Resident Dining Program
Dining and Shopping Close to Where You Live
Residents can eat at any of our dining locations and use their Residence Hall or Apartment dining plans. Whether you live on West Campus or North Campus, there are food, beverage and grocery options nearby.
Residence Hall dining plan
All students living in a residence hall are required to have a dining plan, unless you live in an apartment or studio apartment.
Apartment Dining Plan
For those students who live in an apartment, we offer an apartment dining plan. Tailored to your busy lifestyle.
West Campus Dining for Residents
Local Point
Dining commons located in Lander Hall.
Husky Grind Café, Mercer Court
District Market, Alder
Neighborhood grocery store in Alder Hall.
Cultivate
Our Zagat-rated restaurant in Elm Hall.
North Campus Dining for Residents
Center Table
Dining commons centrally located in Oliver Hall.
Husky Den Food Court
Located in the heart of The HUB, the Husky Den is the perfect stop for a bite between classes.
District Market, Oak
Neighborhood grocery store in Oak Hall.
Husky Grind Café, District Market Oak
Husky Grind coffee, bakery, sandwiches and more!
The Resident Dining Program Is About Choices
Our resident dining program is designed to provide experiences of community, engagement and nutrition. Our Campus Executive Chef is constantly updating and expanding our menus and employing creative strategies to keep your taste buds and your body happy!
Meet your Campus Executive Chef
As campus executive chef, Tracey MacRae oversees the full menu of culinary offerings on campus. MacRae’s extensive experience stretches from her original entry-level job making sandwiches at a deli, to later becoming the original chef at Seattle’s Kingfish Café—a contemporary soul food restaurant. She joined UW HFS in 2002 as a sous chef.
A long list of recognitions include: 2019 Premier Illuminating Excellence Award; 2019 Premier Spirit Award finalist; 2013 University of Washington provost luncheon, executive chef by invitation; and 2005, 2007, 2013 Food as Art, a celebration of African American chefs, invited by invitation.
“I love being a part of the wonder and fascination of the journey of food, sharing new cultures, ethnic influences, and flavors with students, educators, and lifelong-learners at this time in their lives,” MacRae said. “It has been my pleasure and pride to be the culinary voice that helps the university lead the way in providing our campus and neighboring community healthful, captivating, delicious, and socially conscientious food.”
Food and Nutrition for Special Diets
Our resident dining program offers choices for students who:
have food allergies or intolerances
have medically related dietary restrictions
choose a vegan or vegetarian diet
We are committed to creating safe and inclusive food experiences. Learn more about where we buy our food on our Food and Nutrition page.
Meet your Nutrition and Wellness Specialist
Lacy Anderson, MS MPP RDN CD, is our new Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. She will have input on ensuring our meals meet nutrition guidelines, addressing allergen concerns, and offering personalized nutrition support to students. Whether you're navigating dietary restrictions or simply want to learn more about healthy eating, she's here to help. Contact her at lacyand@uw.edu.
"Hi! I’m Lacy, your Nutrition and Wellness Specialist. I’m a Registered Dietitian and former middle school history teacher who just moved here from Los Angeles. If you have questions about meeting your personal nutrition needs or ideas for how to make the campus dining experience better for all Huskies, I’d love to talk to you!”
Community Events
Throughout the year, we partner with student groups and vendors to bring unique and educational dining experiences to the residential community. Programs include:
Special menus during Black History Month at Local Point and Center Table
Cooking demonstrations at the Chef’s Table in Local Point
Coffee-related special events and seminars at Husky Grind at Mercer Court
Community events are advertised in your residence hall and through HFS social media
Leadership and Job Opportunities
The UW Dining Student Advisory Board works with UW Dining leadership to give voice to our student customers’ interests and concerns as key business decisions are made. The board is comprised of about ten residence hall students and meets several times a quarter. Everyone is welcome to apply to be on the board.
UW Dining’s leadership team also meets regularly with the Residential Community Student Association (RCSA), giving students a chance for direct feedback regarding dining issues and decisions.
HFS is one of the university’s largest employers of students. We provide millions of dollars a year in wages to students who work to offset the cost of their education. We provide jobs in dining that accommodate your schedule and give you valuable and meaningful work experience.
If you are interested in any of these opportunities, please talk to your RA.
UW Food Pantry
The UW Food Pantry provides food assistance to students, who for whatever reason are having a hard time putting food on their plate. It could be the result of a short-term disruption in your finances or a lack of access to other financial assistance. If you are making a choice between the food you need to sustain a healthy life and other pressing priorities we encourage you to take advantage of this resource.