Capturing the Perfect Bite: Film and Dining Recommendations for Budget-Conscious Students

Scotland is home to a large student population dedicated to academic excellence, establishing friendships, and creating cherished memories. While much of their leisure time is spent preparing to revel at numerous clubs throughout the country, students can conserve their energy and explore venues offering a diverse range of affordable and unconventional activities and experiences.

The Cameo Cinema, operated by the nationwide cinema chain Picturehouse, is situated in the heart of Tollcross, Edinburgh, and boasts a remarkable 110 years in the business. This historical building welcomes thousands of visitors each week, offering a three-screen cinema and a bar that provides an array of food and beverage options. Notably, it extends exceptional benefits to students. For a one-off payment of £20, students have access to a Regional Student Membership, encompassing two complimentary cinema tickets, a 25% discount on all food and beverage purchases at both the cinema and bar, and exclusive access to films for £1 as part of Picturehouse's Film Club, specifically curated to showcase films from their Discover and reDiscover seasons. Additional perks include a weekday offer of £1 for coffee and tea before 5pm which you can maximise in the Art Deco seating area, ideal for studying or discussing a film with companions.

Venture across scenic Edinburgh towards Bristo Square, home to the University of Edinburgh’s student union buildings and McEwan Hall, and find a trail of wonderfully eccentric and culturally diverse eateries. Beginning with a taste of the Big Apple, Civerinos has successfully branched across Edinburgh with its selection of pizzas and its viral giant mozzarella stick. Order your slice to-go from the Civerinos’ Forrest Road location and take your bite to The Meadows nearby – show a valid student ID to redeem 20% off the order. A mere minute's walk around the corner will meet you with the food of Mexico at El Cartel. Check out the frozen margaritas for £5 deal (Monday to Wednesday) and a £10 chicken wings and pint offer. You can receive a 10% student discount at checkout – this may not be used in conjunction with the mentioned midweek offers. 

Perfect for some solo eating, head along to Ting Thai for a selection of Thai small plates, curries, or rice and noodle dishes – most of which are served in small takeaway containers for those times you are rushing for a bus or a forgotten lecture. Check out their ‘sun-up’ menu, running from midday to 5pm for cheaper prices on their restaurant staples. The final of four student-friendly fronts is Paradise Palms, offering a fully vegetarian and vegan food menu, a wide range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, and an events calendar to please all interests. This especially queer-friendly venue welcomes customers to attend monthly drag shows, cabaret shows, and DJ sets each weekend. Each study year, they update their student cocktails menu which includes discounted and speciality drinks – the new list is expected to be available from September.

Across the central belt lies Scotland's largest metropolis, the city of Glasgow. Boasting artful opportunities and historic architecture, from renowned music venues to prestigious schools, the standard produced is unmatched. Moreover, Glasgow's culinary and cinematic offerings remain integral to the city's allure, particularly for students seeking compelling incentives.

Since opening on Rose Street in 1939, the Glasgow Film Theatre (GFT) has been a cornerstone of Scottish cinema, dedicated to presenting world cinema on the grand scale of the big screen. Prospective patrons in the 16-25 age group may benefit from complimentary membership, featuring discounted general admission tickets at £6, one complimentary screening per month, and loyalty points redeemable for future visits. For customers of all ages, as well as non-student audiences, GFT's Glasgow Film Club offers post-screening discussions and dialogue with individuals of similar interests, with a flexible payment scale that accommodates varying incomes and levels of interest. Home to Glasgow Film Festival and further inclusive cinema experiences, this venue is destined to be visited.

Talk about what funny one-liner your Letterboxd review will be on the ten-minute walk to the self-proclaimed most authentic Mexican restaurant in Glasgow, Mezcal on Hope Street. Satiate that craving for mouth-watering food post or pre-lecture with tacos for £3 (3-5pm, Monday to Thursday) or find that study fuel with their £5 taco and soft drink deal which is available at the same time from Monday to Friday.

If Mexican food isn’t what you’re after, or you’ve had your birria fix for the week, step into the Glasgow Subway and catch a carriage towards the West End of the city, getting off at Hillhead, and walk to Hillhead Bookclub. This multifaceted venue offers students a £6.50 cake and coffee deal, a 20% discount on burgers and fries for friend group catch-ups, and £3.25 spirit mixers to kick-start a great evening. Nearby, find family-run cafe Naked Soup which serves delicious soup and bagels, or book a table at Urban West for classic brunch picks for everyone. A short walk from Hillhead Bookclub leads to West Side Tavern, offering a unique alcoholic drinks menu and a variety of pizzas, pasta, and small plates. On Tuesdays, take advantage of the £10 main and side deal, comprising a pasta dish or one of their parms, paired with fried potato slices. Alternatively, on Sundays, the 'Family Style Sunday' offer includes one small plate, one pasta, and a pizza for £30, making it a delightful and cost-effective choice for a group dining experience.

Dundee, known for comic book characters like Desperate Dan, Oor Wullie, and Dennis the Menace, offers a unique history of design in Scotland. The UK's only museum outside of London to focus solely on design, V&A Dundee provides a sense of fierceness in the art scene of the country, emphasising the communal aspect of the collective exhibitions and showcase spaces that surround the inner city. 

The Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) building comprises a cinema, exhibition spaces, workshops and events, making it an ideal destination for any art-enthused person. Focusing on the cinema aspect, the venue showcases world cinema through vintage screenings, new releases, and documentaries each day. Students can take advantage of this wide-ranging content at a reduced rate of £7. Additionally, students aged 18-25 can enjoy further benefits by signing up for the DCA 18-25 Membership. For an annual one-time fee of £5, members receive a complimentary ticket to one screening per year, reduced regular admission fees of £6.50, priority booking, and various discounts, including 10% off at the in-house cafe, Jute. Furthermore, the cafe/bar space welcomes all patrons to enjoy a coffee and study, a popular choice among customers in between or after movie screenings, or following participation in available courses, such as bookbinding, Japanese brush calligraphy, and Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom workshops. Students receive a £15 discount on such classes, but there are free tours of the Print Studio and Cinema on 28 and 29 September. For further information, please visit the DCA website.

After sitting with the cast of a dark mystery thriller, or spinning a new clay pot, visit the variety of small businesses around this culturally vibrant area. Replenish your energy at Empire State Coffee for their £10.95 soup and sandwich lunch deal, inclusive of vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free options. EH9 Espresso is another noteworthy stop which specialises in coffee and bagels, as well as their billboard initiative outside the Perth Road shop intended to highlight local artists. Right beside EH9, explore The Book Attic, a family-run independent second-hand bookshop, and Le Freak Records which focuses on selling new and used vinyl and hosts in-store parties and DJs throughout the month – all events are BYOB. 

Visit Cooper Gallery, located at the University of Dundee, from midday to 5pm to spark creativity or conversation with like-minded friends at one of the active exhibitions. Once inspired, continue along Perth Street to the Art Bar, a live music venue and bar providing a range of Scottish beverages at competitive prices with an open mic every Tuesday, and DJ sets each Friday and Saturday.

In every major city, there are a variety of experiences and venues to enjoy, with numerous events, offers, and opportunities available at any time. As a student, take advantage of the possibility of lower prices during the week or special menu options to save money. Just be mindful of the space you occupy when visiting smaller cafes and bars. We encourage you to contribute to supporting local and independent businesses when you can.