Moving to Cardiff, you can quickly become overwhelmed with the number of different places to eat. From quick lunches between lectures to weekend brunches and meals out with friends, the options seem endless! But with a student budget to consider, it can be hard to know which places are actually worth the visit. Here are some of the best places that I believe are worth it.
Whether it’s a quick bite between lectures or somewhere to sit and enjoy a meal, Cathays is full of so many delicious spots at very student-friendly prices. Senghennydd Road is the perfect place for a quick but tasty lunch near uni. Cafes like McSims and The Falafel House offer a vast range of food and are perfect for those busy uni days.
However, my personal favourite is The Bagel Place. This small but popular spot is ideal for a filling and flavoursome lunch. The menu features a range of delicious bagels at very reasonable prices. Their meal deal which includes a bagel, drink and a snack is just £6.99! I can personally recommend the Halloumi and Chilli Jam Bagel.
However, be warned, it can get very very busy around 1pm, so timing your visit is essential if you don’t want to queue. Another great option is Hoffi Coffi at the top of Colum Road. With affordable, tasty meal deals and plenty of spaces to sit, this café is ideal for a lunch and study break. For something a little different, Metchys on Cathays Terrace is another student favourite.
Sitting just outside Lidl, this café is in the perfect location for an after lecture treat or a weekend breakfast. From full English to a brunch to burgers or pizza, Metchys is perfect for any occasion. A Cardiff student food guide would not be complete without The Taf, the university’s own pub located inside the Students’ Union. With daily food deals, including Sunday carveries and Friday dirty fries, it’s a great place to grab a meal without leaving campus. Thursday pub quizzes also make it the perfect spot to combine dinner with a fun competition.
It would be impossible to write about the best food spots without mentioning Cardiff’s indoor market, where it seems you can find almost anything. From traditional Welsh cakes, to gnocchi, to tacos, to bao buns, the market has everything. It’s a great place to try something new. With plenty of upstairs seating it’s ideal for a group that all fancy trying something different. The Market also hosts night events where it stays open until 10pm rather than the usual 5pm, so even more time to enjoy all the foods it has to offer.
Many restaurant chains in the centre offer student discounts which can make eating out much more affordable. Pizza Express offers 25% off through Unidays, while Franco Manca has a 20% discount with a minimum spend of £12. Honest Burger also offers a 20% student discount through the StudentBeans app.
Pho is offering 25% for students until 31st October. Bills has a 20% discount with the Unidays app. Remember that offers can change, so check the latest deals before heading out. And if in doubt, it’s always worth asking about student discounts as you never know what you might be able to save!