Frugal Feasts: The Best Cheap Eats in Canberra

Canberra may not be a city synonymous with budget dining, but that’s not to say more affordable options don’t exist — you’ve just got to know where to look!

From Vietnamese hidden gems to some of the best Lebanese cuisine in the city, there are lots of excellent spots that are sure to keep your tummy and your wallet happy and full.

Read on to discover the unassuming eateries that deliver quality feeds at friendly prices with our list of the best cheap eats in Canberra.

YAKA on Wheels

Food trucks are always a great shout when you’re looking for a bargain bite. Whilst YAKA on Wheels doesn’t have a permanent location, you can find their latest haunt by following along on their socials. Serving up Sir Lankan street food with a twist, you can score Jaffna Jaffles for $8, Colombo hot dogs for $10 and national favourite Yaka Kottu for a sweet $18. Worth the treasure hunt!

Check socials for location

Verity Lane Market Hall

When you don’t want to spend big but need a little inspiration on cuisine, head to Verity Lane Market Hall, one of the best markets in Canberra for a bit of everything at reasonable prices.

Perfect for a casual lunch (or a fun date night) in Canberra, this is a buzzing food hall filled with vendors serving mouth-watering cuisines from around the globe. From plates of Korean fried chicken at Seoul Chicken to authentic Italian pizza from Una Pizza, this is a trip around the world, without the hefty price tag and our go-to when we want a cheap and cheerful meal.

50 Northbourne Avenue, Canberra

Mr Pasta

Craving pasta but don’t want to fork out big money? Head to Mr Pasta, where you can customise a bowl of the good stuff for under $20. You can choose your pasta (they’ve got GF options, too!), then your sauce and any adds-on you should like.

30/33 Hibberson Street, Gungahlin

Little Phat Rolls

Touted as some of the best banh mi in Canberra, you’ll find this hidden gem tucked into the parking lot of Waves Carwash. A roll with all the trimmings won’t set you back more than $15. Little Phat Rolls also serves up a bunch of other tasty bites, ranging from vermicelli salad to bao and steamed pork buns.

17 Lonsdale Street, Braddon

Yarralumla Turkish Halal Pide House

There’s usually a small crowd milling about outside Yarralumla Turkish Halal Pide House, and for good reason. This takeaway joint is fast, tasty and best of all, inexpensive.

The huge menu caters to a few dietary requirements, so you’ll find something to suit every taste. Choose from pides (naturally), kebabs, gozlemes, burgers, snack packs, entrees and desserts. Many dishes are vegetarian and a few are vegan-friendly, too!

The lamb kebab, sucuklu pide (with Turkish salami) and kabak mucveri (fried zucchini balls with yoghurt sauce) are all excellent, but the banquets are really where it’s at. You get a bona fide feast with dips, bread, rice, skewers, pide and more for just $22.50 per person.

Shop 1/47 Novar Street, Yarralumla

Kita

The best part about this affordable spot in Canberra? It’s the place to be after hours, with food available until 5am every day. Yes, really.

Kita offers up a menu filled with Indo-fusion meals, from small bites like lumpia, otak-otak and satay ayam to bigger dishes like nasi goreng, laksa, a Kita burger and a weekly curry special.

59 Boolimba Crescent, Narrabundah

Loquita

Craving Mexican? Head to Loquita for $7 tacos every day (or 3 for $15!) Or if you’re feeling extra savvu, swing by on a Tuesday to score tacos for $4 a pop! That’s a saving of $3 per taco. There are plenty of flavours to choose from, including slow-cooked beef brisket and fried cauliflower. Whichever you choose, they all pair perfectly with a jug of sangria. The only rule? Arrive hungry.

17 Garema Place, Canberra

Now that we’re successfully tightening the purse strings with the best cheap eats in Canberra, how about saving some money on booze, too? Here are our guides to the best happy hour specials in Canberra and the best wines under $20.