Lantern Cafe – Chinese
Lantern Cafe radiates a welcoming glow, inviting guests into a sun-drenched space where the rich aroma of freshly pulled espresso and the comforting scent of toasted bagels fill the air. The experience flows effortlessly from morning to night, pairing velvety nitro cold brews and zesty lemonades with a diverse array of plates that satisfy every craving from dawn until dusk. It serves as a vibrant neighborhood sanctuary where artisanal craftsmanship meets a relaxed atmosphere, offering a refreshing retreat for a quick caffeine fix or a lingering, multi-course meal.
5200 Bobcat Walk, Merced, California 95343 https://dining.ucmerced.edu/dining-locations/lanternRating: 3/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Chinese
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, halal, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, mediterranean, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, dash-sodium-reduced, low-cholesterol, aip, alkaline, renal, tlc, lectin-free, macrobiotic
Diet fit at Lantern Cafe
Dairy-Free at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 9 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 7 vegan-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 8 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 5 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Sodium at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 5 low-sodium-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Mediterranean at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 5 mediterranean-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Paleo at Lantern Cafe
Lantern Cafe in Merced has 2 paleo-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Blended Coffees and Teas. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Lantern Cafe
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso Drinks | 54.1 g | 4 g |
| Smoothies | 6.1 g | 0.9 g |
| Lemonades | 1.8 g | 0.4 g |
| Bagels | 0 g | 0 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Thursday
- 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM
- Friday
- 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Saturday
- 11:00 AM - 6:30 PM
What diners are saying
Celebrated for its fair pricing and consistent quality, guests appreciate Lantern as a dependable spot for a casual meal with friends. Diners highlight the steady service and approachable menu, noting that the experience offers a straightforward and unpretentious atmosphere for those seeking a reliable and balanced dining option.
Menu
Dining Center Entry
Door prices for guests without a meal plan at The Pavilion and Yablokoff Wallace Dining Centers.
- Breakfast Entry - $11.95: All-you-care-to-eat breakfast access at The Pavilion or Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Lunch Entry - $12.88: All-you-care-to-eat lunch access at The Pavilion or Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: lunch
- Dinner Entry - $13.95: All-you-care-to-eat dinner access at The Pavilion or Yablokoff Wallace Dining Center Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic Available at: dinner
Beverages
Beverages available at Lantern Cafe and campus dining locations.
- Nitro Cold Brew: Cold brew coffee infused with nitrogen
- Blended Coffees: Assorted blended coffee drinks Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Smoothies: Assorted fruit smoothies
- Espresso Drinks: Peet's Coffee espresso selections
- Teas: Assorted hot and iced teas Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free
- Lemonades: Fresh lemonades Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
Bakery and Snacks
Quick bites and snacks available at Lantern Cafe and Bobcat Snack Stop.
- Bagels: Assorted fresh bagels Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Renal, Macrobiotic Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Pastries: Assorted fresh pastries Dietary tags: Halal Available at: breakfast, brunch
- Grab-and-Go Snacks: Various packaged snacks and convenience items Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Dairy-Free, Mediterranean, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Macrobiotic
Frequently Asked Questions about Lantern Cafe
- Is Lantern Cafe dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Lantern Cafe has 5 dairy-free-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks.
- What can I eat at Lantern Cafe on a dairy-free diet?
- Breakfast Entry, Lunch Entry and Grab-and-Go Snacks carry the dairy-free tag, out of 5 tagged dishes on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Lantern Cafe have vegan options?
- Yes. 7 dishes are tagged vegan on the current menu, including Breakfast Entry and Lunch Entry.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Lantern Cafe?
- Espresso Drinks, at roughly 4g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Lantern Cafe
- Quickly — Chinese
- Thai Cuisine II — Thai
- Turmeric — Indian
- West Coast Sourdough — American
- Mountain Mike's — Italian
- A&W — American
- Dutch Bros. Coffee — American
- Sizzler — Steakhouse
- Toni's Courtyard Café & Bakery — American
