So, you’re here because you’re wondering: does Duke have dining halls? The answer is a definite yes. Duke University is home to one of the most innovative and exciting dining programs around. With over 50 spots to grab a bite—including 34 on-campus locations and food trucks—you’ll never go hungry.
So, if you’re craving a late-night snack or a fresh, healthy meal, let’s take a closer look at what Duke has to offer to keep you fueled and satisfied all year long.
Duke Dining Halls
Duke offers several dining halls across campus, each providing a wide range of meal options to fit every taste. Whether you’re looking for a quick grab-and-go meal or want to sit down and enjoy a more leisurely dining experience, Duke’s dining halls offer plenty of choices.
East & Central Campus
The East & Central Campus dining locations are perfect if you’re looking for variety and convenience. Here are the places you can visit:
|
Establishments |
Menu highlights |
| Marketplace | 3-star Green Restaurant Association certified dining location features an all-you-care-to-eat breakfast, dinner, and weekend brunch and an a-la-carte weekday lunch. |
| Trinity Cafe | Coffee bar serving gourmet coffees, smoothies, and fresh pastries. Light entrees, including salads, sandwiches, and sushi are also available. |
| Café 300 | Offers a full service coffee bar, fresh baked goods, grab and go sandwiches, salads and wraps prepared fresh every day, a wide range of meal replacement options snacks to take on the go. |
| Freeman Center Cafe | A Kosher establishment under rabbinical supervision, operated in partnership with Duke Dining and Jewish Life at Duke, serving made-to-order kosher deli classics, Mediterranean-inspired meals, and other favorites. |
| Nasher Cafe | Serves a variety of locally grown and organic dishes, as well as upscale desserts and cappuccino-style beverages. |
| Terrace Cafe | Fresh-made sandwiches and salads, ice cream bars, gourmet baked treats, and hot and cold beverages. |
West Campus: Brodhead Center
On West Campus, you’ll find several great spots to enjoy a meal. Here’s a list of places you can explore:
|
Establishments |
Menu highlights |
| Ginger + Soy | Flavors from all over East and Southeast Asia. The menu, loaded with authentic recipes, has been crafted by skilled chefs. |
| Gyotaku | Uses the freshest ingredients for made-to-order sushi. They also offer pre-made rolls created by their master chefs. |
| JB’s Roasts & Chops | Grilled meat and potatoes, American style. They also have certified Halal options. |
| Sazón | Authentic Latin American cuisine offering made to order arepas, tortillas, and bowls created with only the freshest ingredients. |
| Cafe | A European inspired coffee shop that serves fresh pressed juices, exceptional coffee, hand-crafted crêpes, sandwiches, little-bites, and scratch-made gelato. |
| Sprout | 100% vegan menu |
| Tandoor | Authentic Indian food. Meats, breads and vegetables cooked in real tandoor ovens. This diverse menu features traditional recipes as well as fresh, modern takes on classic Indian meals. |
| The Chef’s Kitchen | A pop-up restaurant for lunch, Monday-Friday from 11am-3pm and currently offers “Taste of Miami!” This menu offers a taste of Miami’s culinary culture. It includes items such as Ropa Vieja, Miami Mojo Chicken, Cubano Sandwich, Jamaican Curry, Miami Shortribs, South Beach French Toast, Key Lime Pie and more. |
| The Commons | Chef’s Daily Selection of Fresh Lettuces, Toppings, & House Made Dressings; Assorted Fruits & Chilled Vegetables; Chef’s Selection of Composed Salads; Fresh Baked Bread |
| The Devil’s Krafthouse | A bar + grill that offers craft beers on tap and pub snacks. |
| Farmstead | American-traditional meals that follow the “Farm to Fork philosophy.” This venue specializes in cooking meals using ingredients sourced from local suppliers whenever possible. |
| The Skillet | An upscale Southern cuisine celebrating a rich tradition of home-style cooking with fried chicken and biscuits with breakfast served all day. |
| Il Forno | Specializes in authentic pastas, fresh salads and soup, and specialty pizzas made with handcrafted dough, Neapolitan tomatoes, and top-quality mozzarella. |
| Panera Bread | Offers a variety of baked goods, sandwiches, salads, soups, and pastries, with options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as family-sized meals. |
West Campus: Bryan Center
Duke also has a variety of spots outside of the main campus dining halls. These include a mix of cafes and fast-casual eateries:
|
Establishments |
Menu highlights |
| McDonald’s | Offers a full menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, including burgers, salads, and chicken. |
| Beyu Blue Coffee | Coffee and pastries |
| Gothic Grill | Offers small plates, soups, sandwiches, salads, tacos, burgers, pizza, and local ice cream. |
| It’s Thyme | The first big nine allergen-free-friendly dining venue of its kind offering made-to-order bowls with fresh ingredients free from the big nine allergens. |
West Campus
For the rest of the West Campus, these are the available dining options:
|
Establishments |
Menu highlights |
| Bella Union | Brews fresh coffee and offers fresh baked goods, frozen drinks, and novelty snack-foods. |
| Legal Grounds at Duke Law | Serves hot breakfast and lunch, made to order bowls, coffee, and smoothies. |
| Pitchfork’s | Offers a diner-style menu with breakfast served late in the day. |
| Red Mango | Offers a variety of healthy items, including a fresh fruit bar, smoothies and smoothie bowls with protein fortified, non-dairy and vegetarian options, skinny bagel sandwiches, made-to-order flatbreads, and gourmet PB&J sandwiches. |
| Saladelia | Freshly brewed coffee, panini sandwiches, fresh salads, sandwiches, wraps, and sweets made from scratch. |
| Twinnie’s | An Irish pub offering hot-out-of-the-oven breakfast pastries, made-to-order sandwiches, and fresh salads in addition to its classic blends of coffee and beer on tap. |
| Zweili’s | Serves authentic Southern African cuisine |
| Bseisu | Offers locally-brewed coffee from Cocoa Cinnamon and Little Waves Coffee Roasters, bakery items, and snacks. |
Food trucks
If you’re in the mood for something different, Duke Dining also offers food trucks that are available throughout the week. Here are some of the options:
|
Establishments |
Menu Highlights |
| Bon Fritay | Deep-fried Haitian street food |
| Bruster’s | Ice cream, sundaes, ice cream cakes & pies |
| Bulkogi | Korean BBQ and fusion menu |
| Gussy’s | Greek street food |
| Magnificent Concessions | Handmade treats and desserts |
| Safari Eatz | Kenyan BBQ and street food |
| Sister Liu’s | Dumplings, fried rice, chinese burgers, and rice noodles |
| The Flat Drum | Chicken wings and tenders |
| Latin Effect | Latin American snacks |
| Yalla! | Traditional Mediterranean cuisine; Halal and Kosher |
With so many delicious dining options across campus, you’ll never run out of choices to satisfy your hunger. So next time you’re in the mood for food, be sure to check out these spots and enjoy the variety Duke has to offer!
Duke Dining Plans
Duke offers a variety of dining plans to suit different student needs. There’s a plan designed to fit your eating habits and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of the available plans:
First-year dining plans
For first-year students, Duke requires all residents of East Campus to participate in a dining plan. There is only one dining plan available for freshmen:
|
Plan |
Dining Plan | Food Points | Tax (7.5%) | Dining Contract Fee | Total Cost Per Semester |
| Plan I | $3,470 | $946 | $331.20 | $25 |
$4,772.20 |
Upperclass dining plans
These plans are available to upper-class students living on campus and those living at 300 Swift and Smart Homes:
|
Plan |
Dining Plan | Tax (7.5%) | Dining Contract Fee | Total Cost Per Semester |
| Plan A | $2,747 | $206.03 | $25 |
$2,978.03 |
|
Plan B |
$3,292 | $246.90 | $25 | $3,563.90 |
| Plan C | $3,645 | $273.38 | $25 |
$3,943.38 |
|
Plan D |
$3,912 | $293.40 | $25 | $4,230.40 |
| Plan E | $4,267 | $320.03 | $25 |
$4,612.03 |
|
Plan F |
$900 | $67.50 | $25 | $992.50 |
| Plan J | $1,943 | $145.73 | $25 |
$2,113.73 |
So, which Duke dining plan is for you?
Choosing the right dining plan depends on your eating habits and lifestyle. Are you a light eater or someone who prefers to have three full meals a day? Here’s a quick guide to help you find the plan that works best for you:
- Plan I (First-Year Students). Ideal if you’re a first-year student living on East Campus and need a comprehensive plan with a mix of meals and Food Points.
- Plan A. Perfect for light eaters who tend to eat one or two meals a day and prefer more affordable options. Also great if you plan to eat off-campus occasionally.
- Plan B. Best for students who snack occasionally or order from Merchants on Points vendors. It’s perfect if your eating habits vary day-to-day but you still need some flexibility.
- Plan C. For students with a medium appetite who eat two meals a day and want the option to indulge in snacks from Merchants on Points.
- Plan D. Great for students who typically eat three meals a day on campus and prefer to have more meals covered throughout the week.
- Plan E. Ideal for students who like eating three meals a day with a few snacks throughout the week. Perfect for those who need a solid amount of food points to cover their meals and occasional snacks.
- Plan F. Designed for students living off-campus who want to have a few meals or snacks on campus each week without committing to a full dining plan.
- Plan J. Best for students at 300 Swift Apartments who need enough Food Points for one meal a day and some snacks or indulgences on campus.
Duke’s The Commons Menu
One of the most popular dining spots at Duke is The Commons, located in the Brodhead Center on West Campus. With a diverse and seasonal menu, it’s a favorite among students. If you’re in the mood for appetizers, salads, or a hearty entrée, The Commons has something for every craving. Here’s a breakdown of the menu:
Appetizers
|
Food |
Price |
|
Asiago Gnocchi |
$11 |
| Spinach and Artichoke Dip |
$12 |
|
Burrata |
$15 |
| Flash-Fried Calamari |
$15 |
Salads
|
Food |
Price |
| Commons House Salad |
$11 |
|
Classic Caesar |
$11 |
| Autumn Greens |
$12 |
Entrees
|
Food |
Price |
| Mussels and Fries |
$22 |
|
Seared Atlantic Salmon |
$28 |
| Steak Frites |
$32 |
|
Roast Chicken |
$24 |
| Three Cheese Ravioli |
$20 |
|
Ribeye Steak (14oz) |
$45 |
| Filet Mignon (8oz) |
$45 |
|
Pork Chop |
$45 |
| Mushroom Bourguignon |
$20 |
|
Commons Steak Burger |
$18 |
No matter what you’re in the mood for, The Commons delivers with a variety of options that cater to all tastes. From flavorful appetizers to hearty entrees, it’s easy to see why this spot is so popular among Duke students.
If The Commons menu caught your attention, then you’re in for a real treat! Duke has over 50 dining locations across campus, each offering even more delicious options to keep you satisfied. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite, sitting down for a full meal, or exploring the food trucks, you’ll never be short on choices. So get ready to eat your way through campus—there’s always something new to try!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are the Duke dining hours for the dining halls?
Duke dining hours vary by location, but most dining halls are open throughout the day, including late-night options. Since the hours are constantly updated per day, it’s best to check the official Duke Dining website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
2. What’s so special about Duke’s The Commons menu?
The Commons menu stands out with its diverse and seasonal offerings, including gourmet appetizers, fresh salads, and hearty entrees. It’s one of the few spots on campus that offers a full-course dining experience, making it a popular choice for both students looking for comfort food and those craving something more upscale.
3. Are there any late-night options at Duke’s dining halls?
Yes, many of Duke’s dining halls and locations offer late-night dining hours for those who get hungry after regular hours. You can check the specific Duke dining hours for each spot.
4. Where can I find Duke dining halls on campus?
Duke dining halls are spread across campus, with popular locations in both the East & Central Campus areas and West Campus. On West Campus, you’ll find dining options at the Brodhead Center and Bryan Center that offer a range of food options to suit every taste.
Takeaways
If you’re looking to explore Duke’s dining options and plan your meals on campus, here’s a quick rundown of what to keep in mind:
- With over 50 dining locations across campus, including 34 on-campus dining halls, food trucks, and fast-casual spots, you’ll never run out of places to eat.
- Duke has a dining plan to fit your needs. From comprehensive plans for first-year students to flexible options for upperclassmen, there’s something for everyone.
- Offering a diverse and seasonal menu, The Commons is one of the most popular spots at Duke. It’s a great choice if you’re looking for both comfort food and upscale options like ribeye steak and seared salmon.
- Duke’s dining hours vary by location, and they are constantly updated on the Duke Dining website. Be sure to check for the latest hours to plan your meals accordingly.
- If you’re looking forward to both Duke’s world-class academics and its amazing dining options, a college admissions consultant can help you make your application stand out and give you the best chance at success.
