The variety of food offered by the vast number of restaurants in downtown Toronto is mind-blowing, but can be daunting if you’re a newcomer to the area. The following food joints are staples near campus that are cheap and guaranteed to satisfy your culinary cravings.

Biggest Meal
NEW COLLEGE CAFETERIA
40 Willcocks St.

We all have days when we’re so hungry that we want to eat everything we see. Have no fear! You can do just that on campus, at the New College Cafeteria. This caf offers cheap, buffet style, all-you-can-eat meals, so you can pile on all the food you like and satisfy those cravings.

Cheap Date
RED LOUNGE
444 College St.

If you meet that special someone and want to treat them at the right price, Red Lounge’s thorough menu offers stomach-filling, if simple, entrees for under ten dollars, cheap drinks, and frequent special deals. It’s also very dark inside with lots of cushions. Just saying.

Best Pizza
CORA PIZZA
658 Spadina Ave.

Located across from the U of T Athletic Centre and open well into the night, Cora Pizza is renowned among students for its delicious and cheap fare. It’s rare to achieve that perfect combination of pizza thickness and cheesiness, but Cora’s succeeds, offering scrumptious, grease-covered pies that will leave an expression of joy (and tomato sauce) all over your face.

Best Sushi
NEW GENERATION
Multiple locations on Bloor Street

New Generation has a constant rotation of specials and deals, allowing you to satisfy your sushi cravings while sticking to a budget. The menu boasts the run-of-the-mill sushi and eminently crave-able appetizers, along with some specialty rolls that are surprisingly delicious

Grease Fix
VARIOUS FOOD TRUCKS
Along St. George Street

Cheap, reliable, convenient, and, yes, sometimes, a bit disgusting: the many food offerings of St. George include greasy Chinese food, greasy hot dogs, and of course, greasy fries. While not the classiest option, a quick lunch at one of these fine mobile establishments is convenient and delicious.

Also, check out our guide to the best coffee in town.