8/10/25

A Deep Dive into the University of Maryland, College Park Meal Plans: Your Ultimate Guide

Hey there, future & current Terps! Let's talk about one of the most IMPORTANT aspects of college life: food. Specifically, the University of Maryland, College Park meal plans. Choosing the right one can feel like a HUGE decision, & honestly, it kind of is. It can affect your daily routine, your budget, & even your social life.
I've waded through all the official information & even some student chatter to give you the real scoop on what's what with UMD's dining options. So, grab a snack, & let's get into it.

The Different Types of Meal Plans: Something for Everyone

First things first, UMD doesn't have a one-size-fits-all approach to their meal plans, which is pretty cool. They have a few different categories of plans, each designed for different types of students.

Anytime Dining Plans: For the On-Campus Dweller

If you're living in traditional on-campus housing, you'll most likely be on an Anytime Dining Plan. This is the classic, all-you-care-to-eat model. You get unlimited access to the three main dining halls: South Campus Dining Hall, Yahentamitsi, & 251 North. You can pop in for a full meal, a quick snack, or just to hang out with friends as many times as you want throughout the day.
Here’s a breakdown of the Anytime Dining Plans for the 2024-2025 academic year:
  • Premium Plan: This is the top-tier option. You get 7-day unlimited access to the dining halls, 8 guest passes per semester, & 400 Dining Dollars. The cost is $3,676.50 per semester.
  • Preferred Plan: A step down from the Premium, this plan offers 7-day unlimited access, 6 guest passes, & 300 Dining Dollars. This one will set you back $3,600.50 per semester.
  • Base Plus Plan: This plan includes 7-day unlimited access, 4 guest passes, & 200 Dining Dollars for $3,516.50 per semester.
  • Base Plan: The most basic of the 7-day plans, this one gives you unlimited access & 2 guest passes, but no Dining Dollars. The cost is $3,336.50 per semester.
  • Five-Day Plan: This plan is a bit different. It gives you unlimited access to the dining halls from Monday to Friday only. It doesn't come with any guest passes or Dining Dollars. This is a good option if you plan to go home or eat off-campus on the weekends. The price for this is $2,577.00 per semester.
It's worth noting that up to 100 unused Dining Dollars from a fall resident dining plan will carry over to the spring semester. However, all Dining Dollars expire at the end of the spring semester.

Connector Dining Plans & Block Meal Plans: Flexibility for Off-Campus & Apartment-Style Living

For students living in apartments (on or off-campus) with their own kitchens, the Connector Dining Plans & Block Meal Plans offer more flexibility. These plans are for those who might cook for themselves sometimes but still want the convenience of eating on campus.
Here’s a look at the Block Meal Plans:
  • 25 Meals: This plan costs $275.00 & is good for about 1-2 meals per week.
  • 50 Meals: For $550.00, you get about 3 meals per week.
  • 100 Meals: This option provides about 6-7 meals per week & costs $1,050.00.
  • 150 Meals: At $1,500.00, this plan is for those who expect to eat on campus for most of their weekday meals, at about 9-10 meals per week.
  • The Combo: This is an interesting option that gives you 70 meals & 250 Dining Dollars for $972.50. This gives you the flexibility to eat in the dining halls or at other campus eateries.
A great feature of the Block Meal Plans is that unused meals roll over from the fall to the spring semester. But, be aware that they expire at the end of the spring semester.

Dining Dollars: For a Little Extra & Some Discounts

If you don't want a full meal plan but still want to eat on campus occasionally, you can buy Dining Dollar bundles. You get a 5% discount on the purchase price & you also save 6% on sales tax. You can use Dining Dollars at any Dining Services location.
Here are the bundle options:
  • 125 Dining Dollars: Costs $118.75
  • 250 Dining Dollars: Costs $237.50
  • 500 Dining Dollars: Costs $475.00
Dining Dollars you buy in the fall will roll over to the spring, but just like with the meal plans, they expire at the end of the spring semester.

Where to Eat: The Lay of the Land

So you've got your meal plan... now where can you actually use it? UMD has a pretty good variety of options.

The Main Dining Halls

As I mentioned before, there are three main dining halls on campus:
  • South Campus Dining Hall: Located, you guessed it, on the south side of campus near McKeldin Library.
  • Yahentamitsi Dining Hall: This is the newest dining hall, located in the Heritage Community. The name is a nod to the Piscataway people, the Indigenous people of the area.
  • 251 North Dining Hall: Situated in the Denton Community on the north side of campus.
These dining halls are where you'll use your meal swipes from the Anytime Dining or Block Meal Plans. They are open for breakfast, lunch, & dinner, & offer a wide variety of food. The general meal times are:
  • Breakfast: From opening to 10:30 am
  • Lunch: 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
  • Dinner: 4:00 pm to close
For specific hours, it's always a good idea to check the UMD Dining Services website or the UMD mobile app, which also shows you how busy the dining halls are in real-time.
If you don’t have a meal plan & want to eat at one of the dining halls, the door prices for Fall 2025 are:
  • Breakfast: $9.49
  • Lunch: $15.99
  • Dinner: $19.99

Where to Use Your Dining Dollars

Dining Dollars are super flexible & can be used at a ton of places across campus. Here's a rundown of where you can use them:
  • The Stamp Student Union: This is a major hub for food on campus. You can use your Dining Dollars at places like Chick-fil-A, Qdoba, Subway, & the Maryland Dairy. Some Reddit users have mentioned that not all vendors in the Stamp take Dining Dollars, so it's always a good idea to check for the Dining Dollars logo.
  • Kirwan Food Court: Here you’ll find Taco Bell Express & Subway, both of which accept Dining Dollars.
  • Cafes around campus: There are several cafes in various academic buildings where you can grab a coffee or a snack with your Dining Dollars. These include:
    • Applause at the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
    • Breakpoint at the Brendan Iribe Center
    • Food for Thought at the Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center
    • Footnotes at McKeldin Library
    • Quantum at the Physical Sciences Complex
    • Rudy's at Van Munching Hall
  • Convenience Shops: The campus convenience shops are also a great place to use your Dining Dollars, especially for late-night snacks or essentials. These include:
    • North Campus Market in the Ellicott Community
    • South Campus Market in the South Campus Dining Hall building
    • Union Shop in the Stamp
    • Engage at the Edward St. John Learning & Teaching Center

The Student Perspective: What Do Terps REALLY Think?

Official information is great, but what's the word on the street? I browsed through some Reddit threads & forums to get a feel for what students actually think about the meal plans.
A common theme is that the Anytime Dining Plans are great for freshmen who are still getting used to campus life. The convenience of being able to eat whenever you want without having to worry about cooking is a big plus.
For upperclassmen, especially those living off-campus, the Block Meal Plans seem to be a popular choice. They offer the flexibility to cook when you have time but still grab a meal on campus when you're busy.
When it comes to Dining Dollars, students seem to appreciate the discount & the variety of places they can be used. The Maryland Dairy is a particularly popular spot to use them. Some students have noted that while there are a good number of options, many of them are fast-food chains.

A Note for Off-Campus Students & Commuters

If you're living off-campus or commuting to UMD, your needs are a bit different. You might be considering a Block Meal Plan or just a Dining Dollar bundle for those days when you're on campus for a long time.
Something else to consider if you're driving to campus is parking. Finding a convenient & affordable spot can be a REAL headache. That's where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Prked connects you with homeowners who are renting out their driveways & garages for parking. It's a pretty cool way to find a consistent parking spot without the stress of fighting for a spot in a crowded garage.
And if you’re living in a smaller apartment off-campus, you might also find yourself short on storage space. Prked can help with that too! You can find homeowners who are renting out their empty garages, attics, or basements for storage. It’s a great way to keep your living space from getting too cluttered.

So, Which Meal Plan is Right for You?

Honestly, the "best" meal plan really depends on your individual needs & habits. Here are a few things to consider when making your choice:
  • Where will you be living? If you're in a traditional dorm, an Anytime Dining Plan is probably your best bet. If you have a kitchen, a Block Plan might be more your speed.
  • How often do you plan to cook? Be realistic about how much time & energy you'll have for cooking. If you know you'll be busy with classes & extracurriculars, a more comprehensive meal plan might be a good idea.
  • What's your budget? The meal plans come at a range of price points, so be sure to choose one that fits your financial situation.
  • What are your eating habits? Do you eat three big meals a day, or do you prefer to snack throughout the day? The flexibility of the Anytime Dining Plans is great for snackers, while the Block Plans are better for those who eat more structured meals.
I hope this was helpful in breaking down the UMD meal plan options! It's a lot to take in, but hopefully, you now have a better idea of which plan will work best for you. Let me know what you think, & go Terps!
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