Affordable Places For Students To Eat In Nottingham

Food is such a great way to socialise with friends or to learn more about that special person you are on a date with. One of the things I’ve always loved about Nottingham ever since I moved here from Wolverhampton in 2018 for my bachelor’s degree, was the endless amount of places to dine in. As it is a very diverse city, its amazing to see that reflected in the restaurants/takeaways in and around Nottinghamshire and I still get excited when more pop up.

Even though there are many great places, as a student who loves a good treat and has a big appetite, it can be pricey ordering the minimum of a main meal and an alcoholic beverage to de-stress after the many deadlines I’ve handed in over the years.

Here’s my list of delicious restaurants to try without breaking the bank and dipping too far into that overdraft.

1. Las Iguanas

Las Iguanas has always been my favourite place to eat in Nottingham. When I stayed in Nottingham to work over the summer after completing my first year of my Journalism course, I was enjoying a lovely walk in the sun and seeing what the city centre was like on a busy Saturday afternoon in the summer. With many places booked up and bustling with people enjoying their day off, I stumbled on Las Iguana’s and never regretted the decision.

Refreshing, fruity, and strong 2-for-1 cocktails all day every day, along with flavoursome dishes inspired from Latin America, is exactly what I needed. Additional to this they offer a student discount on selected days which means more cocktails for me!

Whether you fancy the main menu dishes ranging from the Dominican Goat Curry to the Copacabana burger as well as the Blazing Bird marinated in a dripping honey peri-peri sauce, or the tapas of classic dishes such as loaded nachos, Cheese & Mango Empanadas or Quesadillas, you’re definitely getting your money’s worth.

2. Persian Empire

Head to the other side of the World without leaving County lines and step into Persian Empire. This authentic restaurant serves traditional Persian dishes. As I frequently travel along Upper Parliament Street, I always used to go past this restaurant and constantly say to myself ‘It looks nice in there’ or ‘one day I’ll go there’ and I finally did when a friend and I were trying to decide where to go to enjoy a grill, I was not disappointed.

When we arrived we were treated well by the staff and as we were so excited to finally try the food! We ordered the Plate of Kebab to share which included a Juje Bi-Ostokhan, Kodideh and Chenjeh skewer with rice as well as ordering additional chicken wings and fries ( I know that’s the English side of me who wants fries with every main meal I eat) and it was definitely worth the wait! The different aromas and flavours that were on my plate was perfect as a foodie this literally made my day.

When splitting this between two people (or more with the other sharing platters they have on offer) this meal is less £20 and will fulfil your appetite for the rest of the day or evening before a night out on the town.  

4. Bunk

As a kid you’re always taught to never walk down alleyways and places that go underground as you don’t know what’s lurking in there, however, in Nottingham it houses quirky restaurants and bars. At Bunk fill up on delicious chicken wings, nuggets or a hot dog whilst sipping on colourful cocktails.

There’s a flavour for everyone ranging from just plain to sticky Thai honey or choose something with extra spice like the mango chilli or the Naga Viper Chilli which has a rating of 8 chillies! Paired with their sides of Halloumi fries, Mozzarella sticks or French fries, this was a great place to stop at for my friend’s birthday before continuing to Rock City for the rest of our night out.

There are a range of options at differnt price points but you can expect to get ten wings and a drink for around £15 - £20, depending on your order. Cheaper options are also available and you can get a hot dog and a drink for under £10.

5. Oscar and Rosie's

Dine in and eat “the best pizza in Notts” at Oscar & Rosie’s. Head there for a lunch deal or try the ultimate experience of bottomless pizza! For £17 per peron bring a minimum of 9 other people and feast on any of their pizzas and sides for two hours. This includes their vegan and gluten free options so there’s something for everyone to enjoy!  Or learn the secrets of pizza making and book a pizza making party for your group of friends or even your society.

You can expect to get a pizza and a drink for under £20, and there is also a lunch special for £7.50 (excluding a drink).

6. Chez Coor's Nottinghamshire

Another great place for flavoursome affordable food is Chez Coor’s. At Nottingham’s only Caribbean buffet restaurant, tuck into different dishes until your hearts content or order from their takeaway menu. With dishes such as Jerk Chicken, Mutton, Rice & Peas as well as Mac & Cheese to compliment your meal, you’ll definitely need to wear loose fitted jeans!

As this is my culture and heritage, I rarely eat at Caribbean restaurants and takeaways, as I can cook these meals myself with my own twist, but now that Chez Coor’s has recently re-opened, this is somewhere I will be going on a regular basis. Chez Coor’s is perfect for authentic Caribbean food so grab your friends and try somewhere different today!

You can expect to spend under £20 for a Saturday lunch buffet and a drink, with takeout options available at lower prices.

7. Weatherspoon's: The Roebuck Inn 

To finalise this list, if in doubt Spoons is always a good place to head to. Filled with students and locals of all ages, this pub is home to many great times when you just want a quick bite to eat. Are you on your lunch break? Starting pre-drinks or hungover from the night before?  Then Spoons have got your back.

With each meal being paired with a drink, fries, or salad the saying ‘cheap and cheerful’ is the best way to describe it. The Roebuck Inn is one of the best Spoons to head to in Nottingham as its hidden away on St. James Street but still boasting all the Weatherspoon’s traits like being housed in buildings and streets with history and going on an adventure just to reach the bathroom.

As a big foodie with a love for cooking and a food blog of recipes, I equally love going out to eat in Nottingham and trying different cuisines, whether it’s with friends or a solo trip to treat myself. As a challenge I’ve set for myself since moving to Nottingham I would love to try every restaurant in the City Centre, and I can’t wait to try the rest.

Prices vary as there are so many options but you can often get a meal such as a burger with a drink for under £10.

This blog post was created by Marketing Intern, Tashana Dodd