A university canteen (Mensa) lets you eat a hot lunch as a student without cooking yourself. What a meal costs is set by each Studierendenwerk, the student services organisation, so prices vary from place to place. You will find the current menu and prices on the website or in the app of the Studierendenwerk at your university.
Who runs the university canteen, and what do you pay?
University canteens are generally run by the Studierendenwerk. Part of the semester fee goes to the Studierendenwerk, and further amounts go to the student body and, where applicable, to the semester ticket. The amount differs at every university, while each meal is paid for separately at the till. More on this is on the pages of the Studierendenwerke on the costs of studying (in German).
How does payment work, and how do you top up the canteen card?
This depends on the Studierendenwerk. Often you pay with a card that you top up at a machine or online with credit, sometimes also with your student ID or an app. How it works at your location is on the Studierendenwerk’s page under the German labels “Mensa” or “Bezahlen”. If in doubt, ask at the till.
- Find out at the start of the semester whether you need your own card or whether your student ID is enough to pay.
- Note how you can top up at your location before you stand in front of an empty till at lunchtime.
How do you eat vegetarian or vegan in the canteen?
Many university canteens include vegetarian and vegan dishes. Whether and how many are available every day differs from location to location. The menu marks meat, vegetarian and vegan dishes. If you have allergies or intolerances, also check the labelling of the ingredients and ask the staff if you are unsure. Many canteens publish their menus in advance, so you can plan your week.
How can you eat cheaply at university?
The canteen is a good anchor in your weekly plan. If you want to save on food at university, combine several approaches:
- Canteen on lecture days: A hot lunch without effort, with salad or side dishes if you need them.
- Cooking yourself: Portions for several days save time and can be taken along in boxes.
- Snacks from home: Fruit, bread or muesli bars replace expensive purchases at the café.
- Shopping together: In shared flats, larger packs lower the price per portion.
How much your food may cost each month depends on your overall budget. You can read how to build a budget for your studies (in German) in a separate guide. Further discounts come with your student card: the overview of benefits with student status (in German) summarises what the card brings.
Does your city play a role in the food on offer?
Yes. In large university cities there are often several canteens and cafeterias at different sites, in smaller towns often fewer. If you study in a small town, the way to the canteen is usually short, but there is less choice nearby. How studying in a small town (in German) differs overall from studying in a big city is covered in the comparison article.
How does cooking at home fit in with the canteen?
If you cook at home, you have more room to control costs, but it takes time and uses energy. How to keep energy use low is explained in the guide on saving energy in a student flat (in German).
Frequently asked questions
How much does a canteen meal cost?
That depends on the Studierendenwerk and on the dish. Each Studierendenwerk sets its own prices, and there are often different prices for students and other guests. You will find the exact price on the menu for your location.
How do you top up your canteen card?
Usually at the top-up machine in the canteen, sometimes also online or through an app. The options differ by location. The website of your Studierendenwerk explains how it works for you, and the staff at the till can help.
Are there vegan dishes in the canteen?
In many canteens, yes. How many vegan dishes are offered each day differs from location to location. The menu marks vegan and vegetarian dishes. Ask if you are unsure.
How can you eat cheaply at university?
Combine the canteen with cooking ahead and your own snacks. That way you have a hot meal without effort on lecture days and a cheap alternative from home on other days.
So what do you do now?
- Look up the menu and prices of your Studierendenwerk.
- Find out how payment and topping up work at your location.
- Decide how many days a week you eat in the canteen and on which days you cook ahead.
- Add the cost of food to your monthly budget.
Related reading
- Student discounts: where you can really save (in German)
- Saving tips for students: saving money smartly in everyday life (in German)
- Cutting household costs: the big guide for students (in German)
- Getting around cheaply as a student: semester ticket and Deutschlandticket (in German)
Last updated: October 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice. The German version is authoritative.
