We’re kicking off a series of blog posts about working in the city centre. To get us going, Emma shares her thoughts on the best grub available for five quid:

We all know that lunch time is the best part of your day, so to help you make the most of these magnificent minutes we’ve tracked down the best places to grab a tasty refuel for under a fiver. We’ve even got pudding covered so read on for some salivatory suggestions!

Eat-a-Pitta

Perfect for: Vegetarians, falafel fans, those who want a healthy salad that’s not actually healthy

Location: St. Nick’s and Broadmead

Cost: £4.50

The bread-and-butter at this establishment is a pitta filled to brim with falafel, humus and a plethora of salads. The ingredients are all fresh and homemade, laid out before your eyes in the heart of St Nick’s Market. It’s a pretty overwhelming meal, so we advise the salad box with lashings of tahini and chilli.

Fuego

Perfect for: spice enthusiasts, carnivores

Location: 7 Broad Quay, Harbourside

Cost: £5.55

With it’s sunshine-yellow exterior it’s impossible to walk past Fuego without the smell and colour drawing you in and once inside, the menu doesn’t disappoint. For just over a fiver you can get a burrito or taco stuffed with your choice of meat or vegetarian fillings with a soft drink to boot. Be warned you may need a partner in crime to help finish these sizeable helpings.

Maximillions

Perfect For: Feeding a family with a single sandwich

Location: 43 Broad Street

Cost: >£4

If you are serious about sandwiches Maximillions is the one and only place to spend your lunch. For under £4 you can get what regular customer Aaron called, “the biggest sandwich you are likely to find in Bristol’. Head to Broad Street to find sandwich fillings ranging from pulled pork to gammon to pasta (yes – pasta in your sandwich). Our top tip , don’t worry about lunch tomorrow either as the baps are so enormous you can just wrap up your uneaten half and save it for tomorrow.

Pieminister

Perfect For: Tasty, comforting, British grub

Location: St. Nick’s

Cost: £4.50

You probably don’t need us to tell you about Pieminister, they’re no less than a Bristol institution and for good reason. Their range of comically-named pastries take something distinctly old-school and give it a contemporary twist. We recommend the ‘Moo Pie’ with a classic beef and ale filling or the ‘Heidi Pie’ with sweet potato and goats cheese if you’re feeling more adventurous. Pieminister even offer a ‘light’ menu for those of you watching their waistline. Yum!

Bon Appetit

Perfect For: The last few days before payday, people with short arms

Location: The Haymarket

Cost: 99p

Bon Appetit is something of a food revolution. It’s like the song you won’t admit to loving or the crap tv show you watch on 4OD when you’re by yourself – everyone does it but no one wants to admit it. Paninis, hot drinks, pastries, it’s all 99p. When you’re proper skint but still don’t fancy bringing in some tin-foil-wrapped sandwiches from home, it’s time for Bon Appetit. It’s like Poundland for your lunch, what’s not to love?

And as for pudding…

Ahh Toots

Perfect For: The seriously sweet-toothed

Location: St. Nick’s

Cost: From £1.50

Head to the little Victorian trolley in the middle of St Nick’s Market and you’ll find a cake devotee’s dream. A personal favourite of ours is the unusual but yummy tamarind and date cake, their classic victoria sponge is pretty hard to beat too.

Sundaes Gelato

Perfect For: Those with a penchant for puddings, diet-breakers

Location: 23 Baldwin Street

Cost: From £1.50

Bristol’s first dessert café serves ‘simply good pud’ according to local Andrew Leakey. An American style diner with every ice cream flavour you could possibly dream of and more, this is a serious treat for under a fiver. We say go all out and grab a waffle or a pancake.