My student guide to eating out in Huddersfield on a budget

James Gaughan

Software Engineering

I’m James a final-year Software Engineering student from Brighouse. I love listening to music with hip-hop being my favourite genre. In my spare time, I create digital art and play the keyboard.

There are lots of places to eat in Huddersfield and what’s the main disadvantage of choices? Decisions! That’s why this guide will help you to decide where to eat in Huddersfield. This town has such a variety of places to eat, from small chicken shops to the big names, so where should you go?

Best places on a budget

Now, one common fact about us students is that we don’t have cash to splash so where can you go without breaking the bank? One place I recommend is Chicken Express located in town by the bus station. It’s a great place if you want something quick or a nice cheap meal.

Personally, I love the £1.50 cheeseburgers or you can buy a full meal with a can of pop and chips for £3.50. When I’m in a rush and I don’t have time to sit down for a meal I love grabbing a cheeseburger. Doing this is great as I can be eating it as I walk through town on my way to my next location. If burgers aren’t for you that is more than fine because as the takeaway’s title suggests this place serves chicken and lots of it. You can get yourself some hot wings for £2 or a chicken fillet burger for £1.50 all with full meal options.

My absolute favourite

This second place is somewhere we can all appreciate as Brits and my personal favourite spot in Huddersfield, and that is Olde England Fisheries. Who doesn’t love a good traditional fish and chips? Don’t answer that, I can’t hear you as I type this article.

This local chippy does great food for a budget-friendly price. Fish and chips will cost you £4.50 with this being worth the price as the fish is well cooked and battered. The meal is accompanied by plenty of chips to fill you up with the option of salt and vinegar to add flavour. I’m a big fan of their sausage and chips, costing £3.50. You get a nice battered (or non-battered) sausage and as for me I always go battered!

Fish and chip takeaway Olde England Fisheries based on New Street Huddersfield

Olde England Fisheries on New Street Huddersfield is a Huddersfield staple!

A classic Sunday roast

In terms of places further away from Huddersfield town, I wholeheartedly recommend Toby Carvery as this is a great place to go with friends and family. It’s only a 20 – 30 minute bus ride and a 10 – 15 minute drive. I’ve personally been here plenty of times with my own family and we’ve loved it. Despite the name, you can get more than a carvery as they also do wraps and sandwiches, but I usually go for the carvery every time as they offer a great choice of meat like chicken, pork, and gammon along with veggies like carrots, sprout and broccoli. There’s plenty of choices to assemble the perfect roast dinner. This is the 'premium' option in the budget category as the carvery meal is £8.99 plus drinks on top of it but it’s a great option for an occasion or if the family is visiting.

Google maps on screen photo with directions to Huddersfield Toby Carvery

Honourable mentions

Nearing the end of my guide, here are some fantastic student-friendly places that I haven’t mentioned yet so far.

Firstly Kebabish, this is a takeaway place with plenty of variety with a great indoor atmosphere to go with it. The choice is amazing with spicy curries, classic burgers, flavourful donner kebabs and more, these guys have it all. For a place with plenty of meat options, there are also quite a few vegetarian options. They have mushroom masala or their aloo palak which has potatoes cooked with spinach along with herbs with a medium-level spice. Personally, I like to go for their mixed donner kebab. I love their crumbly lamb and that explosive taste contained in naan bread and served with salad, chicken and chilli sauce is a yes from me.

Last and certainly not least is Café Society. This is a great café that has a lovely peaceful atmosphere where you can drink a cappuccino as the sun shines through the big windows. But since this is a food guide let’s talk about the food menu. Café Society is a great little place to eat when you want to have lunch. The breakfast sandwich roll wins my praises with fresh tomato and mushrooms. Along with filling sausage, and mouth-watering bacon you can’t go wrong with this wonderful combination.

If you're visiting for lunch, the café has you covered. There are filling jacket potatoes that come with salad garnish and a variety of toppings. They also serve sandwiches and toasties with different fillings like tuna mayo, cheese, and others. In terms of vegetarian options, they have their fresh salad that comes with plenty of greens or maybe an egg and paprika mayo in your sandwich or toastie.

Cafe Society, Huddersfield a 1800s building converted to host a ground floor cafe

Café Society is a short four minute walk from campus and is right next to Huddersfield Library and the Piazza shopping centre.

I hope this guide has been a good help to those looking to chow down while studying in Huddersfield. I’ve been around Huddersfield feasting on its budget food offerings for a few years, so I have had plenty of experience with the best-value the town has to offer. Good luck and bon appétit!

Get more info on cost of living while at Huddersfield.