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
| Term Time – week 0 | ||
| Meal | Days | Times |
| Breakfast (no need to book) | Monday to Saturday | 8.15 a.m. – 9.15 a.m. |
| Lunch | Monday to Saturday | 12.15 p.m. - 1.30 p.m. |
| Sunday Brunch 12 January | 11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. | |
| Early Supper | Monday to Saturday 13-18 January Sunday 18 January | Supper 6.00 p.m. – 7.00p.m. Supper 6.00 p.m. – 6.30p.m. |
| First Formal Hall | Sunday 18 January | Formal Hall 7.30 p.m. |
Important Event: Collection | Friday 17 January & Saturday 18 January Breakfast Lunch |
8.15 a.m. - 9.00 a.m. 12.45 p.m.– 1.45 p.m. |
| Term Time – week 1 -8 | ||
| Breakfast (no need to book) | Monday to Saturday | 8.15 a.m. - 9.15 a.m. |
| Lunch | Monday to Saturday | 12.15 p.m. - 1.30 p.m. |
| Sunday Brunch | 11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. | |
Early Supper Week 1-7
| Monday/Wednesday/Saturday Tuesday/Thursday/Friday/Sunday | Supper 6.00 p.m. – 7.00p.m. Supper 6.00 p.m. – 6.30p.m. |
| Formal Hall | Tuesday/Thursday/Friday | Formal Hall 7.15 p.m. |
| Sunday | Formal Hall 7.30 p.m. | |
| Important Events | Wednesday 26 February - The Supervisors Dinner, Hall closed Tuesday 04 March - Shrove Tuesday - by invitation only Friday 14 March – Bodley Dinner - College event | |
JCR/MCR Guest Nights Black Tie Dinners | Friday 24 January - MCR Guest Night Friday 31 January - JCR Guest Night Friday 7 February - MCR Guest Night Friday 14 February - Halfway Hall Friday 21 February - JCR Black Tie Dinner Friday 28 February - MCR Black Tie Dinner Friday 7 March – Charity Formal Friday 14 March – Hall closed - College event | |
| College BOP’S | Saturday 18 January Saturday 1 February Friday 14 March | |
| Themes Events | Sunday 26 January - Burns Night Wednesday 29 January - Chinese New Year Supper Friday 14 or Saturday 15 February – TBC Valentine's Day Supper Saturday 1 March – St David’s Day (Welsh themed lunch) Tuesday 4 March - Shrove Tuesday Wednesday 5 March - Ash Wednesday (pescatarina supper) Wednesday 23 April- St George’s Day lunch | |
- 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.