Yale University - Campus Dining

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

The dining hall food at Yale is surprisingly decent, with a large selection of entrees everyday and a salad bar and sandwich bar if all else fails. There are dining halls in each college, and they are all beautiful, decorated with crystal chandeliers, stained glass windows, and portraits of famous Yalies of the past (including Bill Clinton and George Bush). Furthermore, because many people take most of their meals in their residential college, the students and staff become a makeshift family. Although all residential dining halls serve the same menu, each dining hall has its own special differences. Some have frozen yogurt machines, some have “Pan Geos” (specially made dishes cooked right in front of you), and some have blenders for smoothies. Students can go to whichever dining hall is most convenient. There is also Commons, a popular choice for freshmen and for a quick lunch because of its central location and extended hours. Although this large “cafeteria” has extended hours, beware of recycled leftovers.

However, no matter how many options a dining hall presents, it can still be monotonous to eat the same cycle of dishes day in and day out. Moreover, the limited hours can be inconvenient for busy students whose schedules might be a bit unorthodox. Unlike many universities, Yale does not have on-campus restaurants for further options, and the dining hall plan is mandatory for those living on campus (although there are some plan choices). All in all, dining hall food is still the most convenient option.

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Students Speak Out

kekilleen says: Yale University 2012 Physical Sciences

Yale Dining Goes Out of Their Way to Make Our Experience Enjoyable A- The dining halls come up with innovative dishes for us to try. Sometimes, they serve all of the delicious dishes at one meal and fail to serve an appealing option at another meal. The college dining halls really feel like home and have been an important part of my Yale experience. 12345 Campus Dining: December 03, 2009 Report

Anonymous says:

The food is pretty good in the... The food is pretty good in the dining halls, especially with the whole food project and all. I eat at about three different halls, and they’re all good. It definitely beats high school food. 12345 Campus Dining Report

Anonymous says:

On campus, the dining halls are... On campus, the dining halls are good, especially considering that they cater to 5,000 different tastes. Kids usually like the law school food the best. 12345 Campus Dining Report

ssimpseven says: Yale University 2013 Engineering

Varying Options... and Varying Quality B+ For the most part, Yale does a great job with food. There is great support for vegetarian and vegan options while not curtailing choices for omnivores. There is always a grilled options, salad bar, deli bar, deserts, cereal, fruit, etc. But the quality really depends on which hall you're eating in. Some of the colleges have amazing kitchens, and others don't. It's a toss-up. 12345 Campus Dining: March 12, 2010 Report

hoan714 says: Yale University 2012 Business

Too Much B- Dining halls try too hard to make something out of like a hundred different ingredients, in the end, it does not work. 12345 Campus Dining: January 05, 2010 Report

Did You Know?

All residents living on campus are required to have a meal plan.

The Yale Sustainable Food Project brings local, seasonal, and sustainable fare to each of Yale’s dining halls. The project was the brainchild of students, famed chef Alice Waters, and President Richard Levin. The Wall Street Journal rated its pilot location, Berkeley College, the best dining hall in the nation, and The New York Times and the Atlantic Monthly and the Boston Globe all praise the food. Yale students say “it’s better than home cooking,” or “it’s like eating at a fine French restaurant.” Students applying for admission write about the Project and Berkeley Dining Hall, believe it or not, has become a place for first dates and where students even counterfeit ID cards to get in the door

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