Cheltenham is full of fantastic foodie places to munch for lunch or are a winner for dinner and we've selected our best places to eat on a budget. This Top 10 have central Cheltenham locations, and they're all single outlets or owner-managed independent chains that we love!
Bar & Wok
Location: 288 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HQ
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 582 346
Booking advised
The King of Wok & Roll, Bar & Wok is the noodle bar that's loved by locals. Noodles, rice dishes and traditional grill dishes, it's fast, fantastic and a lot of the produce is grown on the restaurant's own farm. It's easy to eat for less than £10 per person! See our foodie experience blog for more...
Paparrito's
Location: 214-216 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3HF
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 511942
No booking needed
With the option to eat in or take away, Paparrito's is fast and fantastic. Probably the best burritos outside of Mexico, the food is fresh, filling and fabulous. A medium burrito costs as little as £5.10 and it's easy for two people to eat and drink for less than £15.
Ginger & Garlic
Location: 332-334 High Street, Cheltenham, GL50 3JF
Contact: Website | 01242 519 888
Booking advisable for Friday & Saturday night.
At its heart, Ginger & Garlic is a traditional Korean restaurant. Don't be fooled by the mention of fish & chips or karaoke (neither are seen often here despite being on the menu), Ginger & Garlic is a fabulous dining experience. We can highly recommend the Bibimbap bowls, although there is little on the menu that we won't eat!
For a one course meal with drinks, you can expect to eat for around £12, although if you have more time and you're feeling flush, we recommend pre-booking one of their Korean Barbeques, where you can cook your own at the table. The BBQs are priced per platter (which can easily feed 3-4 people) for around £40-£50. Read our Ginger & Garlic foodie experience...
Smokey Joe's
Location: 16 Bennington St, Cheltenham, GL50 4ED
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 513 744
No booking required
Perhaps not what you'd expect on the traditional Regency-style Bennington Street, this traditional American Diner offers a great atmosphere, fabulous treats and mind-boggling milkshakes, or should we say freakshakes. We appreciate you may not fancy a freakshake in all its glory, but don't let this put you off a trip into the restaurant.
Our favourites include the Chicken Southern Fried Buttermilk Fillet burger and the good ol' fashioned Mac & Cheese. One course will set you back between £8 & £12 and you can guarantee fast and friendly service too.
The Coconut Tree
Location: 59 St Paul's Rd, Cheltenham GL50 4JA
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 465758
Booking advised
Affordable, fast and friendly just about sums up the experience at The Coconut Tree where you will find an array of Sri Lankan street food, served in a tapas style. Whatever your dietary requirements, The Coconut Tree can cater, and a lot of the menu just happens to be vegan too. Individual dishes start from £2.50 through to one at £9 and we recommend 6-7 dishes per couple. They also have a fantastic range of cocktails and mocktails too! Read our Foodie Focus...
Fat Toni's
Location: 4 Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HE
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 692 424
Booking advised on Friday & Saturday evenings
We think this might be the best pizza on the planet, but perhaps we are a little biased! These wood-fired pizzas on sourdough are divine and you can eat-in or take-away. A regular pizza is more than enough for one, or you can 'go large' and share with someone else, opting for the 'half and half' where you have two flavours per pizza.
Average prizes are around £11.50 for a pizza on your own, and if you can't eat it all they'll send you home with a doggy box for later! Read our foodie focus on Fat Toni's...
WoodKraft Cheltenham
Location: 13 Regent Street, Cheltenham, GL50 1HE
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 580 585
Booking recommended but not essential
Brainchild of Simon Wood (Masterchef 2015 winner) and his business partner James, WoodKraft offers seasonal dishes with locally sourced ingredients that are absolutely fantastic. Perfect for breakfast, brunch and lunch, Sandwiches and Ciabattas range from £5 to £13 while main courses such as Gnocchi will set you back just a tenner.
Huffkins
Location 1: Little Huffkins, 25 Promenade, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL50 1LE | 01242 511730
Location 2: Huffkins at John Lewis Cheltenham, 123 High St, Cheltenham, GL50 1DQ | 01242 300640
Contact: Facebook | Website
No booking necessary
A traditional Cotswold tearoom that's been around since 1890, you know these guys know a thing or two about cakes and afternoon tea. Perfect for a sugary pick-me-up or quick lunch bite, you'll also find breakfasts like Eggs Benedict, as well as sandwiches, burgers and light bites for lunch.
Well Walk Tea Room
Location: 5-6 Royal Well Road, Cheltenham GL50 3JX
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 574546
No booking required.
For daytime snacks, sandwiches and one of the best Afternoon Tea's in town, you cannot miss Well Walk Tea Room. You'll find this little gem on one of the oldest road's in Cheltenham, which used to form part of the path to the 'Spa', it's right next to St Mary's Minster which is the town's oldest building too. Sandwiches start at £3.50 per person, and Afternoon Tea starts at £12.95 per person.
The Find
Location: 20 Regent St, Cheltenham GL50 1HE
Contact: Facebook | Website | 01242 575228
No booking necessary
A vibrant and welcoming coffee houses, eats at The Find include daily delights like Avocado on Sourdough, Shakshuka and Falafel. Prices range on average between £7.50 and £11 so this is a great lunch stop while in town!
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So there you have it! Ten of our faves on a budget, right in the heart of town. Our foodie prowess does not stop there though and you can search our Food & Drink listings for your next favourites.