Birmingham offers a huge choice of eateries to choose from, ranging from cheap-eat street food vendors to Michelin-star restaurants. We’ve picked out some of the city’s best and most unique culinary experiences to choose from as a new student in Birmingham. Hungry? Take a seat and peruse through some of our suggestions.

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If you’re looking for some of the best burgers in Birmingham, look no further than the street food-inspired Digbeth based, Original Patty Men. They don’t just do burgers that will awaken your tastebuds, their chicken wings (served every Wednesday) are also headline-worthy. Don’t just take our word for it – take a look at their TripAdvisor reviews, and if it’s good enough for Drake, it’s good enough for us. Also, if you’re looking for some food inspo, the O.P.M Instagram account is also a must-follow ?

Taking care of your plant-based food needs in Brum is Natural Bar & Kitchen. It offers a truly welcoming and relaxing setting for all, whether you’re an avid vegan or a vegan-curious meat eater. Alongside their tasty A La Carte menu, they offer a vegan buffet experience in which you pay by the weight of your plate. We’d recommend mixing up a traditional Britsh favourite with their Tofu ‘Fish’ & Chips special, offered for just £10.95 on Fridays. If you’re big on a hot drink with your meal, they also offer a range of plant-based latte’s that are sure to make you see coffee in a whole different way. If you want to see what others are saying, go check out the TripAdvisor reviews.

Despite Birmingham being over 6,000 miles away from Lima, you can still experience the great tastes of South America here in the city thanks to Bodega. The restaurant’s decor offers a burst of colour that reflects the unique carnival atmosphere of the countries its food is inspired by. The central city location of the restaurant is great for combining food with shopping or entertainment, while the menu offers a range of exciting combinations that you’ve probably never tried before (Mexican Cola Wings spring to mind!).

Situated just yards away from campus, Gosta Green is a great choice for an impromptu lunch or evening meal with friends. It has a great social scene, with a real student vibe. Their menu offers something for everyone at a reasonable price, constantly being updated to offer your tastebuds some new experiences. We’d recommend paying a visit on Pancake Thursdays, where you can get yourself some fluffy baked goodness for just 25p each. Yum! You’ll also never miss a sports event on TV while you’re there, with a range of live sports being shown on their HD screens. If you visit and decide you love it, why not join their fantastic loyalty points scheme and save some £££ in the long-term – you’ll even get double points on a Monday.

With a restaurant just a stone’s throw away from campus and a student discount of 30%, what’s not to love about Pizza Express. Their restaurants offer free Wi-Fi to all of their customers, so you can combine a tasty lunch with your university work without ever missing a beat. It’s not just about pizza’s, with the restaurant chain offering a range of pasta dishes, salads and desserts. They also offer a full vegan menu to take care of any of your dietary requirements.

Located at the heart of the regions famous canal network in Brindley Place, Vietnamese Street Kitchen brings the flavours of south-east Asia to Birmingham in a big way. Offering breakfast, lunch and dinner options, VSK has you covered with Bao Buns and Banh Mi, making it worth the short walk from campus. If you’re looking for some ins(pho) – why not take a look at the culinary creations they have on show on their Instagram account.

Founded in 2012, Digbeth Dining Club opens every Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Within just a year of its inception, it was voted Britains Best Street Food Event, so you’re guaranteed an award-winning experience. DDC works with some of the best food traders from across the UK, bringing the best street food under one roof. No matter what you’re tastebuds desire, DDC has you covered, with vendors selling everything from Doner Kebabs to Doughnuts. Access to this foodie experiences is super cheap too, with many events costing just £1 to enter. If you’re want to see their upcoming events and food creations, go give their Instagram account a follow.

Other notable mentions include:

• Lucky Duck Noodle Shop – Jewellery Quarter but worth the trip.
• The Stable – Great for Pizza!
• Grand Central Kitchen – Best in Birmingham for Breakfast
• The Indian Streatery – Street food meets traditional Indian cuisine
• Adams Kitchen – Not really in a typical student budget so not your everyday option, but voted 2nd best restaurant in the UK and 11th in the world by Trip Advisor in 2018. A true Birmingham gem!