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15 of the best lunch deals in Birmingham

Posted on December 16, 2019January 30, 2020 by Laura

I’ve recently been asked for student budget friendly places to eat and the best lunch deals in Birmingham city centre and beyond – hopefully this post should cover both.

I know how important affordable lunches are. As a young twenty-something I worked for a news agency in the middle of the city. I was paid next to nothing to work horribly long hours whilst getting yelled at daily. My lunch hour was frequently spent at my desk gagging at the smell of my colleague Alison’s microwaved mackerel or crying into a soggy Tesco egg mayo sandwich because I thought I couldn’t afford better. Due to spending all my spare money at that time on ill-fated relationships and some particularly poor life choices, I was probably right – but I wish I’d known about places to get a well-priced lunch deal rather than living off flaccid sandwiches and the occasional scream in the ladies toilet.

While I work from home now (and the only person who loses their shit at me is.. well, me) I like to take myself out to work a lot, and this often involves lunches. In truth, the city has evolved a lot since 2008 and I have discovered lots of places you can get an affordable lunch to improve even the most bleak work days. So if you’re a student on a budget or an office hobbit that needs to get out for an hour to save your sanity, this blog (mainly consisting of independents) of deals for £7 and under is for you.

Anderson & Hill – Central

Ranging from £4-£5.50, you can get what most agree is probably the best deli sandwich in the city centre. There’s interesting options when it comes to fillings (I usually pick the Iberian or the Parisian) and the bread is pure satisfaction – quality from start to finish. Available Monday to Friday only.

Rebel Chicken – JQ

Based up in Jewellery Quarter, this place offers a £7 weekday lunch deal including a drink. It’s eat-in or takeaway and choices include half a kilo of wings, buttermilk fried chicken burger or wrap with fries, or a quarter chicken. There’s also a veggie falafel option.

All Greek Streetfood – Central

For £5.50 you can devour your choice of filled pitta including meat options like chicken and pork gyros or souvlaki, or halloumi if you’re vegetarian. They mostly come served with salad and sauces inside but you can tailor your order to suit. For £7 you can have it with fries.

The Meat Shack – Southside

On Fridays my favourite burger joint offers a choice of burger or chicken bombs plus some fries for £6. The offer runs 12-3pm and you have to eat in, but this is an absolute steal.

Habaneros – Central

This street food van is open 11:30-3pm on weekdays just off Colmore Row, outside ‘pigeon park’. There’s always a queue but the burritos and bowls are banging and cost from just £4.50. On Mondays you get a side of nachos and a soft drink for free – yes really. It’s takeaway only.

Fazeley Social – Digbeth

Over in Digbeth there’s a daytime cafe offering great lunch deals for people living and working in the area. The menu changes each week but there’s always specials on from midday that are mostly under £6. For example, recently they had a Thai green curry with wild rice for £4.95.

Hookways – Central

Hidden away in Minories arcade, this tiny takeaway offers hot food but it’s the salad bar many people love. You can grab a small box filled how you like it for £3.50 at lunchtime during the week.

The Stable – Central

If you like thin base pizzas and cider this restaurant has a £6.50 lunch menu that may be up your street. There’s a choice of pizza, wrap or salad – it’s eat-in only.

Salcooks – St Paul’s

Probably the smallest deli in the city, there’s always queues at lunchtime and it’s only open 11:30-2:30pm on weekdays – but the takeaway lunches are brilliant. The menu changes constantly but £5 or less can (for example) get you a slice of freshly baked pie and a pastel de nata for pud.

Damascena – Central

The central branch of Damascena offers a lunch bargain with a falafel wrap (with delicious pickles on the side) and a full size fattuush salad for £6.95. It’s lot of food for very little money.

Indian Streatery – Central

At lunchtimes during the working week you can get chaats and curry bowls from £4.95. There’s two venues (one on Bennetts Hill, one at Bullring) and you can eat in or takeaway. It’s a lovely independent and the food is undeniably super value.

Rudy’s Pizza – Central

Calling all the vegans: did you know you can get the Marinara for just £4.90? It’s topped with the house tomato base, garlic, oregano, basil and olive oil. They’ve just introduced takeaway at Rudy’s apparently, so not just an eat-in option anymore.

The Village – Moseley

£6.50 here gives your choice of sandwich or wrap plus fries or a cup of soup, as long as you visit between 12-3pm during the week. If you fancy something even cheaper, head to Peacer up the road for a big slice of pizza for £3.50.

The Lost & Found – Central

This bar has a lunch menu featuring salads, topped flatbreads and pizzas. It’s eat-in only so better for lunch with friends and costs just £7.

Yakinori – Selly Oak

For £5.99 you can get the main of the day, plus a small miso soup and a green tea. The last time I went it was katsu curry with rice, but they often have noodle dishes available. The offering changes daily (eg there’s no set weekly menu) but the price remains the same.

Don’t forget..

As well as these deals and cheap eats above, don’t forget to sign up to discount apps like Wriggle and Independent Birmingham. You can also use apps like Too Good To Go to bag yourself leftover grub from restaurants and cafes while saving food from going to waste.

As the city has a massive student population, a lot of places (particularly the popular chain restaurants) also take NUS/student cards so it’s worth asking when you visit places if yours in valid.

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WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE To cele WIN DINNER + WINE FOR 2 AT JU JU’S CAFE

To celebrate the launch of their brand new spring/summer menu I’ve teamed up with the folk at Ju Ju’s Cafe to bring you a tasty giveaway. 

The winner will get a 2 course meal plus a bottle of wine for 2 at this cute canalside restaurant. Enjoy homely cooking and seasonal ingredients, not to mention some of the friendliest service in Brum 🙌🏼

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @jujuscafebham 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (you can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced 6pm on Weds 31st May. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Ju Ju’s IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @c Huge congratulations to @passingfancies.bar and @couchstirchleyb30 on their wins at the @classbarmag awards last night. Brilliant people doing brilliant things to make living in Brum all the better. Proud as fuck, as always 🖤
Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderf Soi 1268 is now open and it’s absolutely wonderful. From the same babes that bring you @saibuddhabelly, this new Stirchley restaurant is just delightful. You can expect some of your old favourites (hello beef massaman, I love you) and new dishes like the spicy flavour bomb that is the pad cha het. Mushrooms have never been that sexy: fact. Have no doubt this place will be very popular - big love to the team behind it ♥️
ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an ad/press trip | Had a bloody lovely time up in (an usually sunny) Manchester yesterday to meet the @bundobust gang ahead of their launch in Brum at the start of June. 

Aside from the fact that we had a glorious time drinking all the beers and cocktails (and shots, buts that’s a story for another time) the food was delicious and the people behind this concept couldn’t be nicer human beings. 

Here’s a haphazard glimpse at what you can expect when Bundo Brum lands - long story short it’s fab Indian street food that happens to be all veggie but manages to not make that their entire personality. Lush picky bits, perfect alongside bevs including their own beers. 

I’m honestly really excited to see this launch in our city and I’m equally thrilled the old Pint Shop site is FINALLY going to be something affordable, accessible and delicious. I hope you love this as much as I do when it opens ♥️ 

Thanks to @whittleldn for organising a really great day. To the train home reprobates: let’s never speak of that again 💀🤣
Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this we Gravy is back on the menu at @boneheadbham this week. I repeat.. the gravy is back 💦🙏🏼
Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Thirsty Thursday klaxon! Hello and welcome to the Jewellery Quarter @barrelstorejq. Lots of @atticbrewco beers as you’d expect plus cocktails. Funky little space, nice people behind the bar, decent tunes. Ideally located to link up other beery places like The Wolf and North for a crawl. Currently open Thursday to Sunday, food will be coming soon. Cheers to you, TBS ♥️
ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a litt ad | One for the carnivores today! Here’s a little something to whet your whistles from @barandblock that’s just opened at Exchange Square. This is a big ol’ restaurant with plenty of outdoor space too. There’s a host of signature special dishes for the non steak fans (including some lovely sounding stuff for the pescatarians out there) but my eyes were firmly on the beef. The fillet arrived a beautiful medium rare and it was nice to be able to choose an accompanying side other than chips. Long live the jacket spud! Loved the mega rich blue cheese sauce, too. I would say, the small plates weren’t particularly noteworthy (the prawns were a bit overcooked and the scallops needed to see more of the pan) and I think the mains could be presented better, but overall it’s fair-priced city centre offering with plenty of variety (the menu is massive) and handily it’s open 7 days a week. Bonus: there’s 2 for 1 on selected cocktails from 5-7pm, too. Go for happy hour, eat a steak, skip the starters 👍🏼
Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like Happy hump day! I slept for 13 hours and feel like a new woman after a mad week of birthdays, parties and hens. Speaking of which, it’s not every day you get to go on a hen with one of the best private chefs in Birmingham, let’s be honest. Shout out to @_tuttoapposto (otherwise known as Ang) for filling us with delicious treats including the world’s horniest lasagne and her mahoosive arancini. She’s also an absolute diamond of a human so give her a follow ♥️ Have a good week!
People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being People bang on a lot about @tropea_harborne being brilliant. They’re right. Faultless from start to finish when I visited last week, but I’d like to give a special shout out again to the courgette flowers stuffed with goats cheese and mint (that will continue to live rent free in my head) and the onglet steak - I’d probably marry it if it wasn’t frowned upon.
Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself Felt a bit fancy over my birthday and took myself to @restaurantadams for lunch. Opted for the 5 courses (you can have 3 or 7 if you prefer) you can see here if you swipe through - the menu is at the end for a breakdown of the dishes. 

The main reason I wanted to post this is to thank the guys working that day for making me feel special but not weird for being a solo diner. I’ve talked a lot about this in the past and believe firmly anyone should be able to eat a meal out comfortably alone - whether that be a fast food joint or a Michelin star restaurant. 

I loved this lunch and the service made it extra special. Big love to Team Adams ♥️
38 and feeling great 🥳 I mean, let’s be rea 38 and feeling great 🥳 

I mean, let’s be real: I’m hungover as fuck. Buttt I had the most delicious day celebrating my birthday with some of my favourite humans. Thanks to all those that came out to get me sloshed (I took no photos, sign of a good night) and for all the bday love here 🖤 You made an old emo lady very happy. 

I’ve woken up with all of my make up still on and no idea what happened after midnight, so yay me! Swipe for some classic instagram v reality 😬
Taking a few days off adulting to enjoy my birthda Taking a few days off adulting to enjoy my birthday. Started the fun a bit early today with my mum and delicious things at @arch13bar washed down with fizz. Then I got my spa on and paid a stranger to rub me up for a bit while I napped. Put this through as a work expense - can’t wait to argue with my accountant about it next year 🤣 Anyway, a lovely b’day eve was had. Am going to make a shit load of pasta and go to bed early else Santa won’t visit or something. Baiiii✌🏼
Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. Now that’s how you cure a bank holiday hangover. 

I’m not great at many things in life but my scrambled eggs (and ability to sesh) are unbeatable. This was a right nice way to end the long weekend and kick start my birthday week. 

Did I mention it’s my birthday this week. 

It’s my birthday this week. 

Ok thanks baaaaiiii 👋🏼
What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Frien What a lovely bank holiday weekend that was. Friends, sunshine, doggy cuddles, grub galore and tasty bevvies. Here’s some of my favourite snippets - hope you had a good’un 🖤✌🏼
A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up A return to an old fave 😍 If you’ve woken up with a hangover this morning get yourself to @jujuscafebham and order the porky hash. And a Bloody Mary. Because it’s what King Charles and his magic hat would want or something. Happy Saturday 🖤
This time last week I was scoffing delicious thing This time last week I was scoffing delicious things in the sunshine. Today I’m hungover eating toast on the sofa with a to do list as long as my arm. Life comes at you fast 😭 #throwbackthursday
WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2 Giveaway cl WIN A TRENTINA BOTTOMLESS LUNCH FOR 2

Giveaway closed. Winner @potts_potts_potts 

To celebrate the launch of their brand new bottomless lunch, I’ve teamed up with the Trentina gang in JQ to bring you a delicious giveaway. 

The lucky winner will get a table for 2 on a Sunday of your choice at this gawwwjus Italian restaurant. You’ll both enjoy a pasta dish plus dessert and 90 mins of unlimited frozen cocktails, beer and bellinis. 

To enter: 
1️⃣ Like this post
2️⃣ Follow @biteyourbrum and @trentinajq 
3️⃣ Tag who you’d share the prize with (You can tag multiple people but use separate comments) 

Don’t forget to share in stories so your friends can enter, too.

T&C: Over 18s only. The winner will be announced at 8pm on Thursday 4th May. Can only be used on Sundays. Bottomless drinks last for 90 minutes from your booking time. No cash value/swaps. You must be following both accounts - another winner will be chosen if you’re not. You’ll need to book your meal in advance directly via Trentina IG. This post is not affiliated with Instagram. 

⚠️ You will only ever be notified directly by this page if you have won - don’t fall for scams/fake accounts
☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ Sunshine, m ☀️ April roundup incoming ☀️ 

Sunshine, mini breaks, bank holidays, friends galore, amazing food and lots of laughs. 

If you can see yourself in this one feel privileged because it’s been a mega busy month and I couldn’t fit a lot of it in the 15 seconds 🤣

Aware this one is quite insufferable and probably a bit smug but I spent winter miserable and sad so don’t hate me for finding some joy in life plz✌🏼😆

Next stop: birthday month (likely to be even worse. Sorry not sorry..)
Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to fe Happy bank holiday Sunday! This is your sign to feed your hangover a massive fish finger sandwich.
Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enj Back from the most gorgeous 3 days in Alicante enjoying lots of sunshine, tapas and cocktails with la babe @philipellis. Despite apparently being incapable of being in bed before 2am, it’s been a right old lol and full of lush grub. 

Had a lot of messages about the apartment while out there - tbf it was absolutely beautiful and the location couldn’t have been more perfect. Right in the heart of the old town, two mins walk from the marina and surrounded by loads of bars, cafes and restaurants. The attic apartment is spacious and modern inside but it’s the awesome views from the massive roof terrace (of the cathedral and castle) that make it so special. We loved staying here 🥰 Link to the Air BnB listing is here (https://tdy.lol/LSPqs) if you want to look into renting it. 

Highly recommend visiting said castle for the views but be aware it’s up a mountain. You can get a lift for a few euros (from the seafront) if you can’t be arsed to do the 90+ min walk uphill. Oh and don’t be a div like me and wear flip flops - the castle grounds are steep, rocky and slippy in parts. My hungover ass was humbled, let me tell you. 

Anyway, here’s the highlights reel including our smug golden hour snaps and loads of food… like, shit loads of food. Stick to small plates and paella on the side streets (away from the marina/beach where it’s ££ and the service isn’t as nice) and you’ll have a proper lovely time. 

Oh and girls: don’t take heels. The streets around old town are steep and many are cobbled/badly lit - stick with flats✌🏼

Here endeth the sunshine spam, I’m as cold and miserable as everyone else again now. Adiós, amigos.
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