SCAD Dining Halls, Ranked: Where to Eat & What to Get
Written by Miha Palancha. Graphic by Miha Palancha.
As a freshman, I’ve been on a mission to explore every SCAD dining option. To make this guide as accurate as possible, I conducted a survey of 40 students and spent a week trying different spots. The result? A ranked list of SCAD dining halls with solid recommendations on what to order.
Tier 1: Chef’s Kiss
Boathouse at Victory Village is hands-down the best dining option at SCAD. With four diverse stations—Noodle (Asian-inspired dishes), Deli (sandwiches and wraps), Grill (burgers, salads, flatbreads), and Garden (salads)—there’s something for everyone. The food is flavorful, well-cooked, and offers plenty of vegetarian and vegan options. Fan favorites include the Caprese Flatbread, Buffalo Chicken Wrap, and Mediterranean Bowl.
Tier 2: Worth the Swipe
Chatham Café, Cargo, and Carnival are all solid choices, offering variety and quality.
Chatham Café has two sections: Garden (deli sandwiches, build-your-own salad bowls) and Grill (pizza, pasta, burgers, and vegetarian selections). Top picks include the Chia Pudding Bowl, Cauliflower Crust Pesto Pizza, and Cheese Ravioli.
Cargo at River is a go-to for sandwiches and wraps, with options that beat most others on campus. If you’re unsure what to get, try these crowd-favorite orders:
- Spinach wrap with roasted garlic hummus, basil pesto, portabella mushrooms, cheddar, red onions, lettuce, and roasted peppers.
- White hoagie with garlic and chipotle aioli, ham, salami, cheddar, pepper jack, red onion, tomato, lettuce, and banana peppers.
- Sourdough with spicy honey mustard, hummus, chipotle aioli, cheddar, red onion, lettuce, and pickles.
- Tortilla with basil pesto, garlic aioli, grilled tofu, Swiss cheese, red onion, and roasted peppers.
Everything must be toasted—raw bread is a crime. Cargo also offers salads and rice bowls (Graze), Southern comfort food (Crave), breakfast (Nosh), and pizza, flatbreads, and burgers (Slice). The desserts are top-tier.
Carnival, across from Montgomery Hall, is the best bet for Asian cuisine. The SCAD Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll, and California Roll are go-to sushi picks. Outside of sushi, the Veg Curry Bowl and Poke Bowl are definitely worth trying.
Tier 3: Meh-sterpiece
Amigos and Ration have their moments, but flavor-wise, they can get quite repetitive.
Amigos, located in Turner House, serves build-your-own burritos, bowls, and tacos. While it’s flavorful, the menu doesn’t change much. The Chicken Tacos with Buffalo Sauce and Guac and Quesadillas (literally any combo works) are highlights. Bonus: Amigos stocks bottled Coca-Cola, which is way better than the diluted fountain version at other halls.
Ration, in Oglethorpe House, offers home-style meals, grilled sandwiches, and pizza. It’s similar to The Hive but slightly better. Their brunch waffles, mac and cheese (Wednesdays), and various hummus options are solid.
Tier 4: For the starved.
The Hive Café and Byte Café are toward the end of our list.
The Hive serves food almost identical to Ration but with fewer highlights. That said, the stir-fry station, caprese station (with pita, sun-dried tomatoes, mozzarella), and desserts occasionally shine. It’s also open early, making it a reliable breakfast stop.
Byte Café at Montgomery Hall is a stripped-down version of The Hive, with fewer options but pretty good chicken tenders.
To ‘Wrap’ It All Up
That was a lot of information to digest (pun absolutely intended), so feel free to pin this and come back whenever you need inspo on where to grab a byte (I’m on fire with these puns). By this point in the quarter, we’re all tired of the same dining hall meals, so switch it up—hop on a bus, try a new spot, and maybe discover a new favorite. Have you tried something you loved (or hated)? We’d love to hear your thoughts. Happy dining!
Pro tips: Check the SCAD app for daily menus before heading out. Looking for beverage recommendations? Hatch and Forage were voted the best on campus. Popular picks include the Strawberry Sunrise, Açaí Refreshers, and Caramel Macchiato.
