Meals & Dining

Dining Hall Etiquette

Our Dining Hall is at the heart of our campus community and we want to make sure everyone has an amazing experience.

We've created two simple rules that help us all connect and thrive - you take the next available seat when you arrive and phones aren't allowed at the table.

By filling the next available seat and never having to worry about finding a friend to sit with, our students get to experience all sorts of amazing connections. They might meet someone from a different sports team, discover a new passion for studying, or even make friends in a block they've never been to before.

By putting away phones and being present with each other our students build a stronger, more supportive community - one conversation at a time!

Meals

Three meals per day are served daily, including on holidays. All meals are covered by College fees.

Breakfast is served on Monday to Saturday from 7am to 9am
Hot Breakfast from 7:30am to 9am
Lunch is served on Monday to Saturday from 12pm to 1:30pm
Dinner (other than Thursday) is served daily from 5:30pm to 7:30pm
Brunch is served on Sundays from 10am to 1:30pm

Sample Menus

Every meal includes at least one hot meal option, a vegetarian dish, salad bar, and bread selection. Items are rotated regularly and interspersed with different themes to provide variety.

Breakfast

Fried, scrambled or poached eggs
Sausages, bacon, cooked vegetables
Muesli and cereals
Fresh fruit
Assorted breads, including gluten free options and spreads
Juice, coffee, and tea

Lunch

Beef or black bean enchilada with sweetcorn tomato salsa
Persian lamb and vegetable pie with puff pastry top
Chicken lasagne with button mushrooms and spring onion
Stir fried vegetable with brussel sprout and mushrooms
Pumpkin, spinach and red kidney bean lasagne topped with vegan cheese
Crumbed fish fillet, lemon wedge and fresh tartare
Beef sausages with balsamic onion and tomato chutney
Warm salad of roasted cauliflower and red lentils

Dinner

Glazed pork loin with cider apple sauce
Braised lamb and apricot Tangine
Root vegetable Dhal with naan bread
Cauliflower with tofu and cannellini beans
Pumpkin pesto lasagne
Chicken breast with garlic butter
Sweet potato and chic peas with indian spices in coconut sauce

Dietary Needs Support

Many students have special dietary needs and the kitchen caters to those requirements.

Dietary needs often include being vegetarian, vegan, halal, gluten free, lactose free, or having allergies. The kitchen will work to understand any specific needs.

Take Away Meals

Students have busy lives and other commitments so they are welcome to make or request take-away meals.

During breakfast hours students can make their own take-away lunches and anyone unable to attend dinner can pre-order a take-away meal.

Formal Dinners

Formal Dinners are held in the Dining Hall once per week during the semester.

Students wear their academic gowns and enjoy a meal together.

Example meal 1

Student at a Formal Dinner

Example meal 2

Student at a St John's College formal dinner

Example meal 3

Frequently Asked Questions

What time are meals served in the Dining Hall?

Breakfast (Mon to Sat) 7:00-9:00am

Lunch (Mon to Sat) 12:00-1:30pm

Dinner (Daily) 6:00-7:30pm

Brunch (Sundays only) 10am-1:30pm

What's on the menu in the Dining Hall?

Sample breakfast menu

Fried, scrambled or poached eggs
Sausages, bacon, cooked vegetables
Muesli and cereals
Fresh fruit
Assorted breads, including gluten free options and spreads
Juice, coffee, and tea

Sample lunch menu

Beef or black bean enchilada with sweetcorn tomato salsa
Persian lamb and vegetable pie with puff pastry top
Chicken lasagne with button mushrooms and spring onion
Stir fried vegetable with brussel sprout and mushrooms
Pumpkin, spinach and red kidney bean lasagne topped with vegan cheese
Crumbed fish fillet, lemon wedge and fresh tartare
Beef sausages with balsamic onion and tomato chutney
Warm salad of roasted cauliflower and red lentils

Sample dinner menu

Glazed pork loin with cider apple sauce
Braised lamb and apricot Tangine
Root vegetable Dhal with naan bread
Cauliflower with tofu and cannellini beans
Pumpkin pesto lasagne
Chicken breast with garlic butter
Sweet potato and chic peas with indian spices in coconut sauce

Can the Dining Hall handle my dietary requirements?

Many students have special dietary needs and the kitchen caters to those requirements, including vegetarian, halal, gluten free, lactose free, and any allergies.

If I can't make a meal time, can I still get a meal?

Students are welcome to grab and go breakfast items if they have early classes or work commitments. Similarly, ingredients are available first thing in the morning and during breakfast hours for residents to make and take-away lunches.

Anyone unable to attend dinner at the designated time can order a packed, take-away meal for pick-up from the dining hall.

More than a meal