The University of Connecticut has always had an ongoing debate about which dining halls are the best. With eight dining halls to choose from and ever-changing menus, the Life section is here to outline the best spots to eat, and which ones you should avoid.
Dan Stark, Life Editor (he/him/his)
This will be a popular pick for best dining hall, but Whitney will always be my favorite. The vibes are easily the best of any dining hall on campus thanks to its open concept and big windows. Though their menu is smaller than other dining halls, the quality is top tier. My favorite part about their food is the salad bar, which goes above and beyond the sub-par ones at every other dining hall.
Now while it’s not my least favorite, I want to call out what I think is far and away the most overrated: South. Though it’s not the worst, I don’t understand how some people think it’s the best; it’s easily the most mediocre dining hall on campus. However, I’ll give it bonus points for being home to Soop Doop.
Ayyan Tamjeed, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
Thank god for Towers.
I have been a student here for just over a year now and I’ll confidently say the dining hall with the best hit rate for me is Gelfenbein Commons. I greatly appreciate it as one of the two dining halls with halal options (when are they going to have pepper jack chicken wraps again?) which makes for great dining when my friends and I congregate there for lunch on Fridays.
But I digress, there are seven other dining halls here, staffed by dozens of lovely chefs and student employees who work hard to deliver hundreds if not thousands of people hot, fresh food. That being said, Connecticut Hall needs to do something to up their game. Behind the facade of being the largest dining hall on campus, the food is terribly mid and the options feel bare. Half the time I’ve been there the World Fare and Feast stations are the only ones open.
Elijah Polance, Campus Correspondent (he/him/they/them)
While I’m a big fan of Whitney and South, Northwest has been my favorite as of late. It consistently serves delectable tofu meals, something I’m often looking for as a vegetarian. The layout is cozy and its late-night hours are one of its biggest appeals, even though the line to get in can sometimes be torturous. But to me, its biggest strength lies in its salad bar. While not too different from other dining halls, Northwest leaves out a container with sunflower seeds, raisins and most importantly, dried cranberries, which I will pile on top of anything.
Connecticut Hall may not be the worst dining hall on campus, but it’s easily the most frustrating. Despite being the newest and so large, it’s often too busy to find seating and the food options are deceptively limited, especially during breakfast. While their waffles are great, they cannot match the rate of students stopping by to get them, leading to crowded lines and small portions. The amount of times I’ll stop by for breakfast only to see the waffle wait, turn around and grab some fruit instead outnumbers the times I’ll actually sit and eat there. I can’t believe Buckley died for this.
Noa Climor, Social Media Outreach Coordinator (she/her/hers)
As a transfer student, I have just gotten to familiarize myself with UConn dining and the various cuisines offered. Truthfully, South Dining Hall is perfect not because of the food, but because of how kind every employee is. I have truly been enjoying going to breakfast or lunch and having conversations with the people working there, and honestly? The breakfast potatoes are 10/10.
I agree with my fellow writer Elijah when I say that Connecticut Hall is frustrating. Sure, the options are great, but there are so many people there at all times that I have seriously pondered sitting on the floor. Also, and this might be a hot take, but CT hall feels like a topping bar, and sometimes I’m still hungry when I leave.
Patrick Boots, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
Whitney Hall, nestled in East Campus, currently is my pick for favorite. They don’t have the biggest menu, but it’s made up for in the quality. The seating is really comfortable, with a mix of tables, booths and even a café-style area. Plus, a lot of outlets – Some of my finest Daily Campus articles have been written there!
Don’t get me wrong, I actually like North a lot more than the “least favorite” moniker would make it seem. They’ve had fun choices like a build-your-own sundae bar, and the seating is expansive. But sometimes I feel that it gets a little too crowded – the old nickname is “The Jungle” after all. The outdoor patio seating is nice. But hey, every cafeteria has its days.
For an honorable mention, it may have been small, but Buckley is my all-time favorite because of its cozy atmosphere and home-style menu selections. It was never too loud or crowded, and they played good music. Sadly, it’s now closed – but will remain a legend in UConn dining history.
Thaddeus Sawyer, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
I think in life, there comes a time where we must take a step back and ask ourselves if we do something because we enjoy it or because it’s popular. People love to hate North and I just don’t understand it. It’s always there for you. Living in Towers my freshman year, there were times I would walk to North just to get some cinnamon buns, waffles, or a grilled cheese.
As a picky eater, North was a safe haven where I knew would always have something for me. Where else on campus can you go on a Wednesday night and make a brownie sundae that would cost $10 at an ice cream parlor? Though I admittedly don’t return very often, I will always hold fond memories of my time there and will continue to take every possible opportunity to defend it. For my least favorite, I’ll go with Northwest. It’s a wannabe North. Honorable mention goes to Putnam for the Omelet Bar and literally nothing else.
Sawyer Brown, Campus Correspondent (he/him/his)
From the moment you step through the door, South is absolutely oozing with charm. A stark contrast to the many more modern-style dining halls on campus, South offers a cozy atmosphere that is perfect for enjoying any meal, whether it’s a quiet breakfast before your 8 a.m. lecture or a rowdy dinner with friends after a long day. Bonus point: the international section never misses.
Given how new and absolutely massive this hall is in comparison to the other dining halls, it is easy to assume that Connecticut Dining Hall would naturally be the best. It has the most options, the most seating… and yet, the experience itself is incredibly mediocre. If you can even manage to get inside the dining hall at its peak hours, the food itself isn’t bad, but the time it takes to get your grub coupled with the struggle of finding anywhere to sit is barely worth the effort. However, the waffle bar and other pop-ups do offer some redemption for CT.