Best Birmingham Restaurants for Students: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide to Budget-Friendly Dining

Birmingham offers incredible dining for every student budget. There is an array of cafes and restaurants near the student accommodation in Birmingham that offer delicious food menus. From Grand Central Kitchen and Kimchi Korean to The Meat Shack and Bodega, students can enjoy lunch and dinner at top picks. With over 200 nationalities calling Birmingham home, you'll find authentic cuisine from every corner of the globe - perfect for adventurous student palates and tight budgets. This blog will give you a complete idea of cafes, restaurants and food hubs in Birmingham along with suggestions on where to eat and how to save money on food. 

Quick Budget Guide

Top Restaurants in Birmingham for Students

Best Budget Birmingham Restaurants 

There are several restaurants in Birmingham with affordable rates and student discounts. From breakfast to mid-week meals and quick bites to romantic dinner dates, Birmingham has best budget eateries. Students can visit these places according to their budget and preferences.

Grand Central Kitchen

Location: 7 Stephenson St, Birmingham B2 4BL, United Kingdom 

The Grand Central Kitchen provides the best breakfast in Birmingham, offering a great hangout spot for students and tourists. This student favourite food place serves proper full English breakfasts from just £3. It is a perfect spot for hangover cures or pre-exam fuel. Canalside student accommodation is close to the restaurant, giving them an easy access to good dining. 

Student Perks:

• Budget-friendly breakfast menu starts under £3
• Walking distance from Birmingham City University
• Warm and welcoming environment
• Free Wi-Fi with gender-neutral toilets

Kimchi Korean Restaurant

Location: 2 Dawlish Rd, Birmingham B29 7AE, United Kingdom

A hidden gem serving authentic Korean comfort food, their mid-week lunch special costs just £6.90. It includes mains like, kimchi, miso soup, and a drink. Opened in 2005, this restaurant acts as a beacon of Korean food and provides dishes with rich heritage and homemade flavours. Vita Student Pebble Mill is in the proximity of the restaurant, giving residents there a good chance to try continental Korean dishes. 

Student Perks:

• Unbeatable £6.90 lunch deal
• Perfect post-lecture comfort food  
• Accepts takeaway orders

Walkabout

Location:Langley Buildings, Regency Wharf, 266a-271 Broad Street, Birmingham, West Midlands, B1 2DS

Walkabout is an Aussie-style bar with lunch + drink deals for £6 (12-5pm, Mon-Fri). It is an ultimate destination forlive sport, featuring huge HD screens and refreshing cold pints and juicy burgers. Whether you're looking for a casual drink, an epic night out, or want to be part of our legendary parties, the restaurant has got you covered.  true, Birmingham is a nearby student accommodation that gives convenient reach to enjoyment with tasty food. 

Student Perks:

Discounted Drinks with MiXER app

• Bottomless Brunch Menu
• Aussie vibes, top-notch food

Tiger Bites Pig

Location: City Centre

Tiger Bites Pig provides bao, crafted with inspiration from the vibrant street food scene of East Asia. It also has plenty of options, including vegan-friendly dishes and exciting weekly specials. Drinking section is also full of draught beer, a wine list, a selection of spirits, soft drinks and guest craft beers, as well as cocktails. Situated near The Old Fire Station student accommodation, the restaurant is a treat to Asian food lovers. 

Student Perks:

• Fresh bao buns made daily
• Variety of Asian street food  
• Open-plan casual atmosphere

Birmingham Michelin Star Restaurants

For those special occasions or moments when you want to indulge, Birmingham’s Michelin-starred restaurants offer world-class dining experiences. Whether you're celebrating a milestone or simply treating yourself, these fine dining spots are not too far from your affordable student accommodation in Birmingham, making it easier to enjoy a luxury meal without the hassle. 

Adam’s Restaurant

Location: New Oxford House, 16 Waterloo St, Birmingham B2 5UG, UK

Adam’s Restaurant gives an elegant dining experience to food lovers. Founded by Adam Stokes, this place is on extraordinary gastronomic adventure since last 12 years. The restaurant has fresh seasonal dishes, decent ambience and world-class service. The nearby student accommodation options are Harriet Martineau, giving hassle-free access to the restaurant. 

Features:

• Modern British cuisine with traditional touch
• Classical elegance and friendly professional service
• Vegetarian friendly + Gluten-free options

Opheem

Location: 65 Summer Row, Birmingham B3 1JJ, UK

Founded by Akhtar Islam, Opheem offers the best Indian food to its visitors. The restaurant has seasonal menus with 5-10 courses, includingvegetarian or pescatarian tasting menus. It reserves the right to charge up to £75 per person for evening bookings on the weekend if there is a non-appearance or a cancellation within their cancellation period. Lucas Studios student accommodations is based near the restaurant, offering the best food menu at your fingertips. 

Features: 

• India’s rich culinary heritage
• Spacious bar and sitting rooms
• Flavoursome and balanced dishes 

Top Indian Restaurants in Birmingham

The Royal Watan

Location: 602-604 Pershore Rd, Birmingham B29 7HQ, UK 

The Royal Watan is a Kashmiri restaurant in Birmingham that provides mouth-watering authentic dishes. It boasts of its delicious specials and Kashmiri flavours. The restaurant has a charming atmosphere with genuine hospitality and a welcoming environment. Also, it is in the proximity of Selly Oak Court student accommodation so students there can enjoy their royal meals. 

Features: 

• Authentic Kashmiri cuisine with famous Balti dishes
• Warm and welcoming atmosphere
• Courteous and responsive staff
• Watans House Specialities range from £11 - £ 13

Hen and Chickens

Location: 27 Constitution Hill, Birmingham B19 3LE, UK

Hens and Chickens deliver the ultimate taste of North Indian food. The Rull brothers established their restaurant in 2012, offering a menu of flavourful Punjabi cuisine, also known as 'desi' food. Student Roost accommodation is situated near Hens and Chickens, offering them a great way to enjoy tasty food in a good restaurant. 

Features: 

• Traditional North Indian cuisine 
• Impressive range of traditional British ales and crisp lagers
• Main menu ranges from £12 - £18

Other Recommendations for Budget-friendly Eateries in Birmingham

For students who wish to try international cuisines, there are plenty of affordable eateries in Birmingham. These cafes and restaurants offer delicious dishes in better price ranges, making them perfect for foodie students. Here are some of the examples for your cravings: 

1. Chinese Favourites

2. Best Japanese Spots

3. Top Italian Eateries

How to Save Your Money on Food? 

Though many cafes and restaurants are attracting you to taste delicious meals, it is important for students to wisely use their money on food outings. They can visit these above places in groups of friends and classmates to save money. Several places have discounts and offers on special days and weekends. Students can take advantage of these offers to minimize their cost of living in Birmingham and save their pockets. 

Apps to Download for Better Discounts 

• UNiDAYS: A digital platform that offers discounts to current students on over 800 brands in the UK. From fashion labels like ASOS and Adidas to tech-savvy brands like Apple, UNiDAYS secures the best student discounts. Once you login and verify your student ID, the application is free to use for 12 months.  
• TOTUM Card: An application that gives you the finest discounts and offers. You can save on shopping, eating and drinking, and traveling. The application provides two memberships, TOTUM & TOTUM+. Students also get big brands discounts like Apple, 3, asos, boohoo, TUI, Adidas and Sky. 

Birmingham Restaurants by University Location

Birmingham is home to prestigious educational institutions like the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and Aston University. There are numerous places for food lovers, near these top universities in Birmingham. Whether you are looking for a quick bite between lectures or a spot to chill with your friends, here are some suggestions: 

Restaurants Near University of Birmingham

• Cuore: 0.2 miles 
• Divine Desserts Birmingham: 0.7 miles 
• Sabai Sabai Harborne: 1.2 miles 

Restaurants Near Birmingham City University

• Simpsons Restaurant: 0.06 miles 
• Three Church Road Restaurant: 0.1 miles
• La Vera: 0.5 miles 

Restaurants Near Aston University

• Sacks of Potatoes: 0.2 miles 
• Karibbean Kruz: 0.1 miles
• Indian Brewery Snowhill: 0.9 miles

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