Top Cardiff Restaurants - Complete Student Dining Guide 2025

Looking for the best Cardiff restaurants without blowing your budget? Whether you're craving a quick lunch between lectures or a chill dinner with friends, Cardiff has plenty of student-friendly restaurants to explore. From tasty street food to hidden gems with great deals, there’s something for every craving and every budget. And while you're enjoying the local flavours, don't forget to check out the best student accommodation in Cardiff, because great food and a comfortable place to stay go hand in hand. 

The Broke Student Survival Guide (Under £5)

Noodlez

Located right in the city centre, Noodlez offers generous noodle boxes for just £3.90. With a 20% student discount available through UNiDAYS, the price drops to just over £3, making it an excellent budget-friendly option. 

Greggs

Greggs offers a great student deal, where you receive a free sausage roll when you purchase another item. The Queen Street location is open until 6 pm, providing a convenient option for pre-lecture fuel. Greggs is one of the best fast food restaurants in the UK.

Abo Ali

This Lebanese restaurant, though tucked away, is well worth seeking out. While there is no student discount, their shawarma wraps are priced at £4.50 and are notably large, providing excellent value. The restaurant may appear modest on the outside, but its food quality is exceptional. Cardiff is an ideal student destination not just for its superb universities, but also for its vibrant food scene and affordable living options.

The Sweet Spot (£5 - £10)

Cardiff truly shines when it comes to offering delicious food that won’t break the student budget. Our comprehensive Cardiff city guide can help you explore the best dining spots.

Honest Burgers 

It offers a 20% student discount from Sunday to Thursday with a valid Student Beans ID. Their signature Cardiff burger is made with Welsh beef and is renowned for its high quality, often compared favourably to that of more expensive restaurants.

Las Iguanas

It provides 25% off food for students, and if you have a TOTUM card, this discount increases to 40%. They also offer 2-for-1 cocktails all day, making it a popular spot for affordable dining and drinks.

Pho

It serves authentic Vietnamese street food with a 15% discount when a student ID is shown. Their pho bo, priced at £9.50, is a large bowl of soup featuring noodles, beef, and fresh herbs, ideal as a hearty meal. The staff are welcoming and happy to explain menu items to those new to Vietnamese cuisine. 

When You Want to Treat Yourself (£10 - £15)

Sometimes it’s worth treating yourself, whether it’s for a special occasion, a date, or unwinding after a busy week. The cost of living in Cardiff is generally affordable, making it easier for students to enjoy these occasional treats without stretching their budgets too far.

Matsudai Ramen

It is renowned as the first proper ramen shop in Wales. Their tonkotsu ramen, priced at £12, offers a rich broth, perfectly cooked noodles, and tender pork belly that melts in your mouth. It’s a dining experience that goes beyond just a meal.

The Grazing Shed

Known for serving what many call "the best burger in Wales," The Grazing Shed focuses on local sourcing and sustainable practices. Their burgers, priced around £11, are delicious and often come with student discounts. Just ask when you visit.

Mowgli Street Food

Specialising in Indian street food, Mowgli offers generous portions like their lamb curry priced at £12.50. The vibrant atmosphere, featuring decorative lights and indoor greenery, adds to the dining experience. Be sure to check Student Beans for available discounts before you go.

The Big Occasions (£15+)

For those special occasions, birthday celebrations, or meeting someone’s parents. If you think it’s a bit expensive, you can always look for part-time jobs in Cardiff to help cover costs.

Purple Poppadom

Located in Pontcanna, about 15 minutes from campus, Purple Poppadom is featured in the Michelin Guide. Their chef’s tasting menu is priced at £35, offering exceptional value with a carefully crafted multi-course experience and top-quality service.

Asador 44

This Spanish restaurant in the city centre is known for its excellent paella for two, priced at £28. With a vibrant atmosphere and an extensive wine list, Asador 44 is an ideal choice for memorable special occasions.

Where to Eat Based on Where You Live

Cardiff is quite compact, so knowing what’s nearby can save you both time and money. For students, finding the best areas to live in Cardiff is just as important as knowing where to eat. 

If You’re Near Cardiff University 

Students attending Cardiff University will find a goldmine of popular eateries nearby. The Woodville is a popular local pub just a five-minute walk from campus, offering classic pub food with regular student deals. Their burger and chips for £8 are a reliable choice. 

For a hangover cure, Bagel and Burger is about a ten-minute walk away, famous for milkshakes made with real chocolate bars like Oreo and  Maltesers. For a lively night out meal, Irie Shack serves Caribbean cuisine with 2-for-1 cocktails until 7 pm and often features live music; it’s just an eight-minute walk from campus.

Check out our student guide to Cardiff University to learn more about nearby restaurants and housing options.

If You’re at Cardiff Metropolitan University

Restaurants near Cardiff Metropolitan University offer generous portions of food. The best part? You can find delicious dishes at student-friendly prices. 

Hellenic Eatery, about 15 minutes from the Llandaff campus, offers authentic Greek gyros priced at £6 with generous portions. Ffwrnes, originally a food truck and now with multiple locations, serves wood-fired pizzas for under £10 and remains a favourite for its quality and value.

The International Food Tour

One of the best things about Cardiff is its international food scene, allowing you to eat your way around the world. Along with great dining options, there are plenty of things to do in Cardiff that make student life vibrant and exciting.

Asian Food

• Matsudai Ramen: Wales’ first proper ramen shop, known for its authentic and rich flavours.
• Noodlez: Southeast Asian cuisine, customizable and affordable, ideal for budget-conscious students.
• Pho: Vietnamese street food offering healthy, warming, and authentic dishes.
• YO! Sushi: Japanese conveyor belt sushi, combining fun with good quality.
• Giggling Squid: Thai cuisine featuring a cosy atmosphere and student-friendly prices.

Middle Eastern

• Abo Ali: Lebanese restaurant offering large portions and excellent value.
• Lezzet Turkish Kitchen: Turkish cuisine with generous servings, conveniently located in the city centre.

European

• Ffwrnes: Italian wood-fired pizzas, originating from a popular food truck.
• Franco Manca: Known for simple yet perfect sourdough pizzas.
• Pizza Pilgrims: Neapolitan-style pizzas served in a cosy setting.

Indian

• Mowgli Street Food: Vibrant street food with sharing plates, perfect for group dining.
• Purple Poppadom: Fine dining experience listed in the Michelin Guide, ideal for special occasions.
• Vivo Amigo: Affordable and reliable Indian food, great for students.

The Student Discount 

Explore fantastic deals and add to your savings

Must Try Apps:

• UNiDAYS:Sign is free and it provides 15-25% off, students can enjoy special dishes on budget.
• Student Beans: A great backup app that sometimes features exclusive deals not found on UNiDAYS.
• TOTUM: A paid card costing around £12 per year, providing enhanced discounts such as 40% off at Las Iguanas.
• Revolution App: Perfect for frequent visitors to Revolution bars, offering 25% off food and regular special offers.

How to Use These Discounts

To make the most of student discounts, a little strategy goes a long way. Fun facts about Cardiff reveal it’s not just a student hub but also a city rich in history and culture. It is making your student experience even more vibrant and exciting.

• Before You Go Out: Always check all your discount apps. Sometimes UNiDAYS offers better deals, other times Student Beans does. Don’t assume one app has the best offer every time.
• At the Restaurant: Don’t hesitate to ask about student discounts, even if they’re not advertised. Many places offer them, but don’t always promote them openly.
• For Delivery: Take advantage of first-time user codes strategically. Save them for larger orders, such as when ordering for your entire flat, rather than small individual purchases.

Late-Night Eating (Because Student Life)

Cardiff has plenty of options for those late-night food cravings, ensuring you’re never far from a good meal, no matter the hour. If you’re planning to visit clubs in Cardiff and are worried about getting a full meal, these places are ideal options.

Until Midnight

• Honest Burgers: Kitchen closes at 11 pm on weekdays and midnight on weekends, ideal for those late-night hunger pangs.
• Las Iguanas: Food served until 11 pm, with drinks available until 2 am, accompanied by free bar snacks.
• Revolution: Food available until 11 pm, then switches to a late-night menu featuring options like chicken wings and chips, even at 1 am.

Until 2 am

• Hellenic Eatery: A reliable choice for post-night-out meals, serving gyros until 1 am.
• Various Kebab Shops: While not fancy, these spots, such as the one on City Road, are dependable for late-night bites.

24-Hour Option

• McDonald’s: Open 24 hours, perfect for those moments when only fast food will do, even at 3 am.

Staying Healthy (Sort Of)

Cardiff offers a variety of healthy dining options that won’t break the bank, so you don’t have to rely solely on pizza and kebabs. Student life in Cardiff is vibrant and diverse, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy good food and social events, alongside your studies.

Healthy Choices

• Pho: Vietnamese cuisine is generally nutritious, featuring plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, and restorative broth.
• Mowgli Street Food: Indian food can be light and flavorful, with numerous vegetarian options and customizable spice levels.
• Honest Burgers: While still a burger joint, they use locally sourced, hormone-free meat for a higher-quality option.
• Shake Shack: Known for antibiotic-free meat and fresh ingredients, offering a better burger experience.

Vegetarian and Vegan Options

• Las Iguanas: Offers an excellent plant-based menu, including jackfruit tacos that rival many meat dishes.
• Mowgli Street Food: Provides a wide selection of clearly marked vegan options.
• Pizza Express: Features vegan pizzas that are genuinely tasty, not just an afterthought.

Managing Your Food Budget

Students can make budgeting easier by using a cost of living calculator to estimate their overall expenses. These tools help you plan how much to allocate for groceries, dining out, and other essentials. 

Weekly Budget Reality Check

• Tight budget (£30/week): Manage 2-3 restaurant meals by focusing on lunch deals, using all available discounts, and sharing meals with friends.
• Comfortable budget (£50/week): Allows for a mix of lunch and dinner outings, occasional treats, and group dining.
• Flexible budget (£70+/week): Enables dining out daily, weekend splurges, convenient deliveries, and special occasion meals.

Money-Saving Strategies That Work

• Consistently use student discounts to maximise savings.
• Share large portions, as many Cardiff restaurants serve generous sizes.
• Opt for tap water instead of bottled drinks to save £2-3 per meal.
• Follow top Cardiff restaurants on social media to catch exclusive deals and offers.
• Plan group meals to benefit from cost-sharing and discounts.

The Emergency Food Guide

For those urgent moments when options are limited and everything is closed. Many purpose-built student accommodation are well equipped for late-night cravings. You can fix yourself a snack in the shared kitchen or pop down to the vending machine located on-site.

• 24-hour Tesco Express: Available at multiple locations, offering ready meals, sandwiches, and essential groceries.
• University Vending Machines: Conveniently located across campus, though prices tend to be higher.
• Convenience Stores: Found throughout student areas, these stores provide quick access to food and essentials, albeit at a slightly higher cost than supermarkets.

What's Coming Next

Cardiff’s food scene continues to evolve, with exciting trends shaping the future:

• More Plant-Based Options: Cardiff Restaurants are increasingly offering quality vegan dishes, moving beyond mere afterthoughts.
• Sustainability Focus: Emphasis on local sourcing, reduced packaging, and waste minimisation benefits both the environment and often the wallet.
• Tech Integration: Enhanced mobile ordering, digital loyalty programs, and improved delivery apps are making dining more convenient.
• Expanded Late-Night Options: More venues are extending their hours to better accommodate student lifestyles and late-night cravings.

Final Words

Cardiff has a vibrant and diverse food scene, perfect for students. There are options for every budget, from cheap eats to special occasion dining. The city is compact, making it easy to explore different neighbourhoods and cuisines. Before choosing Cardiff, check the pros and cons of living in Cardiff to make an informed decision.