Cornell Dining Hall
Where Do Students Eat At Cornell?
Cornell Dining takes pleasure in offering their customers more than simply a meal—they give students and visitors a complete dining experience. So, where do students eat at Cornell? The 30 campus eateries, which include Cornell dining halls, cafes, coffee shops, food courts, and convenience stores, always have something fresh and unique to offer.
The Cornell Dining team of more than 400 chefs and well-trained staff works hard every day to offer variety, fresh and healthy options, and recipes from all over the world to keep our customers coming back for more. This includes holiday-themed meals, chef surprises, and dining room special nights.
Dining Rooms
North Campus
Morrison Dining
Located in Toni Morrison Hall. Choose your own culinary experience, from the Mediterranean-inspired vegetarian bowls and made-from-scratch pasta to the build-your-own waffle bar, with brand-new certified kosher and halal stations in this newest Cornell dining hall.
North Star Dining Room
Residents and the entire Cornell community can eat in the North Star Dining Room in the Appel Commons. Take advantage of the many distinctive food stations and open kitchen concept serving a wide range of ethnic and regional American cuisine.
Risley Dining
For the benefit of the residents of the house and the whole Cornell community, the Risley Dining Room has been certified by Kitchens with Confidence as being gluten-free, nut-free, and peanut-free. Vegetarian and vegan options are always available.
The dining room, which was fashioned after the Christchurch Refectory at Oxford University, still exudes the same Gothic allure as when it was first inaugurated as the all-ivy “Risley Great Hall” in 1913.
Central Campus
Okenshields
Located in Willard Straight Hall. Residents of the houses use Okenshields and the entire Cornell neighborhood. You’re likely to find something that suits your fancy among the several menu selections available, which range from an Asian station to a healthy foods bar with whole grain salads and sliced fruit.
West Campus
Becker House Dining Room
The Becker Residence Dining Room offers supper seven nights a week in addition to brunch/lunch on the weekends and continental breakfast during the week. There is a restricted menu available during our mid-afternoon “Lite Lunch” times.
Cook House Dining Room
The Cook House Dining Room serves the whole Cornell community and the residents of Alice Cook House. The restaurant offers supper seven evenings a week in addition to hot breakfast, brunch, and lunch on the weekends.
Jansen’s Dining Room
Hans Bethe House’s Jansen’s Dining Room serves Chef Jacob Kuehn’s intriguing new meals every year. This Cornell dining hall offers supper seven nights a week in addition to brunch/lunch on the weekends and continental breakfast during the week.
Keeton House Dining Room
The Keeton House Dining Room of William Keeton House offers unique food options from Chef Nery available at the entrée station, Asian station, grill, deli, and salad bar. This restaurant serves supper seven evenings a week in addition to hot breakfast, brunch, and lunch on the weekends.
Rose House Dining Room
Flora Rose House’s residents can eat in the dining room. Traditional hot dishes, an Asian station, a grill, a deli, and a salad bar are available at this restaurant. On weekends, a continental breakfast is provided. You won’t be disappointed with the daily menu offerings from Chef Matt Seeber.
104West!
Cornell University’s kosher and multicultural dining facility is called 104West!, and it is situated close to the Center for Jewish Living building on the southern edge of the West Campus.
Jewish dietary restrictions are scrupulously observed under the control of a resident “Mashgiach,” or kosher-food supervisor and menus are created under the supervision of STAR-K (meat and pareve) and STAR-D (dairy) Kosher Certifications.
You don’t have to keep kosher to enjoy the menu; stop by to try some of the mouthwatering ethnic and international alternatives with a kosher twist in addition to classic kosher meals. Halal, Seventh-day Adventist, vegetarian, vegan, and other diets are also available for dining. The time of Shabbat supper varies throughout the year depending on the time of sunset.
Cafés, Food Courts & Coffeehouses
In one of Cornell’s several cafés and coffee shops, indulge in a specialty coffee, made-to-order salad, fresh sushi, or a trademark sandwich. Or try anything from the many international cuisine outlets at the well-liked food court, Trillium.
North Campus Locations:
- Bear Necessities
- Carol’s Café (Currently closed)
- Crossings Café
- McCormick’s at Moakley House
Central Campus Locations:
- Amit Bhatia Libe Café
- Atrium Café
- Big Red Barn Café
- Bus Stop Bagels
- Café Jennie
- Cornell Dairy Bar
- Franny’s Food Truck
- Goldie’s
- Green Dragon Café
- Mann Café
- Martha’s Café
- Mattin’s Café
- Rusty’s Coffee Shop
- Trillium Food Court
Convenience Stores
Visit one of Cornell’s convenience stores to get a snack, a meal to go, groceries, or personal care items. Bear Necessities (North Campus) also has a well-known grill, while Jansen’s Market (West Campus) sells specialty coffees, pastries, smoothies, and bubble tea in addition to its major shopping areas. The Cornell Store’s Café Jennie (Central Campus) features a full-service café and a variety of convenience goods and goods made by Cornell alumni-owned businesses.
Vending Machines
The full-service eating program offered by Cornell Dining’s 10 dining rooms, cafes, food courts, coffee shops, and convenience stores is supplemented with on-campus vending machines. Traditional vending machine fare and the new, healthier options are available in nearly 300 vending machines located throughout the campus and in off-campus Cornell buildings in the Ithaca region.
How Many Dining Halls Does Cornell Have?
To keep the guests coming back for more, world-class chefs of Cornell Dining take great satisfaction in creating imaginative menus, multicultural entrées and side dishes, and mouthwatering desserts. Staff members collaborate with the student dining committees throughout the year to produce rich dining experiences that students can share with their friends, including holiday-themed meals, chef surprises, and dining room special nights. If you wonder how many dining halls does Cornell have, we’ll share the list below along with their locations.
North Campus
- Morrison Dining – Toni Morrison Hall
- North Star Dining Room –Appel Commons
- Risley Dining –Risley Hall
Central Campus
- Okenshields – Willard Straight Hall
West Campus
- Becker House Dining Room – Carl Becker House
- Cook House Dining Room –Alice Cook House
- Jansen’s Dining Room at Hans Bethe House –Hans Bethe House
- Keeton House Dining Room –William Keeton House
- Rose House Dining Room –Flora Rose House
- 104West! – West Campus
What Time Do Dining Halls Open At Cornell?
More than 23,000 meals are served to members of the Cornell community each day by Cornell Dining, which runs over 30 on-campus eateries including Cornell dining halls and other eateries within the campus. Now, what time do dining halls open at Cornell? To make use of the meal plan efficiently, you may check the operating hours of Cornell dining halls below:
104West!
104 West Avenue
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Becker House Dining Room
Carl Becker House
7:00 am – 10:30 am
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (Late Lunch)
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Cook House Dining Room
Alice Cook House
7:30 am – 10:00 am (Breakfast)
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Jansen’s Dining Room at Hans Bethe House
Hans Bethe House
7:00 am – 10:30 am
10:30 am – 2:00 pm
4:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Keeton House Dining Room
William Keeton House
7:00 am – 10:00 am
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Morrison Dining
Toni Morrison Hall
7:00 am – 10:30 am
10:30 am – 2:30 pm
2:30 pm – 4:30 pm (Late Lunch)
5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
North Star Dining Room
Third floor of Appel Commons
5:00 pm – 8:30 pm
8:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Okenshields
Willard Straight Hall
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
4:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Risley Dining Room
Risley Residential College
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Rose House Dining Room
Flora Rose House
7:30 am – 10:00 am
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
For any changes in hours of operation daily for Cornell dining halls and other eateries on campus, please visit the Cornell dining website.
Does Cornell Have Good Dining Hall Food?
Does Cornell have good dining hall food? The Princeton Review continually lists Cornell Dining among the top 10 colleges and universities in the nation for the best on-campus dining. This excellent rating, which comes from customer surveys, demonstrates Cornell Dining’s dedication to providing a varied community with high-quality, nutritious cuisine that is imaginatively prepared with genuine care.
Out of the 388 universities included in the poll, Cornell is ranked #4 in the category for the finest on-campus cuisine this year. The University of Massachusetts Amherst, Bowdoin College, and Washington University in St. Louis, all of which consistently rank in the top ten.
Moreover, Cornell is ranked #4 among the top 20 college dining halls by Business Insider. The chefs at Cornell University created a variety of dishes that highlight cuisines from all around the world, such as pasta dishes with Italian influences and freshly rolled sushi. Additionally, they hold a harvest supper honoring the regional cuisine produced in Cornell’s backyard in upstate New York.
The Ithaca, New York-based school also holds several themed dinners honoring other ethnicities and cuisines, such as the Diwali Festival in Jansen’s Dining Room with a traditional Indian menu or “A Night at Hogwarts” in the Risley Dining Room, which is a dinner with a “Harry Potter” theme.
How Much Is the Cornell Meal Plan?
Meal plans combine Cornell dining hall meals, Big Red Bucks for tax-free food purchases, and bonus meals for visitors. The Unlimited plan is a fantastic deal for everyone, including upper-level students living off campus, and is entirely supported by financial aid for eligible students. The plan includes a supply of Big Red Bucks (BRBs) for use at the Cornell Dairy Bar and in cafés, grills, and convenience stores, in addition to unlimited trips to the residential dining rooms.
Cornell applicants might ask “How much is the Cornell meal plan?” Here are the cost and inclusions of various meal plans at Cornell.
Unlimited – $3,306 per semester; $6,612 per year
Inclusions:
- Access to all meals during designated service periods in the ten residential dining rooms, including 104West! for all Shabbat, holiday, and special meals (additional charges apply for meals during Passover week).
- 8 additional guest dinners per semester.
- $400 in Big Red Bucks per semester.
- Required for first-year college students.
Bear Traditional – $3,068 per semester; $6,136 per year
Inclusions:
- Up to 14 meals per week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service periods (additional fees apply for Shabbat, special occasions, and holiday meals at 104West!).
- Four additional guest dinners per semester.
- $400 in Big Red Bucks per semester.
Bear Choice – $2,655 per semester; $5,310 per year
Inclusions:
- Up to 10 meals per week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service periods (additional fees apply for Shabbat, holiday, and special meals at 104West!).
- Four bonus guest dinners per semester.
- $500 in Big Red Bucks per semester.
- Available to all undergraduate students living on campus who were enrolled at Cornell before Summer 2021.
- Available to all students living off campus.
Bear Basic – $2,269 per semester; $4,538 per year
Inclusions:
- Up to seven meals per week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service periods (additional fees apply for Shabbat, holidays, and special meals at 104West!).
- Four bonus guest dinners per semester.
- $500 in Big Red Bucks per semester.
- Available to all undergraduate students living on campus who were enrolled at Cornell before Summer 2021.
- Available to all students living off campus.
House Meal Plan
The Alice Cook House, Carl Becker House, Hans Bethe House, William Keeton House, and Flora Rose House inhabitants are the only ones who are permitted to use the House Meal Plan, and they are also obligated to do so. The West Campus House System (WCHS) offers upper-level students the convenience of having their own dining room nearby in addition to being a part of a vibrant living and learning community run by faculty.
House Meal Plan – $3,306 per semester; $6,612 per year
Inclusions:
- Access to all meals during designated service periods in the West Campus House System dining rooms (104West!, Morrison Dining, Risley Dining Room, North Star Dining, and Okenshields), as well as Cook House, Becker House, Jansen’s Dining Room at Hans Bethe House, Keeton House, and Rose House). At 104West, Shabbat, holiday, and special dinners have an additional fee.
- $400 in Big Red Bucks per semester.
- Four additional guest dinners per semester.
House Affiliate – $630 per semester; $1,260 per year
A meal plan for people who now live off-campus but have previously done so for at least one semester.
Inclusions:
- One hundred Big Red Bucks per semester.
- Three meals per week at any West Campus dining hall.
South Campus Meal Plan – $3,068 per semester; $6,136 per year
This meal plan is available only to occupants of Sheldon Court, Schuyler House, Cascadilla Hall, and 112 Edgemoor.
Inclusions:
- Up to 10 meals each week in the ten residential dining rooms during designated service times (104West charges extra for Shabbat, holidays, and special meals!).
- $500 Big Red Bucks per semester.
- $413 in City Bucks per semester.
- Four bonus lunches per semester for visitors.
There is no denying that Cornell University is a top university. Being one of the eight prestigious private research universities that make up the renowned Ivy League, it is among the greatest colleges in the country. With 10 Cornell dining halls and several more dining options on campus, 50 majors to choose from, and more than 1,000 student organizations you can participate in, Cornell is surely a great choice for college. However, the selection process for admission is rigorous because of Cornell’s reputation.
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