Food on Campus

Food has become a popular conversation topic in our meetings with students, faculty and staff. Some say that the campus offers a great selection of restaurants and cafés – from York Lanes to the new Starbucks and various Tim Hortons outlets. Others have voiced their frustration over a lack of diversity in choice, sparse locations and healthy options.

Suggested improvements include an on-campus farmer’s market, a grocery store and student-run food co-ops and restaurants.

Below is a map of the current food services available across campus, published by York University. 

Healthy Eating Map_big

Universities across Canada all have very different approaches to food services. The University of Guelph boasts a central food court and alternative dining centre with many chain franchises owned and operated by the University. Additionally, the Bullring is a popular licensed coffeehouse run by the Central Students Association and the Grad Lounge is owned and operated by the Graduate Students’ Association. The Hospitality Program also runs PJs, an affordable restaurant that offers three-course lunches organized and prepared by students in the program.

The Bullring (credit: University of Guelph)

Employees at the Grad Lounge (credit: The Cannon)

Queen’s University hosts a Farmer’s Market on-campus regularly throughout the Fall Semester and every other week during the Winter where students can purchase fresh, local produce. Sodexo and Brown’s Fine Foods are the main hospitality services providers on-campus, but the Alma Mater Society also runs the Queen’s Pub, the Common Ground Coffeehouse and Alfie’s Nightclub independently from the University. The Queen’s Engineering Society owns and operates The Tearoom, a casual venue with a deep commitment to an environmental mandate. A new student-run urban farming program, Urban Fresh, provides students, local residents and restaurants with fresh produce.

The Common Ground (credit: Queen's University)

Band playing at Alfie's Nightclub (credit: Queen's University)

In addition to McMaster’s Hospitality Services options, students, staff and faculty can also dine at Twelve Eighty – a popular restaurant and bar run by the McMaster Student Union. The Pheonix Bar and Grill is another independent establishment run by the Graduate Student Association.

The Phoenix Bar & Grill (credit: McMaster University)

Do you have any suggestions to improve food services on campus? What are your favourite places on campus to eat or grab a coffee?