In the vibrant student life around Northcoders' learning hubs in Leeds and Manchester, one question often comes up: Where can you find a delicious but affordable lunch? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! We explored the area and put together this guide to our favourite food spots. We’ve found restaurants that cater to everyone's preferences - not just in terms of budget, but also for allergen considerations, enticing meal deals, and unique features. Your taste buds are in for a treat!

Around our Manchester Hub

1. Rice, Paper, Pho @ Hello Oriental, Unit 3B, South Pavilion, 2 Symphony Park, Manchester M1 7FS

   - Rating: 4.5/5

   - Price: £££ 

   - Proximity: 3 minutes walk

   - Speed of Service: 10 minutes

   - Our Order: Vietnamese pork banh mi, char siu pork banh mi, salt and pepper chips, 2 Diet Cokes 

   - Total Cost: £11.18 per person

   - Type of Food: Asian

Positives:

     - Convenient app ordering

     - Clear allergen information

     - Affordable and delicious

     - Lunch deals available

     - Wide variety of food and drinks

FYI:

     - Plan for approximately 40 minutes in total

     - Chips may arrive before banh mi

Don't Miss:

     - Lunchtime deal for £9.95 with menu items like Taiwanese pork belly stew and Cantonese roast meat with soft noodles. Includes a drink

     - Enjoyable games available for rent

2. Listo Burrito, St James's Bldg, 91-93 Oxford St, Manchester M1 6ET

   - Rating: 4.5/5

   - Price: ££

   - Proximity: 10 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 5 minutes (with occasional queues)

   - Our Order: Large pork burrito

   - Total Cost: £9.25 per person

   - Type of Food: Burritos, burrito bowls, and loaded nachos

Positives:

     - No additional charges for veg, sauces, cheese, guacamole, and salsa

     - Sauces organised by spiciness

     - Clear allergen information

     - Mexican soft drinks available

     - Loyalty app for points

FYI:

     - Be prepared for potential queues

     - Card and contactless payments only

3. Bird of Prey, Circle Square, 49A Charles St, Manchester M1 7DF

   - Rating: 3.5/5

   - Price: ££

   - Proximity: 5 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 10 minutes 

   - Our Order: Damn! hot bird fried chicken sandwich 

   - Total Cost: £9.50

   - Type of Food: Chicken burgers and wings

Positives:

     - Available on various delivery websites

     - Varied menu with some vegetarian and vegan choices

     - Potentially suitable for Halal diets

Don't Miss:

     - Turn any main into a meal with fries and a soft drink for £3.95, or with fries and a milkshake for £5.95

4. Bunny Jacksons, 1 Jack Rosenthal St, Manchester M15 4RA

   - Rating: 4/5

   - Price: £££ 

   - Proximity: 10-minute 

   - Speed of Service: 10-15 minutes

   - Our Order: Chicken dippers, seasoned fries, blue cheese dip

   - Total Cost: £10.50 per person 

   - Type of Food: American burgers and chicken wings

Positives:

     - Casual and fun American-style decor

     - Clear allergen information

     - Affordable and delicious

     - Red Tractor approved

     - Incredibly cheap wings, as low as 25p!

FYI:

     - Plan for approximately 45 minutes

     - Pet-friendly environment

Don't Miss:

     - The divine BBQ sauce

5. House of Fu, 113-115 Portland St, Manchester M1 6DW

   - Rating: 4/5

   - Price: £££ 

   - Proximity: 10 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 10 minutes

   - Our Order: Teriyaki rice bowl, fried chicken, prawn toasts, pork gyoza, sprite and coke

   - Total Cost: £11.50 per person

   - Type of Food: Asian

   Positives:

     - Great atmosphere and interior

     - Food was delivered quickly, looked amazing, wasn't greasy

     - Have a karaoke bar downstairs

Around our Leeds Hub

1. Mans Market, Unit F, West Point, Wellington St, Leeds LS1 4JJ

   - Rating: 4/5

   - Price: £££ 

   - Proximity: 5 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 20 minutes

   - Our Order: Chicken Noodles

   - Total Cost: £13.50 per person

   - Type of Food: Chinese

   Positives:

     - Aesthetically pleasing ambiance

     - Comfortable seating

2. M&S Food Hall, 2-4 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4EA

   - Rating: 4/5

   - Price: ££

   - Proximity: 5 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 2 minutes

   - Our Order: Hot smoked salmon & potato salad, Fiery Ginger Beer

   - Total Cost: £7.80 per person

   - Type of Food: Sandwiches, salads, snacks

   Positives:

     - Self-service or staffed checkout

     - Clearly displayed allergen information

     - Excellent selection of vegan and vegetarian options

     - Wide variety of snacks, iced coffees, and soft drinks

     - Frequent discounts and deals with the Sparks discount card

   Don't Miss:

     - The variety of exclusive deals and freebies with the Sparks discount card

3. Tasty Toastie, 104 Wellington St, Leeds LS1 4LT   

   - Rating: 2.5/5   

   - Price: £ 

   - Proximity: 2 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 5 minutes

   - Our Order: Chicken, salami, and pesto panini (no cheese) and a Dr. Pepper

   - Total Cost: £6.45 per person

   - Type of Food: Sandwiches

 Positives:

     - Affordable with a straightforward menu

     - Wide selection of cold drinks

     - Quick and uncomplicated service

4. Nosh, 9 York Place, Leeds LS1 2DS

   - Rating: 4/5

   - Price: £ 

   - Proximity: 5 minutes

   - Speed of Service: 10 minutes

   - Our Order: Tuna, cheese & red onion toastie, cappuccino (Dined in)

   - Total Cost: £6.60 per person

   - Type of Food: Cafe food like sandwiches and toasties

  Positives:

     - Friendly staff and warm atmosphere

     - A diverse selection of home-cooked comfort food

     - Specials board

     - Made-on-site food

     - Ability to preorder and collect

  FYI:

     - Limited vegan options

     - Limited dining space; may get busy with UberEats orders

Enjoy exploring these fantastic dining options near Northcoders' campuses in Leeds and Manchester. We hope this guide enhances your culinary adventures and helps you discover your new favourite spots!