoops of McConnell’s ice cream, the infamous cookiewich. And if you’ve been meaning to make the trek downtown to McConnell’s but somehow never quite get there, well. I.V. Drip is right here.

Whether you’re celebrating, coping or simply existing, I.V. Drip has something for the occasion. And in college, those three things are basically the same thing anyway.

Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus

Best Hangover Cure: Blenders

By Jack Dindia, Outgoing Lead News Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

The one downside to going to the top party school in the U.S. are the hangovers that come with it. We’ve all been there, where you either drink way too much or make some regrettable decisions the night before — or both at the same time. In this situation, nothing will make you feel better than a trip to Blenders.

Blenders has got you covered as the ultimate hangover cure. Feeling like having something fruity and sweet to get you out of bed? Get the red mango. Need something creamy to drown out how much of a fool you made of yourself last night? Get the peanut butter smoothie.

The best part? You can match your smoothie with a supplement to really put your immune system to work. Maybe you get the “immune support” supplement if you’re feeling sick, or “energy & focus” if you saved studying for your Monday midterm until the fated Sunday hangover. Regardless of what you need, Blenders is the for sure pick-me-up for any bad hangover. Just hope you don’t see anyone you know there.

Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus

Best Blenders flavor: Red mango

By: Sahasra Hanumiahgari, Asst. On The Menu Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

You know the saying “Anyone who truly knows me knows you” that people use to talk about their loved ones? I would argue anyone who truly knows and loves Isla Vista knows and loves the red mango smoothie from Blenders. This clearly isn’t a very hot take, as this smoothie has now been voted the best Blenders flavor for the second year in a row.

Made with mango juice, frozen yogurt, orange sherbet, banana and strawberries, this drink feels like summer in a cup. The combination of the mango juice and orange sherbert is a surprising twist, adding tartness I don’t usually see paired with mango. This smoothie is bold, refreshing and not too sweet, a compliment I do not pay lightly.

Honestly, I don’t even like smoothies like that, but there’s something about walking around Isla Vista when it’s exactly 72 degrees in flip-flops, short shorts and a bikini with a red mango smoothie in hand that makes me feel like I’m living the ultimate college experience my friends going to school on the East Coast (or anywhere besides here, honestly) could only dream of.

As the sun starts to shine, put on sunscreen, grab a red mango smoothie and enjoy summer in Isla Vista.

Nexus file photo

Best Mexican food: Zocalo

By Michelle Cisneros, Outgoing Lead News Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

With its extensive menu ranging from familiar favorites such as huevos rancheros to more modern takes like its Mexican-inspired coffee flavors, Zocalo is my go-to when my parents are in town.

Serving all three menus all day, my personal favorite is the breakfast selection. You can never go wrong with their chilaquiles or a UCSB bagel accompanied by a mazapan latte. You’ll have to trust me on this one. Last spring, when all my kitchen supplies were packed up and I was busy with finals, I had breakfast there at least three times in one week. Some of my other menu highlights include their quesabirria and asada tacos.

The Hernandez Aviles family opened the restaurant after their son graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2022, making it a family affair that manifests itself in the food. The timing couldn’t have been better for me as an incoming freshman that year in search of solid Mexican food.

Admittedly, Isla Vista has a fairly large number of Mexican restaurants, all with their own merits. However, the restaurant’s colorful decor and dynamic menu have definitely made Zocalo one of my favorite spots in I.V. in general.

Nexus file photo

Best Asian Food: Kaiju Ramen & Curry

By Iris Guo, Editor in Chief

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

As an Asian American who grew up in San Jose, a fair share of the food I enjoyed throughout my upbringing comes from East Asian cuisines. For me, Kaiju Ramen & Curry feels like a taste of home right in Isla Vista.

With a menu that is diverse in flavor, Kaiju offers a variety of Japanese, Korean, Taiwanese and Chinese dishes, including rice bowls and noodle dishes which are perfectly flavorful.

Their Japanese ramen dishes are extremely satisfying to feast on after a long day of classes. The chewy noodles, delectable chashu meat and jammy marinated egg paired with rich broth contains a multitude of flavors that instant ramen could never replicate.

If you’re not feeling noodles, Kaiju also offers various rice bowls, and my two favorites are their spicy Korean chicken rice bowl and popcorn chicken rice bowl. The former is spicy and sweet, and the melted cheese on top of the chicken is the perfect finishing touch. Meanwhile, the latter is salty and crunchy, and transports me to the streets of Taipei.

I personally believe the star of Kaiju’s show is their Japanese curry dishes. They are extremely filling, and the perfect dish to have after a day of studying at the library. The rice paired with crispy fried chicken katsu or pork tonkatsu and the stew-like curry is hearty in the best way possible.

I’m honestly drooling just writing this. Need I say more? If you enjoy East Asian cuisine, make sure to give Kaiju a visit.

Shengyu Zhang / Daily Nexus

Best Boba in I.V.: Kaiju Ramen & Curry

By Andrew Tolu, Managing Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

The first (okay, maybe second or third) thing I did after getting into UC Santa Barbara was scope out where I could acquire some decent boba. I made it my mission to try every boba in Isla Vista once I got here — and boy did I.

Kaiju Ramen & Curry stands out amongst the many establishments that sell boba in I.V. The boba is always chewy and never too hard, the milk tea is consistent in its quality and the options are plentiful enough to keep people coming back to try different flavors every time.

For many, Kaiju has transcended beyond just the go-to spot for boba in I.V.; it’s a gathering point. Kaiju can be the light at the end of the tunnel of a tough series of tennis matches with friends, the spot you converge before a fantastic debrief walk or a pit stop on your way to a marathon library sesh. Kaiju is more than just reliable milk tea and perfectly chewy pearls; it’s an establishment that will stand the test of time.

Best Drunchies

Juliet Becker, Nexustentialism Editor

Kaylee Heartman / Daily Nexus

Whether you’ve just stumbled out of a packed house party, rolled out of your $50 Uber from downtown or gone a little too hard at your friend’s “casual” wine night, drunchies are of the utmost importance after a night of imbibing. While Isla Vista may have many eligible drunchies establishments, one stands out in particular as the best.

Call me Gatsby because that green light calls to me: Wingstop. Wingstop is two-faced — in the daylight hours, it can feel too greasy, artificial or just generally gross. But, when you’re drunk, you want nothing more than to shove a boneless lemon pepper six-piece combo (or original hot, if you have taste) into your mouth.

The wings, fries, corn and, most importantly, ranch might be a more effective cure to alcohol poisoning than stomach pumping or an IV. Before you call that ambulance on your friend, try to feed them a hot honey rub chicken tender before. The results may surprise you.

Nexus file photo

Nexus Best Of 2026: Best food deal: Wingstop 20 for $20

By Levi Kauffman, County News Editor, Big Back

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

For the second straight year, Wingstop’s offering of 20 boneless or bone-in wings for exactly $20, commonly known as the “20 for $20,” ran away with best food deal.

Over the last couple of years, the average UCSB student has likely felt the rising tide of inflation. But even amidst such an unpredictable time, Wingstop’s “20 for $20” has remained consistent. Whether you’re seeking refuge after a long night or the perfect munchy that won’t leave you regretting your purchase once you’ve sobered up to cold reality — Wingstop is there for you.

But the true beauty is the shareability of the deal (unless you’re a real eater like me). After some advanced calculations, I discovered that the meal can be split perfectly down the middle to make it a delectable 10 wings for $10. That might be the greatest trade since Nico Harrison gave up Luka Doncic for Anthony Davis and some fries.

While last indulging in the “20 for $20,” sauce across my face and coating my fingers, I thought to myself, “PETA could never convince me something this delicious and economical could ever be wrong.” So for all big backs on a budget, it’s hard to not be called by the green glow and saucy smells of Wingstop.

Best Pizza: IV Pizza Pub

By: Kaavya Saini, Outgoing DEI Chair

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

The site of weeknight hangouts and club fundraisers alike, IV Pizza Pub has established itself as a constant in a neighborhood that never stays still. With classic recipes like the Virgin Creek — a standout mix of ricotta, roma tomatoes, fresh basil, roasted garlic and herbs over red sauce — the Pub’s slices are all balanced and deliciously unpretentious. The crust hits a sweet spot between crispy and chewy, and the portions are generous enough to actually fill you up after a long day.

Woodstock’s and Domino’s have their own charm, and I’m personally partial to newcomer Mesa Pizza’s innovative flavors and homey atmosphere. Still, IV Pizza Pub carries something the others can’t yet replicate: a sense of timelessness built from first-year fundraisers to senior send-offs. Whether you’re splitting a pie with your org after a meeting or grabbing a late slice solo, it always delivers. Some places in IV come and go, but IV Pizza Pub just stays.

Nexus file photo

Best I.V. Band: Birchwood

By Stella Mullin, Outgoing Artsweek Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

A Friday or Saturday night stroll through Isla Vista would not be complete without shouting over live music wafting over wooden fences, out of driveways or through backyards. With over fifty active bands in the less-than-one square mile bubble, it’s actually harder to not find a band show in Isla Vista, even when you are not looking. And, for the second year in a row, Birchwood has clinched the “Best I.V. Band” title.

“SB’s finest bluegrass and folk band,” as per the band’s Instagram bio, quickly rose to popularity with fan-favorite covers of musicians like Tyler Childers and The Band. But, as the covers dwindled and the originals rose, their crowds kept growing.

Birchwood’s members have shifted over the years, with some graduating in 2025. This year’s musicians included rhythm guitar and lead vocalist Molly O’Connell, a fourth-year statistics and data science major, fiddler Rowan Crass, a third-year economics major, drummer Xander Newell, a fourth-year biology major, bassist Aurora Robathan-Wu, a fourth-year religious studies and classics major and lead guitarist Harrison Saltzman, a first-year Santa Barbara City College communications major.

The most buzzed about student band has been featured on Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Instagram story with Saltzman’s “Free Bird” guitar solo and played at the San Luis Obispo Shabang Music Festival in early May.

“The band scene here, it’s not just musicians that care about it,” O’Connell told the Nexus after winning last year. “You don’t [see] it anywhere else where the crowd comes and supports kids playing.”

Many current Birchwood members are preparing to graduate in a few weeks, but it is not hard to believe that these musicians will still be strumming bluegrass tunes for years to come.

To catch one of Birchwood’s last shows (for now?) check out @birchwoodsb on Instagram.

Courtesy of @birchwoodsb on Instagram

Best way to reject a tabler: Headphones on

By Lauren Chiou, Outgoing Artsweek Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

There’s nothing scarier than walking through the Arbor during peak hours.

Every single campus celebrity, crush or opp materializes out of nowhere, somehow congregating in the exact same spot at the exact same time, surrounding you in a circle of horror. And to make matters even worse — dozens of clubs line the walkway, tablers doing whatever it takes to grab your attention and give you a flyer or a rehearsed spiel or convince you to sign a petition about something you don’t completely understand.

While I’ll admit there’s something noble about involved students representing their campus organizations (something I’ve done for the Daily Nexus many times), it gets to a point where you just want to make it from Point A to Point B, uninterrupted.

The best way to do it? To quote lyrics popularly sung by Addison Rae: put your headphones on. By quite literally blocking out the outside world with a song, podcast, audiobook or white noise of your choice, you are granted the magical ability to ignore every single tabler in your line of sight.

Is it rude? Maybe. But sometimes, you gotta do what you gotta do.

Best smoke spot: Devs

Lucy Dixon, Outgoing Opinion Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

Isla Vista, with its endless beauty and excess population of stoners, has some pretty great smoke spots. Whether you’re smoking out the Window to the Sea Park or meeting Mary Jane at the Methodist church on Sueno, smoke spots are plentiful and bountiful. But the best place to smoke in Isla Vista? You know it, you love it — it’s Devereux Beach.

Known by most as simply “Devs,” the bluffs of Devereux Beach are the perfect place to light up. As an expert in the art of smoking in public, I can confidently say that Devs has everything the perfect sesh requires: beautiful scenery, fun people-watching and enough space for stoners from far and wide to partake. I love seeing fellow tokers scattered across the bluffs in their little clusters, smoking sativa prerolls and saying: “They’re just like us!”

Because while the ultimate goal of smoking may be the high, it’s also about community — respecting the rules of the rotation and connecting with your friends in the most beautiful place on earth. No matter where on the bluffs you may find yourself, as long as you’ve let the right people in your rotation, you’re sure to have a good time.

Nexus file photo

Best first date spot: The beach

By: Lance Sanchez, Date-a Editor

Michelle Wu / Daily Nexus

The first date is a delicate art. You need somewhere casual enough to avoid pressure, beautiful enough to feel intentional and memorable enough to make the night stick. In Isla Vista, the answer is simple: take them to the beach.

For this year’s best first date spot, Isla Vista’s coastline takes the crown, turning a simple hangout into something cinematic, intimate and just romantic enough to feel like the start of something new.

Each beach brings its own charm. Devereux Beach feels just far enough from campus to make it seem like you and your date have found a little world of your own. Campus Point is close, scenic and perfect for a spontaneous sunset stop. Depressions Beach has that classic I.V. energy, where the ocean, cliffs and steady buzz of student life come together to make the whole date feel effortlessly romantic.

As the sky turns pink and orange over the water, first-date pressure starts to fade. Sit on a blanket, walk the shoreline or just listen to the waves. Around I.V., the beach is where conversations stretch longer, nerves soften and, most importantly, where you just might secure that second date.