Food and drink
We’re proud of our catering team – from feasts to fry-ups they produce meals to match the full range of occasions that bring our community together. We source ingredients ethically, use only free range eggs and buy what we can from local suppliers.
If you have questions or comments about any aspect of Fitzwilliam's catering, please email catering@fitz.cam.ac.uk
**Please Note: Due to current supply issues we are regularly having to accept substitute food items from suppliers. Such substitutions may render the allergen information on this website inaccurate. The nutritional information list will generally be accurate. If you have a food allergy, therefore, please look at the boards which are on display in the Buttery and will always be correct.**
The College Dining Hall (Buttery) in the Central Building serves a healthy menu for lunch and dinner each day.
Menus
Michaelmas Term menus are available here.
Don't forget you can scan the QR code in the Buttery and download the menus directly to your smart phone or tablet.
Opening hours
Lunch: Monday to Friday 12:30-13:30
Brunch: Saturday & Sunday 11:30-13:30 / Sunday Lunch served 12:30 - 13:30
Dinner: Monday to Saturday 18:00-19:00
Prices
The Buttery price list 2023-24 can be found here.
Food can only be paid for by your College card or a debit or credit card. Please note that we no longer accept cash.
Formal Hall is a more elaborate dinner in Hall, requiring smart dress and gowns. Meals are served at your table, and attendees may bring guests and bottles of wine.Twice a term students may hold a Super Hall. Fancy dress may be worn (after permission from the Dean). Super Halls can sometimes have a different price to Formal Halls.
Hours
Formal Hall: Wednesdays and occasional Fridays - 19:30
Formal Hall by arrangement: Any other night - 19:30
- Please be seated before 19:30.
- A gong will sound as the Fellows enter; all stand for Grace.
- A gong will sound at the end of the meal for Fellows to leave following a Grace. Students may remain seated for this.
- Wine bottles must be opened at the Bar beforehand.
Booking
Places at Formal Hall must be booked in advance. Click here to book. (Raven login is required). Students may book up to 5 guests (check online as number of guests usually differ at Super Halls).
Bookings and cancellations are available until 14:00, two days before. If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know by then.
It is not permissible to swap tickets.
Dress
- Dress should be appropriate to the occasion; for example, jacket, collar and tie, or smart evening wear.
- Gowns must be worn by College members (not guests).
Behaviour
Students and guests are not permitted to play drinking games of any kind. If you do you will be asked to leave the Hall. Please read the College Regulations.
Formal Hall by arrangement
Please contact the College Events Co-ordinator for information. Minimum of 20 people (max 5 guests per Fitzwilliam student).
The Coffee Shop serves breakfast until 10.30 every day during Term and has a great range of snacks, drinks and the coffee roasted at Coffee World in Milton! It's a great environment for relaxed study and socialising.
The Coffee Shop serves breakfast until 10.30 every day during Term and serves great quality loose leaf teas and infusions. Alternatively you can take them away as we also have the same great quality in a bag.
Coffee from Coffee World is a blend of South American and South Asian Arabica blend.
All of our baguettes, flatbreads, bagels and salads are made fresh. If you have any questions, just ask and we will try to accommodate.
Opening hours
Term Time: Monday to Saturday - 8:00-18:00 and Sunday - 9:00-18:00
Out of Term: Monday to Friday - 8:00-15:00
Price list
The coffee shop price list 2023-24 can be found here.
The Bar is a great location to meet with friends in a relaxed environment. There is a wide selection of drinks available at great prices. It is also the perfect place to host a quiz night or any other themed celebration. Just talk to the Bar Supervisor Chris Mason or speak to the Ents Rep.
Real ale has become a firm favourite in the Bar with students having the opportunity to choose which real ale we serve - just ask at the bar for details. This year we are also serving a local guest bottled ale.
We have a large range of soft drinks so you can feel comfortable just socialising in the Bar.
Term time opening hours
Monday and Tuesday: 19:00-22:50
Wednesday to Saturday: 18:00-22:50
Sunday: 18:00-22:20
Price list
The 2022-23 Bar price list is here.
Do students have a say in what’s on the menu? Yes. We make all our decisions informed by student input, and we are all determined to present the highest quality food we can, at the lowest prices.
Do I have to dress up and attend formal dinners? No. If it’s not your thing, you can avoid dining formally in Hall. But you might enjoy yourself so much at the welcome Matriculation dinner that you change your mind.
I have dietary requirements - can you work around them? Yes. Whatever diet you adopt, for whatever reason, we do our best to accommodate it, both on a daily basis and at formal meals. Just keep us informed.
I love cooking. Will I have the chance? Yes. One of the advantages of our accommodation is that most staircases have communal kitchens (also known as 'gyp rooms') so you can cook for yourself and your friends whenever suits.
Statement on Halal Meat:
Fitzwilliam College serves meat suitable for Halal and meat which is not suitable for Halal.
In common with most Cambridge Colleges Fitzwilliam only serves Halal meat from animals that have been stunned before slaughter.
Fitzwilliam College will never knowingly serve ritually slaughtered meat suitable for Halal.
Most of the chicken produced in the UK is suitable for Halal. The chicken served at Fitzwilliam will usually be suitable for Halal whereas other meats will not usually be suitable for Halal.
If it is important to you that you are served either specifically Halal or non Halal please ask your server.