dining commons
Chestnut
Welcome to the Chestnut Dining Commons, where nutritious, delicious and healthy food is prepared fresh daily by Food Services’ talented culinary team. The Chestnut Dining Commons is the primary dining destination for students living in Chestnut Residence. The Dining Commons also welcomes all students with a Food Services Access Meal Plan or Commuter Meal Plan, and all members of the U of T community without a meal plan.
The Chestnut Dining Commons provides All-You-Care-To-Eat dining. Access Meal Plan, Commuter Meal Plan, Campus Flex Dollar, Dining Dollar, and TBucks account holders (Plans) can eat what they want and the quantity they wish to eat during each visit to the Dining Commons.
No Plan…No Problem – the Dining Commons is open to serve members of the U of T community who do not have a meal plan – just pay the meal period door rate and enjoy all the benefits of All-You-Care-to-Eat dining.
summer 2026
Hours of operation
Please note: Chestnut Dining Commons is only open for Breakfast and Dinner Service.
BREAKFAST – 7:00 AM – 10:30 AM
DINNER – 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
2026-27 Academic Year
Hours of operation
Full meal plan service will be available in the Dining Commons beginning with breakfast service on Sunday, August 30, 2026.
Meal plans end after dinner service on April 30, 2027.
Please note: Throughout the year there are National and Civic holidays where the Dining Commons will follow restricted hours.
Mon – Thu
Operating hours
7 AM – 10 PM
Service Hours
Breakfast
7 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch
11:30 AM – 2 PM
Dinner
5 PM – 10 PM
Friday
Operating hours
7 AM – 9 PM
service Hours
Breakfast
7 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch
11:30 AM – 2 PM
Dinner
5 PM – 9 PM
Saturday
Operating hours
8 AM – 9 PM
service Hours
Breakfast
8 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch
11:30 AM – 2 PM
Dinner
5 PM – 9 PM
Sunday
Operating hours
8 AM – 10 PM
service Hours
Breakfast
8 AM – 10:30 AM
Lunch
11:30 AM – 2 PM
Dinner
5 PM – 10 PM
stations
What type of food is available?
morning pantry
ENTRÉE
STATION
Pizza
Salad bar
Grill
Pan
chestnut
Access Meal Plans
Meal Plans provide students with a convenient, flexible, and tax-free (as per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations) way to enjoy meals on campus.
With the Access Meal Plans, students have the freedom to choose their meals and portion sizes and customize their daily menu from multiple food stations to suit their individual preferences.
How do they work?
Access Meal Plans are pre-loaded onto the meal plan holder’s TCard. To gain entry to the Chestnut Dining Commons, Access Meal Plan holders need to present their TCard to the entrance attendant and swipe or tap their card.
The Access Meal Plans have a specified number of entry swipes per week, and you can find more details about them in the next section – Access Meal Plan Options.
Chestnut Dining is eat-in only with a limited take-out option.
Please refer to the Chestnut Residence Access Meal Plan Terms and Conditions for complete Terms and Conditions and usage guidelines.
Access Meal Plan Options
There are two Access Meal Plans to consider before selecting your preferred option.
Unlimited Access
Allows the plan holder Unlimited Entry Swipes each week to the Chestnut Dining Commons and includes the option to use up to five (5) available entry swipes per week at CampusOne, Oak House or New College Dining Commons. Access Plan users can eat what they want and the quantity they wish to eat without worrying about counting weekly meal swipes. The Unlimited Access plan includes $700 Dining Dollars for purchasing food and beverages at participating retail food service locations on campus.
$7,800
Includes:
Dining Dollars $700
+ $50 TBucks
CIF $150
Unlimited
Entry
Access 14
Allows the Plan holder 14 Entry Swipes each week to the Chestnut Dining Commons and includes the option to use up to three (3) available entry swipes per week at CampusOne, Oak House, or New College Dining Commons. Access 14 plan holders can eat what they want and the quantity they wish to eat with each Entry Swipe. The Access 14 plan includes $600 Dining Dollars for purchasing food and beverages at participating retail food service locations on campus. Entry Swipes are reset to 14 accesses each week.
$7,250
Includes:
Dining Dollars $600
+ $50 TBucks
CIF $150
14 Entry Swipes
per week
Please note Access 14 plans do not allow in-and-out privileges – each entry to the dining commons requires an Entry Swipe. The Access Meal Plan week begins on Sunday and ends on Saturday. Please refer to the Chestnut Residence Access Meal Plan Terms and Conditions for complete Terms and Conditions and usage guidelines.
Dining Dollars
The Dining Dollars portion of the meal plan is available for purchasing tax-exempt food and beverages (as per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations) at participating Food Services retail locations. Visit Where to Eat on Campus for a list of participating locations under the tab “Dining Dollars”.
At the end of the academic year (April 30, 2027) unused Dining Dollars are transferred to Food Services Campus Flex Dollars. For more details, refer to the section – Dining Dollar Carryover.
It is important to note, whichever plan you choose, having enough Dining Dollars for the entire academic year depends on your eating habits and budgeting. Meal Plan holders who use all their Dining Dollars before the end of the academic year can purchase additional funds using eAccounts.
Dining Dollars top-ups are subject to the Chestnut Residence Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.
Dining Dollar Carryover
Unused tax-exempt Dining Dollars, including additional funds added throughout the year, are transferred to Food Services Campus Flex Dollars at the completion of the Access Meal Plan period (April 30, 2027) and can be used to purchase food, beverage, and other items at participating Food Services locations beginning May 7, 2027.
Campus Flex Dollars
Campus Flex Dollars (Dining Dollars Carryover) are loaded onto the meal plan holder’s TCard for purchases beginning May 7, 2027. Campus Flex Dollars are refundable with confirmation of withdrawal from the University of Toronto, St. George campus, or academic completion. To request a refund, please refer to our Campus Flex Refund Request Form.
Funds transferred to Flex Dollars and Flex Dollar refunds each incur a $50.00 administration fee and will be deducted from the transfer amount and/or refund amount. Balances of $50.00 or less do not qualify for a transfer or refund. Campus Flex Dollar purchases are subject to applicable taxes. Transfers and refunds are processed in accordance with the Flex Dollars Account Policy.
TBucks
Each meal plan includes a preloaded amount of TBucks. TBucks is a common form of currency accepted across campus. They can be used to purchase products at participating locations or for textbooks and payment for printing and photocopying on campus. Additional TBucks can be purchased by anyone in possession of a TCard for use on the U of T St. George and Scarborough Campuses. TBucks purchases are subject to applicable taxes. TBucks Policy
The Residence Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) is a non-refundable fee used for capital investments that directly enhance the residence dining experience, facilities, environment, and equipment.
meal plan
Key Dates
Term 1 Start Date:
Breakfast, August 30, 2026
Deadline to Request Change Access Meal Plan:
September 24, 2026 before 12 pm
Winter Holiday Closure:
December 23, 2026 to January 8, 2027 (inclusive)
Term 2 Start Date:
Lunch, January 9, 2027
Meal Plan End Date:
Dinner, April 30, 2027
Transfer Date for Meal Plan Carryover Funds:
May 7, 2027
*Dates subject to change.
Chestnut Takeout Allowance
The Chestnut Residence Dining Commons is eat-in only with a limited take-out allowance. Chestnut Access Meal Plans offer all-you-care-to-eat access to your residence dining room as well as a Dining Dollars allocation to use at participating locations while on campus. Access and Dining Dollar allocations are specific to the plan you purchased.
The limited take-out option is available to take a meal to go from a Residence Dining Commons using an Eco to Go Container (one Eco to Go exchange card is provided with your welcome package at check-in). Access Meal Plan holders have access to three take-out meals per week.
For more information about the take-out pass Terms of Use or Redemption Process, ask an entrance host cashier or a Residence Dining Commons Managing Chef. Please refer to the Chestnut Residence Access Meal Plan Terms and Conditions for complete Terms and Conditions and Takeout Allowance guidelines.
U of t mobile order app
Hungry?
Order from your favourite Food Hall
using your Access Meal Plan
Dining Dollars – pick up and enjoy!
Useful Links
Dietary Needs
Do you have a food allergy, intolerance or dietary restriction?
Complete our Dietary Restrictions – Self Declaration Form and our team will connect with you to discuss our menu options and possible food accommodations.
FAQ
No. Your Dining Dollars can be used as follows:
• Purchase food + beverage items at selected retail outlets across campus that are operated by Food Services (tax exempt*).
Access Meal plan change requests e.g. from Access 14 to Unlimited must be submitted to your residence office no later than September 24, 2026, before 12 pm.
Residents who want additional Dining Dollars during the academic year can add funds to their account – referred to as a “top-up”. Balances can be topped up using e-Accounts.
Meal Plan Access Entry Swipes and Dining Dollars vary by meal plan. For more details please refer to the Access Meal Plan Options on the website or refer to the Food Services Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.
The Dining Dollars portion of the meal plan is available for purchasing tax-exempt food and beverages (as per Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) regulations) at participating Food Services locations. Visit Where to Eat on Campus for a list of participating locations.
Meal plans are mandatory.
Chestnut Residence does not have cooking facilities for residents so all food is served out of the residence Dining Commons.
The menus (Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner) can be viewed on the University of Toronto Food Services website here.
Over the years we have accommodated many students with specific dietary needs who live in residence and dine with us multiple times a day. If you wish to meet to discuss allergens, intolerances, or dietary restrictions due to medical conditions, we ask that you fill out and submit the Allergen/Dietary Form.
Students are encouraged to connect with a member of the culinary team at their Dining Commons. The culinary team can help students navigate the dining hall, to discuss accommodation options for complex allergies or dietary restrictions. Students who indicate that they require dietary accommodations when applying to Chestnut Residence will have their provided information reviewed and will be contacted by our team if necessary.
Students with anaphylactic allergies are always asked to have their auto-injector on them in case of emergency.
Each Access Meal Plan comes with Dining Dollars which may be topped up during the academic year through Transact eAccounts or by downloading Transact eAccounts mobile app.
Dining Dollars top-ups are subject to the Chestnut Residence Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.
For more information on how to top-up using eAccounts, please visit our eAccounts section on the website.
Chestnut meal plans are non-refundable. For full details on refunds, please see the Food Services Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.
Your Dining Dollar account balance is printed on the receipt you receive when making a purchase at a Food Services location.
You can check and manage your Dining Dollar balance through Transact e-Accounts.
Access 14 plans are reset to 14 Entry Swipes each week. Unused Entry Swipes expire at the end of each week and do not carryover. Inquire with your Dining Commons cashier prior to using your entry swipe to check your remaining swipe balance for the week.
At the end of the academic year, unused Dining Dollars are transferred to Food Services Campus Flex Dollars. For full details on Dining Dollars Carryover, please see the Food Services Meal Plan Terms and Conditions.