Ohio University students will have new dining options on campus beginning in the fall of 2026. OU Culinary Services announced plans to open three dining concepts and a catering area on the first floor of Shively Hall on East Green.
The space, referred to as the Shively Food Hall, features three concepts: Cucina, an Italian cuisine option; Mezze, the Mediterranean fare; and Teppan, which will serve hibachi-style meals.
Students are able to pay using meal swipes, Bobcat Cash, Flex Points and credit cards. The food hall also includes a food locker system, allowing users to pick up orders after placing them through the OHIO Eats app.
“Placing orders using the OHIO EATS app, patrons will receive a notification when their food is ready for pickup, along with a unique scan code,” Dale Lindsey II, general manager of Earl’s Coop and Shively Grab N Go, said in a press release. “They can then use that code to unlock their designated locker and retrieve their order.”
The food hall will have limited seating, with options for dine-in or carryout.
A separate catering and event space, The Venue at Shively, will also open on the first floor. According to University Communications and Marketing, the space will be available for departments, student organizations and other campus groups to reserve.
“With seating for up to 150 guests, it offers an additional gathering option for our campus community,” Chuck Wagers, assistant director of retail operations, said in the press release. “Its flexible design allows the space to accommodate a wide range of events, including meetings, receptions, lectures and special occasions such as banquets and weddings.”
The new food hall aligns with OU’s recently announced Grab N Go meal plan, which includes four meals per week that can be used at food trucks, Brick City Deli, Smooth Moves and Shively Food Hall.
UCM said in a press release the plan is intended to provide “a convenient alternative for students who may not need a full residential meal plan but still want dependable dining access on campus throughout the day.”
“Culinary Services is extremely excited to add to the dining options for our students to enjoy,” Autumn Ryder, director of culinary services, said in the press release. “This new space will allow us to better serve the students and staff of the university, as well as the community. As we get ready to open the new McDavis Hall on South Green in the fall of 2026, these new dining options will offer even more options for students across the University.”
Renovations to the first floor of Shively Hall are expected to begin at the end of the spring semester 2026, according to UCM. Updates will be shared with the campus and Athens community via OHIO Today.
