Cheap Eats in Melbourne

While the cost of living soars and everything from your morning coffee to groceries and bills are shooting up in price—we've decided that it’s time to batten down the hatches and really assess where those hard-earned dollars can be saved.

If you love eating out (and we really love eating out, let the minutes show!), you’ve come to the right place. We’ve rounded up the best cheap eats in Melbourne right now—so grab your stretchy pants and dig in!

Cheap Eats in Melbourne

1. Göz City

If you’ve never had a Turkish gözleme, now’s the time to start.

This age-old dish is essentially a Turkish pastry—hand rolled, filled, folded and cooked over a hot plate. Think, crispy on the outside, and oozy as anything on the inside. Drool! Göz City’s offerings start at $14 for a gözleme, $8 for a pide and just $5 for ricotta, feta and herb borek finger. Sign us up.

Location: 502 Little Collins St and 50 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne CBD

2. Butchers Diner

Widely known for being open 24 hours per day, Butchers Diner is one of Melbourne's most popular burger joints, and one of our favourite cheap eats in Melbourne to boot!

Although the prices do creep up to around $20, the hamburger will set you back a humble $10.50, and you can pick up two pieces of slow-cooked octopus or Chinese sausage for just $12 Grab a couple of steamed dim sims for $3 each, and we reckon you'll be having to undo your top button. 

Location: 10 Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD

3. Delhi Streets

With the authentic flavours of Indian street food and the vibrant energy of the markets, Delhi Streets brings a delicious dining experience, sure to surprise and excite the senses.

The street food section of the menu is brimming with deliciousness; we're talking pani puri, samosa chaat and more—as well as thali's starting from just $17. There are also dosas and biryani on the menu, as well as less traditional offerings—like paneer pizza naan and chicken burrito-inspired wraps. 

Location: 22 Katherine Pl, Melbourne

4. Citrus

Affordable Sri Lankan cuisine done astonishingly well is what Citrus Restaurant is all about. 

What qualifies Citrus as one of the best cheap eats in Melbourne is the incredible $15 all-you-can-eat buffet that's brimming with authentic dishes and aromatic flavours. Rice, lentils, curries, sambal, potatoes, fish and a whole lot more await at Citrus, and you can order individual dishes off the menu if buffets aren't your thing!

Location:  252 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North

5. Just Falafs

With pitas, plates and packs on offer, you'll be hard-pressed not to find something that tickles your fancy at Fitzroy North's Just Falafs.

The prices are reasonable, the falafels are divine, and the portions are big. What more could you want? If you're interested in our pick, we'd keep things traditional with a classic pita for just $14, which is stuffed full of falafel, hummus, pickled cabbage, Israeli salad, pickles and tahini. Drool. 

Location: 207 St Georges Rd, Fitzroy North 

6. A1 Bakery

Another Lebanese gem located in the bustling hub of Brunswick, A1 Bakery is a super popular pick among the cheap eats in Melbourne and operates as both a Lebanese bakery and Middle Eastern grocer — selling a variety of bread and Mediterranean grocery items, alongside a delectable range of pita, pies and Lebanese pizza.

Most things on the menu are under $11, like the falafel pizza—falafel spread on the base and topped with lettuce, tomato, pickled turnips, pickled cucumbers, mint, parsley and tahini sauce—for just $10.50. 

Location: 643-645 Sydney Rd, Brunswick

7. Gorilla Grill

The burgers are delicious, and the prices are beyond reasonable, making Gorilla Grill a super-popular spot for a bite in Maribyrnong.

You can get their infamous chimp burger for a tenner—and enjoy beef, cheese, pickles, fine onions, ketchup and gorilla sauce smushed between a brioche bun. Race you there!

Location: 36 Edgewater Blvd, Maribyrnong

8. To’s Bakery

A cult favourite among Footscray locals and blow-ins alike, To's Bakery serves up row upon row of delicious Vietnamese fare—from pastries and pork buns to a huge range of bahn mi options.

The prices are beyond reasonable, with deals like 3 buns for $10 and banh mi for $6.50 or less. What a steal. 

Location: 122 Hopkins St, Footscray

9. Trippy Taco

A vegetarian and vegan fiesta, Trippy Taco is a gem of the Northside food scene.

Prices are good and the food is delicious—the menu is brimming with tacos, burritos, quesadillas, nachos, taquitos and more. Our pick is the black bean quesadilla for $13—and you'd better believe we'll be washing it down with a glass of sangria for just $7.50!

Location: 234 Gertrude St, Fitzroy

10. Slice Shop

A classic New York-style pizzeria, Slice Shop serves both 18" pizzas and slices of the good stuff—so you can save some money all whilst practising portion control. How virtuous!

The menu boasts all the usual suspects and then some, making it the perfect spot for the next time you feel like an easy, delicious dinner that won't break the bank.

Location: 101 Nicholson Street Mall, Footscray

More Melbourne Eats

The Best Brunch in Melbourne
Mouth-watering Burgers in Melbourne
The Best Dumplings in Melbourne

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