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Typical dining hall meal costs at Cambridge

2 replies

Foodies · 20/08/2026 13:40

DD is starting at Cambridge in October. We're trying to get our head round costs (DH and I didn't go to uni so not sure what's normal).

At her college you have a card that you can charge all your food in the dining hall to. That is then added onto your bill the following term, so term 1 she will pay accommodation only, then term 2 she'll pay accommodation plus the food from term 1, and so on.

Can anyone give me a rough idea of what it would cost to eat 2 meals a day in the dining hall, so we can work out how much to put aside for the start of term 2? Guessing she might have breakfast in her room most days or similar- they have shared kitchenettes but not full cooking facilities so I think most meals will be in the hall. She isn't extravagant but equally I'm keen that she eats well and doesn't feel she has to scrimp.

Thank you.

OP posts:
TheOnlyWayIsIlford · 20/08/2026 13:49

Here it says the typical cost of a meal is £3-4 Finances and financial support | King's College Cambridge

This for St Catherine's Cafeteria prices 25/26
Menu example Weekly Lunch/Dinner menus 2026

Maybe you can find out costs for her particular college?

They vary because different colleges have different degrees of subsidy.

When I visited with Dc we were really impressed with the menus and dinners on offer - some colleges have starry chefs!

Finances and financial support

https://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-study/finances-and-financial-support

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