9 affordable Cheltenham eateries that won’t break the bank

Whether it’s a cheeky Tuesday takeaway, a leisurely lunch break, or dinner out with friends we all like to treat ourselves to a meal out from time to time.

But with costs constantly rising, finding restaurants that provide the best value for money is a top priority for a lot of would-be diners. That’s why we’ve rounded up a list of affordable Cheltenham eateries serving everything from a traditional British roast to Bombay street food and Sri Lankan tapas. Read on below for the lowdown…  

The Coconut Tree

59 St Paul's Road

With their rapid-serve menu of Tapas-style Sri Lankan delights. The Coconut Tree is the perfect place to kick back and enjoy a meal with friends.

Set back from the busy high street on St Paul’s Road, The Coconut Tree promises Sri Lankan family hospitality, relaxed island vibes and an authentic affordable menu.

With a wide selection of small plates to choose from, a couple dining together can easily curate a shared meal for less than £25.

288 Bar & Wok

288 High Street

288 Bar & Wok is a little taste of Hong Kong right in the heart of Cheltenham. Modelled on the noodle bars found throughout China, you will find long tables filled with students slurping down noodles rubbing shoulders with families enjoying classic Cantonese dishes. There is no ceremony here, just friendly service and a hassle-free atmosphere. 

As the 2019 winner and 2022 runner-up of the Guardian’s Observer Food Monthly Award for ‘Best Cheap Eats’ you know you’re getting fantastic value for money too. With all of 288’s main dishes sitting around the £10 mark.

Bombay and Co

5 Portland Street

Having recently moved premises from the lower High Street, Bombay & Co is a family-run Indian restaurant that has won a Trip Advisor Travellers Choice Award for three years running.

The inspiration for the menu and the décor of the restaurant both stem from the bustling, vibrant street food vendors of India’s biggest city. So expect enticing aromas, colourful street art and a warming environment.

With their small plates sitting around £5 and mains around £10, the restaurant is similarly priced to 288 too, so the only real question is do you fancy Chinese or Indian tonight?

Paparritos

214-216 High Street

Paparrito's prepare food only from the freshest and juiciest ingredients available. Promising no preservatives or artificial flavours. They aim to provide a healthier alternative for fast food lovers, one that’s quick, tasty and individually made up for each customer.

Everything on the menu is available for eat-in or takeaway. The restaurant features exposed brick, wood floors and comfortable seating, giving the impression of a cosy coffee shop over a typical fast food establishment. All of their burritos can be nabbed for around £7-£8. 

Spencer's Cafe

Winchcombe St, Cheltenham

Looking for a great place to get a cheap breakfast in the town centre? Spencer’s is the place to be. Another 2023 Travellers Choice Award winner, this traditional style café is always buzzing with people, from open to close.

Serving breakfasts from £7, burgers for a fiver and plenty of other options from jacket potatoes to curry and fish and chips there’s something for every meal of the day. Though the big breakfasts and desserts come with the most recommendations. 

Revival Cafe Bar & Grill

5-7 Winchcombe Street

Just across the road from Spencer's is Revival Cafe Bar and Grill. Featuring an expansive food offering that covers breakfast, lunch and dinner, Revival pride themselves on their unique menu designed by a talented team of Mediterranean chefs.

You'll see patrons tucking into a full English, feasting on fresh steak from the grill and enjoying pizza and a glass of wine under the open canopy. All under one roof! With similary priced brekkies to Spencer's and a revolving array of special offers you're sure to find a bargain.

Nasprias

95 Hewlett Rd

Nasprías is a family-run café and pizza ristorante that takes its name from the land where their family has had its vineyard in Sardinia for almost a century.

Using real Sardinian ingredients coupled with the freshest local Cotswolds produce, their specialities include handmade pizza al taglio, croissants, cakes and Italian Illy coffee. Their delicious rectangular pizzas all cost less than a fiver making it the perfect pit stop for a laid-back, late lunch. 

Bath Road Big Fish

166 Bath Road

Located on the site of Cheltenham’s oldest Fish and Chip shop, the aim of Bath Road Big Fish is to offer the finest fish and chips using natural ingredients.

Fish and chips on a Friday night are a British staple, and at Big Fish, they cook theirs with love and care. Enjoy responsibly sourced Icelandic Cod in natural batter, home-cooked chips and fresh mushy peas all for a little over £10.

Kemble Brewery Inn

27 Fairview St

Tucked away off of the high street is the Kemble Brewery Inn, a hidden gem of a pub whose great service and friendly staff have earned it scores of five-star reviews on Trip Advisor. Enjoy real ales and hearty British fare without the cost.

Featuring a cosy interior and covered seating in a garden-style patio the Kemble Inn is the perfect place for a Sunday Roast or a quiet drink on a sunny summer afternoon.