Life at Merton: Food & Drink
Eating together is an important part of Merton’s communal life. The Hall provides a stunning setting in the city of Oxford, graduates eat alongside undergraduates, the staff are friendly, and the food is excellent as well as good value. You can even keep up with what's cooking via the Merton Kitchen Facebook page.
- Meal need to be pre booked (except breakfast) through the EPOS system a day prior by 10.30a.m., for Weekend by Friday 10.30a.m. and Monday meals by 10.30 on Saturday
- College cater for vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal diets and for those with the 14 main food allergies. Our small range of kosher meals are prepared off site (halal meal done in College) and are frozen ready to be reheated on request.
- Optional Formal Hall occurs more frequently than in many Colleges and is very popular
- Meals are available throughout the year, with closures confined to short periods at Christmas and Easter
- Over a substantial part of the Long Vacation, the Fellows, Lecturers and graduates take meals together
- There are places for graduates at every High Table Guest Night in term
Dining Hall meals
Breakfast –a varied continental selection featuring daily specials such as croissants, pain au chocolat, bacon rolls, and more. This is accompanied by an assortment of cereals, toast, boiled eggs, porridge, fresh fruit, and homemade Greek-style yogurt, all served with your choice of tea or coffee.
Brunch - a hearty meal served on Sundays in place of breakfast and lunch.
Lunch - includes soup, a main course, salad bar, sweet treat and fruit.
Early Supper - comprises a main course and dessert.
Formal Hall - this includes three courses. All students are required to wear gowns.
Mealtimes
| Vac – Out of term Meal Arrangements | Monday to Saturday Sunday Brunch Early Supper | Breakfast 8.30am - 9am Lunch 12.15pm - 1pm Brunch 11.30am - 12.15pm Supper 6pm - 6.30pm |
| Important: | Saturday 22 March – The Gaudy, Hall closed after Breakfast | |
| Trinity | Term Time – week 0 (22 - 26 April) | |
| Meal | Days | Times |
| Breakfast (no need to book) | Monday to Saturday | 8.30am – 9am |
| Lunch | Monday to Saturday | 12.15pm - 1.30pm |
| Sunday Brunch 27 April | 11.30am – 1pm | |
| Early Supper | Monday to Saturday 22 - 26 April Sunday 27 April | Supper 6pm – 7pm Supper 6pm – 6.30pm |
| First Formal Hall | 27 April | Formal Hall 7.30pm |
Important Event: Collections | 25 & 26 April Breakfast Lunch |
8.15am – 9am 12.45am -1.45pm |
| Term Time – week 1 -8 | ||
| Breakfast (no need to book) | Monday to Saturday | 8.15am - 9.15am |
| Lunch | Monday to Saturday | 12.15pm - 1.30pm |
| Sunday Brunch | 11.30am – 1pm | |
Early Supper Week 1-7
| Monday/Wednesday/Saturday Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday | Supper 6pm – 7pm Supper 6.00pm – 6.30pm |
| Formal Hall | Tuesday/Thursday/Friday | Formal Hall 7.15pm |
| Sunday | Formal Hall 7.30pm | |
| Important Events | 11 June – The Sport Recognition Dinner | |
JCR/MCR Guest Nights Black Tie Dinners | 2 May – JCR Guest Night 9 May – MCR Guest Night 16 May – JCR Guest Night 23 May – JCR/MCR Guest Night 30 May – JCR Black Tie Dinner 6 June – MCR Black Tie Dinner 13 June – MCR Guest Night 20 June – Charity Formal | |
| College BOP’S | 26 April 20 June – Finalist BOP | |
| Themes Events | 23 April - St George’s Day lunch 10 June - The Pride Formal | |
- For more information’s related to meal timetable please visit EPOS Booking System.
Daily meal charges for 2024-25
- Breakfast: £2.53 – GUEST PRICE £3.84
- Lunch: £4.60 – GUEST PRICE £6.90
- Dinner (supper & formal Hall): £5.66 – GUEST PRICE £8.52
Kitchen Facilities
There are three large kitchens on the main site for student use, as well as kitchen facilities available in the Holywell Street accommodation.
Bar
The College Bar provides a relaxed and informal environment for all members of the College to socialise. It offers both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.