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Here’s 10 of the best student-friendly cheap eats in and around Leeds

Your student loan will thank us later.

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall - 15th September 2026

Just moved to lovely Leeds for uni? Here’s how to eat out for less than a tenner.

With Freshers’ Week fast approaching, you're probably trying to work out exactly how far your student loan is going to stretch.

But don't worry, we're here to help.

Whether you’re after a cheap lunch between lectures, somewhere to grab dinner with your new flatmates or a bite to eat before heading out for the night, Leeds city centre is packed with places where you can eat well without blowing your budget.

So, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite places where you can grab a bite for under £10.

Let’s get into it...

Bundobust

Mill Hill

Images: The Hoot Leeds

It wouldn't be a cheap eat round up without Bundobust. These Indian street food legends are the GOATS of dishes for under tenner, because every single thing is.

We recommend the Vada Pav - a deep-fried mashed potato ball stuffed in a springy bun. It'll fill you up good and proper and you can get two Vada Pav sliders for just £8. Class.

Mommy Thai

Duncan Street and Vicar Lane

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Okay you may have to forgive us on this one...but we couldn't not include it.

For just £10.95 (close enough) you can get two courses at one of Leeds' best Thai restaurants. And there's loads to choose from, from chicken satay and Pad Thai to corn cakes and Pad Grapow - you won't be going home hungry. The perfect fuel before a mad night out on Call Lane we think.

Brod

Great George Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Brod is a staple for those looking for a lunch in the city, famous for their stacked sandwiches for super low prices. Most sandwiches are around the £6 mark, using fresh and homemade ingredients prepped daily.

Karpaty Bakery

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Now this one really is a bargain. In the market hall of Kirkgate Market you'll find Karpaty Bakery, a wonderful Polish bakery serving traditional baked goods for under £3. They're absolutely massive and such great value for money.

Bánh and Mee

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

Another classic from the market is Bánh and Mee, a brilliant lunchtime option for those wanting hot and fresh Vietnamese food all for under a tenner.

Our favourite is the lemongrass chicken rice box or the aromatic pho that'll warm you up in an instant.

Eastern Oven

Kirkgate Market

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you hadn't gathered by now, Kirkgate Market is an absolute honeypot for cheap eats in the city centre where you'll find hundreds of dishes for under a tenner.

Another one of our favourites is Eastern Oven, a family-run stall selling fresh falafel wraps and pittas.

Meat:Stack

Bishopgate Street

Images: The Hoot Leeds

If you're looking to be a bit naughty and get stuck into a burger and chips, then Meat:Stack is the spot for you.

American smash burgers, loaded fries and thick milkshakes all for great prices. They do a lunch deal where you can get a burger for just a fiver, or you can add on chips, a dip and a drink for a total of just £10. Available Monday - Friday from 11 - 3pm, it doesn't get much better then that.

Bakery 164

164 Woodhouse Ln, Woodhouse

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Based in Headingley just opposite the Parkinson Steps, this spot is the OG of great student deals. Gourmet sandwiches, all made fresh in-house for great prices - we wouldn't be surprised if you found yourself here every day of the week.

Kefiyo

17 Ash Rd, Headingley

Image: The Hoot Leeds

If you're after a sweet treat, then look no further than Kefiyo in Headingley. Here you can get a large tub of frozen yoghurt with unlimited toppings (yes, unlimited) for just £6.49.

Dough Boys

Belgrave Music Hall

Images: The Hoot Leeds

As a student in Leeds you will no doubt find yourself in Belgrave Music Hall, but don't sleep on their food options. Dough Boys specialise in unusual flavours for their pizza, with one standout, the Queen Brie, featuring roasted grapes to complement its namesake French brie.

All the slices are under a fiver, and between 12-7pm Sunday to Thursday and 12-5pm Friday and Saturday they're all half price. Class.

Read more: 10 of the best beer gardens, rooftops and terraces in Leeds

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News

Leeds City Council confirms plans to repair historic Lower Kirkgate with work set to begin this month

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Leeds City Council has confirmed that work to stabilise buildings on Lower Kirkgate is set to begin later this month, with repairs expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.

Back in 2024, Lower Kirkgate in Leeds city centre was closed following the partial collapse of a building, leaving one of the city's oldest streets inaccessible.

Since then, the street has remained closed while plans were developed to address the structural issues affecting the buildings.

Now, almost two years after the initial incident, the council has confirmed that a contractor has been appointed to carry out the work.

The buildings are privately owned, but Leeds City Council says it will step in to carry out the stabilisation work to prevent further deterioration and protect the historic properties.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said: “We are pleased that, following months of careful planning and preparation, we are now in a position to begin stabilising these privately owned buildings.

“A contract has been awarded for the work, which is scheduled to get under way later this month and is expected to take around 20 weeks to complete.

“It should be stressed that the situation on Lower Kirkgate is not of the council's making, with the owners of the buildings allowing their condition to deteriorate over many years and then failing to take the necessary steps to address the resultant structural issues.

“By stepping in and carrying out this work itself, the council will be able to arrest the deterioration of important heritage assets on one of Leeds’s oldest streets. As always, we thank the local community for their continued patience and support.”

Further details about the work, including when the street may be able to reopen, have not yet been confirmed.

Read more: ‘This recognition belongs to you’ – Leeds restaurant added to the Michelin Guide just months after opening

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News

Canadian rock legends Nickelback announce Leeds gig on huge world arena tour

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Nickelback announce world arena tour in support of their new album - and they're coming to Leeds.

The Canadian rockers will be bringing their biggest hits as well brand-new music to arenas around the world.

Formed in Hanna, Alberta, the band made up of Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake, Mike Kroeger and Daniel Adair, have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide.

Best known for rock anthems including Rockstar, Photograph and How You Remind Me, Nickelback have built up a huge global following over the course of their career.

The upcoming tour will see the band celebrate their new album, Everything Under The Sun, and they'll be kicking off the UK leg of the tour right here in Leeds at the First Direct Bank Arena.

The tour follows their record-setting Get Rollin' world tour, and will once again take them to venues across North America, Europe, and Australia.

The group have sold nearly 65 million albums worldwide, and achieved billions of streams across digital platforms.

Their new album will be released at the end of the month on Friday 30 October, so you'll have plenty of time to get to know their new tracks before they come to Leeds on Saturday 22 May 2027.

They'll be supported on the tour by Don Broco, an English four-piece featuring Rob Damiani, Simon Delaney, Tom Doyle and Matt Donnelly. Known for their genre-defying sound and dynamic approach to modern rock.

Nickelback 2027 UK Tour Dates in full

  • 22 May - Leeds First Direct Bank Arena
  • 24 May - London The O2
  • 28 May - Birmingham Utility Arena
  • 1 June - Glasgow Ovo Hydro
  • 2 June - Manchester Co-op Live

Tickets for Nickelback at the Leeds First Direct Arena go on sale next Friday 16 October and you can get yours HERE.

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