Freshers' Week Food Guide: Vegetarian & Vegan Eating Near Leicester's Universities

New to Leicester for university? Freshers' week is usually spent working out which parts of the city are actually worth your time once the campus tours are over - and food is a big part of that. Here's a practical starting point if you're vegetarian, vegan, or just want something different from campus catering.

Why it's worth looking beyond campus

Campus catering does the job, but it's rarely the reason anyone remembers a night out in first year. Leicester's city centre is close enough to both the University of Leicester and De Montfort University that it's genuinely worth building into your regular rotation rather than saving for special occasions.

Where Herb fits

Herb is on Granby Street, a short journey from both universities and close to Leicester railway station - useful if you're travelling in from student accommodation further out. The whole menu is vegetarian, with most dishes vegan or easily made vegan, which tends to simplify things if you're eating in a group with mixed dietary needs, as most student groups are.

Keeping costs down

The £6.95 business lunch thali, served Monday to Friday between 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM, is a lower-cost way to try a full meal without ordering individual dishes - a reasonable option if you're watching a student budget but still want a proper sit-down meal rather than something quick.

What to order first

A dosa is a good, inexpensive way in if you're trying South Indian food for the first time - see our dosa guide for the different varieties. If you're eating with a group, a few thalis shared around the table works well too.

Worth knowing for group bookings

If you're organising a flat or course group meal, it's worth booking ahead - see our guide to group bookings and celebrations for how that works at both branches.