Student-Friendly Restaurants in Bristol: Your Ultimate Guide

Bristol is a metropolitan of incredible cuisine; much of which, to my bank accounts dismay, but stomach’s delight, I have had the pleasure of sampling. Bristol is a hub of independent restaurants, equating to 65% of all eateries across the city. As such, there is simply no excuse to be frequenting Nandos or Wagamamas in a city as diverse as ours. So, I thought I’d put my excessive spending, and  Uber eats addiction, to good use and compile a list of budget friendly restaurants and eateries in Bristol!

Here is your comprehensive guide to the best student budget friendly eats of 2024:

Pizzarova £

Bristol is home to an extensive selection of pizzerias but none quite as good as Pizzarova.

Pizzarova started with just a pizza oven in the back of a Land Rover, but now boasts four locations across Bristol, offering the most delicious sourdough pizza creations you can possibly imagine.

Their pizzas start at just £8, offering a wide range of unique toppings catering to all dietary requirements, you also have to try their chipotle mayo dip; it’s life changing.

The only thing I dislike about Pizzarova is the fact I have failed to win any of their countless giveaways, despite my hundreds of entries.

Magari £

As a pasta enthusiast look no further than Magari for deliciously fresh, homemade, and authentic Italian goodness.

This small Independent Pasta Workshop offers a limited menu, with a beautiful selection of affordable pasta dishes.

You simply cannot go to Magari without tasting their infamous tiramisu, and if you don’t like tiramisu… well, this guide isn’t for you.

New moon of the Quay ££

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New Moon of the Quay is the perfect spot for a romantic date night as it is slightly on the pricier end, but for good reason.

New Moon’s menu reflects vibrant and diverse culinary traditions from around the globe with a Eurasian focus.

Every fortnight, New Moon explores a different country’s cuisine and produces a unique interpretation of their most loved, and iconic dishes.

Regardless of your views on the small plate’s epidemic, this place is definitely worth the hype.

Eat a pitta £

I’m convinced Eat a Pitta’s Falafel 500 machine is a form of witchcraft because I have never had a falafel as juicy and flavoursome as theirs.

Eat a Pitta offers an extensive range of Mediterranean inspired food, my favourite being their delicious Classic Falafel Boxes which are ridiculously morish.

They have recently introduced a ‘Winter Warmers’ menu too, perfect for the chillier months, I highly recommend the halloumi fries and sweetcorn fritters.

Eat a Pitta offer a 10% student discount (BIG WIN) and also have a loyalty scheme for when you positively get hooked.

And for all my Too Good to Go fans out there you are in luck! Eat a Pitta regularly offer out generous portions of their leftover goodies.

Yakinori £

Yakinori, or as endearingly known by my uni house as ‘Yakker’s’, is poke bowl perfection.

You will have to take my word on this, but a poke bowl from Yakinori is the dream hangover cure.

I’m not sure what magic it possesses but that firecracker chicken (or cauliflower for me) and yuzu Mayo combo is simply otherworldly.

Yakinori doesn’t just stop at poke bowls, they offer delicious Japanese cuisine including wonderfully tasty, and budget friendly, sushi, and even katsu curry for all my basic B’s out there.

Yakinori host countless deals throughout the week, as well as a 10% student discount.

Low and Slow £

As a full time *except on select holidays * vegetarian I haven’t had the joy of actually sampling Low and Slow’s BBQ creations, however, an array of my carnivorous friends have filled me in on the joy their creations bring.

Low and Slow offer a wide range of slow cooked American style barbeque food at amazingly affordable prices.

I won’t lie to you the wonderful smell coming from their shop on Whiteladies has almost caught me slacking on multiple occasions.

The Crafty Egg £

Arguably the best brunch in Bristol, they can fight it out with the Bristolian (see below), the Crafty Egg offers a wonderful selection of brunch dishes with a Middle Eastern and Turkish flair.

The interior of this café offers beautiful greenery and eclectic décor, matched by the wonderful and exciting flavours of their dishes.

FYI, they do more than just eggs.

Koocha Mezze Bar ££

Koocha showcases the best of Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine, with every dish bursting with flavour.

Their restaurant is fully plant-based, showcasing how vibrant and enjoyable vegan cooking can be.

Committed to sustainability and fantastic flavour this hidden gem in stokes croft is well worth a visit.

Milkbun £

Milkbun, as the name would suggest, is worth a visit for the burger buns alone; they are beautifully soft, flavourful, and moorish.

Burger wise, the quality remains unmatched offering a menu built on fresh, local produce, with great taste and diversity.

Again, I am a *somewhat* vegetarian so haven’t sampled the meaty goods but even their veggie offerings had me and my housemates craving them for weeks after.

They also serve fried pickles which I was both delighted and intrigued to try, I’ll let you make your own mind up about that one.

Bravas ££

Bravas creates some of the best traditional Spanish Tapas Bristol has to offer, with a welcoming, and buzzing, ambient atmosphere.

Their menus are seasonal and ever-changing, meaning you get to enjoy the finest, and freshest, food.

Bravas is slightly pricier, so a great one to drag your parents to when they come and visit you!

The Bristolian £

IN THE BLUE CORNER! Fighting it out for best brunch spot in Bristol is the Bristolian.

This vibrant and charming café offers its wonderful take on traditional English breakfast dishes, from eggs benedict, to a Full English.

Their hot chocolate is second to none, offering a plethora of delicious flavours including: chilli, cardamon, cinnamon, and hazelnut.

Step into this café and be transported to a secret garden full of culinary delights.

Daily Noodles £

Wapping Wharf boasts some of Bristol’s finest independent eateries; Daily Noodles being one of them.

Daily Noodles is a pan Asian restaurant specialising in noodles and bao buns, and by God do they do it well.

Their bao buns are melt in the mouth delicious, and noodles just as shout worthy.

So, there we have it, my ultimate student guide to eating your way through Bristol.

I have many more foodie recommendations to offer, so stay tuned for a Valentines inspired food guide *coming soon*.