Late night bites

Whether post-club, post-pub, or just a craving to be satisfied, late-night food trips are the staple of university life. As someone with at least 100 Warwick night outs under her belt, I’m qualified enough to advise you where the best place for these trips is. My serious analysis and ranking system will give you a definitive conclusion and something to look forward to for term three.

#7 McDonald’s
Location: 1/5
Price: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Hangover cure: Yes, with enough water to balance out the immense levels of salt.
Wait time: 3/5
Cheesy chips: N/A
This rating would be completely different if the Parade McDonald’s stayed open past midnight. However, they don’t, so the nearest one is at Europa Way, an approximately 25-minute walk from the Parade. I have done this walk after Neon a fair few times, and while it’s potentially not very safe, in a large group, it’s a good way to start sobering up and work up an appetite. I fully support romanticising a post-night-out at McDonald’s as it is the best food for avoiding a hangover. However, the location is seemingly inaccessible to Ubers, which drops it lower in my ranking. I have once waited an hour for an Uber, but it was arguably worth it for a double quarter-pounder. It’s worth the adventure as a fresher, but if you’re living in Leamington Spa, it’s better to order for delivery.

#6 Viallis Fast Food
Location: 3/5
Price: 2/5
Taste: 5/5
Hangover cure: Depends on how much you get – arguably the portion sizes aren’t enough to soak up that many jägerbombs.
Wait time: 1/5
Cheesy chips: 4/5

While Vialli’s is arguably the most well-known stop for a late-night bite, you never return once you’ve found cheaper. I prioritise efficiency in a post-night-out food trip, but Vialli’s is not this. While they are some of the most patient servers, you will be waiting at least 10 minutes no matter what you buy, especially if it’s a Friday night. Come here for excellent cheesy chips, but come with enough money and time to wait!

I would even have it sober, so you know it’s good

#5 Craving
Location: 3/5
Price: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Hangover cure: No.
Wait time: 2/5
Cheesy chips: 3/5
Next up is Cravings. Cravings is a fan favourite, as it is a great stop after Kelsey’s. If you pay by cash on a night out, this is the place for you. Pizzas of any size cost £10 if you pay in cash, and I’m not questioning why. Although the menu is top tier, they have never got my order right, so arguably, menu variety doesn’t matter. However, I absolutely recommend Cravings for a kebab that doesn’t destroy your insides, so it’s a safe choice before getting an Uber.

#4 Spice Lounge
Location: 5/5
Price: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Hangover cure: Depends how well it sits in your stomach in the Uber back to Leamington Spa.
Wait time: 2/5
Cheesy chips: 4/5
I couldn’t ignore Spice Lounge in Coventry for choices outside of Leamington Spa. It is the go-to stop after a Kasbah Monday. Spice Lounge remains one of my favourite spots, despite the absolute chaos (or ambience, some would say) when you sit in. While I don’t remember how often I’ve been here, my camera roll shows me that Spice Lounge is home to good food for good prices without long wait times. You’ll find a menu with all the night-out favourites, great portion sizes, and even better prices. You will probably end up buying multiple things. My tip? Don’t get the cheesy garlic bread.

#3 Sicilian Pizza & Kebab
Location: 2/5
Price: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Hangover cure: Yes!
Wait time: 3/5
Cheesy chips: 3/5
This one is less of a fresher location. Whether that’s a good thing is up to you. Sicilian’s is a hidden gem, and if timed right, you get speedy service and somewhere to sit while you wait. I cannot rave enough about the pizza here. I would even have it sober, so you know it’s good. There’s less variety on the menu here, but it’s difficult not to crave a pizza as soon as you walk in, although I’ve heard good reviews about the burgers. If you’re willing to come a little bit further South, come here for the best pizza your drunk self will ever experience. Additionally, you won’t be scared of your bank balance the following day!

I have tried and enjoyed everything, and I encourage you to do so too

#2 Sombrero Mexican Food
Location: 3/5
Price: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Hangover cure: Yes (unless you can’t hack spice).
Wait time: 5/5
Cheesy chips: 5/5
Sombrero holds a strong second place with a menu that is very different from the other options on this list. The service, value for money, and satisfaction of Sombrero is unmatched. Despite how far North it is in Leamington Spa, I make it my mission to get a Sombrero after any night out. Located just down the street from Smack, Sombrero offers various Mexican dishes, and they do the best cheesy chips. The gluttony of devouring a chimichanga and a large cheesy chip is liberating, and it is a healthy option as it includes vegetables. Also, if you’re too far South in Leamington Spa, then don’t worry. Sombrero was delivered to my house within 15 minutes, and the food stayed immaculate.

#1 Raj Fish and Kebab House
Location: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Taste: 5/5
Hangover cure: Yes!
Wait time: 5/5
Cheesy chips: 5/5 (+1 extra for gravy)
I could never have written this without acknowledging the best fish and kebab house in Leamington Spa, which is Raj’s. It’s located almost opposite to Smack. Raj’s excels in every department. The servers tolerate and entertain drunk students, the food is fast and delicious, and the prices are unbeatable. Their gravy is heaven-sent (as a Northerner, I can make that judgement), and the menu has everything from fried chicken, burgers, fish and chips, battered sausages, pizzas, kebabs, and even pickled eggs. I have tried and enjoyed everything, and I encourage you to do so too.

Hopefully, my Gordon Ramsay-level approach helped you determine where to eat for your next night out or evening takeaway. Although we can’t compare it to a city university, Leamington Spa (and Coventry for Spice Lounge) is full of hidden gems. Make it your mission to try them all!