Eight student-friendly eateries in Norwich

We all know that part of the student experience is knowing where to find cheap deals and living on a budget. Sometimes, ready meals just don’t cut it and when you're tired from studying or battling a hangover, cooking is the last thing you want to do. Norwich has an extravagant array of eateries to offer, accommodating all dietary requirements and financial restrictions.

1. Grosvenor’s Fish Bar

A long-established, traditional fish and chip shop with a bit of a twist, going from the classic fish and chip fare to tacos, burgers and wraps. This eatery has a grotto dining experience that offers a jazzy ambience and if there’s not enough space The Birdcage, a great bar located opposite, welcomes all fish and chip fanatics to banquet on their tasty meal in their lovely, cute and trendy establishment. On most days, The Birdcage offers live entertainment from open mic nights and drag performances, to therapeutic life-drawing classes every Tuesday. Grosvenor’s Fish Bar is highly affordable with very generous portion sizes, with the Grosvenor’s classic (fresh, crispy, flaky and succulent cod goujons served with the all-round flawless chip shop chips) costing a mere £5.00! It can be found on Lower Goat Lane.

2. Cosmo

An all you can eat dining experience that is not for the faint-hearted! Located on London Street in the city centre, Cosmo’s offers the ultimate world buffet, with an explosion of exotic cuisines from India, China, Thailand, Japan, England, Italy, Mexico and more. Open seven days a week, Cosmo’s lunch buffet is £8.50 on weekdays and they offer a 10% student discount from Monday to Thursday (excluding the month of December). If you want a bit of everything or have no clue what you are craving but want to be stuffed to near combustion for a moderate price, Cosmo is the place for you!

3. And Eat It

A bit different to the others on the list, And Eat It is a fully loaded market stall with all the baked goodies of your dreams. Down the C aisle of Norwich's beloved market, you will discover cookies, brownies, blondies, scotch eggs (the dessert kind) and rocky roads, each fully loaded with a variety of fillings including Milky Way, Nutella and Kinder. My personal favourite is the unique brookie – a crispy yet chewy cookie with an indulgent fudge brownie centre to die for. All bakery items on this stall range between £2 – £3 and will satisfy that sweet tooth.

4. Ruth’s Kitchen

This cute little café produces authentic Jerusalem cuisine with their own unique twist. Situated slightly outside the city centre on Magdalen Street, Ruth’s kitchen sells delicious falafel and Middle Eastern salads using fresh and nutritious ingredients. The staff are incredibly sweet friendly, and if it's your first time there, they will explain the menu to you and even recommend dishes. The dishes are also entirely customisable, with the option to substitute certain ingredients. The food is lovely and filling, the environment is homely and friendly, and it won’t break the bank. What more could you want?

5. Urban Munch

Fancy a complete roast dinner in a baguette for £4.50? Then Urban Munch is the place for you! Located by Castle Mall, this little eatery serves a conglomeration of roast dinners and baguettes. The baguettes are stuffed to the brim and overflowing with the filling of your choice. Although mostly known for its hog roast, Urban Munch offers an abundance of items, all high-quality and exceptionally tasty. The little eatery has many regulars and the owner is a welcoming and friendly man, who takes pride in his business. Not far from the park that surrounds the castle, Urban Munch is the perfect food choice for a picnic.

6. Unthank Kitchen

Found on Unthank Road, Unthank Kitchen is a family-run business that serves a variety of yummy brunch dishes such as pancakes, a traditional full English and bubble and squeak. It’s student-friendly, affordable, has quick service and serves the thickest bread slices you’ll ever see! Alongside having a takeaway option, the cosy venue is perfect for that post-clubbing hangover, for a catch up with friends and definitely worth a visit if you are in the area! Furthermore, it’s a convenient location for 2nd year students living off-campus and predominantly hires students!

7. Middleton’s Steakhouse

A student-friendly steakhouse? Unbelievable, I know, but it’s true! Middleton’s Steakhouse offers a three-course set meal for only £10.95 if you catch it at the right time, and it will certainly fill you up for the rest of the day. From 12-6pm on weekdays and 12-5pm on Saturdays, you can choose between steak, salmon, calamari, pâté, crème brûlée, sticky toffee pudding and a more from their fixed menu list. The vibe is lovely, and the food is exquisite. If you fancy a lavish meal out for an adequate price, definitely head to Middleton’s between those time frames.

8. Gonzo’s Tea Room

Although it is one of the pricier venues on this list, Gonzo’s Tea Room is an experience in itself. Though a tea room may make think of an afternoon with your grandmother, anyone who's been to Gonzo's knows it's not dull. The restaurant has truly unique and trendy flair, with peculiar ornaments and pop culture referencing knick-knacks embellishing the room. Located on London Street, Gonzo’s are famous for their ludicrous and original, stacked-up burgers that have been named some of the best in England, and quite right too. Despite the burgers tending to cost more than a tenner each they all come with chips and are served on a massive tray. Generous portion sizes? That’s an understatement. Furthermore, Gonzo’s Tea Room has a happy hour on chicken wings! From 3-6pm on weekdays you can get a pound of chicken wings for £3.99, with over 15 adventurous flavours to choose from, including peanut butter and jelly. The burger flavours are just as wacky but always complement one another. My personal recommendation is definitely the 'Lost In Translation' burger. Bonus: in summer they open their rooftop bar and in the evenings they clear the restaurant floor and convert it into a DnB nightclub!