Oriel’s Hall has a mix of formal and informal dining options for students and other college members.
Eating together in Hall is a big part of Oriel life, bringing our community together.
Formal Hall is held six times per week and is a great way to get the ‘traditional’ Oxford experience.
Shared kitchens are also available on site for students to prepare their own food.
Brunch is served in Hall on Saturdays and Sundays during term time.
Meals in Hall are subsidised by the College to keep prices as low as possible.
Many students choose to eat the majority of their meals ‘in Hall’, and our Chefs provide a number of affordable formal and informal meal options each day. The kitchen team are able to accommodate allergies and special food requests (e.g. Halal), although usually require a bit of additional notice.
Breakfast (cooked or continental) is served in Hall on Monday – Friday between 8.15am and 8.45am. A range of breakfast food is available, including cereal, toast, and a range of hot food, including vegetarian options.
A late breakfast/early lunch is served on Saturdays and Sundays only between 11am and 1pm. If you wish to attend brunch on either day, please make sure you book your place via the Meal Booking System by 2pm the Friday before, to allow the Chef time to arrange food deliveries.
Lunch is served in Hall from 12.30pm – 1.30pm Monday to Friday. There is usually a range of hot or cold meals for students to choose from and this can range from salads and sandwiches to lasagne, fish and chips, macaroni cheese, not forgetting the Chef’s special chocolate pudding with chocolate custard, usually served on a Friday. There are always vegetarian options available. If you wish to eat lunch in College, please ensure you book in via the Meal Booking System by 2pm the day before.
From the first week of Michaelmas Term 2022, Informal Hall (dinner) will be served from 5:30pm to 6:30pm from Sunday to Friday.
Students will need to book for Informal Hall via the Meal Booking System by 2pm the day before, or for a Sunday students must book by 2pm on Friday.
Smart clothes/gowns do not need to be worn for Informal Hall. No evening meal is served in Hall on a Saturday.
Formal Hall, a formal three-course meal, is served at 7.15pm on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and at 7.30pm on Wednesday and Sunday. As it is a formal meal, in the tradition of many Oxford colleges, students and guests are required to wear smart clothes (jacket and tie or equivalent) and gowns. Wednesdays and Sundays are ‘Guest Nights’, and on those days students should wear suits or equivalent dress. Students will need to book for Formal Hall via the Meal Booking System by 2pm the day before, or for a Sunday students must book by 2pm on Friday. There is no evening meal served in Hall on a Saturday.
*Trinity Term 2022 update* – During Trinity Term 2022, Formal Hall will be held four times per week rather than the usual six. There will be no Formal Hall on Mondays or Thursdays, but Informal Hall will still be available for College members on those days. These arrangements are subject to review throughout term, and we hope that normal service will resume soon.
For further details please contact the College Butler (butler@oriel.ox.ac.uk).
The College has kitchens located in some of the staircases which can be used by students for cooking meals and snacks. Because of the age of the College buildings, cooking facilities can vary depending on which area of College your room is in.
Students are also allowed to keep small fridges and a kettle in their bedroom, although toasters and microwaves are not allowed.