Cheap Places to Eat in Birmingham for Students

About the author: Hi! My name is Ash Sutton, and I am a Digital Media and Communications student at the University of Birmingham. I am an aspiring lifestyle, arts and culture journalist and all-around geek. In the times I’m not spending an absurd amount of money in restaurants, you can usually find me tucked in the corner of my bedroom with a coffee and my latest cross-stitch kit, rewatching a Marvel movie or listening to Broadway soundtracks until I am sick of them.

When I think of cheap eats in Birmingham, truthfully, I tend to go for a Tesco meal deal. While the Bullring is renowned for its big-name brands, you don’t actually have to spend a fortune to eat well there. If you look deep enough, there are some solid options for a good meal out that won’t break the bank.

Cheap Places to Eat in Birmingham

Greggs

Let’s start with the old reliable. You absolutely cannot go wrong with a Greggs, and there are many of them dotted around Birmingham. No matter if you’re in the train station, the Bullring or Primark, there is a Gregg’s just a stone’s throw away. You can get a hot or cold baguette, averaging at about £4 or a bake for even less than that. It’s not the healthiest option, but with the price and speed of service, it becomes one of the best options for a quick bite on your pass-through.

There are constantly options for meal deals regardless of the time of day, with the new ‘Big Deal’ recently hitting shelves. This scores you a main, side and a regular drink for just £6.10, with a similar offer with the breakfast menu for your morning commute. This cheap place to eat in Birmingham city centre is ideal if you’ve not done your weekly food shop yet!

Chris’s Café

Chris’s Café can be found on the high street of Digbeth. It’s one of those places where you either love it, or you don’t -  the ultimate hangover spot for when you’re looking for a good, dirty fry-up. The staff are friendly and accustomed to groups of students, with many of their regulars being from the music and film schools around the corner.

It’s a two-minute walk from the coach station, so if you ever find yourself lost for things to do between coaches, it’s a great way to pass the time and get your money’s worth in a classic British café.

SushiDog

One of the Bullring’s newest additions, SushiDog, has become a personal go-to since its installation on the top floor of the shopping plaza. You can find the build-your-own sushi roll bar just around the corner from Zara, and let me tell you, it is heavenly. You can pick from the menu on the screen behind the workers or choose your own filling Subway-style. Every time I have been, I’ve gone for the popcorn shrimp – delicious.

You might look at the £8.95 price tag and think that’s not that cheap, but considering the sushi boxes in supermarkets average at £6, you get a lot for your money. They have recently set up a rewards system where you can earn points when you spend, and if you manage to collect 1000 points, you get a roll on the house. Trust me on this one, it is worth it.

Herbert’s Yard

Herbert’s Yard is one of the biggest hidden gems in Birmingham. It’s another one that doesn’t seem cheap until you see what you actually get for your money. The Yard is a little bit of a trek out of the city centre, located in Longbridge and is part of the Digbeth Dining Club family.

Often referred to as the late Hockley Social Club’s little brother, Herbert’s Yard homes some of the best street food in the Midlands. The vendors are on a rotation, so it’s a surprise as to what you’ll be faced with when you arrive; this means any deals and offers are also dependent on the weekend.

Herbert’s Yard is a social space, on top of offering excellent food. There are constant events and always a lively atmosphere, making for a great evening out.

The Goose and The Bristol Pear

University of Birmingham students will be familiar with the Selly Oak pub scene. Not only are they great places for pres before hitting Circo, but both are solid places for pub grub. These are probably the two most deal-heavy places on the list. Both pubs are partnered with MiXR, offering student discounts every day, but also each have their own deal of the day - every single day of the week!

If you manage to pop by The Bristol Pear on a Wednesday, you can find yourself in a bottomless pit of chicken wings for only 50p a pop. However, there’s a ‘Twosome Treat’ at The Goose every Monday – Thursday where you and a friend can get two meals for just £20.

I hope this list aids the next time you’re standing in Grand Central scrolling through Tripadvisor surrounded by food venues (I know I’ve been there more times than I’d like to admit).

Want to save even more money? Check out some free things to do in Birmingham whilst you’re at it!

Sorted your lunch? Sort your student accommodation!

Now that you know more about cheap places to eat in Birmingham as a student, you might be thinking about getting your next place sorted here. At UniHomes, you can find a variety of Birmingham student accommodation options, suited for different budgets, student areas, and group sizes. Start your house search in Birmingham today!

Our UniHomes Content Ambassadors are current students across the UK who share tips about student life in their city to help you make the most of your time at uni. If you're interested in writing for our programme, click here for more details.

The views and opinions expressed in these blogs are those of the UniHomes Content Ambassadors and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of UniHomes. UniHomes accepts no liability for the content of these Student Blogs.