# Dining Services & Meal Plans Savor campus life with Montclair State University’s dining services and meal plans. Explore diverse and delicious dining options and meal plans that fit your lifestyle. Fuel your day your way with dining options that support your health, lifestyle, and cravings. Managed by [EATS by Gourmet Dining](https://dineoncampus.com/montclair), our on-campus dining locations aim to serve exactly what you’re in the mood for — from residential dining halls and cafés to vending machines, marketplaces, mobile ordering and more. Our dedicated staff of dietitians ensure there are meals available to help you feel your best, and whether you follow a vegan, vegetarian, halal, or kosher diet or require allergy-friendly options, you’ll also find meals that fit your specific dietary needs and preferences. Campus Dining also celebrates our diverse community, with special menus for cultural and religious holidays like Passover and Ramadan. Learn more about all the [on-campus dining venues](https://dineoncampus.com/montclair/locations) and where they are located. ## What We Offer From buffet-style dining and cozy cafe spaces to conveniently located vending machines and grab-and-go spots when you’re on the move, our campus dining options are designed to meet your needs. Dining Services goes beyond the day-to-day, too — we offer catering for special events and nutrition guidance from our team of in-house wellness experts. ![Students sat at a table conversating at Freeman Dining Hall.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/102023_16446_Freeman%20Dining%20Hall-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=O5ZceNSE) ### Dining Halls Enjoy a buffet-style meal on a single swipe! Two of our dining halls (Sam’s Place at Machuga Heights and Freeman Dining Hall) are actually located inside of residential buildings. ![Two students sat inside a Starbucks on their laptops.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/091724_46735%20_Students%20at%20Starbucks-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=PziAC8Fo) ### Retail Spots and Casual Bites We offer a wide variety of retail venues on campus, including our Student Center Food Court (**The Halal Shack, Wild Blue Sushi**) and Grubhub options (**Jersey Mike’s, Chick-N-Bap**). **Zaro's Family Bakery**, **Java Love** or **Panera Bread** in between classes and pop into **Starbucks** in Sprague Library (or the student-run **Saxby’s** in the Feliciano School of Business) before a study session. Ready to unwind? Hang out and, if you’re 21+, have a drink at our **1908** pub, opened fall 2024. ![Students at a table at the cafeteria.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/021016_8796_Student%20Center%20Cafeteria-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=KiEwNkG1) ### Vending Machines For on-the-go options, we have more than 100 vending machines throughout campus and the residence halls — including [several **Farmer’s Fridge** locations](https://www.tiktok.com/@montclairstateu/video/7364488323093597482) stocked with fresh, healthy options. ![Exterior of Market at Blanton Plaza](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/083121_8493_Dining%20Services-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=8nG15A15) ### Convenience Stores and Marketplaces Our C-Stores provide a variety of food, pre-packaged snacks and drinks, plus personal care items. Need to grab something but don’t have time to leave campus? We’ve got you. ![Student receiving food at Sams Place over the counter. ](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/013119_3117_SDCL%20Dining%20Sams%20Place-X4.jpg?h=ddc58dd3&itok=SX2IdZPM) ### Nutrition Education & Counseling Our team of campus dietitians can help you make healthy choices. We offer one-on-one and small group nutrition counseling services to students, faculty and staff, as well as a Teaching Kitchen in one of our dining halls if you want to take part in hands-on cooking classes and demos. In 2025, we launched the Farm Box program to expand access to fresh, local ingredients for our campus community. ![Display of food in containers.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/102023_16414_Freeman%20Dining%20Hall-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=eLVFuzJy) ### Cultural and Ethnic Food & Celebrations It’s important to us that the food we offer reflects the rich diversity of our campus population. [Our menus often revolve around holidays and celebrations](https://dineoncampus.com/montclair/together-we-feast-inclusive-culinary-celebrations), showcasing the foods and dishes of many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds. ![Students holding up various plates of food, smiling.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/042423_3029_Gourmet%20Dining%20Food%20Expo-X2.jpg?h=29234840&itok=ZHQr1zXr) ### Catering Services Through the catering services of Gourmet Dining, LLC, we are delighted to partner with campus departments, student organizations and external event hosts to deliver creative, high quality food and beverage services for events and meetings throughout campus. ![Display of fruits and vegetables.](/sites/default/files/styles/1120x1120/public/2026-05/043019_4371_Food%20Pantry-X2.jpg?h=d3e2533a&itok=2ofvrDcG) ### Sustainability Initiatives & Local Sourcing Environmental responsibility guides our campus dining initiatives, from sustainable sourcing of locally grown produce, antibiotic- and hormone-free poultry and more. We reduce our carbon footprint through programs like Waste Not, Carbon Foodprint, Love Food Not Waste, Food Recovery Network, and Green to Go, while expanding plant-forward menus and cutting single-use plastics with more earth-friendly packaging. ### Campus Meal Plan Information Learn about our campus meal plan types, costs and flexibility as well as other resources. How Do Meal Plans Work? You are required to maintain a meal plan if you live in a University-owned residence hall, apartment or house at either the Montclair or Bloomfield campus. Full-time commuters attending at least one class in person on campus must participate in the Commuter Dining Deposit plan. Part-time commuter students as well as graduates and faculty and staff also have the option to enroll in meal plans. Values from your meal plan, Flex and Red Hawk Dollars are loaded, accessed and tracked using the student’s University ID Card. Swipe your ID card at the dining venue of your choice upon entry to residential dining halls, or at the cashier stand for our retail venues or by selecting the meal plan payment tender via the Grubhub mobile app (and logging in for Montclair State University). [Meal Plan Information](https://inside.montclair.edu/administration/finance-and-treasury/auxiliary-services/dining-services/meal-plan-information) Meal Plan Costs Whether you’re looking for the flexibility of an unlimited meal plan or just need one meal per week on campus, we have an option that’s right for you! The University offers two all-you-care-to-eat dining halls — Sam’s Place and Freeman Hall Dining – as well as many retail dining establishments where your meal plan can also be used. Visit the Meal Plan Rates page below to see approved rates for the 2025-2026 academic year on both the Montclair and Bloomfield campus. [Meal Plan Rates](https://inside.montclair.edu/administration/finance-and-treasury/auxiliary-services/dining-services/meal-plan-rates) Dining and Dietary Accommodations We are committed to the full inclusion of students with disabilities into every aspect of university life. Students with food allergies or other conditions that limit what they can and cannot eat will be accommodated to the fullest extent possible in our dining halls. Please note that this policy **only applies to students whose food allergies or medical conditions are diagnosed and documented**. Most lifestyle and religious dietary considerations such as vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, halal and kosher diets can be accommodated on campus. Additionally, our two residential dining halls, Sam’s Place and Freeman Dining Hall, have an **allergy-free zone**. ## Campus Dining Options | **Location** | **Type** | |---|---| | 1908 | Pub food & pizza | | Amazon Go | Convenience stores | | Chick-N-Bap | Korean American street food | | Freeman Dining Hall | All you care to eat dining hall | | Freshens | Fresh casual | | Ice Arena Concessions Bar | Beverages, Breakfast, Satisfiers and Sides/Snacks | | Java Love | Specialty local coffee | | Jersey Mike’s | American sub sandwiches | | La Cantina | Latin Cuisine | | Panera Bread | Baked goods, soups, salads and sandwiches | | Sam’s Place | All you care to eat dining hall | | Saxbys | Grilled cheese, cold brew coffee and more | | Social Grill | Burgers, chicken and more | | Starbucks | Coffee and baked goods | | Student Center Dining Room | All you care to eat buffet with rotating menus | | Teaching Kitchen | Hands-on cooking classes & demos | | The Halal Shack | Halal cuisine | | The Red Hawk Diner | Diverse menu with classic diner favorites | | University Hall Cafe | Coffee & baked goods | | Virtual Kitchen | Variety of food choices | | Wild Blue Sushi | Sushi | | Yella’s | Comfort food | | Zaro's Family Bakery | New-York style baked goods | ## Have Questions? We’re Here To Help! [Dining Services](https://inside.montclair.edu/node/5214) - - Telephone [973-655-3375](tel:973-655-3375)