The Iglu Guide | Blog
Students’ guide to the best food in Sydney
Sydney is considered one of the best foodie cities in the world, and proudly wears the crown as the flavour capital of Australia. With international influences, fresh produce and a captive audience, the dining scene just keeps getting better and better. But with the rising cost of living impacting many students, it can hard to find ways to make the budget stretch – so we’ve done the hard work for you. If you’ve had enough of cooking in the student kitchen and want to find an affordable place to eat out that’s not too far from home, here’s the students’ guide to the best food in Sydney.
Newtown
This student friendly suburb in Sydney’s inner-west is located just a short distance away from Sydney University and UTS. As a result, students make up a significant part of the community. Fortunately, this is well catered for by local food outlets with an affordable range of options widely available. Try these for starters.
Dean’s Diner, Newtown
Close to: Iglu Redfern
Head to King Street and take your pick from the ridiculously long list of burger options at Dean’s Diner – immediately recognisable by the guitars hanging above the doorway. Unapologetically channelling the classic Aussie burger, this old school outlet makes everything fresh to order. Pick up a delicious meal for under $10 and leave with change to spare.
Gigi Pizzeria, Newtown
Close to: Iglu Redfern
If you’re after a slice of the best pizza outside of Italy, Gigi’s on King Street has been proudly serving up authentic woodfired pizzas since 2008. Set in a contemporary environment with a lively vibe and rustic fireside glow, Gigi’s pizzas are the perfect combination of tasty and affordable. In a surprise twist, the restaurant converted to 100% vegan in 2015, so you can forget those standard pizza toppings that everyone else is using. Instead, expect to enjoy almond ricotta, black truffle paté and smoked hemp mozzarella – and don’t forget to try the homemade tiramisu before you go. Incredibly popular with all types of taste and budget, you won’t even realise you’re helping the planet along the way.
Glebe
With its bohemian vibes, market lifestyle and authentic charm, Glebe remains a popular destination for students around the city. Located close by to Sydney University, Notre Dame’s Chippendale Campus and UTS, it is well serviced by public transport and easily accessible. Student-friendly with prices to match, there’s plenty of food options to keep the budget happy.
Glebe Markets, Glebe
Close to: Iglu Central, Iglu Central Park, Iglu Broadway
With live music, artisan goods and delicious food, the Glebe Markets are unsurprisingly popular with students around the city. And with a range of cuisine on offer, there’s plenty to suit all tastes and budgets. From Turkish gozleme, Argentine empanadas and Brazilian barbeque through to vegan Lebanese, Greek street food and Malaysian laksa, you can spend every weekend eating your way around the world. Don’t forget to sample churros for dessert, or try out Knafeh Bakery’s famed signature dish made from sweet cheese soaked in sugar syrup and topped with pistachios. That’s definitely enough to leave a smile on your face.
Sappho Books, Glebe
Close to: Iglu Central, Iglu Central Park, Iglu Broadway
Café by day, wine bar by night, and all the while masquerading as a three-story second-hand bookstore. Sappho’s is a student’s favourite hangout, with eating options to match. Offering breakfast and lunch in a delightful courtyard café setting, here you’ll find veggie, vegan and gluten-free options. By night, the bar comes alive with a locally sourced wine list, craft beers and a fun range of cocktails. If you’re just here for the food, there’s plenty to be had under $20 that won’t leave you disappointed.
Chatswood
Just 20 minutes outside the CBD, Chatswood has a fast-growing reputation on the eating scene. Accessible and well connected, it remains a popular accommodation choice for Macquarie University students, as well as those seeking more affordable student accommodation options. And with shopping, dining and culture on tap, it’s not hard to see why. Try these delicious options for size.
Mamak, Chatswood
Close to: Iglu Chatswood
Chatswood is the place to go for fresh, affordable Asian cuisine, and Mamak is no exception. Well known for its authentic Malaysian street food, Mamak has student friendly prices to match which make it an unbeatable choice for students around the city. Named after the roadside stalls of Kuala Lumpar that serve fresh streetside food, Mamak prides itself on producing bold and authentic flavours that are evocative of the same. First timers should head straight to the roti, served with two flavours of curry, before delving into the delightful range of noodles. At under $15 a serve, you’ll be hooked before you know it.
Khao Pla, Chatswood
Close to: Iglu Chatswood
For some of the best in authentic Thai cuisine, you can’t walk past Khao Pla without getting drawn in by the delicious smells wafting around the area. Named after the expression ‘right fish’, it refers to the time when the Thai diet relyed solely on fish. And so, choosing the correct fish for your meal was seen as hugely significant. Known for its creative reinvention of classic dishes, Khao Pla keeps the Asian dining scene on its toes, and is an incredibly popular venue as a result. Regulars recommend the sweet and sour pork as a must-order, but it’s hard to go wrong. Tasty and affordable, Khao Pla is not to be missed.
Chippendale
Located close to UTS and Sydney University, and with a long history of inclusivity and affordability, it’s no surprise that Chippendale remains a popular student destination of choice. Jam-packed with bars, pubs, cafés and eateries, there’s plenty of options to keep the budget in check.
Spice Alley
Close to: Iglu Central, Iglu Central Park, Iglu Broadway
Reminiscent of the food stall scene at the hawker centres, Spice Alley offers a little slice of Asia that will definitely leave you hungry for more. Take a small turn down this bustling Chippendale laneway, and under the swinging lanterns you’ll be faced with more delicious options than your hungry tummy can cope with. From Malaysian, Cantonese and Singaporean, to Thai, Indian and Vietnamese, there’s a foodie landscape for everyone to explore. Try out the lunchtime specials and fill up for as little as $10.
Mama B’s, Chippo Hotel, Chippendale
Close to: Iglu Central, Iglu Central Park, Iglu Broadway
This inner-city pub has a secret to tell, but it’s something that an outsider would never guess from the menu. Mama B’s recent glow-up introduced a fully vegan menu, in an Aussie First that’s going down a storm amongst the locals. You can still pick up your classic pub grub such as chicken parmi, mozzarella sticks and popcorn chicken, but you’re doing good along the way. Head out on a weekday and enjoy a $15 feed up with a side order of live music.
Image credit: Spice Alley
