Student friendly places to eat in Huddersfield
Grace Lewington
Sociology BSc(Hons) - Third Year
Hey there guys! My name is Grace Lewington and I am a 3rd Year, Sociology Student. My favourite thing about university is meeting new people every day and learning more about the world and the different societies within it.
I’m not fussed where we go, you decide, but not anywhere expensive - I’m on a budget!
Hi everyone, my name's Grace and I am a third-year student who is here to tell you about the more affordable places to go out and eat in Huddersfield. I am a relatively picky eater, so dining out for me hasn’t always been the easiest thing but, as time has gone on, I have branched out to the places in Huddersfield I NEVER thought I would be able to go to or afford! So, let’s get started…
Let’s be real, times are tough when it comes to finances at the moment. Some people are in better boats than others and some of us are struggling to enjoy the social side of university because our loan doesn’t go further than our rent…and even then, we are still adding money out of our own pockets to the rent. However, I bring good news! Huddersfield isn’t stupidly expensive like most towns, it's affordable and you just need to know where to look.
Now, most people leave their favourite place till last but why on earth would I do that!
Arcade Café is without a doubt my favourite place to eat in Huddersfield, it's more of a daytime eating café, and it fits perfectly with the university breaks between lectures. The food is delicious, the staff are wonderful, and the vibe is relaxing and quiet. It's a place that once you've been, you won't be able to stay away.
Arcade is located in the town centre in the Byram Arcade. It's the most expensive restaurant I will mention today but the food is worth every penny. The cafe offers gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian food and it also runs different pop-up events such as a queer bookshop and a vintage shop. They also offer a discount if you order the food to takeaway!
Everything is delicious and they're happy to adjust the food if necessary. As a picky eater, I usually struggle with trendy cafes, but this has options for everyone, and I always go for the halloumi version of the burger they offer. Their menu changes for the time of year but, it's never not amazing! It’s also great for an Instagram photo.
The second place I love to go, especially with my friends during the daytime at university is the Northern Tea House, which is one of the first cafes on your left, as you cross over the road from our university campus to the town centre.
The Northern Tea House is affordable and has such a warm atmosphere, it's a great place to go for a chat and a much-needed cup of tea.
My favourite thing must be the pancakes, without a doubt! The nachos are also amazing! The food is so filling and often when I go it only ends up costing me £12.00 for food and a cuppa tea, which is a good bargain if you want to leave with a full stomach.
The staff are so chatty and smiley, and the venue is always full of people because it's just that popular, so make sure you go a little before the typical lunchtime rush!
If you feel like you need to relax during or after a stressful morning, this is where you should go. I always feel like I can walk back to uni and get on with the thing I was stressed with. It’s also a great place to go and bond with your friends, or even hang out with partners.
Onto the place my boyfriend and I always seem to go back to, it has a family-friendly vibe and is very lively and always bustling with people, it took a few weeks to get a reservation but, Grappolos in Lockwood is our go-to Italian.
The food is delicious, but the prices make it even better. You can get public transport directly there from Huddersfield Town.
My boyfriend and I always try to get something different on the menu each time, but we always go for the mozzarella and rice balls for starters, they are to die for! We usually pay around £25 each when we go…but that is for 3 very large courses and a drink each!
If you want to go to an Italian that is authentically Italian and not a typical food chain restaurant, Grappolos is the one. The atmosphere makes you feel so alive and happy, so if you like lively environments, Grappolos is always a good place to head to.
I just have a couple of things I want you guys to know before I finish this blog...
Firstly, don’t ever feel you need to go out every time someone invites you. Yes, it can be horrid sitting indoors knowing people are out without you, but if you cannot afford it don’t do the irresponsible thing and put yourself in a situation where you are desperate for money to feed yourself for the rest of the term. It just isn’t worth it.
Secondly, to the people that always get invited out but never go, typically due to not being the most social or never have experienced the social side of school before (I am one of these people you are not alone, don’t worry), make sure you don’t pass up on every opportunity you get offered. You deserve to enjoy yourself as much as everyone else!
Finally, if you really can’t afford it, don’t worry! A lot of students are open to having nights in and hosting their own dinner parties! This is a great opportunity to improve your cooking, baking and social skills.
I hope to see you guys in my favourite places!
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