Cheap Places to Eat in Leeds for Students
Where the students are, the best restaurants, cafes and food stalls set up shop. Leeds is one of those places, as it boasts five universities, including the University of Leeds, Leeds Beckett and Leeds Trinity University, resulting in a diverse, thriving student community.
Whether you’re looking for a hangover cure, a date night diner or the best brunch in town, everything you could want is on your doorstep.
Food Halls in the City Centre
Belgrave Music Hall and Canteen
Belgrave Music Hall is a student favourite for good reason. You’ll find the chefs in the Dough Boys kiosk hand-stretching pizza, which you buy by the slice. The Queen Brie, Salami of Darkness and Baa No More are regular crowd-pleasers.
Slices range from £3.60 to £4.20, but the ‘half price slice’ offer runs Sunday through Thursday between 12-7 pm, and 12-5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
You’ll also see Patty’s Burgers, which grew so popular the pop-up became permanent. They have vegetarian and meat burgers, and their famous Session Fries are big enough to be their own meal. Deals include:
- Free chips with a burger from Monday to Friday, 12–5 pm.
- Buy one get one for £1 on selected burgers all day on Sundays.
- Session Fries for only £6.95 from Sunday to Thursday 12-7 pm and 12-5 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.
Kirkgate Market
Kirkgate Market Food Hall is tucked away in the heart of the market. Among the food stalls are Banh & Mee Vietnamese, the Yorkshire Wrap Company, and Good Boy Burger Co. All the food stalls are independent and budget friendly. You can eat on the go or sit in the canteen-style seating area among the market stalls.
Trinity Kitchen
Try new foods and eat a little more spontaneously at Trinity Kitchen. Found on the top floor of the Trinity Leeds shopping complex, the food hall regularly rotates its line-up of street food vans alongside six permanent eateries, including Archies, Rola Wala and Tortilla.
Trinity Kitchen venues are ideal for students as most places offer a healthy discount with a valid student ID!
Too Good to Go
One of the cheapest ways to eat in Leeds is with the Too Good to Go app, which is designed to reduce food waste. Participating cafés and restaurants put together a bag of surplus food which you can enjoy for at least half price.
Reserve a food bag and pay for it through the app, then pick it up from your chosen eatery within the given time window. Among the participating venues in Leeds City Centre are 92 Degrees, Wasabi, M&S, Tortilla and Knoops.
Best Restaurants in Leeds City Centre
Bulgogi Grill
Bulgogi Grill is a well-priced Korean BBQ in the Merrion Centre. Grill your duck, beef, pork and seafood on a hot plate and enjoy unlimited rice and dips on the side. The classic BBQ menu is priced at £29.95 per head, however, two set menus allow you to eat for less.
The early bird set menu runs all week at £25 per person. Alternatively, you can book onto the Saturday Lunchtime Express menu between 12-2 pm for only £22 per person.
Mans Market
Man’s Market was recently voted one of Leeds's best bottomless brunches, combining Chinese dim sum with your choice of beers or spirit drinks. The “Endless Appetisers” deal offers all-you-can-eat appetisers like salt & pepper chicken, pork dumplings and gyozas on weekdays between 12-6 pm.
Man’s Market also offers a 10% student discount with a valid student ID.
Rudy’s
You’ll smell the fresh Neapolitan pizza from Rudy’s before you see the restaurant. There are three Rudy’s restaurants in Leeds: Leeds City Centre, Headingley and Chappel Allerton. The central venue is conveniently found on Station Street, perfect for a pizza pick-up on the way home from uni or a Friday night treat. You can also order for delivery.
With an ever-changing specials menu and all pizzas under £14, Rudy’s is a no-brainer.
House of Fu
House of Fu embodies the essence of downtown Tokyo and will draw you in with its bright, colourful interior and the promise of frozen cocktails. But it’s the classic black garlic ramen that’s the main attraction.
Open seven days a week, Happy Hour is 4-6 pm and you can order two cocktails for £13.
Street Food in Leeds
Falafel Guys
Usually found at the bottom of Briggate, Falafel Guys is one of the most popular street food kiosks in Leeds. You can buy a meal for as little as £5-6 and its vegan falafel balls are particularly popular.
I am Doner
It’s not often you hear kebab and Michelin star in the same sentence. I am Doner founder Paul Baron is a Michelin-trained chef, with a vision of the kebab beyond the post-night-out takeaway. Award-winning kebabs and flatbreads are made fresh in-store daily and range from £7.99-11.49 based on filling, while burgers and salad bowls sit under £12.
Cheap Eats in Leeds Student Areas
Headingley, Burley Park and Kirkstall are popular student areas outside of Leeds City Centre and have attracted great eateries of their own.
Jino’s Thai Café
Jino’s has a lunch combo that gets you a starter, main and drink for only £13.95. The Thai diner also offers “Tuesday Curry Club”, where you can order any curry, jasmine rice and a beer or soft drink for £15.95. Ideal for takeout, Jino’s currently runs a 10% discount on all collection orders.
De Baga
De Baga is an Indian restaurant serving traditional Goan cuisine with a modern twist and a casual dining experience. Its vegetarian starters like the kurkure bhaji and paneer masakali are under £7, while most curry mains are under £14.
Lupe’s Cantina
Lupe's Cantina is a family-run, Mexican-inspired restaurant found on Cardigan Road in Burley. Street food staples like the toasted pepita guacamole, quesadillas and enchiladas are made with fresh ingredients and traditional recipes. Its hearty portions are well priced, and you can get most mains with a side for £20 or less.
Viva Cuba
Specialising in Cuban tapas, Viva Cuba has been open since 2001 and you can spot the blue and red neon sign on Kirkstall Road. Try classics like patatas bravas or costillas, a generous helping of honey-roasted pork rib. All tapas plates are under £10 and pair perfectly with a jug of sangria.
Fast Food
Venues like Five Guys, McDonald's and Greggs have multiple venues across the city. Order online with sites like Deliveroo and Just Eat or use Google Maps to find the closest one to you!
Leeds Restaurant Week
“Eat Leeds” Restaurant Week typically begins in the last week of February and participating restaurants will have set menus ranging from £5 to £25, helping you eat out for less. The event encourages you to revisit favourites and explore new places more affordably.
Follow Eat Leeds on Instagram or look at the Eat Leeds website to find out more.
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