Find a university campus with plenty of food action

Yes, you *should* choose your uni based on the course you want to do. But we all know that after a study session, you’ll fancy some extra-salty chicken wings. Or the world’s stickiest Belgian bun. Or maybe an all-you-can-eat Indian buffet 😍

So, when choosing a uni, which ranks best for food and drink options across the nation?

It’s a question few have answered.

We’ve looked up every major British uni and *ranked them based on the volume of best-rated and best value-for-money restaurants and bars 1 km from each university campus. We’re talking about places with a TripAdvisor rating of at least 4/5 that aren’t far from the main university campus.

There are over 160 unis in the UK. We’ve shortlisted the top 10 for great uni food.

So, which comes out on top as the foodie university of the UK?

Read to the end to find out.

The University of Manchester | 9.2 rating

Source: Canto Manchester

The University of Manchester appeals to many of those seeking a world-class uni. And one of its two university campuses holds the UK’s third-biggest academic library.

Meanwhile, if you love sports, there are 46 on-campus sports facilities and another 43 off-campus.

The city

What’s not to love about Manchester? It boasts countless live music venues. One of the UK’s biggest Chinatowns. The famous Gay Village. The Trafford Centre. Man U and Man City. The list goes on…

Top five local restaurant types

• Bar: try The Blues Kitchen to pair all your fave drinks with a meal from their American grill menu. They do burgers, cornbread, buffalo wings, ribs, and fries.
• Asian: try Tampopo, a small string of restaurants bringing Thai, Vietnamese, Malaysian, Indonesian, and Japanese street food to Manchester. Yum.
• British: try Annies, a bar and grill that also does sandwiches, cakes, and a post-hangover Full English. A top-tier option for every scenario.
• European: try Italiana Fifty Five for a pasta and pizza overload.
• Mediterranean: try Canto, a tipsy tapas bar with great-value lunch deals and small plates galore.

Source: Tampopo Manchester

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data shows that Manchester’s pubs and bars are ️‍🔥across the board. They rank especially well for their great atmosphere.

The University of Stirling | 9.3 rating

Source: HBW Coffee

Scotland’s University of Stirling welcomes students from over 120 countries. That’s one diverse crowd, and they study a vast range of 220+ courses at the university campus.

Love sports? The uni runs over 120 athletic clubs and societies. More of an arts fan? Their Macrobert Arts Centre hosts hundreds of live performances.

The city

If you want that quaint city vibe but don’t want to miss out on buzzing nights out, Stirling has the best of both. You’ll find historical streets. Summer-evening beer gardens. Vibrant uni nightlife. Heritage trails. Arts venues. Something for everyone!

Top five local restaurant types

• British: try The Birds and Bees, an award-winning restaurant offering pub-classic brunches, lunches, and dinners. Real ales on tap.
• Bar: try Oscar’s Wine Bar in the Arcade for classic cocktails, tasty cheese boards and seasonal event experiences, including wreath making workshops and boozical brunches
• Cafe: try HBW Coffee for specialty coffee and scran, including pancake stacks and freshly made bakes. The homemade biscoff donuts are famous for a reason.
• Indian: try Green Gates for award-winning authentic curries and Indian street food. They have a buffet too 👀
• European: opened earlier this year, Mimi’s is the hottest new spot in Stirling. We’re talking pancake tacos, delicious cocktails, Insta-worthy decor and even, paint-and-sip parties

Source: Mimi’s Stirling

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data shows that Stirling is consistently popular for its well-loved pubs, bars, and restaurants. It’s hard to find a bad one.

Falmouth University | 9.4 rating

Source: Hooked On The Rocks

Popular for its creative degrees, the University of Falmouth is perfect for artsy types. Especially as the uni holds open workshops in its industry-standard facilities. These workshops take place conveniently near various food outlets in one of the two university campuses. Post-workshop snack, anyone?

The town

Who could say no to this Cornish seaside town? Post-lecture sausage and chips on the beach? Yes, please! Then there’s festivals. Of all kinds – music, film, literature, and food. Cinema, comedy, and theatre. Sports clubs. It’s no wonder Falmouth is widely considered one of the best British places to live.

Top five local restaurant types

• Caribbean: try Cribbs for freshly made cocktails and Caribbean dishes with a British twist. It's popular for its ‘patty and juice can’ lunchtime deals and fresh-catch shellfish curry.
• Bar: try the Taproom at Verdant Brewing Co. for great craft beers and pizza. Check out the pop-up record shop, comedy and games nights, and DJ events too.
• Cafe: try Situ, an eco-conscious espresso house serving up Gujarati dishes with Ugandan influences.
• Seafood: try Hooked on the Rocks, for a treat-yourself night overlooking Swanpool beach.
• Asian: try Bango Kitchen for sushi and Japanese quick bites. This Pan-Asian kitchen is popular for its bao, ramen, and katsu curry.

Source: Situ

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data shows that Falmouth is one of the best places for restaurants offering amazing value for money.

Edinburgh Napier University | 9.5 rating

Source: Locanda Di Gusti

Edinburgh Napier’s lecturers aren’t just expert teachers. Oh no. They have industry pals – perfect for hooking you up with career contacts. There’s also a library at all three university campuses. So no lugging heavy books between them!

The city

Edinburgh offers everything you could want as a student. Buzzing uni nightlife. The infamous Edinburgh festivals. Art galleries and theatres. Beaches, sailing, and rock climbing. You don’t have to follow the cobbled streets far to find your next experience.

Top five local restaurant types

• Italian: try Locanda De Gusti for Southern Italian classics. It’s just a 10 minute drive to enjoy a hearty meal at a family-run joint!
• European: try The Three Birds for healthy but tasty European lunches and dinners. They have a great plates-for-two deal and are a short walk from the Merchiston campus.
• Pub: try The Athletic Arms (or ‘Diggers’) if you love whisky. You’ll find over 450 here, and it’s only a 20-minute walk from the Merchiston campus. Pair your bev with one of their award-winning butcher pies.
• Chinese: try Taste Good, a popular oriental restaurant for dining in and takeaway. It’s a 30 minute walk from the Craiglockhart campus.
• Mediterranean: try Taxidi for authentic Greek food (yes, including moussaka). Another great option within a short walk of the Merchiston campus.

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data brings Edinburgh out on top for average ratings across its restaurants and their atmosphere.

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh | 9.5 rating

Source: Sofia’s Lounge

A second Edinburgh option, Heriot-Watt University specialises in STEM subjects, business, and design and textiles. And though Edinburgh’s a top-it-all city to go to uni, you can potentially study abroad at its Dubai and Malaysia university campuses too.

Top five local restaurant types

• Italian: try Osteria Dei Sapori, an upmarket Italian restaurant for a boujee evening.
• Lebanese: try Sofia’s Lounge for an authentic taste of Lebanese street food. An 11 minute uber away, this spot is perfect for Mediterranean small plates and cocktails.
• Bar: try The Bridge Inn to enjoy drinks and dinner overlooking the Union Canal. The seasonal menu often has something new to offer, and they grow a lot of their own produce.
• Asian: try The Prahna Indian Grill for a range of Asian and Indian meals, often with entertainment too. Bold floral displays make this one extra-’grammable. And it’s only 11 minutes away by car/uber. Or 17 minutes by bike if you want to pedal off those calories.
• Greek: try Fava, a veggie-friendly restaurant whipping up feta, pitta, and other authentic Greek dishes. It’s another TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner, and it’s just 16 minutes away by car/taxi.

Source: The Bridge Inn

Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh | 9.5 rating

Source: 3 Blind Mice

Yep, Edinburgh again. On the outskirts of the city, Queen Margaret University specialises in business, creative, health, education, and social sciences courses.

Top five local restaurant types

• British: try The Sheep Heid Inn to choose from numerous traditional meals and sharing platters in this cosy pub. It’s an 11-minute drive/taxi or 21-minute cycle away.
• European: try 3 Blind Mice for an outstanding Italian pizza with wine and cocktails .It’s a 19-minute drive/taxi ride away or 22 minutes on the train.
• Bar: try Maggie’s for all your fave bevs but also breakfasts, afternoon snacks, and desserts. You won’t have far to go – it’s on the university campus.
• Asian: try Zest, a modern Bangladeshi restaurant with plenty of spicy options. It’s 21 minutes away by car/taxi.
• Mediterranean: try Dal Patino, a friendly, family-run restaurant known for its charcuterie boards, tagliatelle, and seafood. It’s just over a half-hour walk or a 10-min drive!

The University of Edinburgh | 9.5 rating

Source: Indigo Yard

Taking up 4 of the 10 spots in this list, Edinburgh is the place to be, clearly. And the University of Edinburgh is an especially good choice as one of the top five unis in the UK. Students from 156 countries attend the Russell Group uni. They’re a diverse bunch who host over 400 societies and volunteering groups across the five university campuses.

Top five local restaurant types

• European: try Indigo Yard, an Edinburgh West End institution for delicious cocktails, weekday dine out deals and a stunning outdoor terrace for the warmer eves
• Bar: try The Three Sisters to enjoy a cheeky drink paired with street food from one of its local vendors. This world-famous pub serves up raclette potatoes and yorkshire pudding tacos!
• Cafe: try Salt Café for the brunch of dreams, including ‘boujee toasts’ and luxury specialty drinks such as freshly-made iced strawberry matcha lattes
• French: try Chez Jules if you fancy rustic French cuisine at great value. At this legendary restaurant, favourites include its french onion soup and steak frites.
• Indian: try The Pakora Bar for the ultimate post-night out snack. Fitted with a DJ deck to keep the vibes going, this legendary spot serves the best gluten-free pakora in town.

Source: Salt Café

Royal Holloway, Egham | 9.8 rating

Royal Holloway is a top choice for those wanting to study creative writing or music. And the 24-hour library at one of its two university campuses is perfect for finding your artistic muse. Book lovers will also be pleased to know that students get access to all libraries within the University of London.

The town

This uni is nestled in the peaceful Surrey countryside. Virginia Water Lake and Windsor Great Park are on the doorstep. What more could creatives ask for? But when you need to get into the hustle and bustle of city life, central London is only a 40-minute train ride away.

That’s not to say you won’t find everything you need on the university campus, though. Especially when it comes to food and drink. This uni has 10 cafes, dining halls, and bars on campus – including alcohol-free venues.

Top five local restaurant types

• Pub: try The Barley Mow, a modern gastropub with cheese fondue and Sunday roasts. It’s also dog-friendly, so the perfect spot for spotting pups.
• Bar: try The Happy Man, a traditional pub with all your staple bevs and meals. It’s old-school, with a jukebox and darts.
• European: try The Lounges, a community-led restaurant and bar, which offers themed weeknights including Tapas Tuesday for discounted tasty tapas and ‘Teatime Tipples’
• Persian: try Polow for a wide range of flavourful Persian dishes, including charcoal-grilled kebabs and hearty stews. Perfect for the winter nights!
• European: try Bar 163, which is known for its Belgian-inspired beer garden on warm evenings.

Source: The Lounges

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data shows that the quality of food is particularly hot in Egham.

Solent University, Southampton | 9.9 rating

Source: 7bone Southampton

Many students choose Solent University for its excellent creative, maritime, engineering, business, law, computing, sport, health, and social sciences courses. Phew…that’s quite a list. With so many people picking this uni, the student community represents over 100 nationalities.

The city

Southampton might be on the coast, but don’t confuse it with a quiet seaside town. Far from it. This city is buzzing with indie venues and clubs, the South Coast’s biggest theatre, and a championship football team. The food is also unbeatable. Both of our top two foodie unis – it’s a tie – are in this city.

Top five local restaurant types

• Cafe: try Cafe Thrive for totally vegan breakfast options, including meze bowls and specialty shakes. The specials menu is always changing, so there’s always something new to try.
• Bar: try Funky Flamingo for a few bevs and Italian-inspired dishes. Its rooftop bar and garden seals the deal, making this a great spot for a night out.
• Italian: try Ocean Grill to enjoy a classic Italian meal on the Ocean Village Waterfront Marina. They do wine and cocktails too – perfect for lunch or dinner.
• American: try 7bone for the ultimate burger and beer night... Add your fave sides (chicken fried halloumi fries?) and prepare to induce a food coma.
• Asian: try Tap & Tandoor, an award-winning gastropub that specialises in international foods, craft beer, and cocktails. There are plenty of Asian and Indian curries and grills to choose from.

Source: Funky Flamingo

Why the uni food scene scores so well: Our data shows that Southampton’s restaurants come out on top when it comes to value for money, quality of food, and service.

Source: Mango Thai

The University of Southampton | 9.9 rating

Our joint top-place foodie uni, the University of Southampton, is amazing for hands-on learning across seven university campuses.

Students can study abroad, spend a year in employment, and try out a variety of placements and internships at this Russell Group uni. Depending on your course, you can expect to immerse yourself in field trips, group projects, excavations, and lab sessions.

Whichever course you choose, you can also expect to immerse yourself in some of the UK’s best food.

Top five local restaurant types

• Thai: try Mango Thai for an evening of traditional thai dishes and quirky cocktails. Its Lunch For Less deal is a no-brainer for a thai curry and rice & tipple for £15
• Bar: try The Mitre for a fantastic range of drinks and maybe a pub classic or grill meal too. The sports bar streams plenty of live matches, and they have pool tables.
• Italian: try Popsi’s if you fancy a handcrafted, stone-fired pizza like no other. It’s the number-one pizza place in Southampton according to TripAdvisor.
• British: try Piecaramba, an award-winning, gluten-free pie shop. Offering a variety of pies with mash, peas and beans, they even have a Piescraper Food Challenge if you dare.
• Asian Fusion: try Kwackers Kitchen and Sports Bar to chill while snacking on Asian street food. They do craft beers and cocktails too. And if you love sports, you won’t be stuck for a view.

Source: Kwackers

We have restaurant discounts for you no matter your university spot

Whichever university you study at, we’ll cover your food and drink discounts. Our money-off codes apply to some of the most popular restaurant chains, including Franco Manca, Las Iguanas, TGI Friday’s, Shake Shack and Bill’s. (Why not visit your friends’ university campuses too?)

If you choose one of these top 10 foodie unis, be sure to try out our restaurant recommendations. They could become a staple to your survival as a Fresher 😉

Methodology

*This research covers institutions with a main university campus that had over 5,000 students in 2020/21 according to HESA. Universities are scored based on restaurants and bars within 1 km of the main university campus. Restaurant/venue data came from TripAdvisor in August 2024. Rankings are based on the average review score of all venues in the restaurants’ category, the 'value' of all venues in the restaurants’ category, and all venues tagged as 'bar'. Using this data, the average for each university was given a score based on a percentile rank.