Food and drink at Colchester Campus

Monday 5 May 2025

Bank Holiday Monday

• Buffalo Joe's: 12pm to 8pm
• Crumbs: 9am to 4pm
• All other outlets closed

From Tuesday 6 May 2025

Accommodation Catered Meal Packages

New for 2025-26

Let Essex Food take care of your meals so you can focus on enjoying student life. Students living on our Colchester campus will soon be able to save up to 30% on their weekly food purchase with Accommodation Catered Meal Packages. Packages will be available annually or as a single-term package.

Save money on campus food and drink with the UPAY app

The Essex Food Rewards Upay app gives you access to exclusive rewards, discounts and money off selected items. Just scan your app at the till to redeem. Rewards include: 

• Buy 5 hot drinks and get the 6th FREE in selected café outlets
• Access to exclusive offers
• In-app vouchers for Essex Food outlets

How to get the UPAY app:

1. Visit the Apple Store or Google Play and search for 'Upay' to download the free app. Alternatively, you can go to Upay to register
2. Once downloaded, click 'Register here'. Then enter the affiliate ID:ESSEXFOOD to begin the registration process
3. Follow the steps to register your account. Please note,  you do not need a referral code
4. If you're having trouble signing in or need help with your Upay app please contact helpdesk@uniware.co.uk 

Halal food on campus

Earn while you eat!

With the Essex Food Upay app you can earn rewards while you eat and drink. Scan the Upay app every time you buy a hot drink or selected meal deal from our Essex Food outlets - buy 5 and the 6th is FREE! (Full terms and conditions apply)

Download the Upay app and start earning todayDownload the Upay app and start earning todayDownload the Upay app and start earning today!

Plus, bring your reusable cup and SAVE 25p on any hot drink in our outlets.

You won’t go hungry at Essex

Find information about all the Essex Food cafés, restaurants and bars cafés, restaurants and bars cafés, restaurants and bars - there's something on the menu for everyone.

Find a venue

Cashless payments only

Essex Food do not accept cash payments in outlets. Please pay by card or contactless payment method. Alternatively, download the Essex Food Rewards app to pay and collect rewards. Choose loyalty and cashless payment when you set up your account.

Ethics Food

Ethics Food, we care…

...about your health and wellbeing

“Essex Food are committed to supporting your health and wellbeing. We will ensure that all our menus include healthy choices and specialist dietary requirements. We will prioritise the use of fresh, seasonal and nutritional produce, which will be prepared daily by our team of chefs.”

… about your education

“Essex Food are committed to providing you with the knowledge to make informed choices. We will provide important dietary details on all menus and packaging labels, giving you essential nutritional and food provenance information.”

…about your planet

“Essex Food are committed to helping protect the planet to ensure a sustainable future. We are working to eradicate the use of plastic, the reduction of food waste and food miles, with the use of local suppliers and efficient use of resources. “

…about your opinion

“Essex Food are committed to understanding their customers. We value feedback and will seek to engage with you through regular focus groups, customer surveys, and individual interactions. Our staff are always available to receive your opinion and discuss your ideas."

Hospitality Assured accreditation

We were proud to have been awarded with the prestigious Hospitality Assured accreditation in 2011, which is the quality standard created by the Institute of Hospitality specifically for customer facing businesses.

Our policies

We regularly assess our policies to ensure the highest food and service standards to University of Essex customers.

• Sustainable Food policy .(pdf) -  Essex Food recognises its responsibility to provide a choice of food options, including healthy, sustainable and fairly-traded food.
• Allergen policy (.pdf) - Essex Food is committed to reducing the risk to staff, students and visitors with regard to the provision of food and the consumption of allergens in food. The policy includes the UK Food Information Amendment, known as Natasha's Law, which came into effect on the 1 October 2021.

Service providers

The University’s Essex Food team Essex Food team Essex Food team Essex Food team and the Students’ Union operate our busy restaurants, bars, cafes and food outlets across our three campuses. Although separate organisations, Essex Food and the Students' Union share the same goal to provide you with a wide range of high quality food within their outlets.

Keep It On Campus

Keep It On Campus is an initiative designed to encourage students and staff to use the services available on campus. Whenever you see the Keep It On Campus stamp, you are about to buy a product or use a service which is owned by the University. This means every time you use a product or service which has the KIOC stamp, all profits generated are used to support and reinvest in the University.

Also see

• Food and drink outletsFood and drink outletsFood and drink outlets
  
• Essex Food team Essex Food team Essex Food team