A Homecoming guide to University of Richmond dining
CAMPUS LIFE
While you’re on campus this weekend, be sure to check out our award-winning cuisine. Here’s what to look for at D-Hall and our other dining options.
In addition to friends, football, field hockey, and fun, there’s another great experience waiting for Spiders at Homecoming this weekend: food. Year in and year out, UR continues to rate among the top universities in the country for campus dining.
“While the Heilman Dining Center may look familiar to alumni returning to campus, they’re often surprised by how much our stations, menus, and offerings have grown,” Tyler Betzhold, executive director of Dining Services, said. “We love hearing, ‘We didn’t have all of this when I was here!’”
Here’s more information about UR’s award-winning Dining Services.
What the experts say
Students rave about food on campus. “The dining hall staff are incredibly kind — I really appreciate how friendly and helpful everyone always is,” one guest said. “I love that each of the locations on campus has a different theme. Tyler’s theme is definitely comfort food and I adore that.” “10/10 rating!” said others.
While anyone can eat well by sticking to the stations, students — the ultimate insiders — know that the magic is in the D-Hall hacks. This video offers tips from three of them.
Among the nation’s best
The University of Richmond is consistently ranked among the top schools in the country for Best Campus Food by The Princeton Review.
In July, our Dining Services received three Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards from the National Association of College & University Food Services — the top professional tribute in college and university culinary arts.
By the numbers
It takes a lot to pull off this kind of excellence three times a day for thousands of students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Here are some memorable tidbits from Dining Services’ 2025-26 annual report:
- Guests served: 1,685,681
- Lattes sold: 48,496
- Chefs, cooks, and bakers on campus: 15, 50 and, 6, respectively
- Nutrition education events specifically for student athletes: 21
- Catered events (including Homecoming): 2,277
- Staff members who slept on campus all weekend to feed students during Winter Storm Fern in January 2026: 25
- Student who partnered with a team in the Cellar for a Chef’s Table event: Brian “Big Cat” Catanzarite.
- Promotion theme that broke a concessions record for sales at a women’s basketball game: Taylor Swift.
What are students actually eating at D-Hall? The annual report tells us that, too.
Sustainability
The campus’ commitment to going green is also documented in the 2025-26 annual report, including:
- 24 local vendors provided products and ingredients
- 68 tons of D-Hall waste composted
- 2,120 pounds of D-Hall products, mostly baked goods, donated to Caritas
- 146,000 fewer units of non-compostable, single-use packaging used in retail compared to the previous year
- Food waste down 14% compared to the previous year
Great options all over campus
All locations will be operating under regular academic year hours during the first day of Homecoming on Friday. These are the options during the weekend:
- 8:15 at Boatwright, a recently expanded café in Boatwright Library with lattes, baked goods, and meals to go. Open Saturday Noon-5 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
- The Cellar a popular evening spot for pizza and other favorites, cold beverages, and often live performances in Tyler Haynes Commons. Open Saturday 5 p.m.-midnight, Sunday 3 p.m.-11 p.m.
- Concessions at the Robins Stadium Open inside the stadium during Saturday’s football game.
- ETC, a convenience store in the lobby of Heilman Dining Center. Open Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to midnight.
- Heilman Dining Center , which needs no introduction. Open Saturday 8 a.m.-10 a.m. (Spider breakfast), 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. (lunch), 4-8 p.m. (dinner), Sunday 8 a.m.-10 a.m. (Spider breakfast), brunch 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m., dinner 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
