Life as a student at RMIT: Cheap eats near the City campus

Life as a student at RMIT has its perks, and studying in the heart of Melbourne at the centre of the city’s food scene is well and truly on the list.

As the culinary capital of Australia¹, there is no shortage of international flavours and bustling places to dine in Melbourne.

Whether you’re after a nutritious lunch in between classes, an afternoon pick-me-up or a post-exam treat, local knowledge is key to ensuring you get to experience all that Melbourne has to offer.

Sticking to a student-friendly budget, we’ve got you covered with a foodie hit list of bites under AUD$15, Melbourne must-eats and RMIT student recommendations to tick off while you’re on campus in the city.

An RMIT City campus landmark, we’ve estimated the journey to each location from Building 22, the iconic building on the corner of Swanston St and Lonsdale St.

Meals under $15

For delicious food minus the hefty price tag, be sure to try these affordable eats for under $15.

Poke or salad bowl from Fishbowl – QV Melbourne

3-minute walk from RMIT

Prices from $11.90

Fishbowl has revolutionised fast food, serving up poke and salad bowls, making everything from scratch, every day. Where Japanese meets Australian seafood, you can dine in or order ahead and eat on-the-go with an extensive menu or the option to build your own box or bowl.

Noodles from Udon Yasan

10-minute walk from RMIT

Prices from $3.90

Known to be Melbourne's cheapest Japanese noodle bar, you can tuck into a delicious, hearty bowl that you’ve concocted yourself at Udon Yasan. With soups and cold noodles starting at $3.90, you’ll be relying on your friends to drag you away from this student go-to.

Bahn Mi from VB Rolls

6-minute walk from RMIT

Prices from $12

While there’s no shortage of Bahn Mi options across the city, our top pick is just a short walk from campus. As a staple for an affordable mid-week lunch, you’re guaranteed to be satisfied with a freshly baked crunchy roll and all the usual trimmings.

Grab-and-go eats under $5

You don’t have to sacrifice taste for convenience when you’ve got limited time in between classes! Here are our top picks for a healthier snack or something a little more comforting:

Sushi generally starts from $2.80 per roll at most commercial sushi kitchens that surround RMIT’s campus.
Find $5 pizza slices at Sal’s Pizza or Pizza Pizza Pizza, both a 15-minute walk from RMIT.
Stock up on $4.20 sausage buns, pastries from $3.80 and $6.30 cake slices at Breadtop inside QV Melbourne, which is just a 3-minute walk from RMIT.

Melbourne must-eats

From coffee and croissants to famed Melbourne vendors, life as a student at RMIT means crossing these must-eats off your bucket list.

Coffee

Melbourne’s coffee culture is renowned, and for good reason. While everyone will have an opinion on the best café for their morning brew, before you find yourself a regular spot, check out our five favourites around campus:

Little Rogue, a 3-minute walk from RMIT
Hikari, a 3-minute walk from RMIT
No Vacancy Gallery, a 4-minute walk from RMIT
Axil Coffee Roasters, a 4-minute walk from RMIT
The League of Honest Coffee, an 8-minute walk from RMIT

Queen Victoria Market

11-minute walk from RMIT

An institution since 1878, the Queen Victoria Market is rich in history and in food offerings. On market days, you’ll find a number of food trucks across the sheds and on Wednesday evenings during both summer and winter, the Night Market offers up some of the finest food and beverage retailers, as well as shopping and live entertainment. QVM is also home to Market Lane Coffee, one of the first specialty coffee shops in Melbourne.

Pastries from Lune Croissanterie

15-minute walk from RMIT

Prices from $7.10

Don’t mind a pastry with your morning coffee? It would be remiss to go past Lune Croissanterie, after all, the pastry prowess belongs to RMIT alum Kate Reid. Bias aside, the famous Lune croissant has been labelled among the world’s best – it’s time to let you decide!

Viral Melbourne delicacies

If you’re on TikTok, you’re bound to come across these delicacies doing the rounds on your feed. Find out what all the fuss is about and try Wang’s crispy pancake, located directly opposite the State Library on Swanston St, or head further south towards Flinders St Station and indulge in the ever so popular crème brûlée crepe from Uncle Tetsu.

RMIT student favourites on campus

Sometimes, the best finds are right in front of your eyes. While there are endless options just a stone’s throw from the City campus, be sure to check out what RMIT has to offer a step outside your classroom as well.

Realfoods café

Located at RMIT Building 8, accessed via Swanston St

Prices from $6

$6 meat-free Mondays and toastie Tuesdays? Say no more! Run by staff and student volunteers of the RMIT University Student Union (RUSU), Realfoods café provides ethical, plant-based and healthy food options that cater to diverse dietary needs. Fancy a 10% discount every day of the week? Become a RUSU member and make the most of this on-campus gem!

RUSU free food events

Yes, you read that correctly – free food! Thanks to the RUSU crew, you can enjoy free weekly breakfast and lunches. Find Find out what’s on offer throughout the semester, from fruit and muesli to sausages in bread, vegan burgers and more!

Bubble tea from Xing Fu Tang RMIT

Located at RMIT Building 14 (Percival Jackson Building) on Swanston St

Prices from $5.80

When it comes to bubble tea on or around campus, Xing Fu Tang stands out from the pack. With their boba pearls stir fried in brown sugar syrup, these teas pack a punch of caramelised, nutty flavours.

The Oxford Scholar

Located at RMIT Building 81 on Swanston St

Nightly specials from $15

Get your Melbourne pub experience at ‘The Oxford’, located in the heart of RMIT’s City campus. With all day drink deals, lunch specials and rotating pub meal classics on each night of the week, plus 15% off for RMIT students and alum on all non-special items, it’s no wonder this laid-back bar and eatery is a university favourite.

Story: Jacqueline Guldon

¹Visit Victoria ‘Foodie Facts’ 2023

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