It’s lunchtime at Cambridge, you have a gap between lectures, and you want something more filling than another sandwich. You head towards Newnham College’s Buttery and find a selection of fresh hot meals, comforting sides, and vegetarian choices.
But what is on the Newnham Buttery menu, and how much should you expect to pay?
The answer is a little different from a normal high-street restaurant. The Buttery changes its dishes through the week, and Newnham cardholders can pay less than other diners. That makes knowing the menu and the price system especially useful before you arrive.
This guide looks at the Newnham Buttery menu with prices for 2026, including real menu examples from October, hot meal deals, breakfast options, opening times, vegetarian and vegan food, and answers to common questions.
Price note: Individual food prices below are taken from Newnham College’s published lunch menu for Friday 16 October 2026. The October weekly menus and the College’s 2026 sample menu supply additional dish examples, but do not publish individual prices for every dish. These examples should not be mistaken for today’s guaranteed availability.
What Is the Newnham Buttery?
Newnham Buttery is the main cafeteria at Newnham College, part of the University of Cambridge. It is located in the central Clough area of the College rather than on an ordinary shopping street.
The kitchen prepares a changing selection of hot meals on-site. That includes meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes, along with lighter options and sweet treats.
Think of it as a practical college dining space. You can stop in for a satisfying meal between study sessions, meet friends, or sit for a while in the seating area. The College also describes sofas and Wi-Fi as features of the Buttery.
Unlike a chain restaurant, it does not rely on the same burger, curry and pasta dishes being available every day. You might see a roast dinner on Wednesday, a curry on Friday, and something completely different the following week.
Newnham Buttery Menu Prices at a Glance
If you only want the headline figures, these are the most useful 2026 prices to know. They include both individual dishes from the 16 October lunch menu and the published hot meal deals.
| Newnham Buttery item | Newnham card price | Other diners’ price |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetable and mushroom soup | £1.50 | £2.00 |
| Roasted vegetable, cauliflower, spinach and potato curry | £3.60 | £4.79 |
| Chicken, turkey and leek pie | £3.60 | £4.79 |
| Battered fish with lemon and tartare sauce | £4.00 | £5.32 |
| Profiteroles | £1.90 | £2.53 |
| Vegetarian/vegan main and one side meal deal | £4.50 | £6.00 |
| Meat/fish main and one side meal deal | £4.90 | £6.52 |
| Additional side with a meal deal | £0.75 | £1.00 |
The difference between the columns matters. A qualifying Newnham card can make a regular hot meal noticeably cheaper, particularly if you eat there several times each week.
Remember that these are a dated snapshot and the daily selection changes. The meal-deal framework is more helpful for budgeting than assuming a particular pie or curry will always be on the counter.
Newnham Buttery Lunch Menu With Prices
The College’s published lunch menu for Friday 16 October 2026 gives a clear example of what you might encounter: soup, a vegan main, a savoury pie, battered fish and dessert.
Hot Lunches and Individual Item Prices
| Lunch menu item, 16 October 2026 | Newnham card | All others | Dietary information shown |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegetable & Mushroom Soup | £1.50 | £2.00 | Vegan; celery, sulphur dioxide |
| Roasted Vegetables, Cauliflower, Spinach & Potato Curry | £3.60 | £4.79 | Vegan; mustard |
| Chicken, Turkey & Leek Pie | £3.60 | £4.79 | Gluten, dairy |
| Battered Fish with Lemon & Tartare Sauce | £4.00 | £5.32 | Gluten, egg, fish, mustard, sulphur dioxide |
| Profiteroles | £1.90 | £2.53 | Vegetarian; gluten, egg, dairy, soya |
That is quite a varied lunch counter. Someone wanting a lighter meal might choose the soup, while someone with an afternoon of classes ahead could go for the fish or a filling curry.
The pie is a useful example of why it is best to read the daily board. The week’s provisional menu and the final published daily board can differ when ingredients or kitchen plans change.
Newnham Buttery Meal Deals and Side Prices
The hot meal deal is probably the simplest way to work out your lunch budget. It combines a main dish with one side, rather than asking you to add up every component separately.
Hot Meal Deal Prices in 2026
| Meal deal | Newnham card price | Non-member price |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian or vegan main + 1 side | £4.50 | £6.00 |
| Meat or fish main + 1 side | £4.90 | £6.52 |
| One extra side | £0.75 | £1.00 |
How Much Is a Meal with an Extra Side?
For an illustration using those published deal prices, a vegetarian or vegan meal deal with a second side comes to £5.25 for a Newnham cardholder or £7.00 for another diner.
A meat or fish deal with a second side comes to £5.65 with a Newnham card or £7.52 at the other-diner rate. These are simple totals calculated from the published meal-deal and side prices, not extra standalone offers.
The meal-deal prices do not mean every individual plate, drink or dessert is included. Check which side choices qualify at the counter before ordering.
Newnham Buttery Weekly Lunch Menu Examples
If you’re wondering what the kitchen actually cooks throughout a week, Newnham publishes a rotating lunch schedule. The example below comes from 12–17 October 2026.
These are genuine dishes from that week’s published schedule. Individual prices were not shown alongside the weekly list, so the price column is deliberately not invented.
| Day | Examples from the lunch menu | Individual prices |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Vegan tofu and courgette pad Thai; spinach and feta filo pie; turkey pie; bread and butter pudding | Check daily board |
| Tuesday | Vegan onion bhaji with salsa; homemade fishcake with curry sauce; hot honey chicken meatballs; lemon drizzle cake | Check daily board |
| Wednesday | Louisiana vegetable rice; broccoli pasta with Stilton and pine nuts; roast brisket of beef; fruit crumble | Check daily board |
| Thursday | Lentil chilli with nachos and guacamole; vegetable cottage pie; shepherd’s pie; lemon drizzle cake | Check daily board |
| Friday | Roasted vegetable curry; chicken with sauce Normande; battered fish; jam sponge pudding | Check daily board |
| Saturday | Brunch service advertised, rather than the same weekday lunch format | Check daily board |
The menu shows how broad the kitchen’s range can be. Across a few days you might go from a Thai-inspired noodle dish to a traditional British roast, then choose a plant-based curry later in the week.
Use this as a feel for the style of cooking, not a promise of repeating items. The daily display is the more reliable source for what is actually being served and for allergens.
Newnham Buttery Dinner Menu Examples
The Buttery isn’t only a lunchtime stop. During its normal service schedule, it also offers evening meals, which can make college life easier when you don’t want to cook after a busy day.
Example Dinner Dishes, 12–17 October 2026
| Day | Published dinner dishes | Dessert example |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Vegan lentil bolognese with pasta; omelette fried rice; chicken katsu curry | Chocolate brownie |
| Tuesday | Vegetable bourguignon; macaroni cheese; Thai crispy fish with egg noodles | Tiramisu |
| Wednesday | Vegan chickpea and lentil dal; vegetarian meatballs with spaghetti; Hong Kong-style sweet and sour chicken | Cookies |
| Thursday | Chermoula tofu and roasted vegetables; porcini ravioli; beef lasagne | Carrot cake |
| Friday | Sweet and sour tofu with vegetables; cannelloni verde; battered fish with tartare sauce | Apple crumble |
| Saturday | Vegan apple crumble listed in the mains column; Cajun chicken burger; cheeseburger | Sticky toffee pudding |
Saturday’s weekly listing has an unusual entry in the main-dish column, so it is worth confirming the final Saturday offerings in person rather than treating the schedule as fixed.
Evening menus can be especially useful for comparing the vegetarian and meat-based choices on the same day. As with lunch, the College’s daily information takes priority if dishes change.
Meat and Fish Dishes at Newnham Buttery
Meat and fish choices vary, but they’re a regular part of the Buttery’s approach. The College’s official 2026 example menus include familiar British favourites as well as dishes influenced by other cuisines.
Meat Main Courses Shown in 2026 Examples
| Example meat dish | Menu context | Listed item price |
|---|---|---|
| Pork meatballs with spicy tomato sauce and rice | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Fillet of chicken stroganoff with rice | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Roast brisket with gravy and Yorkshire puddings | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Lamb and apricot tagine with couscous | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Chicken Milanese | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Greek lamb stew | Sample dinner | Not published |
| Chilli beef stir-fry | Sample dinner | Not published |
| Toad in the hole with onion gravy | Sample dinner | Not published |
Fish Main Courses Shown in 2026 Examples
| Example fish dish | Menu context | Listed item price |
|---|---|---|
| Thai-spiced fish with rice noodle salad | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Pollock with Mornay sauce | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Plaice goujons with lemon aioli | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Hawaiian white fish with salsa | Sample lunch | Not published |
| Traditional fish pie with creamy mash | Sample dinner | Not published |
| Tex-Mex haddock | Sample dinner | Not published |
| Cod in parsley cream sauce | Sample dinner | Not published |
| Battered fish with lemon and tartare sauce | 16 October daily lunch | £4.00 card / £5.32 others |
Although the sample menus contain plenty of ideas, only the dated fish dish above has a verified individual price in the sources used for this guide. For other meals, the most helpful published number is the meat/fish-and-side deal.
Vegetarian and Vegan Menu Options
Vegetarians and vegans won’t necessarily be left choosing between plain chips and salad. Newnham’s kitchen regularly lists plant-based and vegetarian main courses in the same programme as the meat and fish meals.
Vegetarian and Vegan Dishes in Official 2026 Samples
| Dish | How the College labels it | Price information |
|---|---|---|
| Sweet potato and butterbean goulash | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Caramelised onion and goats’ cheese quiche | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
| Indian-spiced potato cakes with tomato chutney | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Mediterranean vegetable tortellini | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
| Mushroom, lentil and fennel ragù | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Gnocchi with Gorgonzola and sage | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
| Fried halloumi and Greek salad in flatbread | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
| Crispy Korean BBQ tofu | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Falafel burger with hummus and salsa | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Roasted Mediterranean vegetable pasta bake | Vegan | Check daily menu |
| Roasted pepper and potato frittata | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
| Vegetable crumble with feta cheese | Vegetarian | Check daily menu |
Some of these dishes would be a proper meal in their own right. The goulash, tortellini, frittata and tofu options offer different flavours and textures, rather than treating vegan food as an afterthought.
For a price guide, the published vegetarian/vegan meal deal is £4.50 with a Newnham card or £6.00 for other diners, including one side. That does not prove that every sample dish is available as a meal deal on every day.
Soup, Salads and Cold Food
Not every visit has to mean a heavy cooked lunch. The Buttery also offers cold food and lighter options alongside its hot counter.
What Can You Choose for a Lighter Meal?
The College describes a range of hot and cold food. A Newnham student guide also mentions a salad bar, a cold-food fridge, drinks and desserts, although those details can change as service arrangements evolve.
Soup is the clearest priced example: the vegan vegetable and mushroom soup on 16 October was £1.50 with a Newnham card or £2.00 otherwise. It may suit someone who wants a lighter lunch or a warm starter.
Individual salad prices, sandwich prices and other cold-counter prices were not published in the October menu material checked for this article. Rather than give a misleading blanket price, it is better to read the display at the point of sale.
Newnham Buttery Desserts and Puddings
One of the nice things about a college dining room is that you can often finish with a traditional pudding. The Buttery’s menus include familiar sweet options alongside cakes and more modern desserts.
Dessert Examples From 2026
| Dessert | Source | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Profiteroles | 16 October daily lunch | £1.90 card / £2.53 others |
| Bread and butter pudding | October weekly menu | Not shown |
| Lemon drizzle cake | October weekly menu | Not shown |
| Fruit crumble | October weekly menu | Not shown |
| Chocolate brownie | October dinner menu | Not shown |
| Tiramisu | October dinner menu | Not shown |
| Carrot cake | October dinner menu | Not shown |
| Sticky toffee pudding | October dinner menu | Not shown |
| Berry trifle | Official 2026 sample dinner | Not shown |
| Vanilla sponge cake | Official 2026 sample dinner | Not shown |
If you are choosing dessert based on an allergy, don’t rely only on the name. A pudding may contain ingredients that aren’t obvious at first glance. The College includes allergen details on its daily menu and at the counter.
Newnham Buttery Breakfast and Saturday Brunch
Breakfast is another reason people look up the Newnham Buttery menu, particularly when staying at the College or visiting during a university vacation.
Is Breakfast Served at the Buttery?
Newnham’s visitor information says the Buttery usually serves breakfast Monday to Saturday during university vacations. It mentions a hot English breakfast, cereal, toast and drinks. The College’s accommodation information also says a freshly prepared full English breakfast is available Monday to Saturday, subject to service arrangements.
The normal term-time weekly schedule used for this article identifies Saturday brunch from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. Breakfast arrangements can therefore differ between term time and vacation periods.
| Breakfast or brunch offering | Availability guidance | Verified price |
|---|---|---|
| Full English breakfast | Advertised in College accommodation/vacation information | Not published |
| Breakfast cereal | Described in visitor information | Not published |
| Toast | Described in visitor information | Not published |
| Saturday brunch | 9:30 am–1:30 pm on the sampled October timetable | Check current menu |
Breakfast for College bed-and-breakfast guests is pay-as-you-go, rather than automatically included in the accommodation price.
Newnham Buttery Drinks Menu
The Buttery offers drinks alongside food, including a coffee machine and refrigerated options described in student dining information. The College also promotes Fairtrade beverages across its catering services.
However, a detailed, up-to-date Buttery price list for individual coffees, tea, hot chocolate, juices and bottled drinks was not available in the official 2026 menu pages checked here.
What Drinks Might Be Available?
| Drink or drink type | Evidence of availability | 2026 price |
|---|---|---|
| Coffee | Coffee machine mentioned in Buttery student information | Ask at counter |
| Tea | Part of College catering’s Fairtrade provision | Ask at counter |
| Hot chocolate | Part of College catering’s Fairtrade provision | Ask at counter |
| Fruit juice | Orange and apple juice mentioned in College catering information | Ask at counter |
| Still or sparkling water | Available from the Buttery vending machine according to visitor information | Check machine |
For a broader barista-style coffee choice, the College has a separate venue called Iris Café. It is important not to mix Iris Café prices or menu items into the Buttery’s own menu.
Newnham Card Prices vs Non-Member Prices
The first question to ask before comparing prices is whether you qualify for the College rate.
Newnham states that eligible members receive a 25% discount on standard food prices. Its published daily menu also shows two prices side by side: one for a Newnham card and one for everyone else.
How Much Can the Difference Be?
| Example order | Newnham card | Other diners | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vegan curry on 16 October | £3.60 | £4.79 | £1.19 |
| Battered fish on 16 October | £4.00 | £5.32 | £1.32 |
| Vegetarian/vegan meal deal | £4.50 | £6.00 | £1.50 |
| Meat/fish meal deal | £4.90 | £6.52 | £1.62 |
Someone buying lunch regularly could notice that difference over the term. But the discount is tied to the College’s membership and catering-account rules; it is not an automatic offer that every visitor can claim.
How the Catering Pre-Payment Works
Students searching for Newnham Buttery prices may also come across the term CPP, or Catering Pre-Payment.
Newnham’s current undergraduate cost information explains that students in College accommodation are billed a catering pre-payment of £200 per term, or £600 per academic year. While the account is in credit, they pay the discounted rate at the Buttery and Iris Café.
Students can top up the balance online. The College says unused undergraduate catering pre-payment credit is returned to the student. This is different from purchasing a meal deal at the counter.
The College has also published older Kitchen Fixed Charge and Buttery Pre-Paid Meal Plan arrangements for other student categories. Those older examples should not be presented as the universal 2026 pricing scheme. If you are a postgraduate or have special accommodation arrangements, check the billing details that apply to your own course and year.
Newnham Buttery Opening Hours
The College’s published weekly menu for 12–18 October 2026 gives the following service windows. These are a useful guide, but holiday closures and vacation catering arrangements may change them.
| Day | Lunch or brunch | Dinner |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 12:30 pm–1:45 pm | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Tuesday | 12:30 pm–1:45 pm | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Wednesday | 12:30 pm–1:45 pm | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Thursday | 12:30 pm–1:45 pm | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Friday | 12:30 pm–1:45 pm | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Saturday | 9:30 am–1:30 pm (brunch) | 6:00 pm–7:15 pm |
| Sunday | Closed on sampled schedule | Closed on sampled schedule |
Notice how short the weekday lunch period is. Arriving too late could mean missing service entirely, so it is better to check the published schedule before heading over.
Newnham also states that the Buttery closes for short periods around Christmas and Easter and during part of the Long Vacation. Some breakfast service during vacations follows a different timetable.
Newnham Buttery vs Iris Café
These two venues belong to the same College but serve different purposes. If you have seen photos of coffees, smoothies, cakes or breakfast baps, you may actually be looking at Iris Café rather than the Buttery.
| Feature | Newnham Buttery | Iris Café |
|---|---|---|
| Style | College cafeteria and hot-meal service | Café and barista drinks |
| Typical focus | Lunch, dinner, changing cooked mains and sides | Coffee, tea, pastries, baps, sandwiches and café food |
| Location | Clough area, central College | Dorothy Garrod Building |
| Public access information | Ask College about visitor dining | College explicitly says members of the public may use the café during its daytime opening |
| Menu prices | Newnham card/other diner rates shown on the daily menu | Separate pricing; do not assume Buttery rates |
Iris Café is the stronger choice if your main aim is sitting down with a cappuccino or picking up a pastry. The Buttery is the better keyword to search when you want a cooked meal in the College dining setting.
Is Newnham Buttery Open to Visitors?
The official menu includes an “all others” price column, so the College clearly distinguishes people using Newnham cards from other customers. Its visitor information also discusses the Buttery as a facility used by guests staying at the College.
However, that does not establish that the Buttery operates as an unrestricted walk-in restaurant for anyone in Cambridge. College access, conferences, guest arrangements and dining eligibility can differ.
If you’re not a College member, check with Newnham before making a special trip. The College explicitly identifies Iris Café as open to the public during daytime café hours, which makes it a more straightforward option for a casual visitor.
Visitors should also note the payment rule published by the College: the Buttery and Iris Café are card-only, so do not rely on cash.
Allergens and Dietary Requirements
When a menu changes every day, allergen information becomes especially important. A curry, pastry or pasta dish can have a different ingredient list from one week to the next.
How Does Newnham Show Allergens?
Newnham says food is labelled on the Buttery menu and at the point of sale. The daily menu viewed for this guide specified allergens for individual dishes, including mustard for the vegan curry and gluten, egg, fish, mustard and sulphur dioxide for the battered fish.
The College advises anyone with a food allergy or dietary need to tell the catering staff. Don’t assume a dish is safe just because it is described as vegetarian or vegan: those labels do not cover every allergy.
If you require a particular modification, discuss it before selecting food. The kitchen says it can support dietary needs, but the correct answer depends on the dish being served that day.
Where Is Newnham Buttery in Cambridge?
The Buttery is at Newnham College, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge, CB3 9DF, UK. Within the College it is in the Clough area, near the dining hall.
It’s a convenient location for Newnham members and people with authorised reasons to be on the College grounds. Those visiting Cambridge for the first time should remember that a college dining room is not the same as a high-street café with unrestricted access.
The College’s main telephone number is 01223 335700. For the day’s meal details or a special dietary question, contact the catering team or check the College’s official weekly and daily menu pages.
Formal Hall Prices vs Buttery Prices
It is easy to get confused by Cambridge dining terminology. Formal Hall and the everyday Buttery are not the same meal service.
Formal Hall is a more structured, three-course dinner held in Clough Hall. Guests generally need to attend with a Newnham host, and bookings are made in advance through the College system.
| Dining experience | Published price | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Buttery vegetarian/vegan meal deal, Newnham card | £4.50 | Informal hot main and one side |
| Buttery meat/fish meal deal, Newnham card | £4.90 | Informal hot main and one side |
| Formal Hall, member | £19.90 | Separate formal three-course dinner |
| Formal Hall, non-member | £24.90 | Separate formal three-course dinner |
A Formal Hall price should never be quoted as though it were the price of a regular lunch in the Buttery. The experiences, meal structures and booking arrangements are different.
How to Check the Latest Newnham Buttery Menu
The quickest way to avoid disappointment is to look at the College’s own menu information on the day you plan to eat.
Newnham maintains a page called Buttery menus & opening hours with access to the weekly schedule and that day’s dishes. The daily menu is particularly useful because it can include each available dish’s price and allergen information.
Use the weekly list to plan ahead, then the daily list to confirm. In the October sample checked for this article, the weekly Friday listing differed from the final daily food listing, showing why both views have a purpose.
If you’re visiting outside term time, check the latest service hours as well. University holidays and College events can affect both the dishes and when the counter is open.
Best-Value Orders at Newnham Buttery
If you’re trying to get a proper meal without spending much, the published hot meal deals are the most straightforward starting point.
For a Filling Vegetarian Lunch
The vegetarian or vegan main with one side is listed at £4.50 for a Newnham cardholder and £6.00 for other diners. That is the figure to watch if you want the main part of lunch sorted in one order.
For Meat or Fish
The meat or fish main with one side is listed at £4.90 for a cardholder and £6.52 otherwise. It’s a simple option when you want a cooked meal without building a separate plate item by item.
For Something Small
A soup can be useful if you are between lectures or not particularly hungry. The 16 October vegetable and mushroom soup was £1.50 or £2.00, depending on the price category.
For a Bigger Appetite
The extra side option makes it easy to add to a meal deal for 75p with a Newnham card or £1.00 at the other rate. Look at what’s actually on the counter to decide whether you need that second side.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Newnham Buttery Menu
What is the Newnham Buttery?
It is Newnham College’s cafeteria at the University of Cambridge, offering a changing range of hot, cold, vegetarian and vegan food.
Where is Newnham Buttery located?
The Buttery is in the Clough area of Newnham College, Sidgwick Avenue, Cambridge CB3 9DF.
How much does lunch at Newnham Buttery cost?
The published hot meal deal is £4.50 for a vegetarian/vegan main and one side or £4.90 for a meat/fish main and one side with a Newnham card. Other-diner prices are £6.00 and £6.52 respectively.
What is the price of an extra side?
The College’s 16 October 2026 daily menu lists an extra meal-deal side at £0.75 with a Newnham card or £1.00 for other diners.
Does Newnham Buttery have a vegetarian menu?
Yes. Vegetarian dishes appear regularly, including pasta, pie, cheese-based dishes and vegetable mains. The exact selection changes by day.
Does Newnham Buttery serve vegan food?
Yes. The October 2026 menus included vegan vegetable curries, tofu dishes, dal, lentil chilli and more. Check the daily allergen listing before ordering.
What time does Newnham Buttery open for lunch?
For the week of 12–18 October 2026, weekday lunch ran from 12:30 pm to 1:45 pm. Hours may change during vacations or special events.
Does the Buttery serve dinner?
Yes. The October timetable showed dinner from 6:00 pm to 7:15 pm Monday to Saturday, with Sunday closed.
Is Newnham Buttery open on Sunday?
The sampled October 2026 weekly schedule showed no Sunday lunch or dinner service. Always check the latest hours before visiting.
Is breakfast available at Newnham Buttery?
The College advertises full English breakfast and other breakfast options during relevant visitor and vacation arrangements. The sampled term-time timetable separately lists Saturday brunch. Breakfast prices were not verified in the source material.
Can visitors eat at Newnham Buttery?
Newnham publishes prices for other diners and discusses catering for visitors, but that does not guarantee unrestricted public entry. Check College access and dining arrangements first.
Does Newnham Buttery accept cash?
No. The College’s visitor information states that the Buttery and Iris Café accept card payments only.
Do Newnham students get a discount?
The College describes a 25% discount for eligible members, with student catering pre-payment rules affecting access to discounted prices.
Does Newnham Buttery publish allergens?
Yes. The College labels food on its menus and at the point of sale. Anyone with an allergy should check directly with the catering team.
Is Iris Café the same as Newnham Buttery?
No. Iris Café is a separate coffee-and-light-food venue in the Dorothy Garrod Building. The Buttery is the College’s main cafeteria for cooked meals.
How much is Newnham Formal Hall?
The College lists Formal Hall at £19.90 for members and £24.90 for non-members. This is a different, booked dining experience rather than part of the everyday Buttery menu.
Final Thoughts
The Newnham Buttery menu makes much more sense once you know two things: dishes rotate, and the price you pay depends on your dining category.
For an everyday meal, the most useful published figures are the £4.50 vegetarian/vegan deal and the £4.90 meat/fish deal for qualifying Newnham cardholders. Other diners pay £6.00 and £6.52 for those deals in the published October 2026 example.
The food goes well beyond a basic cafeteria menu, with curries, pasta, roast dinners, fish, vegan choices and comforting puddings appearing across the weekly schedule. But because the kitchen changes its offerings, no one week’s dishes should be treated as a permanent list.
Check the daily menu for the latest item prices and allergens, confirm service times if you are visiting, and you should have a much clearer idea of what to expect when you reach the counter.
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