Last Updated: May 2026 | Updated for international students living in the UK.

Finding affordable and culturally familiar food is one of the biggest concerns for international students moving to the UK. Fortunately, cities like London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leicester, and Glasgow offer a wide range of Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Sri Lankan, African, and Southeast Asian restaurants and grocery stores. This guide helps students discover budget-friendly food options, grocery delivery apps, halal stores, and cooking resources in the UK.

🍛 Food & Grocery in the UK

The UK offers a wide variety of international food options. Moreover, students can easily find South Asian, Southeast Asian, and African food across major cities. As a result, adapting to food culture becomes easier.

➡️ Explore more:
Student Life & Visa in the UK

1️⃣ South Asian & Southeast Asian Restaurants (Popular Chains & Local Favorites)

Indian & Pakistani
• Dishoom – Irani café-style chain with outlets in London, Edinburgh, Manchester
• Karahi Express – Budget-friendly Pakistani chain (London, Birmingham)
• Chaiiwala – Indian street food & tea (over 80 locations across the UK)
• Tayyabs (London) – Iconic Punjabi restaurant in Whitechapel
• Lahore Kebab House (London) – Famous for grills and curries
• Indigo Restaurant (Leicester) – South Indian + North Indian menu

Bangladeshi & Nepali
• Kolapata (London) – Authentic Bangladeshi cuisine in East London
• Royal Bengal (Manchester) – Halal Bangladeshi dining
• Gurkha Kitchen (Surrey) – Homestyle Nepali food

Sri Lankan & South Indian
• Jaffna House (Tooting, London) – Tamil cuisine
• Apollo Banana Leaf – South Indian & Sri Lankan dishes
• Sankalp Restaurant – South Indian vegetarian chain

Filipino, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Thai
• Romulo Café (London) – Authentic Filipino fine dining
• Pho – Vietnamese street food chain with nationwide presence
• Rasa Sayang (Chinatown, London) – Singaporean/Malay/Indonesian
• Rosa’s Thai Café – Thai chain with halal options in most locations

African
• 805 Restaurants (London, Reading, Manchester) – Nigerian cuisine
• Enish Restaurant – Nigerian fine dining (London)
• Mosob – Eritrean family-run restaurant (London)
• Zeret Kitchen – Popular Ethiopian restaurant in Camberwell

🥗 Halal, Vegetarian & Vegan Food in the UK

The UK is highly multicultural, making it easy for international students to find halal, vegetarian, vegan, and religious dietary food options.

• Halal restaurants are widely available in London, Birmingham, Leicester, and Manchester
• Most supermarkets have vegetarian and vegan sections
• Indian and South Asian restaurants often provide Jain and vegetarian meals
• African and Middle Eastern stores offer halal meat and traditional ingredients

2️⃣ South Asian, Southeast Asian & African Grocery Stores (Online & Local)

Online Grocery Stores
• DesiGrocer – Indian & Pakistani groceries, UK-wide delivery
• Spices of India – Huge selection of Indian groceries
• Wing Yip – Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai groceries
• Sri Lankan Supermarket – Sinhala and Tamil groceries
• African Sun Foods – Nigerian and Ghanaian food products
• Tropical Sun – Caribbean & African grocery staples

Large Local Ethnic Supermarkets
• Southall Broadway (London) – Indian/Pakistani/Nepali shops and fresh produce
• Tooting Market (London) – Indian, Sri Lankan, Bangladeshi ingredients
• Green Street (London) – Pakistani and Bangladeshi shops
• Hyson Green (Nottingham) – African, Indian, and Caribbean food markets
• Manchester Rusholme (Curry Mile) – Arabic, South Asian, and African groceries

3️⃣ UK Food Ordering Websites with South Asian & African Options

• Just Eat – Filter by Indian, Bangladeshi, African, Caribbean, Thai
• Deliveroo – Fast delivery from chain and local restaurants
• Uber Eats – Includes high-street and ethnic restaurants
• Foodhub – Often lower fees than competitors
• All Eat – Smaller platform focused on independent local restaurants

4️⃣ UK Food Delivery Services for Groceries (Ethnic & Mainstream)

• Tesco – Mainstream groceries, some international items
• Asda – Budget items with decent South Asian range
• Morrisons – Good halal meat and spices
• Ocado – Premium online grocery with world food range
• Amazon Fresh – Includes lentils, rice, oils, spices, and snacks
• Wing Yip – Specialist for Southeast Asian groceries
• Istanbul Supermarket – African and Middle Eastern grocery items

➡️ Related:
Accommodation in the UK for Students

💷 Average Monthly Food Budget for Students in the UK

Expense Type	Estimated Monthly Cost
Groceries	£80 – £180
Eating Out	£50 – £150
Food Delivery Apps	£20 – £60
Snacks & Drinks	£20 – £40

💡 Students can reduce expenses by cooking at home and shopping from budget supermarkets like Aldi, Lidl, Tesco, and Asda.

🛒 Best Budget Supermarkets in the UK for Students

• Aldi: Cheapest grocery option for students
• Lidl: Affordable vegetables, bakery, and frozen food
• Tesco: Student-friendly with Clubcard discounts
• Asda: Budget-friendly with halal and international products
• Sainsbury’s: Better quality fresh food and meal deals

💡 Many supermarkets provide student discounts and reward apps for regular shoppers.

5️⃣ Cooking Support for Students (South Asian / African / Asian)

• Tarladalal.com – Vegetarian Indian cooking
• Hebbars Kitchen – Quick Indian meals for students
• Yummly – Custom recipe feed based on ingredients
• AfroVitalityEats – West African meal plans
• BudgetBytes – Low-cost recipes using UK-available ingredients

👩‍🍳 Student Cooking & Money Saving Tips in the UK

• Cook meals in batches to save money
• Buy groceries from Aldi or Lidl for lower prices
• Use loyalty cards like Tesco Clubcard
• Share grocery expenses with roommates
• Use meal-prep containers for weekly cooking

🌍 Best UK Cities for International Food Culture

• London: Best for Indian, Pakistani, African, and Southeast Asian food diversity
• Birmingham: Famous for halal restaurants and South Asian cuisine
• Manchester: Affordable international food for students
• Leicester: Strong Indian and Gujarati food community
• Glasgow: Growing multicultural food scene with budget-friendly restaurants

❓ FAQs – Food & Grocery in the UK

Is Indian food available in the UK?

Yes, Indian food is widely available in all major cities. Moreover, many restaurants serve authentic dishes.

Where can students buy Indian groceries in the UK?

Students can shop from stores like DesiGrocer and Wing Yip. Additionally, local markets offer fresh items.

Are groceries expensive in the UK?

Groceries can be affordable if you shop smart. For example, Tesco and Asda offer budget-friendly options.

Which apps are best for food delivery in the UK?

Just Eat, Deliveroo, and Uber Eats are the most popular apps. Therefore, food delivery is very easy.

Can international students cook their own food?

Yes, most student accommodations have kitchen facilities. As a result, cooking is a great way to save money.

Is halal food easily available in the UK?

Yes, halal food is widely available in most major UK cities through restaurants and supermarkets.

Which UK city has the best Indian food?

London, Birmingham, Leicester, and Manchester are famous for authentic Indian and South Asian food.

How much do students spend on food monthly in the UK?

Most international students spend around £100–£300 per month depending on lifestyle.

Can students find African groceries in the UK?

Yes, cities with multicultural communities have African grocery stores and online delivery options.

Are vegetarian foods common in UK supermarkets?

Yes, almost all supermarkets in the UK have dedicated vegetarian and vegan sections.

Reviewed by StudentOrbit360 Team

This guide is regularly updated to help international students find affordable food, groceries, halal restaurants, and student-friendly supermarkets in the UK.