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Brisbane’s Best Cheap Eats for Decadence on a Budget
Discover the best cheap eats in Brisbane, $5 tacos to $7 toasties.
There’s nothing worse when you’re on the go than spending the better part of a $50 note on lunch, especially when you’re at work. Whilst eating out and takeaway have inevitably risen in price, there are still plenty of cheap and cheerful bites to be had across the city, from crisp and crunchy banh mi to bargain bowls of pho.
Ready to snack on some savvy bites? Read on for Brisbane’s best cheap eats.
Banh Mi Factory
When you’re strapped for cash, nothing beats a banh mi. Filling, delicious and variable by filling, it’s a meal you can still score for around $10 — almost unheard of!
Banh Mi Factory is a top choice, with three locations around the city. Their classic banh mi will only set you back $10.50 for grilled chicken, chargrilled pork or beef, mixed meats or tofu. If you’d like to shake it up, their rice paper rolls are also a bargain at $7.50 for a pack of two.
Multiple locations
Little Greek Taverna
Lunch or dinner under $15 is almost impossible these days but Little Greek Taverna are serving it up for just $12. All of their pitas are a nice and easy round price, whether you opt for halloumi or lamb. The rest of the menu is equally well-priced, should you fancy a full-on Greek feast.
Shop 5, 1 Browning Street, West End
El Torito
$5 tacos? Heaven is a place on earth! And it’s not just tacos that are a bargain at this authentic Mexican joint that has been going strong since 1996. You can also get $5 tamales with either a bean or chicken filling. With glasses of sangria going for just $8, it’d be rude not to indulge.
146 Boundary Street, West End
Momo Chicken
Delish, affordable fried chicken is yours for the taking at Momo Chicken. The Momo lunch box (available between 11:30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday) is your best bet for a bargain bite. For $18.90, you’ll get a hearty serving of rice, coleslaw and boneless fried chicken.
If you’re feeling devilish, the Korean snack pack (yep, chips and fried chicken drizzled in tangy sauce) is a feast and all yours for under $20.
Locations across Brisbane
Melt Brothers
Sometimes it’s a grilled cheese sandwich or nothing. When the cravings hit, head to Melt Brothers where you can score a gourmet toastie for just $7. If you want to throw in a couple of premium ingredients, you’ll be looking at anywhere from $11-$15. Cheap as chips!
Uptown Centre, Queen Street
Vietnamese Pho Ever
If you’re looking for something super filling, a bowl of Pho is a top contender. All those fresh herbs, broth and chilli are a boost to the immune system, too! Head to Banyo to score a bowl of the good stuff from just $15. Family-owned business Vietnamese Pho Ever are keen to share their recipes and hospitality. Regardless of what meat you choose (or tofu!) all prices start at $15 for a small bowl and cap at $22 for a large.
66 Blinzinger Road, Banyo
Gung Ho! Dumpling Ramen
Handmade dumplings are our delicacy of choice most days. Luckily for us, Gung Ho! Dumpling Ramen is serving them up from just $9 for 5 pieces.
If you’re feeling exceptionally peckish, all of their large mains — think katsu curry, tonkatsu ramen and laksa noodle soup — all sit nicely under $20.
Swing by for the lunch special and you can grab a selection of 10 piece dumplings for $14.50.
680 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley
Now that you’ve discovered Brisbane’s best cheap eats, find out what is happening in Brisbane this month. Or if you’re still feeling hungry, scroll through our guide to the best new restaurants and find somewhere new for dinner!
