Where to Eat When You Want a Quality Feed But You're on a Student Budget

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It's the day before payday, there's no food in the pantry and you're not sure if your body is cut out for intermittent fasting. We've all been there at one time or another. But if you know your way around the city's cheapest eats, it's not that dire. You can still eat dumplings, pancakes and hummus. You can even still afford eggs on toast.

We've worked with the University of Auckland to track down a few spots you can swing by for a cheap feed to get you through to grocery day — even if you're working with a lean student budget.

LITTLE ALGIERS, NEWTON

Never in your wildest dreams would you come across a big breakfast in the heart of the city for under $20, unless you know where to look. Students flock to Little Algiers for the budget-approved brekkie. If $13 is too much of a stretch, opt for the $6.50 eggs on toast with a killer herb pesto, or the $6 hummus and pita bread for lunch, with a green salad. If you're still kicking around the trendy K' Road area at dinner time, swing back in for a tender $14 steak, salad and fries. This is a student mecca and you can't beat it.

NO 1. PANCAKE, AUCKLAND CBD

A hole-in-the-wall spot packing a whole lot of punch, No 1. Pancake should be your number one stop for a study break snack. For no more than $6 you'll walk away with a feel-good handful of Korean street food. The pancake hut, where goods come in both sweet and savoury, has been a much-loved spot for the city's students to snack for years. It's a no-frills dining experience with a whole lot of flavour — just what the doctor ordered. We love the potato and cheese for that extra carb hit, but there are meatier options if your heart desires. Only a short stroll from the University of Auckland campus, this should be your one-stop shop for a meal that won't flop.

BIRD ON A WIRE, PONSONBY

We know what you're thinking: there's no way you can find a budget-friendly bite to eat in the heart of Ponsonby. But blessed be Bird on a Wire — a spot you can take your fanciest co-eds for a feed. If you know your way around the menu you'll satisfy those hunger pangs in no time. Start with 80 grams of pulled chicken (or tofu if that's your jam), then choose from one of the unreal salads on offer. If you're trying to make your dollar go further, grab 120 grams of the chicken with a medium salad to take away. Throw in a baguette and that's tomorrow's lunch sorted too. The best thing about it? Eating high quality proteins are going to make you full for longer.

BARILLA DUMPLING, BALMORAL

The best part about dumplings is you get maximum reward for minimum effort. Barilla is famous for its tasty parcels of deliciousness, where a single serve is enough to feed an entire flat. Don't expect faultless fine dining service — it's the comforting flavour combinations and portion sizes and that you're (not) paying for. Pork and chive is a much loved favourite but, with a smorgasbord of flavours on offer, it's hard to pick just one. Pan-fried or steamed and a mere $13 for 20 pieces, these homemade morsels will hit the spot every single time.

REVIVE, AUCKLAND CBD

Revive is a staple for any student, offering a buffet of curries and salads and $4 turmeric lattes with almond milk. This is food that will nourish your soul. The meals are always warm, affordable and served by a friendly face. It's that home comfort you miss while you're busy in the city. The meals are constantly changing around seasonal ingredients so you never know what's going to be on offer. Mix up the curries with the salads, and you'll probably get enough leftovers to take home for the next day. It's brain food on a budget.