Rose Richani

Life in Australia ain’t cheap right now. With so many bills to pay, your budget for dining out might feel like it’s getting tighter and tighter every day. That’s why it’s more important than ever to make those pretty pennies go the extra mile. To help you out, we’ve asked local writers across Australia to recommend their top cheap eats in each capital city. These places whip up hearty meals for less than $20, whether it’s a hefty banh mi, steaming noodle soup or a tasty trio of tacos. Pick your favourite cuisine and track down your closest budget-friendly bite with our guide to the best cheap eats in Australia right now. ✈️ The cheapest places to fly from Australia🥐 Australia's top bakeries for a cheap feed🍕 The best pizzerias in Australia

Dining out? In this economy? Miraculously, Brisbane still has spots where you can eat exceptionally well without having to sell a kidney. If you’re in the mood for a bougie sandwich that feels like a payday treat, a sushi fix that won’t disappoint or late-night pancakes that taste like redemption, we’ve rounded up Brisbane’s best cheap eats. No sad desk lunches. No reheated regret. Just really good food that won’t require an existential crisis at the cash register. ☕️ The best cafés in Brisbane🏝️ All the best free things to do in Brisbane🥘 Brisbane's top Indian restaurants

Loving Hut is an international vegan fast food franchise and your one-stop-shop for a quality feed made with good intentions. Above a freezer filled with various take-home vegan produce sits a busy takeaway-style menu. From Singaporean and Vietnamese noodles and curries to nuggets and pastries, to lasagne and fettucine, the cuisine offered is both eclectic and exciting. At first, you’re not sure what to expect, there’s no specific vibe to the place, and the dishes share no theme other than being vegan. But it’s love at first sight when your meal arrives – we had the Singapore Noodles ($13.99), the Loving Hut Laksa ($13.90) and shared the heavenly salad ($10.90). 

Shoulder to shoulder with Charlie’s fruit and veg and neighbour to Body Fit Training is sweet- and-savoury bakery Veganyumm. Whether you sit in for a snack or take home a pack, be prepared to pick and choose more than you thought you would. This place has the best vegan chicken pesto toasties, with a perfect crisp and creamy texture. For an ideal experience, sit with your back to the Gym entrance, close your eyes (save your gaze for the desert display later) and listen to the crunch of your toastie. The best part? This place closes 10pm most nights. Don’t forget to grab a chunky brownie or savoury pie on your way out!

Located in the old Palmdale shopping centre, opposite Garden City, Watany is a morning walk through Beirut with its fresh bread, classic olive oil, sumac and za’tar trio, and rare Arabic produce. The underwhelming view of the carpark completely contrasts with what you're getting here: a wholesome Lebanese breakfast representing various regions in Lebanon and the Middle East, served with tea and stories. The Fatte plate combines a tanginess with tahini and fried pine nuts ($8.99) while the za’tar pastry rolled up into a wrap with tomato, cucumber olives and mint is freshness that fills you right up ($6.50). My favourite though is the spinach and fetta pastry ($6.80). The cheesy warmth and flavour coupled with the sweet tea reminds me of eating by a woodfire in the elevated mountains of Sawfar, Lebanon.