How to Prepare for Life After University 💡
Birmingham restaurant guide: best spots & cheap eats for students
Planning your next meal out in Birmingham? From buzzing food halls and beloved local independents to cosy brunch spots and classic fast food, there’s a wealth of options for every occasion.
In this guide, we’ve picked out the best restaurants in Birmingham that actually fit a student budget, so you can sink your teeth into the local foodie scene without worrying about your overdraft.
TL;DR: Birmingham's restaurant scene has many great student-friendly spots – hit up local favourites like Bonehead, Tiger Bites Pig and Original Patty Men for magnificent meals under £15, bustling food halls like Society and St. Paul’s Market if you want a mix of options, or Medicine and Blank Street Coffee for Instagram-worthy coffee and pastries.
Best-value restaurants 🍽️
Want to impress your friends with some restaurant recommendations that aren’t just the usual chains? These spots are loved by locals and really fly the flag for Birmingham’s food scene, with options from around the world all at amazing value (hello £15 meals!).
- Bonehead – Killer fried chicken that's become a Birmingham cult classic – think crispy-coated thighs seasoned to perfection, with seriously addictive sides and sauces. Tucked behind New Street station, there’s a walk-in only policy, so be prepared to wait for a table!
- Tiger Bites Pig – Local favourite just off Colmore Row with the fluffiest bao buns made fresh on-site and hearty rice bowls packed with flavour. They also have a spot at St. Paul’s Market (more on this shortly!) with special menu items like their char sui bao.
- Original Patty Men – Another proud Brummie independent, OPM whips up the juiciest burgers around with patties, cheese and toppings stacked to the brim, plus loaded fries and other nibbles. Tucked behind Moor Street station, but often spotted doing pop-ups elsewhere in the city.
- Dishoom – Bombay-inspired restaurant with legendary breakfasts, great small plates, mouthwatering curries and their famous house chai. A bit more expensive than the other spots on this list, but great for treats and taking your parents when they visit.
- Rudy's – Proper Neapolitan pizza with that signature fluffy dough, classic Italian toppings and a monthly rotation of specials. Two spots in the city centre on Bennetts Hill and in Brindleyplace that are busy throughout the week come dinner time.
- Otto – Also staking a claim for the best pizza in Birmingham, this award-winning independent over in the Jewellery Quarter serves up incredible flatbreads and charcuterie, tantalising wood-fired pizza and tiramisu to die for.
- Cafe Soya – Vietnamese-Chinese fusion spot tucked away in the Arcadian with their signature pancake rolls, flavour-packed fried rice and hearty noodle soups that could cure just about any illness.
- Topokki – Another firm favourite from Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter with arguably the best Korean food in the city. The menu has lots of incredible small plates at around £5-8 each, so grab a few friends to share with and tuck in for a feast!
Food halls & street food 🔥
Birmingham’s food scene has been bolstered by the addition of several new food halls in recent years. These spots give you a selection of street food all under one roof – perfect for those group outings when catering to everyone’s tastes can be a headache.
- St. Paul's Market – This spot over in the Jewellery Quarter has taken Birmingham by storm and features some of the city’s best street food, including the aforementioned Tiger Bites Pig, Colbeh and Zindiya, all housed in a lively warehouse venue complete with its own bar.
- Society – Conveniently placed on Colmore Square, Society offers a similar vibe to St. Paul’s Market with four independent kitchens serving everything from smash burgers to Japanese sandos, along with a generously stocked craft beer and cocktail bar.
- Asia Asia Food Hall – Asian street food at its authentic best in Birmingham’s Chinese Quarter, with six different vendors spread over two floors. Serving classic comfort dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan and Thailand, all at super affordable prices.
- Han Dynasty Food Hall – Another standout option just a few minutes from Asia Asia Food Hall, home to over 10 different vendors specialising in Chinese regional cuisine – think fragrant rice noodles, smoky BBQ dishes and delicious dumplings.
Top tip: Want to explore beyond the usual chain restaurants? Download the Independent Birmingham app to discover some of the city’s best independent eateries and get access to exclusive deals and discounts!
Fast-food spots 🍟
Sometimes you just need fast food – whether due to cost, efficiency or because it’s past midnight and all the other options are shut. Birmingham’s got all the classics, plus some newer spots only available in a handful of UK cities, so you never need to worry about going hungry.
- Dave's Hot Chicken – The Nashville hot chicken trend has hit Birmingham and it's super addictive. Right near New Street station with great sliders and tenders, graffiti-splayed decor and flavours so spicy you need to sign a waiver (seriously).
- Wingstop – Chicken wings done properly with an epic selection of dry rubs, dips and saucy coatings. Two spots in the Bullring and on New Street that are great for sharing – or solo demolishing a big box.
- Five Guys – Delicious burgers that are actually made to order, plus those famously generous portions of fries that can feed families. Three spots on Broad Street, the Bullring and New Street station mean you’re never far away.
- Popeyes – Louisiana fried chicken that always hits the spot – especially the cult classic chicken sandwich. Take your pick between the two outlets on New Street and inside the station.
- Slim Chickens – Yet more Southern-style fried chicken, with tenders, wings and boneless bites packed full of flavour. Head to Brindleyplace or New Street station to satisfy those cravings.
Cafes, breakfast & brunch ☕
Every student needs a few good coffee and brunch spots – for studying, recovering from a heavy night or just feeling like a functional adult for a few hours. These cafes are all student-friendly, with decent prices, great coffee and food that's actually worth getting out of bed for.
- Grand Central Kitchen – Cafe and breakfast spot right outside New Street station with legendary status among Brummies. Does a great Full English and breakfast sandwich – just don’t be surprised when there’s a queue out the door on weekends.
- Medicine – Artisanal bakery and trendy brunch spot with Instagram-worthy pastries that taste just as good as they look. Take your pick between two locations on New Street and in the Mailbox.
- Blank Street Coffee – New York-style coffee chain that's taken Birmingham by storm with its pastries, matcha and cold brews. Three spots dotted around the city centre so you can’t miss it.
- Boston Tea Party – Brilliant brunch spot with a wholesome social vibe geared towards students (they do regular socials and even have their own run club!). Find them in Edgbaston, Harborne and the city centre.
- GAIL's – This trendy bakery chain is all over socials with its freshly baked sourdough, flaky pastries and specialty coffee. Conveniently placed right on New Street, so definitely worth a visit.
- Wayland's Yard – One of the best cups of coffee in Birmingham, plus some great breakfast and brunch options that will set you up for the day. Based near Snow Hill station.
- Ju Ju's – A lovely independent, family-run cafe and restaurant that’s set in a gorgeous location right on the canal. Has a great brunch offering and whips up a mean roast dinner on Sundays.
Want to explore the city like a true local? Check out our guide on Birmingham’s best student areas, which covers hotspots like Digbeth, Selly Oak and Edgbaston.
Restaurants with student discount 💸
Some of the best student discounts in Birmingham can be found at well-known restaurant chains, which often run exclusive deals outside of peak weekend hours. These come in big whenever you’re craving a quality meal, but don’t want it to swallow up your student loan.
- Zizzi — With three spots in the city centre, Zizzi serves up savings of up to 30% off when you visit between Sunday and Friday.
- Bella Italia — Another Italian contender conveniently located on New Street, offering a generous 30% discount from Sunday through Thursday.
- Pizza Express — Whether you head to Brindleyplace or the Bullring, you can take advantage of 25% off both food and drinks when dining Sunday to Friday.
- Nando's — A certified student favourite, with branches on New Street, in the Bullring and Selly Oak offering 20% off Monday to Wednesday.
- Fat Hippo — Located just off New Street, this top-tier burger spot offers 20% savings when you visit between Sunday and Thursday.
- Pizza Hut — Enjoy their famous pan pizzas at the Bullring or New Street and get a 20% discount from Sunday to Thursday.
- Wagamama — Grab 20% off ramen, katsu curry and other favourite menu items Sunday through Thursday at the New Street, Bullring or Brindleyplace branches.
- Slim Chickens — If crispy fried chicken is calling, the Grand Central branch frequently does student freebies like tenders, drinks and dips.
- Starbucks — Ideal for coffee lovers, Starbucks offers £2 drinks on Tuesdays along with 20% off selected food and drink for the rest of the week.
Birmingham: a top foodie city
Birmingham’s food scene is seriously underrated – especially when it comes to cheap eats. The variety is what makes it: you can have authentic Chinese food one day, proper Neapolitan pizza the next and Nashville hot chicken after that, all without leaving the city centre. It’s definitely one of the best things about studying here.
Heading to the city for university? Yugo offers a wide range of luxury student accommodation in Birmingham, including Crown Place, Bentley House and Haüs, where you’ll be perfectly placed to make the most of student life – take a look inside our residences below!
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