Bournemouth can be a great place for cheap eats if you know the right places to look, in this living crisis and being students we can all appreciate a nice, cheap meal and living in Bournemouth for a few years as a student here I have been able to compile a list of my favourite cafes and restaurants in the Bournemouth area.
Cafes:

Possibly the smallest shop in Bournemouth is Lord Sandwich, a tiny café tucked away in the centre of town offering up great lunch time deals. Although small their menu is vast, prices are around £3.70 so instead of a meal deal this café could be a great option for lunch.

Pause cat café is one of the most unique cafes in Bournemouth as it provides a sanctuary for 11 rescued cats, their main focus being on giving these cats a safe and happy home, so rest assured the café is a great place to support by visiting. Not only providing a safe space for cats but as is their name it is a café where you can ‘pause’ and relax, this is a great space to visit as a student to de-stress as well as providing student friendly prices. The café has the ethos of “kind eating” focusing on plant based food which is great for vegetarians, vegans and anyone that appreciates kind eating, some examples of the food options are Sandwiches, Jacket Potatoes and salads for £6.75 and fun cat themed drinks for under £3.90 and so is a great option to visit.

Flirt Café is another great café in Bournemouth, a family run business in the centre of town you won’t have to go far to visit and get some great food and drinks. They provide delicious breakfast and lunch menu options for affordable prices, with favourites such as avocado toast for £4.95, pancakes from £4.50 and sandwiches from £5.95, serving up a great breakfast and lunch menus perfect for after a night out. Its dog friendly so has the added perk of dog watching and 10% discount for students.

Espresso kitchen is a quaint coffee shop, although it has a small menu it has great prices and is worth a visit if you appreciate good coffee and quirky décor. With cappuccino’s for £3, cortado’s for £2.50 and salad bowls for £5 its one of the best priced coffee shops in the centre of Bournemouth.

Kumpi offers up another great lunch option for students on a budget, with their lunch deal being £5.95 for a “next level baked potato”. They have a variety of toppings such as falafel, BBQ chicken, Halloumi and chorizo on top of their classic cheesy potatoes and give many vegetarian, vegan and halal options to suit everyone and with 20% student discount its even better prices for students!

Restaurants:

The Coconut Tree on Christchurch road is another central restaurant with great, cheap options for students on a budget. A Sri Lankan street food restaurant, they provide great dishes such as pineapple curry, kotthu (street food made of chopped rotti, veggies and/or meat) and wings and is a great option for both meat eaters and veggies alike. With prices for main meals being as little as £4 this is a great restaurant for an affordable introduction to Sri Lankan food.

Dylan’s Kitchen and Bar may be overlooked as just a bar but they provide great food as well at a good price. It’s the on campus student bar but they provide great options for food for a affordable price, a great place to grab a bite to eat and drink after a hard day at Uni, there is plenty of events on like the Monday night quiz that you can join for entertainment whilst you eat. They have a great American style menu with plenty of classics such as nachos, wings, pizzas and burgers with student prices and a great drinks selection.

Noodle bar is a another classic student restaurant, known for its large portions this is a great option for hungry students. Round the corner from most of the student accommodation you won’t have to walk far to enjoy food here, with the Chinese style menu it’s the perfect food for students with a takeaway craving.

Finally if you are looking for a affordable roast, The Four HorseMen serve up a £8 Roast from 12 every Sunday, with options of Gammon, Turkey, Beef and Veggie Sausages, it suits any hungry students needing a comforting, hearty meal.

Hope this was helpful and you enjoy your food adventures around Bournemouth!

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