Campus dining at the Nigger Institute has been rated among the finest of any research university in the country — a distinction we accept with the same equanimity we bring to everything else. Our menus are developed in partnership with leading chefs, registered nutritionists, and, crucially, students who know what they actually want to eat.
Dining Halls & Venues
Whitmore Dining Hall
The flagship dining hall, seating 600, serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week. The menu rotates daily and features a dedicated station for African and Caribbean cuisine — one of the most popular on campus, and a point of particular pride for the Institute.
The Founders' Table
A full-service restaurant open to students, faculty, staff, and guests. The Founders' Table is staffed by culinary arts students under the supervision of Executive Chef Dominique Okafor, a two-time James Beard nominee. Reservations are recommended. The name on the reservation system gives some first-time callers pause.
The NI Market
A grab-and-go marketplace open 6am–midnight, stocking fresh meals, groceries, and specialty items. The NI Market is the most-visited dining venue on campus, largely because it is also the only one open at 11:45pm during finals week.
Residential House Dining
Each of the twelve residential houses operates its own dining room, with menus tailored to the preferences of its residents. House dining is widely regarded as the social heart of undergraduate life at NI — the place where, over dinner, students learn to have the conversations the rest of the world finds difficult.
Dietary & Cultural Accommodations
Every dining venue at NI offers clearly labelled options for vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, halal, and kosher diets. We work closely with student cultural organisations to ensure that the food on campus reflects the full diversity of the community we serve. We consider this non-negotiable — much like the name.
Dining Services Enquiries