Ford Student Center Dining Commons

Hampshire Dining Commons absolutely lives up to its reputation as one of the best dining halls in the country. The atmosphere is lively and full of student energy, but still relaxed and welcoming. The space is very large and easy to navigate, with lots of seating options — including nice window seats with views of campus. The food was honestly terrific. I went for breakfast and it was incredibly fresh, healthy, and nourishing. Because it’s buffet style, there are so many options and you can really build the meal you want. I ended up going back for three helpings because everything was so good — it felt like having three breakfasts after a late night, and it was completely worth it. There’s an impressive amount of variety reflecting the diversity of the UMass student body. In addition to breakfast foods, I noticed things like sushi, stir-fry noodles, yogurt, cereal, trail mix, desserts, and lots of drink options like coffee, juices, and chocolate milk. Many stations allow you to customize your meal, and the food tastes very fresh. Everything is also extremely organized and efficient. When you’re done eating, there’s a tray return system with a conveyor that takes dishes back to the kitchen, which keeps everything running smoothly even though the dining hall is busy. The staff all seemed hardworking and attentive, and the whole operation felt well run. Even as a visitor (not a student), I felt welcome. It’s a great place to experience the famous UMass dining program and enjoy a delicious meal on campus.

UMass Amherst's dining justifies its #1 ranking for best campus food. The sushi and stir fry are amazing at Hampshire and probably among the best I have had before

All you can eat lunch for $17. The selection was impressive! Lots of vegetarian options. I am not a student and came with my husband who is a UMass alumni. We had an amazing lunch! That being said, I saw a lot of food wastage around while there. It's always a difficult balance between choosing tasty food and making sure $17 is worth it. Since it's a university campus, I am hoping they can evaluate how to reduce food wastage while providing good value to students.

Love the brunch! Love the spicy tuna sushi! Usually they have very delicious dessert! Definitely recommend this place!