Two students dining

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. 

 

Daily meal charges for 2025-26

  • Breakfast: £2.60
  • Lunch: £4.73
  • Dinner (supper & formal Hall): £5.82

 

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.  

 

Mealtimes

MichaelmasTerm Time – week 0  
Meal Days Times 
Breakfast (no need to book) Monday to Saturday 8.30 a.m. – 9.00 a.m. 
Lunch Monday to Saturday 12.15 p.m. - 1.45 p.m. 
 Sunday Brunch 12 October11.30 a.m. – 1.00 p.m. 
Early Supper 

Monday to Saturday 06-11 October

Sunday 12 October

Supper 6.00 p.m. – 7.00p.m. 

Supper 6.00 p.m. – 6.30p.m. 

First Formal Hall

 (priority for Freshers’)

Sunday 12 OctoberFormal Hall 7.30 p.m. 

Important:

Collections

Fri 10 and 11 October

Breakfast

Lunch

 

8.15 a.m. – 9.00 a.m.

12.45 p.m. -1.45p.m.

Important:

 

Monday, 06 October - JCR Freshers' Welcome Supper - ONLY!

Tuesday, 07 October - Undergraduates Admission Dinner 

 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. - 1.45 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:

 

Monday, 13 October - Graduates Admission Dinner

Sunday, 26 October - College Event – Postmaster Dinner  

Saturday, 15 November - College Event – Merton Family Lunch 

Saturday, 29 November – College Ball

JCR/MCR Guest Nights

Black Tie Dinners

Friday, 17 October - Week 1 - JCR Guest Night

Friday, 24 October - Week 2 - MCR Guest Night

Friday, 31October - Week 3 – Halloween Formal - Charity Formal

Friday, 7 November - Week 4 - JCR Black Tie Dinner

Friday, 14 November - Week 5 - MCR Black Tie Dinner

Friday, 21 November - Week 6 - JCR Guest Night

Friday, 28 November - Week 7 - MCR Guest Night

Week 8 Christmas Formals 

 

Tuesday, 2 Dec- JCR – no guests

Wednesday, 3 Dec – Choir, JCR/MCR – no guests

Thursday, 4 Dec – MCR – no guests

Friday, 5 Dec - JCR/MCR – one guest allows

College BOP’S

Saturday 11 October 2025

Saturday 15 November 2025

Friday 5 December 2025

Themes Events:

Tuesday, 21 October - Diwali Formal

Friday, 31 October - Halloween Formal

Thursday, 27 November - Thanksgiving Formal

Sunday, 30 November - St Davids Day Formal