On our radar: best restaurants with student discounts in Central London
Looking for tasty meals that won’t blow your budget? Central London has plenty of student-friendly restaurants offering discounts, meal deals, and loyalty perks. Whether it’s a quick bite or a sit-down catch-up, here are the best spots where your student card goes further.
Italian favourites with student-friendly deals
Italian comfort food on a budget? These restaurants with student discounts in Central London deliver big flavours without draining your wallet. From fresh pasta to classic pizzas, enjoy sit-down meals with great student promotions, perfect for casual lunches or relaxed dinners with friends.
Vapiano
- Address: 19-21 Great Portland Street W1W 8QB
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Thu 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 12 PM – 10 PM
- Student discount: 20% off your entire bill
- Days: Valid all day, every day
- Requirements: Show valid student ID or verify student status via the Vapiano app (Vapiano Lovers).
Vapiano makes it easy for students to grab freshly made pasta or pizza at good value, all in a casual self-service setup perfect for quick study breaks or social dinners.
Need more ideas? Explore our curated list of best Italian restaurants in Fitzrovia.
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ASK Italian
- Address: 121–125 Park St, London W1K 7ET
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Thu 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 11:30 AM – 9 PM
- Student discount: 40% off total bill (Mon & Tue), 25% off (Wed, Thu, Sun)
- Days: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun
- Requirements: Valid NUS card required
ASK Italian offers sit-down comfort food like creamy risottos and baked pasta dishes solid value for students who want a slower-paced meal with plenty of room to catch up with friends.
Zizzi
- Address: 194 Earl’s Ct Rd, Kensington, London SW5 9BE
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Thu 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Student discount: 20% off food
- Days: Mon- Thu
- Requirements: Show UNiDAYS profile and activate code
Zizzi is great for group nights out or post-lecture meals, with a wide menu that includes budget-friendly dining for students in London who want a bit more choice.
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Pizza Express
- Address: Clifton House, 93–99 Euston Rd, London NW1 2PL
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Tue 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Wed – Thu 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Fri – Sat 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Student discount: 40% off food and drink (Mon & Tue), 20% off (Wed, Thu, Sun)
- Days: Mon – Sun
- Requirements: NUS Extra card required; discount also applies to online orders.
Pizza Express gives students a reliable option for sit-down pizza, with the bonus of discounts that work on Deliveroo and Uber Eats – useful when staying in to study.
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Burgers & American-style dining at lower prices for students
Grab a seat, split the fries, and make the most of student food offers at these casual spots. Think juicy burgers, late openings, and generous deals perfect for group dinners or a quick refuel between plans.
Honest Burgers
- Address: 4 Market Pl, Fitzrovia, London W1W 8AD
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Wed 11 AM – 10:30 PM
- Thu – Sat 11 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 11 AM – 10:30 PM
- Student discount: 20% off total bill (food & drink)
- Days: Sun – Thu
- Requirements: Valid Student Beans or UNiDAYS ID; discount applies only to the student’s own bill; not valid with other offers.
Honest Burgers is known for local sourcing and great value, with rosemary-salt chips and handmade burgers served in one of the most popular restaurants in Fitzrovia.
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Byron
- Address: 33–35 Wellington St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 7BN
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Wed 11:30 AM – 10 PM
- Thu, Fri & Sat 11:30 AM – 11 P
- Sun 11 AM – 10 PM
- Student discount: 25% off food
- Days: All week
- Requirements: Sign up for Byron Club, book via DesignMyNight, show welcome email and student ID.
Byron delivers budget-friendly dining for students in London, with indulgent burgers and shakes in a lively, retro-style space that suits social meetups.
Shake Shack
- Address: 1–2 Coventry St, Leicester Square, London W1D 6BL
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Sat 11 AM – 3 AM
- Sun 11 AM – 2:30 AM
- Student discount: Buy one get one free on burgers (second burger must be equal or lesser value)
- Days: Sun – Wed
- Requirements: Show UNiDAYS ID in the Shake Shack app.
Shake Shack pairs quality ingredients with speed, making it one of the most popular stops for cheap student restaurants in Central London in the West End.
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Asian flavours on a student budget
Looking for budget-friendly dining in Central London that doesn’t skip on flavour? These Asian restaurants in Fitzrovia and nearby serve fresh sushi, dim sum, and noodle bowls at prices made with students in mind.
Itsu
- Address: 554 Oxford St, London W1C 1LY
- Opening hours: Daily 10 AM – 9:30 PM
- Student discount: 15% off bill
- Days: Mon – Fri after 3 PM
- Requirements: Order in-store and show valid student ID
Itsu is a top pick for quick, healthy bites with a focus on sushi, rice bowls and light broths – ideal for students on the go who want quality without a high price tag.
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Beijing Dumpling
- Address: 23 Lisle St, London WC2H 7BA, United Kingdom
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Fri 12 PM – 10:30 PM
- Sat 12 PM – 11:30 PM
- Sun 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Student discount: Not advertised, but known for affordable student meals (e.g. baozi at £2.80)
- Days: Every day
- Requirements: No official offer; show student ID in-store to check for unlisted discounts
Beijing Dumpling serves authentic Chinese street food in the heart of Soho, with low prices and generous portions that make it a smart pick for students on a budget. The lively, communal setting suits casual group meals, and its location near Oxford Circus makes it easy to drop in between lectures or during a study break.
Latin American & Mexican restaurants with affordable menus
There’s no need to wait for a special occasion to enjoy Latin flavours in London. These casual student-friendly restaurants offer great meal deals that work for midweek catch-ups or relaxed group hangouts – all without stretching your student budget.
Las Iguanas – Royal Festival Hall
- Address: Festival Terrace, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Fri 11 AM – 11 PM
- Sat 11 AM – 11:30 PM
- Sun 11 AM – 10 PM
- Student discount: 30% off food
- Days: Sun – Thu
- Requirements: Present student ID before ordering, up to 6 diners, drinks not included
Las Iguanas mixes street food with bold Latin American flavours in a buzzing spot by the river – a favourite for students heading out after class or during the week.
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Cabana at The O2
- Address: Unit 201, The O2, Peninsula Square, London SE10 0DX
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Wed 12 PM – 10 PM
- Thu – Sat 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sun 12 PM – 9 PM
- Student discount: 20% off food bill
- Days: All week
- Requirements: Show valid student ID at the table
Cabana delivers flame-grilled skewers and Brazilian comfort food inside the O2, offering a solid deal on meals before or after gigs and cinema nights.
The Real Greek
- Address: Riverside House, Units 1&2, 2A Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 9HA
- Opening hours:
- Mon – Thu 12 PM – 10:30 PM
- Fri 12 PM – 11 PM
- Sat 11:30 AM – 11 PM
- Sun 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
- Student discount: 25% off food
- Days: Sun – Thu
- Requirements: Valid student ID required
The Real Greek offers mezze-style dining that’s ideal for sharing with generous discounts and easygoing vibes just steps from the Southbank’s cultural spots.
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Ready to discover your next go‑to study spot in Fitzrovia?
Fitzrovia Quarter isn’t just home to student-friendly cafés and restaurants – it’s also one of the West End’s most exciting neighbourhoods. Think historic streets, independent shops, hidden galleries, and cultural landmarks waiting to be explored between classes or after dinner.