So, you’re a hungry student in Coventry but pesto pasta just isn’t hitting the spot any more. If you want a tasty dinner without compromising your careful monthly budget (or if you spent your entire student loan the day it dropped) then you might be asking yourself, “Can I eat out for cheap in Coventry?” Well, the good news is that, yes, you can eat well at some of Coventry’s best cheap places to eat!
Keep reading to find your next affordable local favourite.
The Best Cheap Eats in Coventry
Whether it’s a first date, a quick grab-and-go meal, or an end-of-week catch-up with your mates, we’ve listed the most affordable and best-tasting eating options for all students in the Coventry area, whether you’re studying at Coventry University or if you’re a University of Warwick student heading into town.
With a diverse and budget-friendly menu, The Old Crown was the Winner of the Travellers Choice Award 2023 for many reasons. It’s a cosy pub, meaning it’s a great place for a first date and, for the price of a Five Guys’ burger and fries, you can get the same portion size but with a dessert or starter, too, all while sitting in a historic building with a lively atmosphere.
Price range: £5 – £15
Cuisine: Bar, British, Pub
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 15 min drive
Located in the heart of Coventry, Taste Vietnam is affordable and authentic. It’s considered to be in the top five of all restaurants in Coventry (including the expensive ones). Locals agree that their Vietnamese baguettes and pho noodle soups are truly incredible; as a student, you’ll find Taste Vietnam offers fresh, affordable and filling.
Price range: £5 – £12
Cuisine: Vietnamese, Asian, Healthy, Dining bars
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 10 min walk
A great selection of food, value for money, and top-tier service – what more could you want from a dining experience? Vegans and vegetarians are well catered to and the generous portion sizes will keep you full. Even better, if you love plants but can’t keep them alive yourself, you’ll find greenery galore in this chic coffee shop.
Price range: £4 – £10
Cuisine: Cafe, British
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 18 min drive
4. Falafel Corner
Unlike some other falafel joints, Falafel Corner is renowned for their fresh falafels at a bargain price. This halloumi-centric food stop boasts fresh wraps, salads and Arabic coffee, oh, and did we mention halloumi? The walls are covered in Moroccan artwork and artefacts to view as you wait for your food. It’s fresh, healthy and, best of all, super cheap!
Price range: £4 – £15
Cuisine: Fast food, Middle Eastern
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from uni: 5 min walk
5. Hummus House UK
Hummus House UK is one of the best cheap places to eat in Coventry. They provide mouth-watering takeaway food for extremely affordable prices, whether it’s falafels for £1 or a wrap for £3. You can guarantee a scrumptious Mediterranean meal, and it’s a great option for a quick bite while making new friends with your flatmates or a tasty pick-me-up after lectures.
Price range: £1 – £4.50
Cuisine: Fast food, Mediterranean, Middle Eastern
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 5 min walk
6. Two Tone Cafe and Simmer Down Restaurant
A full English for a fiver…really? – Yes, at Two Tone Cafe, their motto is ‘We don’t sell fast food. We sell good food as fast as we can’, and you best believe they do some of the best British and Caribbean crossover food in Coventry. With great service, delicious food and, of course, amazing music, this is a must-visit.
Price range: £1.50 – £7
Cuisine: British, Caribbean
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 15 min walk
There’s no surprise that this chain is international; with meal deals, wraps, burgers, fries, doners, nachos, house sauces, and more, GDK is will offer you some of the best cheap eats in Coventry, packed with flavour. Eat in with friends, take away or order online.
Price range: £2 – £10
Cuisine: European, Healthy, Grill, Fusion
Special diets: Vegetarian Friendly, halal, and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 5 min walk
BiB Noddle Bar serve possibly the best noodles in Coventry, and definitely the best noodles for the price! With everything being handmade, including the noodles and dumplings, you can enjoy an authentic taste for an amazingly low cost. This is one of our favourite cheap restaurants in Coventry, and it’s excellent for couples as the seating area is intimate. If you consider yourself a foodie in search of a hidden street food gem, you must try this spot.
Price range: £3 – £7
Cuisine: Chinese, Asian, Healthy, Street Food, Yunnan, Beijing cuisine
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 7 min walk
9. Wetherspoons – The Flying Standard
Cheap eats and Wetherspoons pubs go hand in hand, so there’s no surprise that The Flying Standard made our list, and it’s right around the corner from Coventry Uni! With plenty of menu and dining options, including a bar, this might be the best place for catching up with mates and turning your meal into a night of affordable drinks.
Price range: £3 – £15
Cuisine: Bar, British, Pub
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 4 min walk
10. Cafe Italia
As a student on a budget, try Cafe Italia for an Italian dining experience at half the price. With a cosy, welcoming environment and great service to match, this is the ideal spot to head to after lectures or for a weekend meal, and the menu is varied enough for you to bring your picky flatmate too.
Price range: £2 – £13
Cuisine: Italian, Cafe, European
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan, halal and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 4 min walk
11. The Old Windmill
Offering affordable meat platters and a gastro pub, The Old Windmill is a safe bet if you want to eat out in a cosy restaurant without spending too much money. Many customers love their cheeseboard and consider it excellent for the price, and it’s also considered one of the best pubs in the city for a proper beer (if that’s your thing). Throughout the week, you can find a range of events, including live music and pub quizzes.
Price range: £5 – 25
Cuisine: Bar, British, Pub
Distance from Uni: 12 min walk
12. O’ Tooles Cafe
Combine a cheap fry-up and a brisk walk from the Coventry Uni campus and you’ve got the perfect hangover cure at O’Tooles Café. A humble, bustling cafe with a breakfast reputation to rival Wetherpoons, they are known for a fantastic sit-down breakfast, but also offer a lunch menu and pancakes for your mates with a sweet tooth.
Price Range: £2 – £7
Cuisine: Irish, British, Cafe
Special diets: Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-friendly
Distance from Uni: 30 min walk
Enjoying Coventry on a budget doesn’t mean sacrificing delicious meals. These 12 cheap places to eat in Coventry offer a variety of culinary experiences that won’t empty your wallet but will fill your stomach. Next time you’re craving a satisfying meal that won’t break the bank, consider one of these budget-friendly gems.
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