Best restaurants in Leeds for Students

Written by Genevieve Osborne-James

Living the student life is as much about studying as it is about learning to adjust to living away from home and living on a strict budget. Alongside partying, sleeping and (obviously) studying, eating is a top priority for students, so here are a few budget friendly hot spots worth a visit.

The Library

At only a stone’s throw away from the Parkinson building, The Library pub is a favourite amongst students. Yes, partially because of the cheap drinks but also because their menu offers some great tasting, high quality meals at very student friendly prices, including a selection of gourmet style burgers. I would particularly recommend taking a look at their all day breakfast menu which offers everything from a full English to a modest beans on toast.

Wokon Noodle

This is an ideal place to catch both a quick lunch and a relaxed dinner. If you like an all round experience, Wokon Noodle is just for you. The open plan layout means that the kitchen and chefs are in full view so you can watch your food being made, as the mouth-watering smells and the sound of noodles crackling ‘woks’ up your appetite (see what I did there?). I guess this deserves to be called fast food as, despite being made fresh, the food arrives very promptly. However, unlike the more well-known fast food restaurants, your food will not arrive swimming in grease. This is certainly a healthier option.

Trio Bar and Grill

The Arc is a popular drinking spot for students in Headingley, particularly frequented during the infamous “Otley Run” pub crawl. However, during the day (when most of us are still in bed!) the upper level is transformed into a modern restaurant. With fresh lighting and impressive decor, the restaurant provides an ideal spot for an informal lunch in an impressive setting. The menu ranges from salads and pasta to a various grills, and all at very reasonable prices. This place is proof that there’s no need to break the bank to “do lunch” in style.

Akmal’s Tandoori Bistro

Tucked away in a corner of Hyde Park lies this hidden gem. From a distance, the restaurant can be seen glowing through the trees, enticing in hungry students with its delicious smelling curry dishes and “bring your own booze” policy. Not only will they provide glasses, so that you don’t have to taint the sophisticated atmosphere by drinking from a can, but they also have a bar of their own in case you run out. The staff go out of their way to keep you happy and service is quick and efficient. Most importantly, the food is well presented and fresh and at such reasonable prices, there shouldn’t be any anguish over splitting the bill at the end.

No1 Oriental Buffet

For those with a large appetite and a small budget, buffets are ideal and No1 Oriental Buffet is easily the most student-friendly of those in Leeds. There are two price levels, the cheaper lunch menu and the Saturday grand buffet, however even with the cheaper option you get a more than ample selection to pick from. As well as main dishes, starters and desserts are laid out over two large tables welcoming all who enter to get as much out of their money as possible.

For this reason, this is an ideal spot for group meals, especially at the start of the year when everyone is still getting to know one another; the staff are wise enough to step back and let you get on with getting your fill once you have been seated so it is a lot less formal than other restaurants with table service. What makes this buffet restaurant better than its competitors is the menu. As well as the classic choices such as deep fried vegetables and chow Mein it also offers char-sui buns and dim sum for a more authentic meal.

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