Being a student in the UK often means watching every pound carefully. Rent, travel, books, and social life all compete for the same limited budget.
Food is one area where savings can make a real difference, but eating out doesn’t always have to mean emptying your wallet. With the right choices, students can still enjoy tasty meals across the country without overspending.
📊 According to the National Student Money Survey 2024, the average UK student spends about £34 per week on food, split between groceries and eating out. With inflation pushing prices higher, stretching that budget has become more challenging than ever.
When it comes to dining out without breaking the bank, grilled chicken fans often look for quality over quantity. That’s why many choose to
Explore Nando's Menu for Budget Friendly Option
before planning a meal. A smaller plate at the right chain can give both value and flavour, and knowing what to order makes all the difference.
Why Eating Out Feels Hard for Students
The rising cost of living in the UK has made eating out feel like a luxury. A simple sit-down meal can easily cross £12–£15, and for students living on loans or part-time wages, that adds up quickly.
Add to this the fact that healthier meals often seem more expensive than fast food, and the challenge becomes clear: how can students balance health, taste, and budget all at once?
I’ve been in that same situation, standing in front of a menu, calculating in my head whether I’ll have enough left for the train fare home. Over time, I’ve learned that it’s less about avoiding restaurants altogether and more about knowing where to go and what to order.
Smart Choices at Popular Chains in UK
Nando’s
For students who still want grilled flavour without overspending, chains like Nando’s are worth a closer look. Their allergen and nutritional details make dining less stressful, and it reminded me of my earlier write-up on
Eating Out with Food Allergies in the UK, Best Tips and Chains
which showed how restaurants can balance both safety and value.
A Quarter Chicken with two sides can come in under £10, and pairing it with water instead of a drink keeps it affordable. From my own visits, the Butterfly Chicken with spicy rice feels like a filling plate without breaking the bank.
Yes, Nando’s isn’t always the cheapest option, but when you compare cost versus quality and flavour, it often balances out better than fried fast food.
Greggs
Greggs is still the undisputed king of student-friendly food. A yogurt & berry pot costs around £2, while vegan sausage rolls and breakfast baps hover around £3. For anyone rushing to lectures, it’s the perfect grab-and-go spot.
The portions aren’t always huge, but for the price, it’s hard to complain.
LEON
LEON markets itself as “naturally fast food,” and while it’s healthier than most, it can be a little pricier. Their rice boxes usually land between £5–£6, which is still manageable, especially if you want a hot, filling meal that doesn’t feel too heavy.
Wetherspoons
For sit-down meals under £6, Wetherspoons is a student favourite. It’s not fancy, but it’s reliable. From all-day breakfasts to curry nights, the variety and portion sizes make it a great option when you want to sit with friends and eat affordably.
KFC
KFC might not be the healthiest, but their rice boxes (around £5) are surprisingly filling and lighter than buckets or burgers. For quick, cheap, and familiar food, it’s often part of the student routine.
Student Meal Combo Comparison
When you’re eating on a budget, it helps to compare what £10 can actually buy at different chains. Here’s a quick look based on my own visits in 2025:
Chain
Meal Combo
Price
Notes
Nando’s
Quarter Chicken with two sides
£9.95
Filling, grilled, healthier than fried alternatives
LEON
Chargrilled Chicken Mezze Box
£6.79
Balanced, sometimes smaller portions
Greggs
Vegan Sausage Roll with a Yogurt & Berry Pot
£5.20
Cheapest, but lower protein
KFC
Grilled Chicken Rice Box
£5.49
Affordable, milder grilled taste
Pret A Manger
Avocado Toast with coffee
£6.50
Fresh, lighter option, not always filling
Quick take: Greggs and KFC win on pure price, but Nando’s offers more protein for the money, which matters if you want your meal to keep you going through lectures.
Tips for Eating Out Cheap
Use student discounts: Apps like UNiDAYS or Totum often give 10–20% off at chains.
Subscriptions: Pret’s coffee subscription lets you grab up to five drinks a day, making it worthwhile for caffeine lovers.
Share portions: If a chain serves larger sides, splitting with friends means variety without overspending.
Skip drinks: Water is free in most places, and soft drinks can add £2–£3 to the bill.
Look out for deals: Chains often run weekday offers or bundle meals cheaper than single items.
Hidden Student-Friendly Spots
Beyond the big names, many students find value in local cafés, street food stalls, and university canteens. At my university, the campus café served jacket potatoes with beans and cheese for under £4 — simple, filling, and affordable.
Similarly, food trucks outside train stations often sell wraps or rice bowls for less than chain prices. These spots may not have the branding of a Greggs or Pret, but they often give more food for your money and feel more personal too.
Final Thoughts
Eating out as a student in the UK is tricky, but not impossible. The key is knowing which chains give you both value and quality. Greggs wins for quick, cheap snacks.
LEON offers healthier plates if you can stretch a little more. Wetherspoons makes sit-down meals budget-friendly, and Pret’s subscription helps coffee lovers.
For me, Nando’s strikes the best balance between flavour and affordability, especially when you know what to order. With a few smart choices, students can enjoy eating out without burning through their weekly budget.
After all, food is more than fuel, it’s part of the student experience, and with planning, it can be both enjoyable and affordable.