Damon Mcknight
Australia is a foodie paradise, offering a variety of cuisines to suit all budgets. From fresh local produce to international dishes, there's something for everyone looking for a cheap eat. Whether you're in the mood for a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Australia's diverse food scene has you covered with options ranging from street vendors to restaurants. For those on a budget, the country offers an array of affordable choices, including supermarkets, bakeries, food courts, and fast-food chains. Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide are known for their cheap eats, with a variety of cuisines like Thai, Italian, Nepalese, Japanese, and Indian. So, whether you're craving dumplings, noodles, pizza, or a classic chicken and salad, Australia has something delicious and affordable for you!
Cheap Eats in Australia
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Variety of Cuisines | Indonesian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Nepalese, Mexican, German, American, Indian, Vietnamese, Palestinian, Singaporean |
| Specific Foods/Meals | Noodles, Roti, Curries, Rice Bowls, Bento Boxes, Ramen, Tacos, Quiche, Dumplings, Noodle Soups, Pancakes, Bánh Mì, Falafel, Pies, Kebab, Pizza, Fast Food |
| Average Price Range | $5.90 - $20 |
| Cheap Food Sources | Street Food, Supermarkets, Bakeries, Food Courts, Restaurants, Cafes |
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What You'll Learn
Cheap restaurants in Sydney
Sydney is a city with a diverse culinary landscape, offering a plethora of affordable dining options. Here are some cheap restaurants and eateries to explore:
Mamak Haymarket
A vibrant Malaysian restaurant, Mamak Haymarket offers a contemporary dining experience with a twist on traditional dishes. The menu features an array of options, including satay, noodles, and sweet roti for dessert.
El Jannah, Newtown
Indulge in the legendary garlic sauce at El Jannah, a budget-friendly restaurant in Newtown.
Black & White Espresso
Located on George Street, Black & White Espresso is a great spot for breakfast classics and coffee. Their reuben sandwich, stuffed with pastrami, sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese, is a must-try and costs only $15.
El Camino Cantina
This Tex-Mex hotspot serves some of the city's most famous margaritas, along with $2 tacos on Tuesdays and 10-cent wings on Wednesdays.
Chinese Noodle King
Just off George Street, this BYO eatery offers delicious dumplings at great prices. $20 can get you a generous portion of dumplings, making it a fun and lively option for groups.
Bankstown Lebanese Restaurant
With generous serving sizes and most dishes under $25, this restaurant is a great option for Lebanese food. They offer mixed plates for under $20 and various wraps, including kafta, shawarma, and falafel, for $8 each.
Omela Cafe, Marrickville
For delicious East Malaysian cuisine, Omela Cafe is a fantastic choice. You can get a massive Nasi Lemak for just $15, which is as good as what you'd find in Malaysia.
Long Chim
While the food may not be the cheapest, Long Chim offers a pleasant dining experience with friendly and attentive service.
Additionally, you can find great deals on dining through the EatClub app, which offers targeted deals and discounts of up to 50% off at various restaurants and bars in Sydney.
For a quick bite, Saké, one of Sydney's best Japanese restaurants, offers happy hour deals with signature drinks starting at $7 and mouthwatering dishes like Popcorn Shrimp and Hiramasa Kingfish.
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Affordable food in Melbourne
Melbourne is a foodie's paradise, with a plethora of affordable dining options to choose from. Here are some suggestions for cheap eats in the city:
Momo Central
This Nepalese restaurant, located near the Melbourne State Library, is a local favourite. They serve delicious and inexpensive dumplings (or "momos") as well as lentil pancakes. The portion sizes are generous, and you'll leave feeling satisfied.
Stalactites
Stalactites is a Greek institution in Melbourne. While ordering multiple dishes can add up, you can enjoy a delicious and affordable meal by sticking to a souvlaki and some chips. The atmosphere is lively, and the food is sure to please.
Shandong
Shandong is a dumpling specialist, offering refined and delicious dumplings at very reasonable prices. Their fish dumplings, in particular, are a must-try, with a unique blend of flavours that will tantalise your taste buds. You can easily feast here for less than $50.
Vola Foods
For a unique culinary experience, head to Vola Foods, a Cameroonian restaurant located in a Brunswick parking lot. Chef Ashley Vola and her team serve up hearty West African soul food, including jollof rice, puff puff (fried African dough balls), and mouth-watering barbecued meats. The plantain cup with fried chicken is a must-try at $15.
Chef Wong
Located in Huntingdale, Chef Wong is a small family-run restaurant specialising in authentic Cantonese yum cha. With over 40 years of experience, Chef Wong prepares everything from scratch, ensuring a delicious and affordable dining experience. You can even order takeaway or online for your convenience.
Tawooq
Tawooq is a family-run business in Brunswick East that serves affordable, Beirut-inspired street food. The casual and buzzing atmosphere makes it a popular spot for those seeking a quick, tasty, and budget-friendly meal.
In addition to these suggestions, Melbourne also offers a variety of cuisines to suit all budgets, including Indian, Persian, and Japanese. Explore the city, and you're sure to find cheap eats that will satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank.
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Eating on a budget in Adelaide
Australia is a food heaven, with fresh and local fruit and veggies, and a wide range of cuisines to choose from. Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, is no exception. The city offers high-end restaurants, exciting local produce, inventive bars, and some of the world's best wines, but it also has a great budget dining scene.
Adelaide's cultural and ethnic mix means that visitors can enjoy a variety of cuisines, including Vietnamese, Ethiopian, and Afghani. The city's Chinatown, based around Gouger Street, is a great place to find cheap eats. Here, you'll discover a plethora of restaurants, cafes, wine bars, pubs, and food courts serving up everything from cheap Chinese food to inexpensive Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, Thai, and Nepali dishes.
For pizza lovers, there's Sunny's Pizza, which offers Naples-style thick-crust pizzas with a gorgeous char from the wood oven, as well as non-pizza options like wood-roasted Brussels sprouts and fried chicken. Francesca's in Glenelg is another pizza joint that's easy on the wallet, with margarita pizzas for under $13. If you're craving dumplings, head to Lucky Dumpling & Noodle, where you can get a main, steamed rice, and a soft drink for just $24.90.
Adelaide also has some great options for lovers of ethnic foods. The Flying Fig Deli, a Jewish deli, serves up boiled bagels, pickled dills, smoked meats, and salmon. For Vietnamese fare, Sit Lo is a popular choice, with modern venues serving fresh and tasty bao buns and banh mi for $10 or less. La Popular Taqueria offers delicious and affordable Mexican street food, with tacos for under $12.
So, whether you're in the mood for pizza, dumplings, or something more exotic, Adelaide has plenty of budget-friendly options to satisfy your cravings.
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Cheap eats in Hobart
Hobart, Australia's smallest capital, is known for its fresh dining experiences, driven by the surrounding sea and Tasmania's local produce. The city docks, Salamanca, and North Hobart are prime dining hubs, but reasonably priced eateries are scattered throughout the city and its inner suburbs. Here are some top picks for cheap eats in Hobart:
Flippers
One of four floating fish punts on Constitution Wharf, Flippers offers a classic Hobart experience. Enjoy a traditional fish and chips or indulge in a fisherman's basket, featuring fresh fish, scallops, crab sticks, calamari, and prawn cutlets. Grab your meal and head to the docks to enjoy your seafood feast with a view of the city's fishing fleet.
Jackman & McRoss Bakery
Located in the historic Battery Point neighbourhood, just a short stroll from Salamanca Place, this bakery invites you with its enticing display of pastries and baked goods. Try their breakfast panini, filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, tomato, and avocado, or sample a unique Tasmanian treat with their famous scallop pie.
Ginger Brown
Nestled in a small shopping strip in South Hobart, about two kilometres from the city centre, Ginger Brown is a local favourite. Its retro tables and breezy vibe set the stage for inventive dishes like their fried haloumi, beetroot, orange, and baby spinach salad. It's the perfect lunchtime spot if you're planning to visit the nearby Cascade Brewery.
Sushwich
For affordable and tasty sushi, Sushwich in Wellington Court is a great option. While it may not be gourmet, it offers delicious and cheap sushi options.
Breadd
If you're looking for a cheap eat at home, Breadd's flatbreads are a fantastic choice. Buy a pack and pair them with soup for a satisfying and budget-friendly meal.
Teppanyaki Legend
Teppanyaki Legend on Liverpool Street usually has specials, and most of their menu items are reasonably priced.
Medici
Medici's mini pizzas are a great option for a quick bite. The Garlic Prawn pizza, in particular, offers a surprisingly generous portion of prawns for its price.
Ja&Jon
For a delicious Banh Mi, Ja&Jon is the place to go. Their Banh Mi costs around $11.80, offering a tasty and affordable option.
In addition to these eateries, Hobart also boasts great cafes with delicious coffee and pastries, such as the Machine Laundry Café. And don't forget to check out the Farm Gate Market, which transforms an inner-city street into a bustling farmers' market every Sunday.
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Budget-friendly supermarkets
Australia is a food heaven, with a variety of cuisines to choose from, including Indonesian, Thai, Malaysian, Japanese, Chinese, Italian, Nepalese, Mexican, and many others. While there are plenty of restaurants, fast-food places, and street vendors to choose from, some budget-friendly supermarkets are worth checking out if you're looking to save some money on groceries. Here are some of the top budget-friendly supermarkets in Australia:
Aldi: Consistently ranked as the cheapest supermarket in Australia, Aldi has been found to offer lower prices than its competitors since 2015. In a recent survey, a basket of 14 common grocery items cost $51.36 at Aldi, compared to $66.84 at Coles, $67.34 at Woolworths, and $74.90 at IGA. Aldi's prices have also decreased by 0.3% since 2022, making it an even more attractive option for budget-conscious shoppers.
Coles: Coles is one of the largest and most popular supermarkets in Australia, known for its attractive prices and wide selection of products, especially Australian brands. With around 2,500 stores across major cities like Sydney and Melbourne, Coles offers fresh and sustainable options for health-conscious shoppers, including fresh meats, fish, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. Coles also has a rewards program called Flybuys, which allows customers to earn points redeemable for groceries, appliances, and even travel perks.
Woolworths: Woolworths is another well-known and widely available supermarket chain in Australia. They offer a diverse range of brands, and over 90% of their fruits, vegetables, and meats are organic and sourced from Australian farms. While their prices have increased slightly since March 2024, they still offer good value for money, and their wide range of products makes them a convenient option for many shoppers.
IGA: While IGA is not among the cheapest supermarkets in Australia, it offers high-quality local products, including top-grade meats and vegetables. IGA also runs weekly promotions, so shopping on the right day can help you save money while still accessing excellent items.
Costco: Costco is a giant department store with locations worldwide, including supermarkets in Australia. While it may not be the first choice for budget-conscious shoppers, the ability to buy bulk quantities of food and other household items can lead to significant savings. However, keep in mind that Costco sells in large quantities, so it's best to shop here if you have roommates or family members to share the costs.
By choosing budget-friendly supermarkets like Aldi, Coles, or Woolworths, and keeping an eye out for specials and promotions, shoppers in Australia can manage their grocery budgets effectively without compromising on the variety and quality of their food choices.
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Frequently asked questions
Here are some affordable places to eat in Australia:
- Haymarket’s Spicy Joint in Sydney, where a bowl of Dan Dan noodles costs $5.90.
- Momo Central in Melbourne, which serves delicious and cheap Nepalese dumplings and lentil pancakes.
- Wazzup Falafel in Melbourne, which was crowned Time Out Melbourne's Best Cheap Eat in 2025.
- A Malaysian restaurant in Chinatown, which serves inexpensive dishes such as curries and noodles.
- Flippers in Hobart, a seafood shop that serves affordable fast food.
Some cheap food options in Australia include:
- Supermarket food, such as cooked chicken and bread rolls.
- Fast food from places like Hungry Jack’s, KFC, and McDonald's.
- Bakeries, which offer bread, pies, sausage rolls, and other baked goods at a good price.
- Street food such as banh mi and vegan burgers.
Some inexpensive foods to cook at home in Australia include:
- Beans, lentils, and rice, with a variety of spices and seasonal vegetables.
- Meat pies, kebabs, and pizza by the slice.
- Noodle dishes, such as laksa and Dan Dan noodles.
