Written by Lola Kveton and Irma Delmonte
It’s 13:00, and your stomach is rumbling. You're on the quest of finding a place that is close by so you can go back to class or back to revision. You might have also stretched your budget a little bit this weekend and are finding yourself on the true student quest: the search for cheap eats.
Well, we've got your back.
The Union Cafés
Let's face it, from a student budget point of view, Pret and Starbucks options aren't too friendly for your wallet. So, as an alternative, you can turn to one of the many cafés around campus – Print Room, George Farha and many others – which have pancakes, pastries and street-food inspired dishes as well as delicious coffee. They're always cheaper than the high street, and every penny of profit made goes back into funding your community.
P.S: Give their Instagram a cheeky follow to stay up to date with offers, deals and occasional giveaways ;)
The Refectory
Located in the centre of campus the Wilkins Refectory has your food cravings covered. Serving freshly cooked meals that tick all the boxes, from chicken katsu curries and veggie burgers, to daily salads and comforting jacket potatoes, they’ve got it and at a great price. There are always veggie, vegan and gluten free options too.
Don’t forget to stop by the Wilkins Shop for grab & go meal deals, cakes and pick & mix too, or the Wilkins Café for specialty coffee, pastries and a smile.
Open Monday-Friday 11:30am-2:30pm
Hare Krisha
Hare Krishna give out free food every lunchtime at their stand between SOAS and the Institute of Education. Food is generally curry or pasta, and it's always vegetarian as well! If you love their food and want to give something back then you can volunteer your time to hand out food as well.
Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market
Thursday is quite the exciting day because you are going down to the street food market that is held right in the middle of the Birkbeck and SOAS courtyard: it’s the Bloomsbury Farmer’s Market. You will find here pies, moussaka, fresh fruits, cakes, crêpes, Asian comfort food, roasted pork, Indian food, tacos and burritos, pasta, burgers, ice cream; and many other.
Lovely International Food Market
Unlike the Bloomsbury Market, this one is open everyday during lunchtime. It is located in Tottenham Court Road, besides Goodge Street station. There is a wide selection of different cuisines -from Italian to Korean. The prices are also similar to the Bloomsbury market but sometimes there could be a queue for some stands. Enjoy your food in the little square or bring it along with you into the UCL campus.
Ever heard of Too Good to Go?
This is an amazing app! You can filter shops around campus so you can rescue delicious food that will otherwise go to waste. And it isn't just a cold salad that you get. The other day I got a warm Thai Red Curry and rice for only £3.50. There was so much that I couldn't finish it all!
Now remember, the cheapest and healthiest option is always to make your own food for the week, whether it is a salad that you will be able to enjoy cold, or something to warm up in one of the microwaves that you can find around campus.