The Canteen is your dream UNSW cheap meal destination

Want easy $5 meals that are made fresh and served hot? Go treat yourself over at the Canteen.

Published on the 01 July 2026

UNSW students lining up for food at the Canteen

What exactly is the Canteen?

Arc has been the undisputed champ when it comes to saving money and accessing free food on the UNSW Kensington campus. Now they've managed to one-up themselves (again) with the introduction of the Canteen.

A collaboration between Arc and UNSW, the Canteen has set up shop temporarily at the Roundhouse Beer Garden over the next few weeks and will be serving *checks notes* cheap meals made fresh every day.

For UNSW students, it's just $5 a meal. For UNSW staff, it's a mere $10. Wow.

We'd share a menu, but it doesn't exist as the Canteen's food options changes on the daily. Just rock up and see what kind of specials are being served. It'll be like a tasty lucky dip.

Bring your student ID

Before you treat yourself to a delicious $5 meal, don't forget to bring your student ID!

This is a UNSW student and staff exclusive deal, so no ID means no $5 meal.

When is the Canteen open?

The Canteen serves meals every day from 11.30am to 2pm, or until all the food is sold out, whichever comes first.

That's right, it's a first-come, first-served system, so make sure to get in quickly before the hot meals all get snapped up.

If you do miss out on a $5 meal at the Roundhouse Beer Garden, don't worry, because there will be a permanent Canteen coming soon.

Wait, the Canteen is here to stay?

Sure is! Keep reading for more info on that.

Where is the Canteen?

The Canteen pop-up shop will remain at the Roundhouse Beer Garden for at least a few more weeks, until the new permanent spot is ready.

The permanent Canteen location

Remember that old cafe spot that sits right above the Grad Shop near the Morven Brown building?

That's where the permanent Canteen will be located. There's no confirmed opening date just yet, but stay tuned for that news. Better yet, follow the Arc Savers Instagram account for the latest Canteen updates.

Or you can just follow the crowd of students and staff who will be lining up for those delicious, cheap meals when the Canteen opens its doors.