The best student discount deals at restaurants in the UK

If your freezer is clogged with oven pizzas and your idea of a gourmet meal is pesto pasta, then this one's for you. Sure, the beans on toast diet is a right of passage for students, and the disappointment of your first home-cooked Sunday roast is character-building, but there's a world outside of spinach and ricotta tortellini! Plenty of restaurants across the UK offer students an extra helping hand with some stellar student deals. So, put down the pot noodle! Give the microwave a day off! We've rounded up the best restaurants in the UK where you can dine on a discount instead.

There are a whole host of restaurants offering discounted bills, freebies and meal deals for students - from pan-Asian canteens to Italian eateries. A lot of these offers are available at UK-wide restaurant chains, many of which can be found in popular student cities like Manchester, Leeds and Nottingham. Whether you’re looking for somewhere to refuel after an intense revision session, or simply need a filling lunch to see you through the afternoon, there are a ton of top restaurants that will help you stretch your student loan a little further.

To claim your discount, most restaurants will require proof of your student status, such as a student ID. There are also lots of student discount platforms like UNiDAYS, Student Beans and Totum that have exclusive offers, with deals to be claimed on both dining out and takeaway - yes, you can save money and eat delicious food from the comfort of your own sofa.

From mouth-watering grilled souvlaki to indulgent stacked burgers, we’ve put together a list of restaurants offering student discounts, so that you can spice up your student diet while saving the pennies. If you want to take your parents out for brunch without breaking the bank, or enjoy a meal with your uni pals that doesn’t involve the use of an air fryer, our top picks include everything from breakie spots to pasta places.

Wagamama

What: Whether you're looking to soothe your head after a heavy night with a warming chicken thigh pho, or share some beef and kimchi gyozas with new friends, Wagamama is the ultimate student hang-out. This canteen-style restaurant chain features long wooden benches - equally suited to a solo meal as it is a big group of mates - and operates with casual, no-fuss, speedy service.
Student discount offer: 20% off all food and drink Sunday to Thursday with Student Beans. For selected dates in August, Wagamama is also offering students an extra 5% off to celebrate A-Level and GCSE results days
Book now: Wagamama Covent Garden, Wagamama Southbank, Wagamama Old Street, Wagamama Bristol, Wagamama Leicester, Wagamama Brighton, Wagamama Birmingham, and more

Bill's

What: Bill’s is an all-day dining restaurant chain, with a family-friendly menu that spans breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re looking for somewhere to take the family when they visit, this is the kind of place where everyone finds something they like on the menu. From its iconic buttermilk pancake stacks to vegan-friendly dirty burgers, Bill’s food offering is vast, fresh and wallet-friendly.
Student discount offer: 20% off your total bill Sunday to Friday with UNiDAYS. To celebrate GCSE and A Level results day on the 14 and 21 August, students can get a free dessert with their main meal
Book now: Bill's Soho, Bill's Cambridge, Bill's Bath, Bill's Leeds, Bill's Nottingham, Bill's Milton Keynes and more

Las Iguanas

What: Delicious Mexican food, free-flowing cocktails and a generous student discount - what’s not to like? Las Iguanas is a feel-good destination, with a special student bottomless brunch offering every Wednesday, complete with delicious dishes like Bahian katsu curry and chipotle chicken and cheese quesadillas, as well as limitless juicy cocktails - Mango Collins and Coconut Sour Bomb to name a few.
Student discount offer: £28.95 student bottomless brunch on Wednesdays. 25% off food and drink Sunday to Thursday with a student ID card
Book now: Las Iguanas Brighton, Las Iguanas Bristol, Las Iguanas Leeds, Las Iguanas Liverpool, Las Iguanas Milton Keynes and more

The Real Greek

What: Take a break from the library and grab yourself a lunchtime souvlaki wrap from The Real Greek. Warm flatbreads are filled with chips, fresh salad and your choice of pork belly or grilled halloumi. If a more refined evening meal is what you’re after, its hot and cold meze is a real treat. Between fried calamari, courgette fritters and whipped spicy feta, your tastebuds won’t know what’s hit them.
Student discount offer: 25% off food Sunday to Thursday with a student ID card
Book now: The Real Greek Bournemouth, The Real Greek Covent Garden and more

Zizzi

What: Is there really anything better than Italian food? Zizzi is the place to go if you're in need of something carby and comforting, from cheesy garlic bread with caramelised onions, to burrata caprese, and crispy prosciutto carbonara. Whether you want to indulge in a Rustica pizza with friends, or swirl some king prawn vongole on date night, Zizzi is indulgent, romantic and - the best bit - discounted for students.
Student discount offer: 30% off food with UNiDAYS and Student Beans
Book now: Zizzi Aberdeen, Zizzi Bath, Zizzi Exeter, Zizzi Harrogate, Zizzi Leamington Spa, Zizzi Newcastle, Zizzi Sheffield and more

Coco di Mamma

What: Coco di Mamma is an Italian restaurant chain specialising in pasta pots to-go - maybe you’re grabbing a quick lunch between lectures, or loading up on carbs before a night out. Pasta is the main event here, simply choose a topping - there’s creamy nduja, spicy pollo, pesto genovese and more. If pasta’s not your thing, there are sourdough pinsas, fresh salads and toasted sandwiches, too.
Student discount offer: 20% off your total bill with Student Beans
Visit now: Coco di Mamma London and more

Prezzo

What: As a hard-working student, you deserve to celebrate the milestones along the way - whether it’s a good grade on an assignment, securing a house with your mates or making it to graduation day. Prezzo is the perfect place to bring a group of loved ones, tuck into some hearty Italian food and cheers with a glass of fizz. Want to know what else is a cause for celebration? 25% off!
Student discount offer: 25% off your total bill with UNiDAYS
Book now: Prezzo Bristol, Prezzo Exmouth, Prezzo Hull, Prezzo Northampton, Prezzo Reading, Prezzo Peterborough and more

Honest Burgers

What: When you decide to spend money as a student, you want it to be worth it. So, the next time you’re craving a burger, head straight to Honest Burgers for the real deal. As the name suggests, it’s all about honest food - that means top quality beef, the best British potatoes and burgers made from scratch in their own butchery. Chicken or beef, veggie or vegan, smashed or BBQ - you won’t regret an Honest Burger.
Student discount offer: 20% off your total bill Sunday to Thursday with UNiDAYS or Student Beans
Book now: Honest Burgers Brixton, Honest Burgers Brighton and more

ASK Italian

What: With over 60 restaurants nationwide, you’re never too far away from an ASK Italian, which means students are always close to a great discount! ASK Italian offers students 30% off their food bill so that they can enjoy everything from cheese fondue to beef pappardelle without having to worry about the price. Since you’re saving while you eat, why not try a delicious dessert - there’s tiramisu and limoncello cheesecake up for grabs. 
Student discount offer: 30% off food Sunday to Thursday with Student Beans
Book now: ASK Italian Lincoln, ASK Italian Liverpool, ASK Italian Milton Keynes, ASK Italian York and more

Harvester

What: Harvester is renowned for its family-friendly food and customisable salad bar - everyone from your grandparents to your little siblings can dine happily here. From sticky rice bowls to rotisserie meats, you're spoilt for choice with the Harvester menu. If it's a big family affair you're planning, you'll be pleased to know students can get 20% off up to six guests' mains, and since you're getting a discount, why not get some small plates for the table? There’s halloumi fries, chicken wings and breaded mushrooms to share.
Student discount offer: 20% off mains Monday to Friday with UNiDAYS and Totum (dine in or click and collect)
Book now: Harvester Chesterfield, Harvester Milton Keynes, Harvester Northampton, Harvester Glasgow and more

Byron Burger

What: Wondering where you can get a discounted meal over the weekend? Byron is offering students 25% off food all day, every day. Fuel up for a long weekend in the library, or soak up some Saturday night beers with Byron’s indulgent burger offering. Choose the signature patty or double smash, with customisable toppings or Byron’s tried-and-tested flavours - our favourites include double bacon cheese and BBQ chicken.
Student discount offer: 25% off food every day with a student ID.
Book now: Byron Burger South Kensington, Byron Burger Cambridge, Byron Burger York, Byron Burger Liverpool and more

We’re pretty sure there’s something in this list of student-friendly restaurants that’ll take your fancy, but if you’re looking for more ways to save while you snack, check out our list of the best cheap eats in London. Or, if you're dining with the family and have little ones in tow, then check out these restaurants where kids can eat free.