5 Lunches Under a Fiver!
These colourful, vibey little Brighton streets have everything you could ask for (and a tonne of stuff you never knew you needed!) from on-point vintage and boutique fashion to independent cafes and restaurants – you’ll never be stuck for something to keep you busy on your lunch breaks.
The problem for me, is I get a bit hangry around lunchtime and with all that choice it can be a little daunting! I’m sure I’m not the only one though, so to help you guys out, I’ve done a little “research” and come up with a top 5 hit list of lunchtime treats that won’t leave you with an angry burning hole in your wallet.
#1 We Love Falafel
I think you’ll probably guess what these guys sell…that’s right, it’s falafel!
I actually don’t know anyone who has tried We Love Falafel and not loved it. They are really yummy and come in different flavours like sweet potato or olive and basil, sometimes you even get a fancy special like cashew & lime with peanut hummus. Basically they are delicious and you get loads for your money, a standard Falafel Salad Wrap is £3.70, they are huge and come with a rainbow of salad, gherkins and homemade hummus. Prepare to go to falafel heaven. #Goals
Location: 37 Sydney Street | Time to Central Campus: 1.5 mins | Cost: £3.70 – £4.95
#2 Milk No Sugar
If you’re looking for something light and healthy, look no further than this family-run, no-frills Vietnamese Café.
You can get a delicious, fragrant Pho noodle soup for £4.50 or a Vietnamese curry and rice for a fiver. If you haven’t had Pho before, it’s a traditional Vietnamese soup with flat rice noodles, beansprouts and meat or tofu in a clear broth flavoured with lime juice, mint, coriander and chilli – lovely! Pho is perfect for a quick afternoon treat and they do take-out if you’re in a rush, which is also £1 cheaper = win!
Location: 68 Trafalgar Street | Time to Central Campus: 4 mins | Cost: £3.00 – £5.50
#3 Central Campus Refectory
As you probably know, Central Campus has its own café, The Refectory, which is run by the lovely guys from Harrisons Catering. Everything in The Refectory is priced with a student pocket in mind and you can get a really hearty meal for just £3.75!
But… Did you know? If you’re between 16 and 18 and your family receive certain benefits, you can get your lunch from The Refectory for FREE! You’ll need to be eligible and apply with a bursary form from the Student Centre, pop in to speak to Course Advice if you need some help!
There are daily offerings including, the classic full-English, pasta bakes, freshly made sandwiches, burgers and fries, soup, quiche and salad and also weekly themed menus reaching from the four corners of the globe, a recent favourite of ours was a Jamaican themed menu featuring jerk chicken, rice and peas! Don’t miss out – daily menus for The Refectory can be found on Vibe!
Location: Central Campus, 1st floor| Time to Central Campus: 0 mins | Cost: £2.75 – £3.95
#4 The Real Junk Food Project
Let’s face it, food waste is a big problem, even somewhere as progressive as our little city by the sea! It’s not just what we individually throw away, but the massive quantities of edible food our big supermarkets bin each year. When families are struggling to put food on the table and people are finding it ever harder to make ends meet, it’s easy to see why projects like this are slaying on the food waste scene.
What’s even more fantastic about The Real Junk Food Project is that this quirky little pop-up café feeds the local community on a ‘pay as you feel’ basis by using food that would otherwise have gone to landfill, encouraging diners to think more about the food on their plate. We really love this place, the food is absolutely delicious, it has a charming atmosphere that’s welcoming and friendly and on top of all that it offers an awesome space where everyone is equal, you pay what you can, and if that isn’t much no-one will judge.
If you want your lunch to be delicious and guilt-free pop down to One Church, Gloucester Place on a Friday, the café is open from 1-3pm but it’s VERY popular so expect a queue!
Location: One Church (Fridays only) | Time to Central Campus: 6 mins | Cost: donations in the box
#5 Kitchen Café
Now, if you’re a bit of a traditionalist, this is the place for you to eat. Kitchen Café serve straight-forward, no messing around British food. Offerings are simple, incredibly reasonably priced and served by people who care a great deal about this little Brighton institution and of course its customers.
Kitchen Café has been going for an impressive 40 years and when you can get a full-English or some tasty homemade pie and mash for under a fiver, we can see why!
Location: 93 Trafalgar Street | Time to Central Campus: 1 min | Cost: £2.50 – £6.00
Rheanna Davidge-Huxley