48 College Towns That Serve Up the Most Delicious Food Scenes in America

36. Champaign-Urbana, Illinois – A Global Culinary Crossroads on the Prairie

The twin cities of Champaign and Urbana, anchored by the massive University of Illinois, host a surprisingly vast and authentic international food scene that punches well above its weight. Thanks to a large global student and faculty population, you can embark on a culinary world tour, finding everything from fiery Sichuan (Golden Harbor), authentic Korean BBQ, and fragrant Indian curries to Brazilian steakhouses and Middle Eastern delights, often in unassuming local gems. This "Silicon Prairie" hub proves that a diverse campus can cultivate an equally diverse and exciting culinary landscape far from coastal metropolises.