- Focus on categories, not fixed numbers.
- Track your spending for the first month and adjust.
- Rent and transport are usually the biggest costs.
- Dublin has loads of cheap eats — you can eat well for under €10.
Who this is for
Students planning their monthly costs in Dublin.
Step-by-step
1) List your fixed costs
Rent, transport pass, phone plan, insurance, and course fees.
2) Estimate variable costs
Food, social activities, toiletries, and personal items.
3) Track your first month
Use the template below to record actual spending and adjust.
Documents, costs, timelines
- Check the official sources for required documents.
- Costs and timelines vary. Check official sources or contact Student Success.
Cheap eats near the city centre
One of the best ways to keep your monthly spend down is knowing where to eat well without breaking the bank. Dublin has a brilliant mix of cheap lunch spots, especially around the Trinity College area. Here are some student-tested favourites:
Wowburger
Enjoy a €10.50 burger, or flash your student ID to get added fries and a drink for €13.95.
Chiya
Chiya’s €9.90 Döner is Dublin’s best bargain. Seriously, this is a must.
Vice
Located right beside Merrion Square, enjoy sourdough pizza by the slice. Don’t forget to add on a few of their famous wings.
Pablo Picante
Burritos bursting with flavour. Find them on Dawson Street, Clarendon Street (indoor and outdoor seating, ideal for groups), or Baggot Street.
Drunken Fish
A Korean restaurant and pub, perfect for a dine-in lunch or dinner. Flavourful rice & noodles, plus unlimited Korean Hot Pot & BBQ.
Kimchi Hophouse
Dublin’s oldest Korean restaurant, serving traditional Korean & Japanese grub on Parnell Street.
Roots
No added refined sugar in these bowls. A Drury Street favourite, dishing out a wide selection of drinks including the viral Marshmallow Bomb from Spilt Milk.
Mama’s Revenge
Trinity College’s neighbour. Burritos start at €6.95, and students can enjoy the €8.95 Burrito Deal.
Ramen
Pop in for their Mon–Wednesday lunch menu for the best deal. Blissful bowls start at €14.50 before 5 pm.
Nutbutter
A favourite spot for a nutritious and flavourful meal. Proof that healthy eating doesn’t equal boring. Exceptional food and service.
Tang
Healthy, Middle Eastern food made fresh every day. Flatbreads start at €8.75, and salads at €8.95. Wonderful staff and incredible matcha.
ULearn’s Comprehensive Culinary Cheapo List 2026
Want the full enchilada? Here’s our big list of budget-friendly spots across Dublin — sourced from real students and locals. Most meals are €10 or under.
| Restaurant | Address | What to get | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donal & Declan’s Deli | 34 Bolton St, Dublin D01 T2T9 | Massive plate of pasta | €9.00 | Takeaway only |
| Chiya | 71 Dame St, Dublin 2 | Berliner kebab | €9.90–10.00 | |
| Yum Thai | 53 Capel St, Dublin 1 | Too Good To Go: two full takeaway boxes | €7.00 | Lucky dip / TGTG app |
| Senbazuru | Fairview | Lunch deal: bento box / noodles / fried rice | €10.00 | Mon–Fri lunch |
| Amuri By Day | Off Grafton Street | Sandwich on panini bread | €9.50 | |
| Govindas | Vegan plate | ~€10.00 | ||
| Neon | Camden Street | Lunch deal: meal + drink + ice cream | €12.00 | Lunch deal only |
| Camille | Lunch deal (12–4) | <€10 | ||
| Silk Road Café | Chester Beatty | Too Good To Go portion | ~€7.00 | |
| San Sab | 14 Drumcondra Rd Lower, Dublin 9 | Lunch options (12–4) | €8–9 | |
| Dalang Korean | 5 Dame Court, Dublin 2 | Lunchtime meal + miso soup | €9.99 | |
| Aobaba | 46A Capel St, Dublin 1 | Pork baguette / tofu baguette / pho | €8–10 | |
| Alfie’s | 10 South William St, Dublin 2 | Lunchbox: starter + main + side | €10.00 | Mon–Fri |
| Turkish Kebab House | 1 Parnell St, Dublin 1 | Kebab + chips + drink | €8.50–9.00 | |
| Tucano | Feijoada takeaway | €6.50 | ||
| Trinity Buttery | Trinity College, College Green, Dublin 2 | Meals | €5–10 | Large portions |
| Tír Deli | Near Harcourt Luas | Sandwich + soup combo | €8.50 | |
| Han Sung | 20 Strand St Great, Dublin 1 | Rice + 3 dishes + miso soup | €9.50 | Infinite miso refills |
| Central | 37 Capel St, Dublin 1 | Lunch boxes of hot food | €5.50 | |
| Dunnes | Stephen’s Green / Ilac | Salad bar / pasta / sandwich | €5–7 | |
| Il Capo | 13 Talbot St, Dublin 1 | Small pizza + chips + dip + drink | €8.50–9.00 | |
| Tang | 23C Drury St, Dublin 2 | Bean flatbread / huge portions | ~€8.95–10.00 | |
| Wowburger | Burger (student deal with fries + drink) | €10.50–13.95 | Flash student ID | |
| Pablo Picante | Dawson / Clarendon / Baggot | Burritos | Indoor & outdoor seating | |
| Mama’s Revenge | 13 Leinster St S, Dublin 2 | Burritos (student deal) | €6.95–8.95 | |
| Umi Falafel | 13 Dame St, Dublin 2 | Falafel | <€10 | Palestinian / Lebanese |
| Bambino’s | Slice of pizza | ~€7.00 | ||
| Pera Mediterranean BBQ | Mary’s Street (near Jervis) | Various portions | <€10 | Several options under €10 |
| Cafe Sol | 10 Eden Quay, Dublin 1 | Thai curry | <€10 | |
| Pickosito | 122 Capel St, Dublin 1 | <€10 | ||
| Blas Cafe | 19 King’s Inns Street | Ham & cheese toastie + spuds + side salad | €10.00 | |
| Sano Pizza | 17 Exchange St Upper, Dublin 8 | Margherita pizza | €10.00 | |
| Green Bench Cafe | 18 Montague St, Dublin 2 | Hotpot / sandwich + soup | €8.50–10.50 | |
| Oriental Emporium | 5 Mary St, Dublin 1 | Bao buns | From €1.50 | |
| Carluccio’s | Dawson St, Dublin 2 | Pasta box | ~€8.50 | |
| Lansdowne Hotel | 27 Pembroke Rd, Dublin 4 | Toastie / toastie + chips | €5.50–9.00 | |
| Tadka House | 72 Rathmines Rd Lower, Dublin 6 | Indian street foods | ~€8.00 | |
| The Little Cactus | 26 Manor St, Stoneybatter, Dublin 7 | Cheese toastie + tomato soup | €10.00 | |
| Roots | 23C Drury St, Dublin 2 | Açaí bowls + drinks | No added refined sugar | |
| Nutbutter | Healthy bowls & seasonal menu | |||
| Kimchi Hophouse | Parnell St, Dublin 1 | Korean & Japanese dishes | Dublin’s oldest Korean restaurant | |
| Drunken Fish | Korean rice, noodles, hot pot & BBQ | Unlimited hot pot & BBQ option | ||
| Vice | Near Merrion Square | Sourdough pizza by the slice + wings | ||
| Ramen Dublin | Lunch bowls (Mon–Wed before 5 pm) | From €14.50 | Best value at lunch |
Prices are approximate and can change. When in doubt, check with the restaurant directly or look them up on Google Maps for the latest menus.
Common mistakes (avoid these)
- Forgetting hidden costs (books, deposits, short-term transport)
- Over-estimating income from part-time work
- Eating out every day — cooking at home a few nights a week makes a big difference
How ULearn can help
- Review your budget plan
- Help you estimate realistic categories
- Student life questions: contact the Student Success Team.
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