Meal Plans
Welcome to Dining Services at Howard University.
Dining facilities, Blackburn Cafe and Bethune Annex Cafe, are all you-care-to-eat. Both locations offer an array of options and will gladly work with students to find additional options that suit their individual needs.
Both dining halls regularly host events from food holidays to special dinners, keep an eye out for the HU Hospitality monthly calendar to see what events are happening this month by visiting howard.campusdish.com! Follow along on, Instagram to learn more about the events.
*Accepted forms of payment: Meal Swipes, Dining Dollars, Bison Bucks, and Credit.
| Location | Mon-Fri | Saturday | Sunday |
| Bethune Annex Café | 8 AM to 8 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Breakfast | 8 AM to 10:30 AM | ||
| Brunch | 10 AM to 2 PM | 10 AM to 2 PM | |
| Lunch | 11:30 AM to 2 PM | ||
| Dinner | 4 PM to 8 PM | 4 PM to 7 PM | 4 PM to 7 PM |
| Bison Brew | 8 AM to 4 PM | Closed | Closed |
| The Market at West Towers | 8 AM to 7 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM |
| The Market at Bethune Annex | 8 AM to 7 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM | 10 AM to 7 PM |
| Blackburn Café | 8 AM to 8 PM | Closed | Closed |
| Breakfast | 8 AM to 10:30 AM | ||
| Brunch | |||
| Lunch | 11:30 AM to 2 PM | ||
| Dinner | 4 PM to 8 PM | ||
| Punchout | 11 AM to 7 PM | Closed | Closed |
| 1867 Café | 8 AM to 4 PM | Closed | Closed |
| Chick fil-A | 8 AM to 8 PM | 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM | Closed |
| 202 Market | Closed | Closed | Closed |
| West Campus (Bison Bread Co) | Closed | Closed | Closed |
Contact Information
Questions about Meal Plans?
Johnson Administration Building
2400 6th Street NW, Basement Suite 11
Washington, DC 20059
Phone: 202-806-2109
onecard@howard.edu
What is a Meal Plan?
A Meal Plan unlocks access to all-you-care-to-eat cafés and locations across Howard University's campus. Each plan includes Meal Swipes and Dining Dollars (DB), both conveniently loaded onto your Bison One Card.
Meal Swipes
Meal Swipes provide entry to Bethune Annex Café and Blackburn Café, both are all-you-care-to-eat dining halls with 15–20 hot and cold serving stations. Each swipe equals one entry.
Dining Plans - Fall 2025
2025 Fall Meal Plans
Meal plans are now required for all undergraduates living in on-campus residence halls except for upperclassmen (juniors and seniors) who live in the Towers.
Flexible Options for Upperclassmen:
- Juniors and seniors living in on-campus residence halls can choose any available meal plan that best fits their needs and schedule.
- Juniors and seniors living in the Towers are not required to have a meal plan.
Default Plan and Change Window:
- All first-year students will initially be enrolled in the Traditional 19-meal plan.
- First-year students can change their plan via the Atrium Portal until the last day of the second week of the semester.
- A $50 fee will apply to any meal plan change requests made and approved after the final date of the change period, regardless of the reason.
First-year students and sophomores may select from the following meal plan options during the change period (without incurring the $50 fee):
- Traditional 19
- Traditional 14
- Block 140
- Block 170
Use the steps below to select a meal plan starting tomorrow!
- Visit onecard.howard.edu to access the new Atrium Meal Plan Portal.
- Look for Manage Your Meal Plan.
- Read and accept the One Card Meal Plan Agreement.
- Choose the correct semester.
- Select, Manage, then choose ADD, CHANGE, or CANCEL.
- Choose your preferred meal plan.
Dining Plan
| Traditional 19
| Traditional 14
| Block 170
| Block 140
| Block 75
| Dining Dollars Only
|
Cost (semester)
|
$3,344
| $3,245
| $3,122
| $3,065
| $1,490.50
| $1,280
|
Meals (weekly)
| 19 | 14 |
|
|
|
|
Meals (session)
|
|
| 170 | 140 | 75 |
|
Dining Dollars (semester)
|
$250
| $300
| $375
| $400
| $450
| $1,175
|
| Availability | To All Students | To Juniors, Seniors, and Graduate Students Only | ||||
Campus Dining FAQs
Am I required to have a Meal (dining) Plan?
All students Residence Hall are required to purchase a Meal Plan during the fall and spring terms. Commuters are not required to purchase a meal plan, however, several are available to enhance your campus experience. Commuters are eligible to register for any meal plan.
How do I choose a Meal (dining) Plan?
Personal eating habits, class schedule and leisure activities should all be considered when choosing a Meal (dining) Plan. If you are accustomed to eating three full meals a day, or prefer to eat small meals throughout the day, our Traditional 19 meal plan may be for you. If you tend to skip breakfast, eating only two meals a day, a the Traditional 14 meal plan with less meal swipes will be a better choice. If you want maximum Dining Dollars to spend at national brands, coffee shop and at our convenience store, a plan with more Dining Dollars is for you.
How Do I Sign Up for A Dining Plan?
Fall or spring meal plans are selected in the Atrium Meal Plan Portal, or you can visit the Bison One Card Office in the Mordecai Johnson Building (A-Bldg.), 2400 6th Street N.W., Suite B-11, Washington, DC 20059. The last day to purchase, make changes, or cancel your Fall or Spring meal plan is the 2nd Friday of each semester.
How Does My Meal (dining) Plan Work?
Meal Swipes can be used at our Dining Halls, Bethune Annex and Blackburn Cafe, and expire based on the meal plan and semester.
Dining Dollars can be used at all HU Dining locations including the dining halls, the C-Stores and the Punchout, and they expire at the end of each semester.
What are Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars come with all meal (dining) plans. They are flexible spending dollars that can be used at any of our on-campus dining locations, including C-Stores.
Where Can I Use My Dining Dollars?
Dining Dollars can be used at our dining halls, the C-Stores at Bethune Annex, West Towers, Blackburn, and the Punchout.
What's the Difference Between Dining Dollars and Bison Bucks?
Dining Dollars are funds that can be used at all HU Dining locations, including the C-stores and Bison Brew, and are conveniently loaded onto your Bison One Card. Dining Dollars expire at the end of each semester. Bison Bucks is a prepaid, stored value account available to Bison One Card holders. There are no transaction fees or minimum balances associated with the account. Just load and use at a variety of places on and off campus. Check out those locations at Where to Use Your Card | Office of Auxiliary Enterprises (howard.edu).
What Dining Options Are Available To Students With Dietary Needs?
HU Dining offers a variety of clearly labeled vegan and vegetarian options at multiple dining stations. Each dining hall has a dedicated vegan or plant-based station that offers desserts as well.
Who should I contact if I have specific needs or concerns about the food?
If you have concerns about the food, please get in touch with our dietitian, Kelli Wood, MS, RN, LDN, at kelli@aramark.com.