The ultimate list of the best cheap eats around UBC
While living on a broke college student budget, cheap eats are life savers.
But that doesn’t necessarily mean we have to live on instant ramen or homemade pasta.
See also
- Best cheap food and drink deals for students in Vancouver
- The ultimate guide to student discounts across Canada
- Popular bubble tea spot to open first BC location in Metro Vancouver soon
Luckily, as the biggest university in town, UBC is surrounded by food options that are affordable and delicious.
Here are the best places to find cheap eats around campus.
Running Chicken
What’s better than some cheap fried chicken? Located in the University Village, Running Chicken specializes in Korean food like fried chicken, cutlets, and stew. The price is affordable if you want to treat yourself to a night out. Get half a chicken with some soju, and you’ll be in food heaven.
Address: 207/208 5728 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-336-1006
Only U Cafe
The Only U Cafe in the University Village is extremely popular among UBC students who roll out of bed at 2 pm since it offers breakfast until 5 pm every day. If you’re looking for a hearty brunch for under $10, this spot should be high up on your bucket list.
Address: 5737 Dalhousie Road, Vancouver
Phone: 604-221-8993
Bubble Waffle Cafe
Bubble Waffle Cafe offers delicious cheap eats like curry fish balls, egg waffles, rice noodle roll, fish soup noodle, and more. It is located conveniently in the village, meaning you can save yourself the trouble of heading downtown for your Asian food cravings.
Address: 101 5728 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-563-5444
The Delly
Located on the lower level of the Alma Mater Society, The Delly has been feeding hungry UBC students since 1976. It offers a large assortment of cheap eats including fresh sandwiches, soups, salads, and pastries. This is the perfect spot to grab a quick bite on the go.
Address: 6133 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-228-8121
The Point
This newly-renovated spot on campus is a crowd favourite, offering a variety of sandwiches, salads, and soups with vegetarian and gluten-free options. Although it is a sit-down restaurant with a nice ambience, you can always find some cheap options on its menu like cauliflower wings and breakfast sandwiches.
Address: 2205 Lower Mall, Vancouver
Phone: 604-822-9503
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Sprouts
Sprouts is a 100% volunteer and student-run organization at UBC, serving hot, nutritious lunches to hundreds of people at UBC on Fridays. If you’re broke, visit Sprouts and enjoy a by-donation, BYOC (bring your own container), and vegetarian lunch. It also offers fair trade coffee for 75 cents when you bring your own mug.
Address: 6138 Student Union Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-822-9124
Pie R Squared
Pie R Squared is UBC’s favourite pizza place with a large selection of flavours available, including many vegetarian options. You can order pizza by the slice for $2.50 each, or you can order an entire pizza and get 10% off when you pick up your order.
Address: 6133 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-822-4396
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Mercante
At Mercante, you’ll find traditional Italian pizzas cooked in a fiery-hot stone hearth oven. It offers classic kinds like Margherita and Pizza Bianca, and it also has pasta, salads, desserts, and Italian soda. Open until midnight on school days, Mercante is the best place to satisfy your late night cravings.
Address: 6488 University Boulevard, Vancouver
Phone: 604-827-2210
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Perugia Italian Caffè
Craving Italian for lunch? Whatever you are craving, Perugia Italian Caffè has them all. The restaurant specializes in Italian classics like pasta, flatbreads, soup, and salads, all for under $10. It’s also a great spot for a quick breakfast and some coffee.
Address: 2350 Health Sciences Mall, Vancouver
Phone: 604-827-3291
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Bento Sushi
Bento Sushi offers handcrafted sushi that is made fresh daily by specially trained chefs. When you’re not feeling like getting sushi, the restaurant also offers poke, rice, and noodle bowls. Located in the heart of campus, it is a go-to spot for many students to grab a quick lunch.
Address: 2015 Main Mall, Vancouver
Phone: 604-822-3256
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Great Dane Cafe
Great Dane Cafe is a hidden gem near the Walter Gage Residence. It serves some of the best coffee in the area with a wide range of selections, and there are also soy milk and almond milk options available. The café also offers fresh sandwiches made in-house, as well as delicious pastries.
Address: 6011 Walter Gage Road, Vancouver
Phone: 604-558-2190
Hungry Nomad
Hungry Nomad is UBC’s original food truck serving hearty lunch fare like beef ragout, fried cod, and authentic Montreal-style poutine. Located conveniently in the centre of campus, it is a popular spot for some quick cheap eats. If you’re a first-timer, you have to try its poutine with pulled pork.
Address: Check the map to see where the truck is today
Phone: 604-827-0732
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Sushi Gallery
Just a short bus ride away from UBC, Sushi Gallery offers some of the cheapest sushi in town with complimentary miso soup (both regular and vegetarian/gluten-free options available). For under $10, you can get over 20 pieces of sushi with the restaurant’s roll combos.
Address: 3772 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver
Phone: 604-221-7088
International Food Court
Located in a basement suite in the University Village, the International Food Court offers a wide range of cheap eats at great prices. Whether you are craving Chinese, Indian, Persian, or Japanese, you can always find something delicious and cheap here.
Address: 5726 University Boulevard, Vancouver