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Food and drink

On the Birkbeck campus, you can find cafés, the student bar and the roof terrace that overlooks Torrington Square. Our central London neighbourhood means that you are also surrounded by food and coffee options near to campus. Here's a look at what's on offer with options that suit a range of budgets. 

Birkbeck roof terrace bar
Students on the roof terrace of Birkbeck's student bar

BIRKBECK CENTRAL CAFÉ, ON CAMPUS

Open Monday to Thursday, 8am-6pm and Friday 8am-4pm.

Located on the ground floor, the café in Birkbeck Central is a calm and comfortable area of campus, perfect as an alternative study spot.

BLOOMSBURY FARMERS' MARKET

Every Thursday, street food stalls arrive on Birkbeck's doorstep as part of Bloomsbury Farmers' Market serving up breakfast, lunch, cakes and seasonal food. The market is open 9am-2pm.

FREE VEGETARIAN LUNCH

Run entirely by Hare Krishna volunteers, this free vegetarian meal is loved by all students in the area and is served outside every day from 12-2pm by our neighbours SOAS.

GEORGE BIRKBECK BAR, ON CAMPUS

Right in the middle of campus, Birkbeck's own student bar serves up inexpensive drinks and gives you the chance to enjoy evening views of the city from the roof terrace. Find it on Level 4 of Birkbeck's Malet Street main building.

THE INSTITUTE BAR

The Institute is a much-loved postgraduate student bar run by our neighbours UCL. Birkbeck students are very welcome, just take your student ID card. 

MICROWAVE KITCHEN, ON CAMPUS

You can bring your own food to campus and microwaves are available in Birkbeck's Clore Management Centre. 

PERCH CAFÉ, ON CAMPUS

  • Monday to Friday, 8am-8.30pm and Saturday 8am-4.30pm (term time)
  • Monday to Friday, 8am-4.30pm (out of term time)

Whether you've got lectures in the evening or afternoon, Perch will be open when you arrive on campus serving coffee, sandwiches and snacks. Find it on the ground floor of Birkbeck's Malet Street main building.

TERRACE 5 RESTAURANT, ON CAMPUS

  • Monday to Friday, 11am-6.30 pm (term time)
  • Lunch service is 12-2pm and dinner service is 4-6pm.

For lunch, you can eat a main hot meal with two sides and a salad for £6. If you're arriving on campus for evening classes, soups, salads and sandwiches are served until 6.30pm. Find it on Level 5 of Birkbeck's Malet Street main building.