6th November 2023
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As students, sometimes the endless cans of baked beans or Tesco meal deals can get awfully repetitive. Sometimes all we need is a meal that hasn’t been prepared in a place where pres took place the night prior. therefore, restaurants seems to be the logical answer to our hungry woes. Of course, there are many different facets to what makes restaurants ‘good’, especially when it comes to students.
Firstly, we obviously want the restaurant to serve good food, that does not necessarily mean Michelin quality, I highly doubt any student is willing to go into their overdraft to try out Manifest in the Baltic Triangle, for instance. So, we also want affordability as well as good, filling food. This list has something for everyone, from the students with mysterious sources of income that can afford a candlelit dinner, to the students who don’t want to go any deeper into the ever-present hole that is their overdraft.
Number 5 Honest Burgers
Honest Burgers is no surprise a burger restaurant, located in the centre of Bold Street. The restaurant seems to always be busy and has a good, friendly atmosphere without feeling overly familiar. The menu allows you to choose between smash patties burgers or regular burgers, then choosing the accompaniments to adorn your burger. There are also a number of chicken burger options for the red meat sceptics, and one vegetarian and one vegan option. The options for plant-based students are not the best I’ll admit, however my own culinary bias has got in the way of that fact due to the fact that they allow 20% off for students, much to my gleeful surprise when I visited recently. Overall this burger joint feels good quality without feeling pretentious, yet is a bit of a niche for all students hence it’s place on the list.
Number 4 Maray
With multiple locations, one on Bold Street and one on the Albert Docks, Maray Is a middle-eastern inspired restaurant with a modern and trendy interior. This place is well loved in Liverpool for it’s wide range of plant based options, featuring a separate vegan menu as well as it’s regular one. Do not stress however as there is also a variety of meat options as well. The food is arranged in a mezze style, meaning that you would need a few plates of food rather than just getting one, however this works perfectly for groups and does not mean that you will spend a fortune. There is also a lunch menu operating 12-4PM Monday to Friday that allows you to have the same mezze experience for a cheaper price. Overall, this restaurant is something different, with food for all different pallets at not too steep of a price.
Number 3 Rudy’s
I am almost positive everyone will have heard or been to a Rudy’s in their lifetime. There are three across the city, one at the top of Bold Street, one on the Albert Dock and one on Castle Street. For those who do not know, it is a Neapolitan pizza restaurant, featuring an extensive menu with all different types of toppings and a very good drinks list. I am an emphatic fan of pizza so perhaps I am biased as the vegetarian and vegan alternatives are not the best compared to Maray. However, it is always consistently tasty and inexpensive, which is what us students want more than anything.
Number 2 Buyer’s Club
If I am completely transparent, this restaurant would be first on my list if it was a little cheaper. Buyers Club, located on Hardman Street has been a favourite of mine since I started University in 2024, it is an Italian again but it is completely different to Rudy’s. You walk through an unexpecting alleyway to get there and are greeted by a sea of orange benches, hanging lights and a vast number of plants, it almost feels like a hidden oasis just off the busy street. The food is incredible, with a huge range of pizza, pasta and many other dishes, plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, as well as gluten free options on request. The actual restaurant does feel more of an occasion compared to a casual restaurant however it is not stuffy, just sophisticated yet on trend. There is also a weekday lunch menu, which is limited but allows you to get a main and soft drink for fifteen pounds, not a bad deal at all. The service is always good as is the food. The only thing that nocks it down a peg is the price as it can be expensive. However, I promise you the food is worth the price.
Number 1 Baltic Market
Finally, my top choice when considering everything a student may want and need is Baltic Market, located in the Baltic Triangle. This isn’t a restaurant per say, what it is a large market hall, that has been filled with benches, bars and food vendors, what else could you want? They house ten different food vendors, so something for everyone even the most fussy of eaters. Inside, it is relaxed and welcoming, allowing you to ponder which vendor to go to first. Once again, I would be surprised if you have not heard of this as it is again really well loved, and rightly so. The food from all the vendors is always brilliant, Polpetta being my personal favourite due to my obsession with Italian food, but there really is something here for everyone. It is also very affordable, obviously depending on how much you buy, you will never leave here feeling hungry and as if you’ve wasted your money, trust me.
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