On-Campus Dining Services

Hampshire College is dedicated to providing the highest quality service to students, faculty, staff, and guests.

Eating on Campus

For the academic year 2023-24, dining services will offer in-person cafeteria-style dining in the Dining Commons, coffee shop service at the Kern Kafé, and á la carte dining at the Bridge Café. Sourcing is done as locally as possible, with many ingredients coming from the College's own farm. Student-centered meals are made fresh with seasonal ingredients and a global influence. The dining program supports community businesses such as Tandem Bagel, Pierce Brothers Coffee, and Mapleline Farms.

Dining services accommodate varied dietary needs. You can find out more about our flexible dining plan options here:

Flexible Meal Plans

Locations and Hours:

Opening and closing dates for the Kern Kafé and Bridge Café, as well as break period schedules for the Dining Commons, will be communicated via the Daily Digest and updated here as they become available.

Dining Commons

Dining Commons Recommended by Restaurant Guru

MENU: 3/25–4/07

Monday–Friday

  • Breakfast: 6:45 a.m.–9:30 a.m.  
  • Lunch: 11:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
  • Dinner: 5–8 p.m. 

Saturday and Sunday

  • Brunch: 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
  • Dinner: 5–8 p.m.

The Dining Commons offers meal service consisting of breakfast, lunch, and dinner on weekdays when classes are in session, with brunch and dinner service on weekends and beverages and snacks during break and study periods.

Kern Kafé

Monday–Friday: 8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Located in the R.W. Kern Center, the Kern Kafé is the coffee shop on campus. Offerings include espresso, lattes, tea, an assortment of other hot and cold beverages, homemade pastries, sandwiches, salads, and soup. 

Bridge Café

Tuesday–Friday: 11 a.m.–10 p.m.

Saturday: 4 p.m.–10 p.m.

Located on the second floor of the Robert Crown Center (RCC), the Bridge Café is the campus quick-service location. The name is taken from the bridge that connects the Harold F. Johnson Library's Airport Lounge and the Robert Crown Center. Offerings include made-to-order items, prepared to-go meals, sweets, ice cream and more.

Five College Meal Exchange Program

Students with the full meal plan are eligible to participate in the Five College Meal Exchange Program that allows students who are enrolled in a course at a Five College partner during a meal period to take that meal at the host school, at no additional charge. 

To apply, visit the front desk at the Dining Commons between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to receive and fill out an application. Please bring your enrollment confirmation for the course at the member institution.  Email Nancy Bristol at nabDC@hampshire.edu for questions about the program.

Hampshire College Catering

Full-service catering may be arranged for occasions such as meetings, receptions, holiday parties, religious commemorations, and other special events. Groups may choose to dine in the dining commons, receive catered food service in our event spaces, or combine the offerings and create an event unique to their group. Menus offered range from informal barbecues to full-service plated meals. Our catering staff will customize a package to suit your group's specific needs and requests. Email cateringDC@hampshire.edu with catering requests.

All inquiries will be responded to within 24 hours' notice Monday- Friday between the hours of 8:30-4:30 (Holidays may delay responses)

We require four days' notice for all internal events to ensure the product and service can be met (outside of larger predetermined events like commencement etc.) *All custom orders may require additional time*

Download a printable menu