8 college dining halls that feel more like a 5-star restaurant

Now that you’ve moved out of the house and are no longer under your parents' reign, you can do whatever you want. OK, maybe not WHATEVER you want ... but you can at least choose what to eat. These eight college dining halls offer some of the best dorm food in the country.

Middlebury College

With a menu containing smoked salmon with Gouda and greens, and a tomato, basil, and goat cheese wrap, who could complain!? Not only is the food gourmet, but it’s healthy, too.

University of California, Los Angeles

As if California wasn’t already hella cool, UCLA's menu contains many fine dining-worthy meals, such as salmon salad with raspberry vinaigrette and spaghetti alle vongole with clams.

Columbia University

Not only can you get made-to-order omelets at breakfast, but Indian food is served regularly, along with brick-oven pizza.

Bowdoin College

Lobster bake at orientation?! Eh ... I’ll pass, SAID NO ONE EVER! If you’ve been accepted to a school that hosts a lobster bake for their students, then I see no reason to attend anywhere else. Especially since their menu includes things like mussels with garlic and white wine, and orecchiette with spinach, mushrooms, and herbs.

Boston University

Brick oven pizza, a vegan kitchen, and gluten-free meals offered daily make Boston University stand out. Not only is BU able to cater to a wide range of diets, but the food tastes fantastic, too!

University of Southern California

USC keeps it fresh with Mandarin chicken and fresh, local vegetables. They actually make eating your vegetables easy to do!

Pepperdine University

This scenic campus hosts a classic-style food section when you’re in need of a little comfort food, but also spices up the dining hall with an international food station for those with more adventurous palates.

Washington University in St. Louis

Wash U features Asian cuisine every day from their wok, and to top it off, they provide late-night options every night, which includes chicken and waffles. Yum!

Did these culinary colleges whet your appetite? Try our College Match to find a school that tickles your taste buds.