All that homework making you hungry? Take a break from school and come grab a bite in town! After all, you deserve it. Today, we’re going to take a look at the top 5 best spots in West Chester, PA that are affordable for students, close to the university’s campus, and of course, have great quality food!

Amore Pizza & Restaurant
Starting off strong, Amore Pizza & Restaurant is a great place to go if you’re looking for a cheap but delicious slice of pizza. Amore is home to more than 20 flavors of pizzas and calzones, each crafted by the most dedicated chefs. Additionally, this establishment holds a wide variety of other entrees, appetizers and desserts. From chicken wings to mozzarella sticks to onion rings, Amore has almost everything to satisfy your cravings!
Hours of Operation
Amore’s hours of operation are very convenient for students, as it’s open relatively late and even later on Fridays and Saturdays. Mondays through Thursdays they are open from 10:30AM-9:30PM, Fridays and Saturdays they are open from 10:30AM-2:30AM, and Sundays they are open from 11AM-9PM.
Ratings and Reviews
Amore holds a 4.2 out of 5-star rating, with many customers describing it as great, tasty, and phenomenal in their reviews. Other reviews describe the atmosphere as being very friendly and welcoming towards customers with an overall great restaurant experience. Several customers specifically emphasize Amore’s cheesesteaks, describing them as “the best [they’ve] ever had” and “ [their] favorite dish.” The people have spoken: Amore is the place to go!
Location
Amore is a popular choice of restaurant amongst students, as it’s very close to West Chester University. Located at 316 S High Street, this establishment is less than one mile away from campus. Walking from campus would run you about 13 minutes, and driving would only take 4 minutes.
Menu and Pricing
Amore Pizza & Restaurant benefits students with their inexpensive, delicious pizza slices! Students can enjoy a plain slice of pizza for just $3.50, and adding a topping only brings it to $3.78. What a steal!
To view their menu, you can visit their website here.
You can also call the restaurant at (610)-430-1800 with any questions.
Enjoy!

King’s Garden Express
Right up the street from Amore, King’s Garden Express is the perfect place to go if you’re in the mood for some excellent Chinese food. This establishment is most popular for their takeout and delivery, but there are still tables and booths to sit at if you’d prefer to dine-in. King’s Garden Express has favorite classics such as sesame, General Tso’s, and orange chicken with a side of rice/noodles. You can also crunch on different varieties of egg-rolls and dumplings as you enjoy your meal!
Hours of Operation
King’s Garden Express is suitable for students as their business hours are 11AM-11PM, with the exception of Sundays when they open just one hour later at 12PM. Their carryout/delivery services differ slightly, the cutoff being 10:30PM instead of 11PM.
Ratings and Reviews
King’s Garden Express holds a 4.1 out of 5-star rating, with customers describing it as fantastic, fresh, and generous. One review in particular highlights the convenience of their business hours: “Only Chinese restaurant open in West Chester after 9pm! Thanks kings garden!” Another highlights the service and atmosphere, stating that the restaurant has “fun decor,” and describing the chefs as “great people,” King’s Garden Express does not disappoint the needs of local WCU students.
Location
I wasn’t kidding when I said that this restaurant was just a little ways up the road from Amore Pizza & Restaurant. Located at 308 S High Street, King’s Garden Express is half a mile away from West Chester University, making it a convenient place for students to drop by and grab a bite. Getting there is a 13-minute walk or a 4-minute drive from campus, what an easy trip!
Menu and Pricing
King’s Garden Express is a student favorite because of how inexpensive their menu is. Their appetizers average around $8 and their lunch specials average around $10.
To view their menu, you can visit their website here.
You can also call the restaurant at (610) 918-9000 with any questions.
Enjoy!

El Limon
El Limon in Downtown West Chester is a Mexican Taqueria that’s home to some of the best tacos, tamales, quesadillas and other Mexican cuisines. They have a large variety of entrees, delicious shareables like chips and salsa/guacamole, and customizable salads. If you want affordable, high-quality Mexican food in West Chester, El Limon is the ideal place to choose.
Hours of Operation
El Limon is open 7 days a week from 10AM-10PM. They even open earlier than most competing restaurants and still close late, how convenient!
Ratings and Reviews
El Limon holds a 4.5 out of 5-star rating and leaves behind many positive reviews. One customer describes being “blown away” by their food, while others describe it as being “authentic” to Mexican culture. This restaurant appears to be several customers’ “go-to” Mexican restaurant with reasonable pricing. One customer specifically described it as “the best bang for your buck in Downtown West Chester.”
Location
If you’re a student, walking to this restaurant is a little more of a hike compared to others. Since it’s located downtown at 348 W Gay Street, getting there is going to run you about a 15-20 minute walk. However, it’s still just a mile away from campus, and driving only takes 4 minutes. Not too shabby, right? If you’re not in the mood to walk or drive, El Limon offers delivery services as well.
Menu and Pricing
El Limon has very reasonable pricing for each of its cuisines. You can customize your own tacos for just $3.09, tamales for $3.46, and guacamole for $3.35. They also offer a 3% cash discount and a complementary margarita when you dine in. If that’s not a bargain, I don’t know what is!
To see the full menu, you can visit their website here.
You can also call the restaurant at (215) 377-9557 with any questions.
Enjoy!

Buddy’s Burgers, Breasts & Fries
Buddy’s Burgers, Breasts, & Fries is the best place to go if you want to chow down on a delicious cheeseburger, hotdog or chicken sandwich. They also serve a variety of fries, wings, salads, tacos, cheesesteaks, and even desserts!
Hours of Operation
Buddy’s restaurant opens daily at 11AM, and Sunday through Wednesday they close at 9PM. Buddy’s knows that students love a good midnight snack, which is why Thursday through Saturday they remain open until 2:30AM!
Ratings and Reviews
Buddy’s has a strong reputation with its 4.1 out of 5-star rating. Most customers gave positive feedback about the burgers and emphasized the affordability, claiming, “Not too expensive and [the] food [is] delicious.” Another review mentions that it’s “popular with the college crowd,” highlighting that this establishment is favored among students at West Chester University.
Location
If you enjoy exploring the town of West Chester, Buddy’s is a great place to visit. Located at 11 W Gay Street, getting there is about a 20–25 minute walk, or a quick 7-minute drive. Buddy’s also operates a food truck that frequently stops around West Chester, bringing its delicious burgers straight to you!
Menu and Pricing
Who wants to spend $20+ on a cheeseburger? I know I sure don’t. Buddy’s knows this as well, which is why their signature burgers are just $6-8!
To view their menu, you can visit their website here. You can also call the restaurant with any questions at (484)-631-1006.
Enjoy!

Dia Doce Gourmet Cupcakes
If you’re looking for a treat in West Chester to satisfy your sweet tooth, Dia Doce is a perfect place to drop by. This bakery introduces new flavors of cupcakes each week, ensuring there’s always something fresh and exciting to try. With its warm, inviting atmosphere and friendly staff, Dia Doce offers a lovely experience that keeps customers coming back for more.
Hours of Operation
Dia Doce opens relatively early at 7AM every day of the week, and closes at 4PM.
Ratings and Reviews
Dia Doce deserves a round of applause for its 4.7 out of 5-star rating! Customers describe the flavorful cupcakes as being ‘rich,’ ‘smooth,’ and ‘tasty.’ One review even emphasizes that this bakery won the Cupcake Wars competition on Food Network, which speaks volumes about their food quality.
Location
Located at 100 S High Street, this bakery is just half a mile from the college campus; about a 10-minute walk or a quick 4-minute drive. It’s conveniently right up the road from Amore and King’s Garden Express, making it an easy stop for a sweet treat!
Menu and Pricing
Dia Doce offers a wide variety of cupcakes, and they also have coffee if you’re in need for a quick pick-me-up.
Each individual cupcake is just $3.50, but you can also buy multiple (prices may vary).
You can view their classic flavors by visiting their website here.
To find out their weekly flavors or ask any questions, you can call the bakery at (610)-476-5684.
Enjoy!
Share this with your friends and go grab a bite!
Melissa Coakley is a Media and Culture major at West Chester University. She uses social media daily, and is aiming for a career in advertising and/or social media management. When she’s not at class or work, you can find her out in the town of West Chester or watching her favorite comfort movie. Connect with her on LinkedIn!












