Studying in South Africa can be expensive, but eating well doesn’t have to be! Whether you’re at UCT, UJ, Wits, Tuks, NWU, or Sol-Tech, students across the country have access to amazing budget-friendly meal specials, campus food options, national chain discounts, and affordable grocery hacks.

This guide covers the best student deals nationwide, so you can save money no matter where you’re studying.

 National Weekly Restaurant Specials (SA-Wide)

These chains offer the same specials in most South African cities where students study.

Monday

• Bossa – Burger Special from ±R85

• RocoMamas – Varies by branch (look for Smash Mondays)

Tuesday

• Spur – 2-for-1 Spur Burger Tuesdays

• Debonairs – Triple-Decker or “Real Deal” promo

Wednesday

• Steers – 2-for-R59.90 Burger Deal

• John Dory’s – Half-Price Sushi

• Wimpy – Coffee + Breakfast combo promo

• Hungry Lion – Wednesday Wing Deals

Thursday

• Panarottis – All-You-Can-Eat Pizza

• Fishaways – Hake & chips specials

• Chicken Licken – Hotwings deals under R60

Weekend Deals

• Nando’s – Family & student-sharing combos

• McDonald’s – App-only specials

  https://mcdonalds.co.za/deals
  

2. Local Student Hotspots Near Major Campuses

Cape Town (UCT, CPUT, Varsity College, IMM)

• Nuri Sushi – Half-price daily before 5pm

• Tiger’s Milk – Daily food specials

• The Ramen Joint – Affordable student bowls

Grocery Tip: Checkers Hyper Kenilworth often has the best bulk student deals.

Stellenbosch (SU Students)

• Gino’s – Pasta specials

• Hudsons – Weekday specials

• Java Café – Student lunches under R80

Local hack: “Dorp Street Spar” is known for cheap ready-made meals.

Johannesburg (Wits, UJ, Rosebank College, AFDA, Boston)

• Chicken Licken Braamfontein – Student favourite cheap combo

• Great Dane – Cheap student food nights

• Dolls House – Affordable takeaways

Closest cheap groceries: Shoprite Braamfontein + Pick n Pay Jorissen Street.

Pretoria (UP, Tuks, Sol-Tech, Akademia, TUT)

• Relish Hatfield – Budget meals

• Summit Grill – Weekly specials

• Padbok Thai in Hatfield – Affordable bowls

Tuks Tip: Use your student card at the “Campus RAG Farmyard” food court.

Durban (UKZN, DUT, Varsity College, Regent)

• Cubana – Student-night deals

• Mochachos Berea – Cheap chicken meals

• Hollywood Bunny Bar – Affordable curries

North West (NWU Potch, Mahikeng, Vanderbijlpark)

• Toro – Very student-priced

• Die Akker – Student lunch plates

• Romans Pizza – Cheap student sharing meals

3. Butcheries & Grocery Savings (South Africa)

National Grocery Chains with Student-Friendly Prices

• Checkers Sixty60 – App-only deals

• Pick n Pay ASAP – Monthly Smart Shopper bulk specials

• Shoprite – Lowest day-to-day prices

Butcheries in Student Areas

• Joburg: Impala Butchery (Rosebank)

• Cape Town: Joostenberg Butchery (Stellies)

• Durban: Bluff Meat Supply (cheap and popular)

• Pretoria: Pretoria Meats (Gezina)

 Tip: Buy bulk chicken, mince, or wors and split cost with roommates.

4. Campus Meal Card Options (Most Universities)

UFS, NWU, UP, UCT, Wits

Most campuses support student card payments at on-site food courts.

Examples:

• Wits Canteen (Matrix Building)

  https://www.wits.ac.za/students/wits-food/

• UCT Food & Dining

  https://www.dining.uct.ac.za/

• UP Campus Food Outlets

  https://www.up.ac.za/campus-amenities

• NWU Food Services

  https://studies.nwu.ac.za/student-life/food

5. Transport Deals for Students

• Uber Student Discounts (during certain months)

• Bolt Campus Zones (cheaper around UP, UCT, Wits)

• Intercape Student Discount Programme

  https://www.intercape.co.za

6. Bonus: National Student Budget Tips

• Use your student card everywhere for discounts (movies, restaurants, gyms).

• Follow campus Telegram groups for last-minute deals.

• Meal prep on Sundays; it cuts weekly food costs by 40%.

• Shop at the end of the month (bulk deals everywhere).

• Use apps like SnapnSave and Checkers Xtra Savings.