Your chariot may be about to swing low, or you might feel the need of your own version of the haka, there may even be flowers, thistles, dragons, wallabies or pumas involved. But whatever flag you’re flying during the Rugby World Cup, the passion, intensity and drama of the matches will mean you’ll need plenty of pit-stops. So we’ve rounded up the best places to drink and eat (usually on a budget) in most of the host venue cities.*
* Milton Keynes and Gloucester have yet to be fully covered in our budget eats and craft beer series. So, feel free to add recommendations in the comments for stop-offs in these destinations.
London venues: Twickenham; Olympic Park, Stratford; Wembley
With 17 games across three London venues, including both the opening match and final at Twickenham, it will be hard to dodge World Cup fever in the capital. Fortunately, there are enough food and drink options to meet the demand for celebrations, commiserations and calories.
• Top 10 craft beer pubs in central London
• Top 10 budget restaurants and cafes in central London
• 10 of the best coffee shops in London: readers’ tips
• Top 10 classic cocktail bars in London
- Top 10 budget restaurants around London’s Olympic stadium
- Top 10 budget restaurants around Wembley Stadium, north-west London
- West London’s top 10 budget restaurants (for Twickenham)
Cardiff
The mighty Millennium Stadium is the venue for eight WorldCup matches and supporters from at least nine different countries will be able to discuss their fortunes amid the city’s mix of stylish new craft beer bars and traditional boozers.
• Top 10 craft beer pubs in Cardiff
Birmingham
Aston Villa’s football ground, Villa Park, will host two matches – on the weekend of 26 and 27 September – giving fans ample opportunity to sample beers at the much raved about Bartons Arms nearby, as well as at more central new- and old-style pubs. The food scene is eclectic, diverse, and in Anderson & Hill possessing a deli that boasts NYC-size sandwich portions.
• Top 10 craft beer pubs in Birmingham
• Top 10 budget restaurants and cafes in Birmingham
Brighton
A duo of matches, featuring South Africa, Japan, USA and Samoa, will grace Brighton’s Community Stadium on 19-20 September. The cosmopolitan culinary selection includes gastropubs, a bakery-cafe, Mexican-inspired meals and a vegetarian canteen, while there are craft beer pubs across the city.
• Top 10 craft beer pubs in Brighton
• Top 10 budget restaurants and cafes in Brighton
Exeter
The Exeter Chiefs’ Sandy Park will welcome teams and fans from Tonga, Namibia, Georgia, Italy and Romania. Should contemplation time be needed before (or after) a game, then there is an excellent riverside food and drink route to discover.
• Exeter and Topsham’s 10 best budget restaurants, cafes and delis
• Exeter waterside pub and grub ride
Leeds
One of the heartlands of Rugby League will be embracing “the other code” during the tournament, with Elland Road hosting to two matches, featuring Italy, Canada, Scotland and USA. Leeds has also welcomed the new wave of craft beers and microbreweries – and also serves up grand food on a budget.
• Top 10 craft beer pubs in Leeds
• Top 10 budget restaurants, bars and cafes in Leeds
Leicester
A trio of ties, on 4, 6 and 11 October will be staged at Leicester City’s stadium – and while it’s unclear whether the supporters of Argentina and Tonga will revel at the prospect of playing in the city that’s home to Walkers Crisps, it’s fairly likely they’ll be delighted at the dynamic and inexpensive range of eating establishments, particularly its famous curry houses.
• Leicester’s top 10 budget eats
Manchester
There is just one match in Manchester but it features England (against Uruguay), so is sure to be a hot ticket. If hot food is what you’re after the city has a great selection of budget cafes, delis and restaurants, while a cooling beer can come from any number of craft and microbrews served in a city that knows its beer onions – if that’s even a thing.
• Manchester’s top 10 craft beer pubs
• Top 10 budget restaurants, bars and cafes in Manchester
Newcastle
South Africa v Scotland on 3 October kicks off the three matches at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park, with New Zealand v Tonga and Samoa v Scotland to follow later in the month. The beer scene in the city continues to evolve and thrive, while our list of 10 great places for food under a tenner shows that quality doesn’t have to come at an inflated price.
• Newcastle’s top 10 craft beer pubs
• Top 10 budget restaurants and cafes in Newcastle
