8/10/25

Navigating the Notre Dame Buffet: A Deep Dive into the University's Meal Plans

Hey everyone! If you're heading to the University of Notre Dame, one of the first things you'll need to figure out is the meal plan situation. It might seem like a small detail in the grand scheme of things, but trust me, your dining experience can have a pretty big impact on your daily life, your budget, & even your social life. I've done a ton of digging into the options for the 2025-2026 academic year to help you make sense of it all. So, grab a snack, & let's get into it.

The Lowdown on Notre Dame's Dining Scene

First off, let's talk about the dining halls themselves. Notre Dame has two main dining halls: North Dining Hall & South Dining Hall. Both are all-you-care-to-eat buffet-style, which is a lifesaver for hungry students. The variety is pretty impressive, so you're not likely to get bored easily. From classic comfort foods to international cuisine & healthier options, there's something for everyone. And here's a pro-tip I picked up from some upperclassmen: one swipe gets you in, & you can stay as long as you want. This is awesome for those days when you have a big gap between classes & want to have a combined breakfast & lunch while getting some work done.
Now, onto the meal plans. Notre Dame offers six different plans for on-campus undergraduates. The cool thing is that every student is automatically placed on the "Block 250" plan to start. This gives you some breathing room to figure out what you need before committing. You have the first two weeks of the semester to switch to a different plan if you want. The deadline for the fall 2025 semester is September 8, 2025. Meal plans for the fall semester will kick in on August 20, 2025, & end on December 22, 2025. The spring semester plans will wrap up on May 18, 2026.
One last thing before we dive into the specifics of each plan: all on-campus undergraduate meal plans come with five guest meals per semester. These are perfect for when your family or friends come to visit. Just keep in mind that you can't use them for special events like the Candlelight Dinners or Holiday Meals.

A Plan-by-Plan Breakdown

Alright, let's get to the nitty-gritty of each meal plan. I'll break them down by who they're best for & what they offer.

For the First-Year Student: Your First Taste of Freedom

As a first-year student, you have three options to choose from: the Unlimited plan, the Block 250, or the Block 250 Upgrade. Here’s how they stack up:

The Unlimited Plan

  • Who it's for: First-years, Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors
  • What you get: Unlimited swipes into the dining halls.
  • Flex Points: None.
  • The bottom line: This plan is for the student who knows they'll be hitting the dining hall multiple times a day, every day. If you're a big eater, a student-athlete, or someone who just likes the security of knowing you can always grab a meal, this could be for you. The downside? No Flex Points. This means you'll have to pay out of pocket for any food you want from the on-campus retail locations like Starbucks, Chick-fil-A, or the Huddle. Honestly, most students seem to prefer having Flex Points, so this plan isn't as popular as you might think.

The Block 250 Plan (The Default)

  • Who it's for: This is the default plan for all on-campus students.
  • What you get: 250 swipes per semester. That breaks down to about 16 meals a week, which is plenty for most students.
  • Flex Points: $500 per semester.
  • The bottom line: This is the go-to plan for a reason. It offers a great balance of dining hall meals & the flexibility to eat at other places on campus. The $500 in Flex Points is a game-changer. You can use them at a ton of places, including Au Bon Pain, Charron Family Commons, Crossings, Gipper's, Decio Cafe, Garbanzo, the Morris Inn's Cafe J & Rohr's, Ivan's Cafe, The Gilded Bean, & Legends. They're also good at the restaurants in the LaFortune Student Center & Duncan Student Center, like The Huddle, Flip Kitchen, Starbucks, Street Fare, Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, Hagerty Family Cafe, & Modern Market. Any unused Flex Points from the fall semester roll over to the spring, but they expire at the end of the academic year, so be sure to use them up!

The Block 250 Upgrade

  • Who it's for: First-years, Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors who want a little extra.
  • What you get: 250 swipes per semester.
  • Flex Points & Domer Dollars: $360 in Flex Points & $360 in Domer Dollars. There's a $325 upgrade cost per semester for this plan.
  • The bottom line: This plan is for the student who wants the best of both worlds. You get the same number of swipes as the standard Block 250, but you get a mix of Flex Points & Domer Dollars. So, what's the difference? Domer Dollars are even more flexible than Flex Points. They're accepted at all the same on-campus locations, but you can also use them at some off-campus spots on Eddy Street, like Blaze Pizza, Chipotle, 7-Eleven, Five Guys, & Jimmy John's. Plus, Domer Dollars never expire, & any balance over $25 is refunded to you when you leave the university. This is a great option if you think you'll be eating off-campus a lot or if you want to use your university funds for things like school supplies at the bookstore.

For the Upperclassman: More Flexibility & Freedom

Once you're a sophomore, junior, or senior, you have a few more options to choose from. These plans are designed for students who might be cooking for themselves more often or who have a better handle on their eating habits.

The Block 230 Plan

  • Who it's for: Sophomores, Juniors, & Seniors.
  • What you get: 230 swipes per semester.
  • Flex Points: $500 per semester.
  • The bottom line: This plan is a slight step down from the Block 250 in terms of swipes, but you still get that generous $500 in Flex Points. It also comes with a $245 credit per semester, which is a nice little bonus. This is a solid choice if you find you're not using all 250 of your swipes in a semester but still want the flexibility of Flex Points.

The Block 180 Plan

  • Who it's for: Seniors only.
  • What you get: 180 swipes per semester.
  • Flex Points: $1,000 per semester.
  • The bottom line: This plan is clearly for the senior who is on the go & eats at the retail locations more often than the dining halls. With a whopping $1,000 in Flex Points, you'll have plenty of cash to fuel your late-night study sessions with coffee & snacks. This plan also comes with a $230 credit per semester.

The Block 150 Plan

  • Who it's for: Seniors only.
  • What you get: 150 swipes per semester.
  • Flex Points: None.
  • The bottom line: This is the most bare-bones plan available. It's for the senior who rarely eats in the dining halls, perhaps because they live in a residence hall with a kitchen or they prefer to cook for themselves. With no Flex Points, you'll be paying for all your on-campus retail food out of pocket. However, this plan comes with a significant $1,765 credit per semester, which can make a big difference in your overall costs.

What About Off-Campus Students?

If you're an undergraduate or graduate student living off-campus, you can still purchase a meal plan. This can be a great way to stay connected to campus life & save time on cooking. The university offers specific plans for off-campus students, which you can find on the Campus Dining website.
For students living off-campus, another thing to consider is parking. Finding a spot on or near campus can be a real headache. This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Prked connects people who need parking with homeowners who have extra space in their driveways or garages. It's a pretty cool way to find a convenient & affordable parking spot, especially if you're commuting to campus every day. It's definitely something to look into if you're bringing a car to South Bend.

Making the Right Choice for You

So, how do you choose the right plan? Here are a few things to think about:
  • Your Eating Habits: Are you a three-meals-a-day person, or do you tend to snack? Are you a big eater who will take full advantage of the all-you-can-eat dining halls? Be honest with yourself about how often you'll realistically go to the dining hall.
  • Your Schedule: Do you have a lot of back-to-back classes that will make it hard to get to the dining hall? Will you be on campus late at night studying? Your schedule can have a big impact on where & when you eat.
  • Your Budget: While the meal plans are included in the room & board fees, the upgrades & the amount of Flex Points you get can affect your overall spending. Think about how much you want to spend on food outside of the dining halls.
  • Your Social Life: Do you like to go out to eat with friends? Do you want the flexibility to grab a coffee or a late-night snack with your dorm mates? Flex Points & Domer Dollars can be great for this.
From what I've gathered from student forums, the Block 250 plan is the most popular for a reason. It offers a great balance for most students. The Unlimited plan seems to be a bit of a trap unless you are a VERY frequent dining hall visitor. The smaller block plans for upperclassmen are great for those who have a good handle on their routine & want to save some money or get more Flex Points.

A Quick Word on Storage

While we're on the topic of campus life, another thing to think about is storage, especially during the summer or if you're studying abroad. Dorm rooms aren't exactly known for their spacious closets. If you find yourself with more stuff than you have space for, you might want to consider a storage solution. And, funny enough, Prked can help with this too. Just like they connect people for parking, they also connect people who need storage space with homeowners who have an empty garage, attic, basement, or even a closet to rent out. It's a super convenient & often more affordable option than a traditional storage unit.

The Final Bite

I hope this detailed breakdown of the University of Notre Dame's meal plans has been helpful. Choosing a meal plan is one of the first big decisions you'll make as a student, but it doesn't have to be a stressful one. The key is to think about your own habits & needs. And remember, you can always change your plan within the first two weeks of the semester, so don't be afraid to try something out & see if it works for you.
Let me know what you think! If you're a current or former Notre Dame student, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the meal plans in the comments below. What worked for you? What didn't? Your advice could be a huge help to incoming students. Good luck, & go Irish
;