Frugal Feasts: The Best Cheap Eats in Adelaide

As much as we love to be wined and dined at the fanciest hatted and fine dining restaurants, sometimes the small hole-in-the-walls serving up slices on paper trays or a warm bowl of pho hit the spot. You could be grabbing a speedy lunch, a bite to eat before a show or simply want some good food without the price tag (cozzie livs is so real).

Savvy Adelaideans know that some of the best eats in this city are also some of the cheapest, with everything from juicy handmade dumplings and piping hot pizzas to authentic Thai dishes. No matter the cuisine, you’re guaranteed a meal your tummy and your wallet will love with the best cheap eats in Adelaide. Let’s dig in!

Lucky Dumpling & Noodle

This excellent cheap eats spot in Adelaide’s north has a tempting offer that’s hard to resist. If you’re scrolling through UberEats, check out Lucky Dumpling & Noodle’s fantastic meal deal: one selected main, steamed rice, and a can of soft drink for just $24.90!

But it doesn’t stop there. When dining in, enjoy delicious deals every day of the week, with every dish under $20! Dig into five juicy pork soup dumplings for just $12.80, slurp up a bowl of Singapore seafood laksa for $18.80, or savour the flavours of beef kway teow for $17.80. With prices like these, why not throw in a few sides? Think crispy shallot pancakes, flaky roti bread, and tangy sambal eggplant.

Sitchu Tip: Don’t miss out on their weekend specials. Pop by on Saturday or Sunday to see what delicious surprises are on the board—there’s always something new and tasty to try.

26 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide

Two Bit Villains

This spot is a local favourite for those after a cheap and cheerful plant-based fix. Most of Two Bit Villains’ tasty menu items are under $15, making it a go-to for budget-friendly eats. We can’t get enough of their epic vegan burger lineup—think the OG Cheeseburger, a saucy Sloppy Joe stacked with fresh slaw, pickles, and a spicy maple BBQ sauce, or a mouthwatering Buffalo “Chicken” burger.

From crispy “chicken” tenders and buffalo tofu bites to chilli dogs and cashew mozzarella sticks, this spot hits all the right notes without hitting your wallet. Plus, it’s all served in a super cool offbeat diner with Tiki décor, housed in the Adelaide Arcade. 

Sitchu Tip: Don’t leave without trying their hand-crafted sodas—they’re as fresh as they are fizzy.

Adelaide Arcade, Shop 150, Level 1, 111/117 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Sit Lo

Sit Lo quickly gained popularity with locals for its servings of all things fresh and tasty and certified purse-friendly cheap eats. Their modern venues boast excellence from the inside out with a delicious assortment of handmade bao buns and mouth-watering banh mi for $10 or under. From tofu and fish to panko fried chicken, these hearty Vietnamese rolls are a cheap and cheerful lunch staple that will keep you full until payday. There’s the tempting option to upgrade to a loaded noodle or salad bowl from $16, with add-ons including steamed Asian greens, extra meat and all the saucy goodness. 

Bank Street, Waymouth Street, UNISA City West

Francesca’s Pizza & Sandos

The secret is in the sauce at this buzzing pizza joint in Glenelg. From the team behind Hey Bianca, Francesca’s is winning all of our spend to save respect with their $12.95 margarita pizza wallet (pizza portafoglio) and sandos under $17. This is not just any pizza pocket – it’s a tasty treat that’s as convenient and cheap as it is delicious and satisfying. Their secret sauce gets added alongside parmesan, fresh basil, fresh mozzarella and a drizzle of olive oil. Simply perfect – and simply put, it’s one of our favourite cheap eats in Adelaide.

728 Anzac Highway, Glenelg

La Popular Taqueria 

La Popular Taqueria offers delicious and affordable Mexican street food, making it a go-to spot for budget-friendly eats packed with flavour. Friendly and vibey, this Port Adelaide favourite is dishing out ridiculously tasty tacos for under $12. The pulled pork cochinita taco served with hot habanero sauce and pickled onion; grilled chicken taco with salsa roja, coriander and onion; and braised mushroom tacos are the real steals here, coming in under $11. 

Sitchu tip We’d be doing a disservice if we didn’t let you know the best night of the week to visit. It’s 2-for-1 margaritas on Thursdays. Need we say more?

225 St Vincent Street, Port Adelaide

Motherlode 142

This boozy fried chicken shop in the heart of Adelaide has been stealing hearts since its inception – but fortunately, not all of our money! There are bargain dishes to be had here, from their bottomless fried chicken (or fried cauliflower) and waffles night coming in under $30 on Wednesdays, to their signature nuggets sitting pretty at $17 a pop. The honey sriracha chicken tenders are also a must, delivered to your table as a set of two or three. Comfort food doesn’t always come with a comforting price tag these days, but the team at Motherlode 142 are here to disprove that, one chicken tendy at a time.

142 Hindley Street, Adelaide 

Midnight Spaghetti

We all know that the stalwart Crown & Anchor is home to cold, affordable pints and great live music – but did you know that Midnight Spaghetti sits upstairs dishing up some of the best cheap eats in Adelaide? 

It’s a brilliant spot that knows how to do family night, right. Every Wednesday, head on up post-pint for $15 pastas and a bottle of wine for under $30. Treat yourself to a side of Sicilian olives or their delicious focaccia. You’ll need to be quick to make the most of this deal, Midnight Spaghetti are closing their doors in May this year.

196 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 

Adelaide Central Market

When you need extra sustenance as you browse the fresh produce and artisan goods at the Adelaide Central Market, fuel up without breaking the bank. Smiley’s Tuckshop is delivering the goods with fresh bacon and egg rolls, simple toasties and premium coffee. The combos seal the deal, with a pie or pasty and a can of drink for $8, or a ham and cheese toastie and a coffee setting you back $10.

Craving Italian? Check out Lucia’s Pizza and Spaghetti Bar. Frugal foodies flood in for their freshly prepared paninis, homemade pasta and sauces, and of course, their signature deep pan pizzas – all of which will give you change from a twenty. While pizza is most certainly a breakfast dish in our eyes, the team here also do some banging brunch plates that are also worth checking out.

When the winter chill sets in, warm up with a piping hot bowl of laksa for less than $20 at Asian Gourmet – a mainstay of the markets for more than three decades.

Adelaide Central Market, 44/60 Gouger Street, Adelaide

Ban Ban

Who said frugal has to mean only one meal? Tick the “Feed Me” option on your menu and the team at Ban Ban will take you on a Korean culinary adventure for only $42 per person! Picking out house specials from their simple yet sublime menu of chicken, kimchi and rice dishes, expect traditional tastes with a western touch. From kimchi fries and crunchy Korean fried chicken to seafood pancakes and cheesy corn casserole, Ban Ban does comfort food like a boss.

Adelaide & Port Adelaide

Dante’s Deli

When you find yourself in Glenelg, Dante’s Deli is the go-to spot for sandwich enthusiasts. Open seven days a week, this small but mighty deli has earned a reputation for serving some of the best sandwiches in Adelaide, all for under $20. The simple menu boasts tempting options, including a fresh sopressa with pickled peppers, a veggie delight featuring peperonata, eggplant, provolone and artichoke, and a tuna melt that’s nothing short of a flavour explosion.

Sitchu tip: These sandwiches are in high demand, so be sure to arrive promptly when they start serving at 10:00am, as they sell out fast. Your taste buds (and your bank account) will thank you for this one!

3/58 Jetty Road, Glenelg

Star Dumplings

Versatile, filling and downright tasty, dumplings are the holy grail of cheap eats. In the heart of Chinatown, Star Dumplings is no frills, no fuss and deliciously authentic. With most dishes sitting under $20, settle in and order a feast of steamed dumplings stuffed with fillings including pork, chicken and prawn, seaweed and pork and vegetarian. The purse-friendly feeds don’t stop there, as they also offer stir-fried noodles, rice dishes and sizzling chef’s specials including beef and black bean with rice.

27b Moonta Street, Adelaide

Kin Kin Thai Eatery

If you have a craving for Thai food, Kin Kin Thai Eatery will serve you well, and just so happens to be one of our go-to venues for cheap eats and cheerful vibes. The food is top-notch, with the kitchen pumping out an extensive range of favourites across salads, curries, stir-fries piled high with noodles and mains with succulent prawns, meats and seafood. Fresh, zippy flavours feature in dishes like green papaya som tum salads and khao pad fried rice, with the loaded dishes sitting around the $20 mark.

4/242 Hutt Street, Adelaide

Burgertec

When you need a good ol’ burger, it’s hard to look past Burgertec. Using fresh quality ingredients across its five locations, each burger has a hearty, homemade feel. From $7 Cheeseburger Tuesdays to $15 lunch combo specials, their impressive line-up and juicy patties will keep you well-fed and watered while saving some serious coin.

Various locations across Adelaide

Adelaide Pho

With no website or much social media presence, this little hidden Vietnamese restaurant stays well and truly hidden online, but in real life, Adelaide Pho is a constant go-to for those who want a cheap meal that doesn’t compromise on flavour. Sitting on Waymouth Street, stop in for a loaded and warm bowl of delicious Vietnamese Pho for around $20, made the authentic way with the broth cooking for over 24 hours to draw out the heartiest of flavours. If pho isn’t your thing, you can get three rice paper rolls for $11.50.

199 Waymouth Street, Adelaide

Okami

Refusing to compromise on quality or quantity, Okami invites you to feast on all you can eat sushi for just $42.80 per person. There are multiple sittings available daily, with diners getting two hours to work their way through the all-inclusive menu which features the likes of prawn gyoza, chicken karaage, sushi, sashimi and udon, as well as their menu of miso soup, vegetable spring rolls, skewers, wings, fried rice and salads. Top it off with a dessert of creamy signature Japanese green tea ice cream or a mini matcha taiyaki, because why not?! Heads up, you might want to wear your stretchy pants for this one.

287-291 Glen Osmond Road, Glenunga & Shop 5/297 Montacute Road, Newton

Parwana Afghan Kitchen

Prepare for a sensory explosion without an explosive price tag at the outstanding Parwana Kitchen. They have perfected a menu of succulent dishes over the years, including the dough based Mantu steamed dumplings and Ashak fried dumplings, both at just $25 a plate and coming with lamb mince, yoghurt and garnishes. The signature Banjaan Borani – an eggplant simmered in fresh tomato sauce and topped with garlic, yoghurt and mince – is a steal at just $21.

124b Henley Beach Road, Torrensville

Brighton Metro Hotel

No matter the weather, it feels as though the sun is always shining at the Brighton Metro Hotel. Snag a frugal feed the whole family will love at Charlie’s Diner, with an all-you-can-eat buffet starting at just $30 per adult, and under $20 for kids. The Sports Bar and Beer Garden menu has excellent happy hour deals, including their daily $7 pints and house wine and $8 spirits. If that wasn’t enough happiness for you, their 2 for $25 cocktail specials available Friday through Sunday will surely seal the deal. We’ll drink to that!

466 Brighton Road, Brighton

Gunbae Chicken and Beer

Giving you exactly what it says, Gunbae Chicken and Beer will feed you hand-crafted Korean fare and all the sides. Get your cheap eats served hot from their tasty tapas for two menu at just $49, with mandoo, original boneless chicken, slaw and pickled radish. More than two of you dining in? The Feed Me set menu comes to $49 per person, with four smaller plates followed by a signature boneless chicken tasting board complete with sauces and sides.

11-29 Union Street, Adelaide

New India Restaurant

For authentic Indian cuisine at reasonable prices, head to New India on Hindley Street. It has been a local favourite cheap eats offer for years, and it’s still as good now as it was when it first opened. Bold, aromatic flavours weave through a diverse selection of tandoor meats and fragrant curries, plus delicious snacks and sides like onion bhaji, hot samosas and the always refreshing mango lassis. With his decades of experience spanning across the globe, Head Chef Gopal’s menu is rich in authentic flavours and delivers quality restaurant food without the hefty price tag.

167 Hindley Street, Adelaide

If you’re hungry to discover more of Adelaide’s food scene after making your way through the best cheap eats Adelaide, be sure to check out some of our favourite new restaurants worth booking into, and the best pubs in Adelaide.