The colleges with the best food in America for 2027 include UCLA, UMass Amherst and Virginia Tech, followed by St. Norbert, California Baptist and Bates. These schools stand out for dining halls with real variety, strong options for special diets and menus that go beyond the usual cafeteria line.

Good food shapes how students feel about campus. We picked 25 schools known for dining, then checked their official dining information. For overall quality, see how the UM World University Rankings methodology works and browse our rankings.

Colleges With the Best Food in America 2027

 

1. University of California – Los Angeles

UCLA runs four residential restaurants, and each has its own personality. Bruin Plate focuses on healthy, sustainable cooking; Epicuria at Covel serves Mediterranean meals; De Neve covers cuisines of the Americas; and Feast at Rieber offers Pan-Asian dishes. UCLA says each restaurant offers up to ten entrees per meal, so a student can eat somewhere different every night of the week.

Beyond the dining halls, Cafe 1919 offers pizza and paninis, Rendezvous offers build-your-own bowls, and rotating food trucks appear throughout campus. Bruin Plate even has its own cookbook with more than 100 recipes. If you want variety without leaving the Westwood campus, few schools match it. Our guide to colleges in California has more on the state.

 

2. University of Massachusetts Amherst

UMass Amherst is the name most people think of first when campus food comes up. UMass says its dining program has been named best campus food by The Princeton Review for ten years in a row. The school runs four dining commons, Berkshire, Hampshire, Worcester, and Franklin, and Franklin offers certified kosher dining.

Berkshire has made-to-order sushi and soft serve, and its BabyBerk food trucks roll around campus. Berkshire and Worcester stay open until midnight, and Chicken & Co. in Southwest keeps going until 2 a.m. on weekends. UMass also partners with local farms, uses compostable to-go containers and composts leftover food. It is a big program that still feels thoughtful.

 

3. Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech is a big school with a dining program to match. D2 in Dietrick Hall serves world flavours in an all-you-care-to-eat setting, while West End Market makes comfort food to order. Turner Place adds a food court option, and the school lists dozens of dining venues across campus.

Homefield Farm supplies many of the vegetables used in the dining facilities, giving the farm-to-table claim real substance. Dining Services also takes student input seriously through a Student Advisory Committee. Virginia Tech has reported a No. 8 finish on The Princeton Review’s Best Campus Food list. Hokies who love to eat will find it easy to stay happy in Blacksburg.

 

4. St. Norbert College

St. Norbert is a small Catholic liberal arts college in De Pere, Wisconsin, and its dining setup is built around choice. The Knight All-Access meal plans work at Phil’s, Ed’s Cafe, Ruth’s Marketplace, and Dale’s Sports Lounge, so students aren’t stuck in one cafeteria all semester. Grubhub orders over $18 are delivered free on campus.

What stands out is how the college handles waste. Leftover food goes to a food pantry, and vegetable scraps are composted for a student garden. Students also get two to-go meals per week, which helps when class schedules run long. It is a small school that treats food as part of the campus community, not just a meal plan.

 

5. California Baptist University

California Baptist University is in Riverside, California, and was founded in 1955. Its Southern Baptist roots shape campus life, and food plays a role in how students gather. The Yeager University Center, completed in 2003, houses the campus cafeteria, which is the main hub for everyday meals.

CBU appears on this list for the student dining experience, not for a famous single dish. Southern California gives students easy access to a wide food scene off campus, from taquerias to farmers’ markets. Before you commit to a meal plan, check the current dining hours and plan options on the CBU website, since those details change from year to year.

 

6. Bates College

Bates College is a small liberal arts school in Lewiston, Maine, founded in 1855. Dining is centred on the Commons, where students eat most meals together. Bates also runs the Bobcat Den, and its dining team publishes information on special dietary needs so students with allergies or restrictions know what to expect.

Bates lists sustainability as part of its dining program, which fits a campus in a state known for local seafood and produce. In a school of this size, the dining staff tend to know students by name, and that matters when you eat in the same room every day. For students who want a close-knit community and good food, Bates is easy to like.

 

7. James Madison University

James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, puts a lot of effort into supporting students with food allergies. True Balance stations serve students with allergens or specific preferences, and the Worry-Free Zone pantry avoids gluten, peanuts and tree nuts. For students who usually have to read every label, that kind of setup makes a real difference.

The two main dining halls, D-Hall and E-Hall, host themed dinners that give students something to look forward to. If you want something quick, Chick-fil-A, Subway and Dunkin’ are also available on campus. JMU does a good job mixing comfort food with thoughtful options for special diets, and students often bring it up when they talk about the school.

 

8. Florida International University

Florida International University is a public research university in Miami with two main campuses, Modesto Maidique and Biscayne Bay. Miami’s food scene is a big part of the draw, with Cuban, Caribbean, Latin American and seafood spots all within reach of campus. Students who like to eat out have a lot to explore.

FIU also has a real food connection through its School of Hospitality & Tourism Management, which hosts the annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. That gives hospitality students hands-on experience with a major event. If you want a school where food culture is part of the city and the classroom, FIU belongs on your list.

 

9. High Point University

High Point University in North Carolina is known for going big on amenities, and food is no exception. The school lists more than 20 dining options, from casual spots like Chick-fil-A and Barberitos to fine dining at 1924 PRIME, Alo and Kazoku, a teppanyaki restaurant. Two Starbucks locations are also on campus.

Dining here includes vegan and vegetarian options, an allergen station at the Cafe, locally sourced foods, and a registered dietitian available for nutrition guidance. Few colleges offer sit-down fine dining as part of campus life. If you want a campus that feels more like a resort than a cafeteria line, High Point delivers.

 

10. Kennesaw State University

Kennesaw State is a public research university in the Atlanta area with campuses in Kennesaw and Marietta. Its main dining hall, The Commons, is a two-story space with seating for 1,500 that opened in 2009. Stingers is another dining hall on campus, so students have more than one place to sit down for a full meal.

Meal plans are available for residential and commuter students, which matters at a school with a large commuter population. Atlanta’s food scene, from barbecue to international markets, is close by when you want a change from campus. Kennesaw State is a practical pick for students who want solid dining without a premium price tag.

 

11. St. John Fisher University

St. John Fisher University in Rochester, New York, is a smaller school that takes food seriously. Its Ultimate Meal Plan includes 350 swipes, $100 in dining dollars and five guest passes, which is generous for friends and family visits. The dining program, run by Chartwells, received the Chartwells President’s Circle Award for Account of the Year.

Themed events keep things interesting, from Turkey Burger Time to Mardi Gras celebrations. Those small touches are what make a campus dining program feel personal. Students at Fisher often mention that the staff try new ideas, and that willingness to experiment keeps the menus from feeling stale by the second semester.

 

12. Lynn University

Lynn University is a private university in Boca Raton, Florida, founded in 1962 as Marymount College. The suburban campus covers 115 acres and sits close to a coastal food scene with seafood, Latin American spots, and plenty of casual restaurants. Students looking for warm weather and an easy lifestyle often put it on their shortlist.

If food matters to you, ask about current dining options, meal plans and dietary support during a campus visit, since details change often. Lynn earns its place here for the overall student experience and the dining culture around the Boca Raton campus, where year-round warm weather makes outdoor meals easy.

 

13. University of Dayton

The University of Dayton, a Catholic Marianist school in Ohio, ties its dining program to the local community. Partners include Moss Creek Farms, Young’s Jersey Dairy and Bella Sorella Pizza Dough. Students can choose between Standard, Flexible, Neighbourhood, and Co-Op meal plans, and an online bakery sells treats for birthdays and care packages.

Dayton also prioritizes waste reduction and food security. An on-campus composter turns waste into soil, and Food4Flyers offers confidential food assistance to students who need it. That mix of good local sourcing and care for classmates is a big reason students speak well of the program. It is an easy school to recommend for anyone who values both.

 

14. University of San Diego

The University of San Diego is a Catholic university with one of the prettiest campuses in California, and its dining team makes good use of the location. Burgers come from nearby local producers, and most dining plans include free guest meals, which is handy when friends and family visit.

The GET FOOD app lets students order ahead and schedule pickup, so a quick lunch fits between classes. Dining plans are also tax-exempt. San Diego’s food culture, from fish tacos to craft beer, is just a short ride from campus. USD manages to feel like a vacation spot while still taking the daily meal seriously. See our California college rankings for more.

 

15. University of North Texas

UNT in Denton, Texas, has one of the most unusual dining halls in the country. UNT describes Mean Greens Cafe as the first 100 percent vegan dining hall in the country. It serves vegans, vegetarians and plenty of students who just like the food. UNT also says it has the first dining hall in Texas certified free from the Big 9 food allergens and gluten.

The program is a member of the Menus of Change University Research Collaborative and emphasizes eco-friendly practices. Its motto is “It’s About the Food.” For students with allergies or plant-based diets, UNT is one of the best options in the state. Our Texas college guide covers more schools in the state.

 

16. Muhlenberg College

Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania, keeps its dining program lively. Themed dinners include Pasta Mondays and Stir-fry Wednesdays, and the college hosts cooking classes and pop-up restaurants. Those events turn a daily meal into something students plan around instead of something they get through.

Simple Servings is an allergen-free station, and a registered dietitian offers guidance for students who need it. The dining hall feels more like a community meeting place than a cafeteria, which suits a college of this size. If you like trying new things and want your campus to cater to special diets, Muhlenberg is a good fit.

 

17. University of Georgia

The University of Georgia has five dining commons, more than 20 campus markets and a long list of retail options like Chick-fil-A, Barberitos and Panda Express. The All-Access meal plan gives unlimited entry to the dining halls, and UGA says it can save students $12 to $18 a day compared with paying per visit.

Menus include stir-fry, pizza, salads, and smoothies, and the dining team lists vegetarian, vegan, gluten-friendly, and halal choices. Mobile ordering helps when you are running between classes in Athens. For a big public university, UGA keeps the food varied and the options flexible, so students rarely feel like they are eating the same meal twice in one week.

 

18. Culinary Institute of America

The Culinary Institute of America is a different kind of entry on this list. Founded in 1946 in New Haven, Connecticut, it is a college built around food, now based in Hyde Park, New York, with campuses in St. Helena, California, San Antonio, Texas, and Singapore. Students earn associate and bachelor’s degrees in areas like culinary arts, baking and pastry arts, and food business.

The Hyde Park campus has public restaurants staffed by students, including American Bounty, Bocuse, Ristorante Caterina de’ Medici and the Apple Pie Bakery Cafe. That means students learn in real dining rooms and eat alongside future colleagues. If you want to cook for a living, the food culture here is hard to beat.

 

19. Grand Canyon University

Grand Canyon University is a Christian university in Phoenix, Arizona, founded in 1949. Its large campus includes a student union, a cafeteria, coffee shops, and several fast-food restaurants. For students who want quick options between classes, that variety is convenient, and Phoenix has a big food scene beyond campus.

GCU is known for its lively campus atmosphere, and food is part of that, with students gathering at cafes and restaurants throughout the day. Before choosing a meal plan, check current dining options on the GCU website, since menus and venues change. It earns a spot here for convenience and the social side of campus dining.

 

20. Wesleyan University

Wesleyan in Middletown, Connecticut, has partnered with Bon Appetit Management Company since 2007 while keeping direct oversight of menus and initiatives. Meals are made from scratch with fresh, seasonal ingredients, and sustainable sourcing is a stated priority. That approach shows up in the quality of everyday meals.

Students can eat at Usdan Marketplace, Usdan Cafe, Summerfields, Pi Cafe and Cardinal Cafe, and the WesShop mini-market covers groceries. There is also a Wesleyan food truck. With so many choices on a small campus, students can change things up all week. It is the kind of dining program that treats food as part of the liberal arts experience.

 

21. Cornell University

Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, runs a dining program that likes to have fun. Themed events include era-based dishes and sushi-making classes, and students can choose flexible meal plans, order online and buy food tax-free. With a campus this big, having that range makes it easier to find something you enjoy.

Cornell also asks students to help improve the program through its Mystery Shopper program, which lets students evaluate dining services anonymously. That feedback loop matters because it shows staff want to hear what is working and what is not. Cornell also has strong food science and hospitality programs, which add to its reputation for food.

 

22. Southern University & A&M College

Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a public historically black land-grant university founded in 1880, and Louisiana’s food culture sets the tone. Students eat gumbo, jambalaya, and po’boys near campus, in one of the country’s best food regions. That local flavour is a big part of the appeal.

On campus, E.N. Mayberry Dining Hall includes the Magnolia Room, Cypress Room, and Oak Room for student dining. Dunn Cafeteria serves the Freshman Complex, and the Smith-Brown Memorial Union has a six-outlet food court. For students who love Southern cooking, Southern University offers a real taste of the region.

 

23. Duke University

Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, lists more than 50 dining locations, including 34 on-campus and off-campus restaurants that deliver through Merchants-on-Points, plus food trucks. That is a huge range for a school of its size. First-year, upperclassmen, and non-resident students each get meal plans designed for them.

The Chef’s Kitchen in the Brodhead Center hosts cooking classes and chef demos, and Duke brands its sustainable dining work as Deliberate Dining. Duke has also pioneered the nation’s first Top 9 Allergen-Free campus venue, according to its dining news. Few schools combine this much choice with strong special-diet programs.

 

24. Brigham Young University

Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, offers a lively mix of campus eateries. Cougareat is the main food court, and other options include Blue Line Deli, Brigham’s Wagon, Cannon Commons, Harvey’s, Legends Grille, Library Cafe and MOA Cafe. Students can also visit the campus creameries, a local favourite.

BYU offers dietitian services, a nutrition lookup tool and allergen information, plus mobile and kiosk ordering to save time between classes. The campus feels clean, friendly and well run, and dining reflects that. If you want a school where food is simple, social and affordable, BYU is a solid pick.

 

25. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

UTRGV was created in 2013 by merging UT Brownsville and UT Pan American, and it opened in 2015. Its main campus is in Edinburg, with a second in Brownsville. The Rio Grande Valley is known for Mexican and Tex-Mex cooking, so students are surrounded by food that reflects the region’s identity.

About 94 percent of undergraduates were Hispanic in Fall 2023, and that community shapes the food culture, from family-run taquerias to weekend barbacoa. If you want a school where local flavour is part of everyday life, UTRGV is a great choice. Check the university’s dining website for current campus options and meal plan details.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Which college has the best food in America?

UMass Amherst is the name most often linked to the best campus food. UMass says The Princeton Review has named its dining program the best for ten years in a row. UCLA, Virginia Tech and Duke are also strong picks. Our list starts with UCLA and follows the order set for this article.

Which college has a fully vegan dining hall?

The University of North Texas says its Mean Greens Cafe is the first 100 percent vegan dining hall in the country. It serves vegans, vegetarians and students who enjoy plant-based food.

Which colleges are best for students with food allergies?

UNT says it has Texas’ first dining hall certified free from the Big 9 allergens and gluten. James Madison University has True Balance stations and a Worry-Free Zone pantry, Muhlenberg has an allergen-free station called Simple Servings, and Duke has a Top 9 allergen-free campus venue.

Which colleges offer kosher or halal options?

UMass Amherst offers certified kosher dining at Franklin Dining Commons. The University of Georgia lists halal choices among its dietary options. Check each school’s dining website for current details.

How should I choose a meal plan?

Start with how many meals you will actually eat on campus. Compare swipe counts, dining dollars, and guest passes; ask about allergen support; and check whether the plan works at the venues you like. Tax-exempt options, such as those at the University of San Diego, can also help.

How were these colleges ordered?

The order follows the list supplied for this article. UM World University Rankings uses a published methodology for overall quality, but it does not rank dining by school. See the methodology link above for how the rankings work.

 

Top 25 Colleges With the Best Food in America 2027: Ranked List

1. University of California – Los Angeles
2. University of Massachusetts Amherst
3. Virginia Tech
4. St. Norbert College
5. California Baptist University
6. Bates College
7. James Madison University
8. Florida International University
9. High Point University
10. Kennesaw State University
11. St. John Fisher University
12. Lynn University
13. University of Dayton
14. University of San Diego
15. University of North Texas
16. Muhlenberg College
17. University of Georgia
18. Culinary Institute of America
19. Grand Canyon University
20. Wesleyan University
21. Cornell University
22. Southern University & A&M College
23. Duke University
24. Brigham Young University
25. University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

 

Read more about UM World University Rankings