10 cheap student meals in Edinburgh under £6
Every price below was read off the venue's own published menu.
Yumma editorial — assembled from 10 venues' published menus, prices checked 2026-09-08
There is a specific kind of satisfaction in finding a great meal somewhere completely off your radar, especially when it costs a fraction of what you expected to pay. When you are moving through the day and appetite takes over, you do not need hype or pretence; you just need something solid, fresh, and exceptionally made.
This is a roundup of ten spots that hit that exact mark. Whether it is a generously layered mozzarella and pesto toastie, a piping hot bowl of soup with a crusty roll, or a rich, properly filled chunky steak pie, these are meals designed around substance and value. No reservations, no inflated prices, just good quality meals that leaves you genuinely full and glad you stumbled across it.
The scale of the city
Yumma tracks 677 priced meals across Edinburgh, at 224 places. This list represents a small fraction of that total, focusing on the lower end of the spectrum. The cheapest meal in this list is £2.99; the dearest is £5.15. 6 of the 10 are £4.10 or less, and all 10 together come to £40.94.
Mozzarella and Pesto Toastie at Asda Café, Edinburgh — £2.99
A gluten-free toastie pressed flat, filled with melted mozzarella, baked tomatoes, and a sharp pesto dressing. It arrives warm, with the bread toasted to a crisp finish.
Best for: a quiet moment between grocery shopping and heading home
Edinburgh
MAC 'N' CHEESE PIE at Ryan's Bar, Hope Street — £3
A pastry shell packed with macaroni and cheese. It is a dense, heavy portion that holds its heat well, designed to be eaten with a fork.
Best for: a late afternoon break when the rain starts to fall
2-4 Hope Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4DB price source
301 Fried Rice at Tai Chi Restaurant, Bath Street — £3.50
A container of fried rice, packed tight and steaming. The grains are firm and coated in a light oil, providing a substantial, hot meal.
Best for: a quick dinner before an evening study session
10B Bath Street, Edinburgh, EH15 1EY price source
Soup and Roll at Café 360, Midlothian Snowsports Centre — £3.50
A bowl of hot, liquid soup served with a fresh, soft roll. It is a simple, warming combination meant to be eaten while sitting down.
Best for: a lunch break after a long walk across the city
Midlothian Snowsports Centre, Biggar Road, Edinburgh, EH10 7DU price source
Sandwiches 4 Items at Quick & Plenty Cafe, Leven Street — £4
A custom sandwich built from four chosen ingredients. It is a thick, handheld meal that can be tailored to your preference for texture and filling.
Best for: a fast lunch on Leven Street before a lecture
27 Leven Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LH price source
Vegetable Lasagne with Side Salad at The Earl of Marchmont, Marchmont Crescent — £4.10
Layers of pasta and vegetables in a rich sauce, served with a crisp side salad. It is a warm, soft meal that requires a plate and cutlery.
Best for: a slow evening meal on Marchmont Crescent
22 Marchmont Crescent, Edinburgh, EH9 1HG price source
Highlander at Franco's, Comely Bank Road — £4.70
A burger topped with haggis, potato, and cheese. It is a large, messy, and hot item that comes wrapped in paper, designed to be eaten quickly.
Best for: a filling meal while walking back from Comely Bank Road
5-7 Comely Bank Road, Edinburgh, EH4 1DR price source
CHICKEN FILLET BURGER at Pierinos, Bernard Street — £5
A breaded chicken fillet inside a soft bun. It is a straightforward, hot burger that is easy to carry and eat on the move.
Best for: a grab-and-go lunch on Bernard Street
9-11 Bernard Street, Edinburgh, EH6 6PW price source
Lunch Time Special at Caprinos Pizza, Home Street — £5
A pizza portion served alongside a side of fries and a drink. It is a complete, hot meal that arrives in a takeaway bag.
Best for: a quick refuel on Home Street
32 Home Street, Edinburgh, EH3 9LZ price source
Chunky steak at Mòr Bakehouse, Waverley Bridge — £5.15
A pastry pie filled with chunks of steak in a thick gravy. The crust is firm and golden, holding the hot, savoury filling inside.
Best for: a mid-morning snack near Waverley Bridge
3 Waverley Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1BQ price source
Where to eat
Of the 10 meals featured, 7 are at places you can sit down in, while 3 are designed to be carried away. These options provide a mix of environments for a quick break or a meal on the move.
Prices are subject to change. Each entry links directly to the venue's own published menu to ensure you have the most current information.
How this list was made
Nobody at Yumma has eaten these. Every price here was read off the venue's own published menu and each entry links back to the page it came from, so you can check before you go. The 10 were chosen from the 677 priced meals on our Edinburgh map by price and by how many readers have Yummed them. No venue paid to appear here, and none can. How we choose.
Prices checked 2026-09-08. Menus move — the link on each entry shows what it says now.