3 Gems Coventry Foodies Won’t Want to Miss!
Why isn’t Coventry known for its food? It doesn’t have the glam appeal of London haute cuisine, but Coventry’s full of hidden gems. Its diversity is a treasure, food from across the globe comes at mouth-wateringly low prices.
Do you want Korean barbecue or Jerk chicken? Coventry’s got it. Student foodies on a budget will rejoice at the number of budget options available within a walking distance of the city centre. Today we’re going to explore three of these.
1. SHIN
SHIN’s trendy interior. Image courtesy of SHIN.
Hip and atmospheric. This restaurant is tucked away a bit, in a plaza with several other restaurants and small shops, right across from BBC’s CWR building. The building itself is modest and welcoming, and my companion and I were quickly sat down among the eclectic tables and chairs.
For my meal, I decided on Karaage (Japanese fried chicken) as a starter, which I shared with my companion, with the Spicy Duck Ramen as a main. Now I’m rather fussy with karaage, it has to be the right level of crispy, accompanied by Japanese mayo and some zesty lemon, and this did not disappoint.
I probably should’ve ordered a second one, because I wanted more even when I was done.
SHIN’s Ramen. Image courtesy of SHIN.
The Spicy Duck Ramen was hearty but not overfilling, a problem I’ve had with a lot of ramen. Filled with a variety of vegetables and some nicely simmered broth, it was served at an unusual temperature – hot but not the piping hot you’d usually expect. The duck was tender and a bit fatty. It really complimented the broth.
For something labelled spicy, it wasn’t particularly spicy, more umami, but for those looking for a milder ramen this is a great option! They only accept cash, so make sure that you hit the ATM before arriving!
2. TORTILLA
Tortilla’s Interior. Image by Henry Fox.
Fast-paced and fun. “It smells like home, it tastes like home”, said Coventry University student Jean, chowing down on a burrito and tortilla chips. The smell of Mexican food wafts out from the open doors, and the bright colours and patterns of the small, deli-style restaurant draws you in.
“It smells like home, it tastes like home.”
Tortilla brands itself as a real Californian taqueria, and it sure feels like one. I recognised loads of brands from my time staying in Northern California.
El Yucateco hot sauce was for sale alongside large bottles of Arizona ice tea.
The staff are super friendly, and we had a great conversation as they were filling my order.
Eating outside on Tortilla’s patio. Image by Henry Fox
A really fun aspect of ordering at Tortilla is that you can design your own burritos, everything to your liking. Whether you’re into cheese cheese cheese, a carnivore to the core, or you’re someone wanting a healthier option, everything is customisable.
I ordered a regular burrito with tomato rice, pinto beans, vegetarian chilli and cheese, accompanied by a bottle of ice tea.
I agree with Jean on this one, it’s homely, savoury but not very spicy, and warming even when eating outside on the terrace. Great for November.
They also do meal deals, so it’s a good budget option if you need something to fill you up.
3. KAHAWA CAFE
Chatting at Kahawa Cafe. Image by Henry Fox.
Chilled-out and homely. The smell of coffee wafted from the counter and soft, jazzy music played in the background. It was quiet when I arrived, just after 4pm for a late lunch. A few customers were milling around in quiet conversations.
A great place for students this one. I spent a good few minutes sitting at my table, typing away at an assignment. You have access to eduroam inside the building and the coffee and tea are top notch.
I decided to order a French Toast with Chocolate and a Matcha Latte.
Lunch for one at Kahawa Cafe. Image by Henry Fox.
The latte came first, it was earthy and nutty, not too sweet, with that lovely green colour you expect from matcha. However the real star of the show was the brioche French toast.
It was chewy and warm with that subtly sweet, eggy, and salty flavour that everyone loves from French toast. The Nutella drizzle was an amazing addition too, which brought it up a good bit in my mind.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK?
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Thank you for reading!
