University Housing Dining and Culinary Services serves the residents of the University Residence Halls, as well as all UW-Madison students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Food is provided in a number of venues across campus, including dining markets, coffee shops, and convenience stores. Our menus include made-to-order items, many recipes made from scratch, and healthy options, giving you flexibility to eat what you want, when you want it. Our registered dietitians and online tools can also help you with nutrition and dietary needs. In addition, University Housing operates a large catering service to serve campus customers and care packages service.
Please note all our Dining Markets are cashless. Accepted forms of payment include Wiscard, Visa, Discover, and MasterCard. To keep cashier lines moving quickly, cash or check are not accepted.
The Lineup
Locations & Hours
View descriptions and schedules for all of our locations across campus.
Menus
View daily menus for our six convenient locations.
Resident Dining Plan
Learn about our Dining Plan options.
Ticket to Take Out Program
Learn about our reusable to-go container program that is used in all Dining Markets.
Order a Care Package
Order care packages for your student, from custom birthday cakes to cold remedies.
Dining Special Events
Check out our calendar of upcoming food events in our markets and additional locations.
Featured Food Ordering Options
Food Delivery
We offer food delivery services through Starship Technologies robots.
Note: Starship delivery operations is closed during the summer.
Events
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Dec02
Winterfest @ 4:00 pm - 8:30 pm Four Lakes Market
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Dec04
Carson's Philly Cheesesteak Day @ 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Carson's Market
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Dec09
Decorate Your Own Winter Cookie @ 11:00 am - 8:00 pm All Markets
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Dec10
Late Night Breakfast @ 8:30 pm - 11:00 pm Four Lakes & Gordon Ave. Markets
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Dec11
Mango Overload @ 11:00 am - 2:00 pm Lowell Market
Latest UW Dining News
Dining Meal Plan Change for Spring Semester
Want to make adjustments to your dining meal plan for the spring semester? You have the opportunity to change your dining plan for the Spring term between November 19 and December 14. To change your …
Swipe Out Hunger Drive
On Monday, November 24, donate up to one meal swipe for our Swipe Out Hunger drive! Help each other out. Each semester, Student Affairs with campus partners hosts a swipe drive. Donate a meal swipe at University …
Help us complete more surveys than our Big Ten peers!
Every survey counts to help us climb the Big Ten leaderboard! Let’s go, Badgers! All residence hall residents who take our survey will also be entered for a chance to win $100 deposit to their …
- More Dining posts
Dining FAQs
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What Dining facilities are open?
Visit our Dining locations and hours page to see the latest updates and schedules.
Who is allowed to use Housing’s dining locations?
Our dining locations are open to anyone on campus, including students, faculty, staff, and the general public. Guests can purchase meals individually at door price with a credit card, debit card, or Wiscard. When paying with your Wiscard, you’ll receive a 5% discount on all purchases. Guests may also order food for delivery from any location through the Starship Technologies app.
Does all-you-care-to-eat service reduce food waste?
Yes, we use a trayless system for all-you-to-eat so residents take what they would like. Residents are welcome to come back as many times as they would like to take additional food, and this helps reduce food waste. In addition, University Housing Dining takes any leftover unserved food from the Dining Markets and creates pre-packaged frozen microwaveable meals. These meals are available at no cost to any student on-campus facing food insecurity. To learn more about this program and where you can pick-up food, see the Nutrition Access Program Instagram and Facebook pages.
Are seating areas open between meal periods?
No, because staff need to clean and prepare the market between every meal serving period, both the dining room and market will be closed to the public.
Will seating areas be open for studying or socializing?
Residents who have paid for a meal are welcome to use the dining rooms during meal service periods. Dining rooms will be closed between service meal periods.
Can I carry in outside food?
No outside food will be allowed in the dining rooms of our six markets.
How does all-you-care-to-eat service work?
All-you-care-to-eat or buffet style service means diners will pay for their meal upon entry to the market. In order to help manage food waste, these locations will have trayless service. Diners are able to return as many times as they would like during the meal period to enjoy additional servings.
Can I visit with friends if I’m not eating?
No, as guests have to pay to enter the market at and these dining rooms are only open to diners. These spaces need to stay open for those individuals actively eating.
Who can I talk to if I have dietary concerns or if I’m unhappy with the dining service?
Please reach out to us through our Contact Us Form. We have staff providing timely responses to questions and concerns received there.
Where can I get coffee and ice cream on campus?
In the Southeast Neighborhood, there is a Starbucks location in Smith Residence Hall and Southeast Café in Gordon Dining & Event Center offers ice cream. In the Lakeshore neighborhood, there is a Bean & Creamery located in Dejope Residence Hall. To see hours and locations visit our dining hours page.
If products change, how can I check for allergens or other dietary needs?
The food information displayed at each venue will always be accurate to what is being served. You can always check those to verify any dietary need or food accommodation. But above all, if you have a question or need please let us know and reach out to a staff member working. We are always happy to help.
I'm not a housing resident (student or employee). How does dining work for me?
Non-housing residents will pay a flat standard fee for their meal upon entry to the market. This will allow you to enjoy all-you-care-to-eat (buffet style service). You are welcome to come back into the market during your meal as many times as you would like for additional food, however you are not able to carry out extra food. If a non-resident pays with their Wiscard, they receive a 5% discount.
I have a dietary need (vegan, vegetarian, halal) or food allergy. Will I still be able to find enough options that I can eat at the markets?
Fill out the Allergy/Dietary Requirement Self-Declaration Form so our Housing Dietitian can make sure your specific needs are addressed. We are happy to work with students regarding individual circumstances. We have several resources we can use to ensure your needs are met.
What can a student do if facing financial hardship?
If you are facing financial emergencies during your time at UW-Madison, you can submit an Emergency Support Request via your MyUW Student Center to be considered for emergency support options, including limited grant funding and loans.
In addition to direct financial support, UW–Madison continues to connect students with resources to meet and navigate basic needs (e.g., internet/technology, child care, housing and employment) and food assistance.
Above all, if you need assistance, please reach out to us at dining@housing.wisc.edu, and we will see what we can do to get you connected with assistance.
Can students take food to-go from markets?
Yes, to take food to-go from any location, you will need to use your Ticket to Take-Out token. Upon entry to the Market, provide your token to the cashier. You’ll be allowed to take 1 container to-go. The container must be able to shut. Food that is requested to-go must be consumed off-site and not in the dining room.