Top Student Cities for Eating Out: 2024 guide

When weighing up which universities to apply for, you’ll likely consider university rankings, nightlife, transport links, and more, but one factor you may have overlooked is the food scene around each university. At some point you’ll inevitably want to venture out beyond your university’s cafeteria, so it’s good to know what options are available for the universities you’re considering (or already attending).

Here we’ve counted down the highest-rated student cities for eating out (as rated by our users), and highlighted some of the must-visit places to eat for each city. All of these cities rank highly as some of the best cities in the UK for students, but they also offer some of the best places to eat in the UK. Whether you’re interested in fine dining, street food, or a pub-crawl pitstop, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for in our top-ten student cities for eating out.

10) Nottingham#

Nottingham is a lively city with a laid-back vibe compared to larger cities. As well as exciting nightlife, students at the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University will have access to a wide range of food options.

You can explore South Indian cuisine at Kayal, with authentic seafood options and highly recommended lunch thalis. For cheap and sustainable fish and chips you’ve got The Cod’s Scallops, which you can find in four locations across Nottingham. Alternatively, you can sample the various street food options at Sneinton Market.

One user noted how easy it is to get around the city, which is fantastic for a foodie looking to explore Nottingham’s culinary culture on a student-friendly budget.

9) Glasgow#

If you’re studying at any of Glasgow’s six universities, you’ll have a perfect base for exploring Scotland’s unique food, along with restaurants offering cuisine from around the world.

You can experience the real Glasgow at Drouthy’s, a “lovely wee pub” in the city centre, where you can fill up on great-value pub grub, or try the haggis if you’re feeling adventurous! For affordable, award-winning breakfasts and brunches it’s hard to beat Scran. If you’re struggling with the Scottish weather and need a brief escape to Greece, you can also find authentic gyros at MacTassos.

One StudentCrowd user said Glasgow offers “some of the best pubs and gigs in the world, food from all around the world, every shop and supermarket you need”.

8) Bournemouth#

Situated on the sunny south coast, Bournemouth is home to Bournemouth University and Arts University Bournemouth, as well as a vibrant food scene.

If you want to make the most of your time living by the sea, check out WestBeach for fresh, locally sourced seafood; this restaurant has become an iconic landmark of the Bournemouth seafront. If you’re in the mood for a coffee and a study snack, there are plenty of cafes to choose from, such as Fika Bournemouth, Picnic Park Deli, and Espresso Kitchen.

One of our users also noted that many of Bournemouth’s cool bars and eateries offer student discounts, so it’s worth checking to see if you can save a few pounds.

7) Lincoln#

This historic city in the East Midlands has enough pubs and restaurants to satisfy any hungry University of Lincoln or Bishop Grosseteste student.

Students can enjoy a hearty breakfast at Anna’s Place (just half a mile from the University of Lincoln), or the affordable lunch options and milkshakes at the quirky Rising Cafe. You can also find classic pub grub at one of Lincoln’s cosy pubs, such as the Crown & Arrows. For more upscale dining, Lawson’s Bar & Bistro offers a modern interpretation on traditional British cuisine, perfect for visiting parents or special occasions.

Along with its pleasant atmosphere and beautiful scenery, our users highlighted Lincoln’s food as just another selling point of student life in the city.

6) Birmingham#

Birmingham is the UK’s second-largest city, meaning students at any of the city’s six universities can find any cuisine they’re looking for. StudentCrowd users praised the sheer variety of foods available thanks to the city’s diversity.

With its large South Asian community, Birmingham is home to some of the country’s best Indian and Pakistani food. For the true taste of Birmingham, every student should sample an authentic balti in the Balti Triangle, where the dish was invented in the 1970s.

For something a little different, visit one of Digbeth Dining Club’s street food venues, where you can find diverse street food and exquisite desserts, as well as music and social events, ranging from reggae and funk parties to bingo and quiz nights.

5) Sheffield#

Sheffield is a dynamic cultural centre, where students of the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University enjoy rich nightlife and cosmopolitan food options. StudentCrowd users noted how affordable it is to dine out in the city, which makes it easier to find places to eat on a budget.

Naturally Sheffield has its fair share of traditional pubs, where you can find filling and affordable food. One such pub is The Museum, which provides all of the classics along with great veggie and vegan alternatives. Sheffield also has many highly rated Asian restaurants, offering delicious food from Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, Taiwan and more. Highlights include Lemongrass Thai Street Food, which also delivers if you urgently need a pad Thai while working on a last-minute assignment, and WOKIE BOX, where you can get a wide range of pan-Asian food to eat in or to take away.

Keep an eye out for the monthly Peddler Market at the Peddler Warehouse, which offers incredible street food, craft beers, and seasonal events such as whiskey tasting or Christmas crafts.

4) Belfast#

Another of the UK’s best student cities, Belfast is also a foodie’s delight. Our reviewers praised Belfast’s “amazing food culture”, with everything from budget eats to fine dining to be discovered in a short walk.

Around the waterfront (a stone’s throw from some of the city’s universities) you can find plenty of pubs catering to all tastes. The Dirty Onion is a standout with its famous rotisserie chicken and barbecue, and after eating your fill you can enjoy traditional Irish music in its sister bar next door, The Second Fiddle. For more traditional Irish fare, you can try an Ulster fry (a traditional Northern Irish breakfast) at The Coffee House Bistro, or a boxty at Holohan’s Pantry. Another budget option for students is The DOCK Cafe next to the Titanic museum, which is run on a pay-what-you-can donation basis.

3) Newcastle upon Tyne#

Newcastle is generally considered to be one of the best cities for students in the UK, and according to our users it’s also one of the best places for food.

Both Newcastle University and Northumbria University are located in the city centre, so you’ve got plenty of options for a quick lunch. Snackwallah, which sits halfway between the two universities, provides tasty Indian light bites with quick service, perfect for squeezing in between lectures. The St James’ STACK serves as the fanzone for Newcastle United, but it’s also home to a lively street food market offering burgers, bao buns, barbecue, and much more. The city also boasts a number of good options for Italian food, including Pizzeria Francesca and Zucchini Pasta Bar. One StudentCrowd user mentioned Wylam Brewery’s street food events as a highlight of the city’s food scene.

2) Leeds#

Leeds is another favourite for students, and just narrowly misses out on the top spot in our food rankings. One StudentCrowd user highlighted how easy it is to get great food on a student budget, given the city’s overall affordability.

Call Lane, known as Leeds’ party street, has plenty of options to line your stomach before a big night out. Grab a smash burger at Kerbside Kids, or stop off at Neon Cactus for Mexican street food and tequila-based cocktails. For a more relaxed dining experience, Bundobust is perfect for sharing delicious Indian food with your uni mates. Leeds also offers fast, healthy food options such as Falafel Guys, which is ideal for refuelling on a study break.

1) Liverpool#

Liverpool was voted by our users as the ultimate foodie city for students in the UK, and it’s easy to see why. Liverpool is home to some of the best restaurants in the UK, with ample options to suit any budget, so students at Liverpool’s three universities will definitely be spoilt for choice.

Buyers Club, hidden away in Hardman Yard, offers some of the best Italian food in the UK for surprisingly low prices. Students can also find budget-friendly meals at many of the city’s cafes, such as A Small Fish in a Big Pond and Cook Street Coffee. Alternatively, if you want to splurge for a special occasion, you can dine in the stunning Grade II-listed India Buildings at Hawksmoor Liverpool.

If you have a hard time getting your housemates to agree on where to eat, you can find something for everyone at Liverpool’s food markets. The Baltic Market has ten different vendors to choose from, so even your pickiest friends can join, or the Duke Street Food and Drink Market has six kitchens, including Asian, Latin-American, and traditional Liverpudlian food.

Other university food options#

If this list has tempted you to consider student life in one of these cities, we can understand why; as a foodie, the city you decide to live in will have a big impact on the food options available. However, it’s important to remember that every city or town will have its own hidden gems, so get out there and explore! Even in some of the UK’s smaller university towns, you’d be surprised what you can find when you take the time to look.