Penn Dining Services

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Through its food service provider Bon Appétit, Penn Dining offers a variety of flexible dining plans with a combination of a certain number of visits to the all-you-care-to-eat Dining Halls and dining Dollar$ which can be used at retail locations on campus.

About Dining

We believe food service on a college campus serves a much larger purpose than simply sustenance. Dining halls are gathering places. Breaking bread together helps to create a sense of community and comfort. We recognize the important role we fill at Penn and will take great care to honor our position on campus. We show this care in our operations every day by:

• Cooking food from scratch with fresh seasonal ingredients
• Serving a wide variety of menu items at each meal and at every dining café, each day keeping things fresh, fun, and interesting
• Creating great tasting, authentic and nutritious food that exceeds the expectations of vegetarian, vegan, kosher, special need and international diners
• Providing friendly customer service and a warm, welcoming environment to enhance your overall dining experience
• Taking our role in the community seriously by making socially responsible purchasing decisions in regards to produce, meat, seafood, eggs, coffee and disposable plates and service ware as well as composting kitchen waste in all of our cafés

Our approach is a simple one.  It’s about caring enough to serve great food.  Everything we believe and everything we do are based on creating places where students, faculty and staff can come together for great food and camaraderie. Parents are welcome to dine at any of the 13 dining locations on campus!  We accept cash, credit, PennCash, and Dining Dollar$ in all of our residential and retail locations!

How Do Dining Plans Work?

First-year undergraduate students are required by the University to purchase one of three first-year dining plans.

Upper-class undergraduate students can choose between seven dining plans to find one that best fits their lifestyle.

Semester Allowance

Students can use their “visits” (also know as “meals” or “swipes”) in any of our three all-you-care-to-eat on-campus cafés (1920 Commons, Hill College House or Kings Court English College House). Additionally, they can use their visits in Falk Dining Commons (kosher)*, our all-you-care-to-eat ko-sher dining café. Each time your student eats in an on-campus restaurant, one visit is subtracted from their semester “visit” allowance.  Additional “visits” can be purchased if your student runs out.

Dining Dollar$

Dining Dollar$ can be used in any Penn Dining location including Starbucks in 1920 Commons and Houston Market. Each time your student makes a purchase, that amount is subtracted from their Dining Dollar$ account balance.

* An additional 2 dining dollar$ will be subtracted from your student’s account when dining at Falk Dining Commons.

What is ‘Meal Equivalency’?

A Meal Equivalency allows you to purchase food in select Penn Dining retail cafés by using one of your weekly dining plan meals* in lieu of Dining Dollar$. Meal equivalencies are meant to provide an alternative if scheduling or distance makes it difficult to get to a dining café for a meal. 

*Additional information and a list of participating ‘Meal Equivalency’ retail cafés can be found on our web site.

NEW: Add it as You Need it Dining Dollar$

Now Dining Dollar$ not only give quick and convenient access to all 13 dining locations on campus, our new Add It As You Need It option puts cash back in your pocket as well. The more Dining Dollar$ you purchase the more you save – up to 15%!

Dining Dollar Add On Bonus

• $100 - $250, 5%
• $251- $500, 10%
• $500+, 15%

How do I Know Which Dining Plan is Best for my Student?

Here at Penn, we understand that each student is different, and therefore has different dining preferences. Each plan has the flexibility and convenience to meet almost every student’s needs. Visit our web site to view full descriptions of each one of our Dining Plan options.

What if my Student has Allergies, a Dietary Need or Religious Dietary Restriction?

Bon Appétit at Penn Dining has a Nutritionist on staff that will be happy to answer any dietary questions you or your student may have. Additionally, we have a kosher dining café (Falk) and our chefs will work with students to help meet any other religious dietary restrictions.

How does my Student Sign Up?

Have your student log in to their Campus Express account.  After your student logs in, they will be able to select their dining plan.