Written by Vaania Achuthan, BSc Politics and International Relations
As students, we often don't have the time or capacity to go hunting for groceries to a variety of different places. Here is a list of some of the best grocery stores in and around Bloomsbury, as well as detailed information on their pricing range, choice of fruit and veggies and its proximity to campus!
Some of the best supermarkets near campus are Lidl, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencers (M&S) Food, Tesco and Waitrose. Each of them provide a unique and holistic range of grocery items, however differ in the types of items that they specialise in. Most of these supermarkets also have their own loyalty schemes, which are worth signing up for to save extra cash. Moreover, some, like Tesco and Sainsbury's also offer "meal deal" options which are an easy and cost-effective way of having a grab-and-go meal during a long day at university.
The Union Shop
£££
Closest to UCL: It's on campus, by Print Room Cafe!
Obviously, we're starting this list off with our shop - but for good reason. Right on campus we have our very own mini supermarket, complete with a coffee machine, meal deals and all the essentials. We're also staffed entirely by students & have wallet-friendly prices - give us a visit and you'll see what the hype is about...
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Marks & Spencer
£££
Closest to UCL: Tottenham Court Road
This store is probably priced the highest amongst all grocery stores but has a really great quality of groceries. Their fresh fruit and veggies last ages butcan be around 20p more than other supermarkets but is totally worth it! It also has a unique section of plant-based alternatives (look out for the "plant kitchen" section in the store) that tastes amazing. It has some lovely vegan butter (normally only £1) and vegan international cuisine – the spring rolls are to die for! A good tip for shopping at Marks and Spencer is to hit the store just before they close as most items will be on reduced pricing!
Sainsbury's
££
Closest to UCL: Hampstead Road (across from Warren Street station) or Euston Station
Sainsburys is relatively affordable but doesn't necessarily have the best quality. It has an array of great pasta, several dairy-free milk, yoghurt and butter selections to choose from. It also has a great selection of affordable snacks and proteins and the fridges and freezers are always packed with meat alternatives. Fruits and veggies usually last around 3 days. I strongly recommend browsing through Sainsbury's as its options are always growing, both in small and large stores so you'd often be pleasantly surprised. Sainsbury's also has a 3.5 pound meal deal which is really famous amongst students.
Waitrose
£££
Closest to UCL: Brunswick Centre
Waitrose is slightly pricier than Sainsbury's but the quality of groceries that it has makes the price worth it. Here, fruits and veggies last for ages although it can be around 30p more than other supermarkets. It also has a variety of healthy snack and protein options and a fantastic freezer food section. It probably has the biggest and best vegan aisle I have ever seen in a British supermarket…so many dairy free alternatives!! Be warned however, the price adds up fast. If you intend to shop at Waitrose, I highly recommend getting a Waitrose clubcard.
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Tesco
££
Closest to UCL: Tottenham Court Road but the BEST is on Goodge Street.
Tesco is probably most famous amongst students as it is widely affordable and has decent quality groceries. Fruit and veggies last about 3 to 4 days. It also has a great selection of affordable snacks and tends to have a good milk alternative section. It also has some pretty unique vegan and gluten free desserts. Make sure you sign up for a free Clubcard, as you'll save on a lot of products. And of course, Tesco offers its iconic 3 pound meal deal if you have a Clubcard (3.5 pound if you don't - every penny counts!).
Co-Op
££
Closest to campus: Grays Inn Road (near Kings Cross)
Co-op is quite unique to the others in that it’s quite a socially aware organisation. With every £1 spent at Co-Op, 2p goes back to community projects that are selected by Co-Op members (you can become a member yourself). If you have a TOTUM card, you'll also nab yourself a respectable 10% off your shop. Co-Op shops are quite small though and options are a bit limited. It can also be pricey for certain products, especially in comparison with the other supermarkets on this list. It has a decent selection of veggies and fruit that lasts a good amount of days, however has limited protein alternative options. It has a great selection of sweet snacks but not so many savoury options. This also tends to vary with store size– locally to UCL there are not normally many options.
ALDI/LIDL
£
Closest to campus: Tottenham Court Road (Lidl), Mornington Crescent (Aldi)
Aldi and Lidl are quite similar to each other. It is very cheap but the quality can sometimes be questionable but it's not a big factor when everything is so much cheaper than elsewhere.
They both have AMAZING and affordable bakeries with great sourdough and fresh bread selection. Both stores have also expanded their vegan and vegetarian offerings over the years.
Fruit and veg are around 5-10 p cheaper than fruit and veggies at other stores. When on a student budget, this is probably the best option to save money.
Don't forget to visit the 'middle of Lidl' - a mish-mash of random, yet very low priced homeware, electronics and other random goodies.
Clearly, there are ample supermarket options for students to choose from, based on your dietary restrictions, budget and proximity to campus!