As a broke university student, I rarely get to eat out so this list will be short but snappy.
The other side to being a broke university student, however, is that if you’re going to spend your money, you better get it right, so I would consider this list to be a pretty good recommendation (if I do say so myself).
This one has to go at the top of the list. Situated in Grainger Market, this bagel shop is a hidden gem and one I quite frequently splurge on.
My personal favourite is the baby ru. Pastrami, sauerkraut, swiss cheese, pickles, ru sauce, all in a bagel of your choice (pick from plain, sesame seed, everything or poppy seed).
And they don’t skimp out on the toppings. It is stuffed in there. I’m talking layers of pastrami, slices of cheese and pickles and a huge serving of sauerkraut.
There are many options to choose from however, like the breakfast which consists of bacon, egg, cheese and hot sauce or the O.G. which consists of smoked salmon, tomatoes and cream cheese, just to name a couple.
It does have to be said however that as far as bagels go, this one is a little steep. Any of the bagels with filling are £9.50 or £10 while a simple cream cheese smear is £5.50.
I love a bagel just as much as the next guy but the budget does not allow for these bagels as often as I (admittedly) buy one. So be warned: while delicious these bagels are addictive and may wreck your bank account if you get hooked.
This is definitely a fun one to do, especially if you want somewhere interesting to take friends from home. This quiet little Korean restaurant is a hidden gem situated in the, slightly terrifying, streets behind The Gate.
I took my best friend when she came to visit earlier this year and we indulged in the “Indulging Meat BBQ Set” which consisted of kimchi, spinach, rice, pan-fried dumplings and marinated beef and chicken.
And the best bit, or the bit that makes it fun at least: it’s a tabletop grilling restaurant. The waiters bring out the food for you and you get to cook the meat how you like it on the grill at your table.
Now I’m not saying that this is how I want every meal I go out for delivered to me, however the novelty of a tabletop grill restaurant is a fun one every now and then, and it doesn’t hurt that the food is delicious as well.
It’s also a definite win for the student budget as well. The platter me and my friend shared, for example, was £34.95. Split down the middle that came to an easy £17.50 each (rounding up). That’s dinner for under £20; a splurging night out without breaking the bank, if you ask me.
This is a good one to take the parents to when they come for a visit. Olive & Bean is a cafe/lunch spot in the centre of town that basically serves anything you can think of in bread.
In spite of its city centre location, the interior is quaint, with wooden tables and chairs, drinks served in mason jars and tea pots, and decadent cakes displayed at the counter.
The lunch menu is definitely what I would recommend most. It includes salads, soups, wraps and a variety of sandwiches including ciabattas, sourdough, baguettes, paninis and open sandwiches. Everything is served with crisps and side salad or coleslaw and priced below £15.
A definite friend to the student budget. And if you’re feeling sweet, they always have a variety of cakes at the counter which you can buy to eat in or take away.
There was no way I could make a list of my favourite food spots in Newcastle and not include my day one kebab shop: Shawarma House. I discovered this kebab shop early in my 1st year of university and quickly developed a brief but powerful addiction.
Nowadays I’ve learnt to control my impulses a little better but the love does remain and I am known to frequent the shop every now and then.
Who can blame me though? It’s £4.50 for a medium wrap which can consist of doner meat, chicken, both, or even halloumi. You then pick all the extra fillings you want, selecting from options of lettuce, peppers and onions, hummus, jalapenos and pickled cabbage as well as a plethora of sauces.
What’s not to love?
Of course, I had to include a testament to my beloved Tynemouth in this list and what better way than to give a shout out to some of the best fish and chips about. Admittedly, this is not my favourite fish and chip shop of all time (that title obviously has to go Murgatroyds in Leeds) but it is definitely up there.
At approximately £10 per meal this is definitely the most student friendly price point for fish and chips in Tynemouth and shouldn’t break the bank (as long as you don’t frequent it too much), but since a trip to Tynemouth in itself is an occasional treat, a meal from Marshalls shouldn’t catch too many people out.
Everything about their fish and chips is light and fluffy, always piping hot and (very importantly to me) the fish is never covered in skin. And come one, just look at this view you can enjoy it from:
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