Best cheap eats for foodies in York
If you’re a student in York looking for good food, or you just love a bargain, we’ve got you covered. We’ve curated a list of the most delicious cheap eats in York, so you can eat well without breaking the bank.
Whether you’re after a quick lunch, a casual meal with friends or a tasty midweek treat, York has plenty of affordable options to choose from.
Here are our top picks, perfect for foodies looking for great value without compromising on flavour.
Best student-friendly deals in York for foodies
SORA Afternoon Tea
If you’re looking for something a little more indulgent without breaking the bank, our SORA afternoon tea offer is well worth checking out. Set in the heart of York, SORA is a stylish spot to enjoy an afternoon tea with a Japanese-inspired twist.
Expect a selection of sweet and savoury treats alongside your tea, making it a lovely option for a relaxed catch-up, special occasion or simply an excuse to treat yourself while keeping an eye on the pennies. With our Yorkshire Food Guide offer, you can enjoy the experience for 22% off.
Where? Malmaison York 2 Rougier Street, York, YO90 1UU
Middletons Afternoon Tea
For a classic afternoon tea in the heart of York, our Middletons afternoon tea offer is another great-value option. Set within a beautiful historic building, Middletons provides the perfect setting for an afternoon of finger sandwiches, sweet treats and plenty of tea.
It’s a great alternative to a traditional lunch if you’re looking to make your money go a little further while still enjoying a proper York dining experience — and our exclusive offer makes it even easier to enjoy.
Where? Cromwell Road, York, YO1 6DU
£29.95 – Sunday lunch with champagne at Hotel du Vin – Save 29%
Grade II listed Hotel du Vin is offering a Sunday Lunch like no other. If you’re looking for a taste of home and comfort, look no further, as this is one of our firm favourites for a roast.
Located just a 10-minute walk from the train station, this is the perfect place to bring your visitors from home, for a celebration or an occasion.
Our exclusive restaurant voucher will save you a student-friendly 29% on a Sunday lunch with Champagne at this stunning York venue.
Where? 89 The Mount, York YO24 1AX
£32 – Fat Badger restaurant voucher – Save 20%
The Fat Badger is an iconic North Yorkshire venue, serving real ales and proper pub food.
If you’re looking for a midweek pint or some respite from cooking, you can save 20% off food Monday through to Thursday with our exclusive voucher.
With one of the best beer gardens in York, the Fat Badger is one you don’t want to miss in your time here, and one of our best student-friendly deals.
Where? 2-4 High Petergate, York YO1 7EH
Love Cheese York
If cheese is your idea of the perfect comfort food, Love Cheese York is an obvious choice for cheap eats. You can grab any toastie from the regular menu plus a soft drink or coffee for just £10 per person.
With plenty of cheesy fillings to choose from, it’s an easy way to have a satisfying lunch without spending a fortune.
Where? 16 Gillygate, York, YO31 7EQ
Zibby’s
For a quick and affordable lunch in York, head to Zibby’s, where sandwiches start from just £6. It’s the sort of place to have in mind when you need something delicious on the go, whether you’re sightseeing around the city centre or a student rushing to your next lecture.
Where? 2 Monkgate, York, YO31 7PE
Little Italy York
For a taste of Italy without an Italian-sized bill, Little Italy York has a particularly tempting lunch deal. The £9.95 Deli Meal Deal includes a freshly made panino, a soft drink and a cannoli, giving you a complete lunch for less than a tenner.
It’s a great shout when you want something quick, filling and a little more exciting than your standard sandwich.
Where? 12 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LQ
Salt Pig
For a seriously satisfying sandwich without a seriously hefty price tag, Salt Pig is well worth a visit. Sandwiches start from just £5 for a small, while large sandwiches start from £7, making this a great-value option for a quick and filling York lunch.
Whether you’re after something light or a more substantial sandwich to see you through the afternoon, Salt Pig offers plenty of bang for your buck.
Where? 39 Fossgate, York, YO1 9TF
Spark
If you’re looking for cheap eats with a bit more variety, Spark is a brilliant option. The food hall’s budget-friendly deals run every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 12pm to 9pm, with a selection of street food dishes available for under £7.
That includes options such as onion bhajis from Sarras for £6 and corn ribs from Clucking Oinks for £5. With several food vendors under one roof, it’s also a great choice if you’re eating with a group and everyone fancies something different.
Where? 17-21 Piccadilly, York, YO1 9PB
Shambles Kitchen
Right in the heart of one of York’s most famous streets, Shambles Kitchen is a handy spot for an cheap eats while you’re exploring the city. With sandwiches and other quick bites on the menu, it’s ideal when you want something tasty and filling without committing to a sit-down meal.
Its central location makes it an especially convenient choice for a budget-friendly pit stop during a day of sightseeing.
Where? 28 Shambles, York, YO1 7LX
Zaap Thai Street Food York
When a sandwich simply won’t cut it, Zaap Thai Street Food York is a great option for a more substantial meal that still feels relatively affordable. Located on Lendal, this vibrant restaurant serves up Thai street food packed with flavour, making it a good choice when you’re after something hearty rather than a quick snack.
Expect bold flavours and generous dishes inspired by the bustling street food scene of Thailand.
Where? 7 Lendal, York, YO1 8AQ
Pranzo
You don’t necessarily have to stick to sandwiches and street food to eat well on a budget in York. At Pranzo, weekday lunch offers two courses for £19 or three courses for £23, while the evening menu is £22 for two courses or £26 for three.
It’s a great option for those occasions when you want to sit down and enjoy a proper restaurant meal without the price creeping too high, particularly if you take advantage of the weekday lunch deal.
Where? 15-17 Church Street, York, YO1 8BE
Fat Hippo
For burger fans, Fat Hippo has a the perfect cheap eats deal that makes an indulgent meal a little easier on the wallet. Its Tray Deal is available Monday to Friday from 5pm to 6pm, starting from £20, giving you the chance to enjoy one of its famously loaded burger meals for less.
With indulgent burgers, loaded fries and plenty of comfort-food favourites to choose from, it’s a great early-evening option when you’re looking for something filling and fun without spending a fortune. Just make sure you get there during the deal window to take advantage of the saving.
Where? 52 Low Petergate, York, YO1 7HZ
If you’re looking for more places to enjoy a drink alongside the scenery of the walled city, we’ve handpicked a list of the best pubs in York.
The Cookery School at The Grand York
The Grand, Station Rise, York YO1 6GD- Offering a tempting selection of 43 classes
- Within the 5-Star Grand Hotel in York
- Save up to 15% off
Silversmiths Two Course Sunday Lunch
111 Arundel St, Sheffield S1 2NT- Renowned as one of Sheffield’s best restaurants
- Utilising local suppliers to capture a true taste of Yorkshire
- SAVE up to 29% off
Sunday Lunch with Wine at Swinton Park Hotel
Swinton Park Hotel, Ripon HG4 4JH- Featured on the BBC’s Amazing Hotels series
- 2 or 3-course Sunday lunch with a glass of wine
- SAVE up to 20% off
Silversmiths Bottomless Brunch Sheffield
Silversmiths, Sheffield S1 2NT- Popular Sheffield city centre restaurant
- Forget plain old avo-on-toast; expect Dressed Crab Benedict, Chicken & Waffles and Turkish Eggs.
- SAVE 11% off
Written by
10/09/2026