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Dining

Bon Appétit

The menu in Sutton Commons, curated by our campus chef, offers an exceptional variety of choices that change daily, whether you visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Need to eat and run? There are fresh, grab-and-go favorites available at The Cavern, Freshens and Rooney’s Brews. Looking to explore off-campus? Roanoke is a foodie community with eclectic options, from burger joints and hot dog stands to international cafes and fine dining establishments.

students at Friday on the Quad

Dining Options

  • Commons

    Commons

    Sutton Commons is the hub of our campus dining system with a continually changing menu that is thoughtfully prepared to showcase different cuisines and culinary concepts. Meals are served buffet-style seven days a week. 

  • Cavern

    Cavern

    The Cavern offers freshly made sandwiches, wraps, salads and other speedy options for those crunched for time. The recently renovated café also serves as an event venue for live music, poetry readings, karaoke and other fun gatherings.

  • Freshëns

    Cavern

    Freshëns is a “fresh casual” eatery that serves up rice bowls, grilled flatbreads, signature smoothies and more. Dishes are prepared to order and inspired by healthy, fresh ingredients.

  • Rooney's Brews

    Cavern

    Conveniently located in Fintel Library, Rooney's Brews is where to head for your Starbucks fix. In addition to java, the café stocks snacks, baked goods and grab-and-go sandwiches and salads. 

Why we love meal times

Our Dining Services staff serves up fresh, delicious food in locations all across campus. That includes not only our four dining locations, but also special celebrations such as Friday on the Quad, Alumni Weekend and President's House events. From the full-service salad bar to homemade coffee concoctions, and from brick oven pizza to BBQ buffets, you'll always find something tasty to eat. Enjoying the food a bit too much? The Belk Fitness Center is close by!

Students eat on the patio in front of Freshens

Students dine on the patio in front of Freshens. 
A dining services employee in a strat hat and tie-dye apron serves a plate of food to a guest in a blue Hawaiian shirt.

A Dining Services employee gets into the spirit for Beach Blast, a themed dinner event in Sutton Commons.
Students dine under red umbrellas on the Sutton patio.

Students dine on the patio outside Sutton Commons.
Two students approach the pizza station inside Sutton Commons

Food stations inside Sutton Commons include a brick oven pizza bar, make-your-own sandwich and omelet stations, a dessert bar and much more.

An orange plate with tacos and refried beans and guacamole and corn, with a side of queso sauce.

Spicing up life for taco day.
A Dining Services employee grills fresh chicken for the daily meal.

A Dining Services employee grills fresh chicken for the daily meal.
A platter of tiny biscuits with fried chicken on them.

Mini fried chicken biscuits, one of the many delicious offerings from Catering Services.
A maroon food truck with a line of students waiting at the window.

Students line up for signature treats from the Roanoke College food truck.
People serve themselves food from a buffet line under a red and white striped tent.

Building delicious plates with the tasty fare provided at Friday on the Quad is a fall tradition at Roanoke.
Syrup is drizzled on a plate of pancakes next to a red coffee mug on a table

What's Sunday brunch without a steaming short stack.... or a tall stack, for that matter?
Students getting food in commons

Executive Chef Matt Phillips shows students how to prepare a pasta dish at Leave Your Mark, an annual event for seniors that is held at the President's House.
Students getting food in commons

A refreshing coffee, a parfait and a loaded sandwich are just a few of the options available at Rooney's Brews, which is located inside Fintel Library.
A tray of golden brown salmon filets, each with a slice of lemon and some chopped parsley on top.

Golden filets of seasoned salmon await hungry students at Sutton Commons.
Students in cowboy hats stand around a table topped with a red-and-white checkered cloth, and they have plates of food in front of them.

Students enjoy the barbecue buffet at the Shushok Shindig, a Texas-themed event hosted by President and Mrs. Shushok.

Meal plans

Find out more information about our meal plan tiers.

Accommodations

Have an allergy or special dietary need? We’ve got you covered. Contact Executive Chef Matt Phillips at phillips@roanoke.edu.  

Sustainability

Our dining services team is passionate about being eco-friendly. That means spearheading a local purchasing program, minimizing waste and rolling out OZZI, our reusable takeout container initiative. Read more about the department’s commitment to “green” dining.

Let's eat

#NokeDining