Where to Eat at UON

At Waterside Campus, you’ll find a wide array of eating options. The Market is the largest restaurant on Waterside Campus and is the perfect place to meet up with friends for a hot breakfast. They have you covered for lunch, with the daily meal of the day, hot and cold grab-n-go food choices a curry of the day, fresh salad bar and the popular noodle bar. The meal deal option is still one of the cheapest options in town!

Accommodation at the University is self-catering so you will need to buy food when you arrive. There are a number of supermarkets located within walking distance from the Waterside Halls of Residences, which stock an excellent range of goods, including a variety of international ingredients and cuisines to meet all of your day-to-day requirements. You will also find a variety of takeaway restaurants close by. For Boughton Green Road Halls you will find the well-stocked UNO Express right on your doorstep for your everyday needs.

Food outlets

The Market

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday
  • 8am to 4pm

The Market is a bustling, student-focused restaurant designed to provide a variety of tasty, affordable meals and snacks.

Offering fresh produce and international cuisine, creating a vibrant and diverse experience. You will find dishes inspired by our students’ diverse cultures and we even facilitate student takeovers where students work with our qualified chefs to offer a special cultural menu offering.

The Market enhances campus life by fostering a community atmosphere where students can socialise, meet for breakfast and lunch, play board games and more. Regular events and activities further contribute to the lively environment, offering free meals for special calendar events including Diwali, EID, Lunar New Year and Christmas making it a popular spot for both students and staff.

We are also part of the ‘Too Good To Go’ scheme. Offering ‘magic bags’ of discounted food, to help eliminate food waste from our outlets while offering a opportunity to grab a bargain.

Our £1 Friday deals is the best bargain on campus, where we sell food for £1 after 2:30pm this helps to support our students with the current cost-of-living crisis.

The Ground

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday
  • 8am to 4pm

The Ground coffee shop is a popular campus spot known for its high-quality barista coffee and cozy ambiance.

Located conveniently in the library for students and staff, it offers a range of beverages, including speciality coffees and teas, alongside a selection of pastries, pizzas, meal deals and light snacks.

The welcoming atmosphere makes it an ideal place for studying, socialising, or taking a relaxing break between classes.

The Ground’s friendly staff and comfortable setting contribute to its reputation as a favourite gathering place within the university community.

Waterside Bar

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday
  • 11.30am to 10pm

Waterside Bar is a vibrant and social hub for students and staff. Located next to the river on the university’s scenic Waterside Campus, the bar offers a variety of beverages, including larger, IPA, wines, and cocktails, as well as a menu of tasty pub-style food, all at student friendly prices.

It’s inviting atmosphere, complete with comfortable seating and a modern design, makes it a perfect spot for unwinding after classes, meeting friends, or attending events. The bar frequently hosts entertainment such as live music, quiz nights, and themed parties, adding to its appeal as a central spot for relaxation and socializing on campus.

Sporting fan? We’ve got you covered, we show all the popular sporting events with Sky Sports at the bar, from the Premier League to Cricket with 4 permanent large screens and pop up screens we have every event covered.

To top it all off there are the latest gaming consoles, retro arcade machines, darts board, pool tables and board games which are all completely free to use for all students. Within the bar.

Innovation Café

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday
  • 8.30am to 2pm

Innovation Cafe at the Innovation Centre Northampton is a dynamic and contemporary cafe catering to students and professionals.

Located across from the train station, it provides a stimulating environment where innovative minds can connect over high-quality coffee, teas, and a selection of light bites.

The cafe’s modern design and relaxed atmosphere make it an ideal spot for informal meetings, networking, or taking a break from work.

With its focus on fostering creativity and collaboration, Innovation Cafe is a valued amenity for those involved in the centre’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Exchange Café

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday
  • 8am to 4pm

The Exchange coffee shop is a popular destination on campus, known for its inviting atmosphere and convenient location on the ground floor in the Senate building.

It serves a variety of high-quality beverages, including specialty barista coffees, teas, smoothies, and milkshakes along with a selection of pastries, meal deals and light snacks.

The Senate’s comfortable seating and modern decor provide an ideal setting for students and staff to study, relax, or catch up with friends. It’s friendly service and welcoming environment make it a favoured spot for both casual hangouts and focused work sessions within the university community.